Magistrates commission resolves uncertainty over chief magistrate Tonjeni's retirement

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The Magistrates Commission has clarified details regarding the retirement of Chief Magistrate Tuleto Tonjeni in response to inquiries.

Magistrates commission resolves uncertainty over chief magistrate Tonjeni's retirement — **TRANSPARENCY:** Magistrates Commission details Chief Magistrate Tonjeni’s departure.

According to the commission, this resolution aims to address any uncertainties related to the circumstances or timing of her departure from the position, ensuring transparency and informational clarity for interested parties.

Tonjeni, a notable South African judge, was involved in the high-profile extortion and money-laundering case and presided over the bail application of taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and others at Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court.

She retired on Friday during an investigation into her conduct.

State prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba had previously informed the court that he wanted the matter postponed until Tuesday due to other commitments.

Because Ntaba failed to appear in court, Tonjeni held him in contempt, issued a warrant for his arrest, and struck the case off the roll, which allowed the accused to walk free.

Following the dismissal, the National Prosecuting Authority re-enrolled the case in Delmas, resulting in Sibanyoni and his co-accused being re-arrested and released on R70,000 bail.

In a statement regarding the complaint against Tonjeni, the Commission confirmed that her last working day was on Friday.

Chief Magistrate Tonjeni’s intention to retire

It further stated that on 9 July 2025, Tonjeni formally notified the Commission of her intention to retire effective 31 May 2026, in accordance with section 13 (1) of the Magistrates Act (Act 90 of 1993).

Additionally, on 29 May, a supplementary complaint was received by the Commission from the National Prosecuting Authority.

“The initial complaint was registered by the Commission under reference 234/2026. The allocated number signifies the sequence among other complaints registered in the year 2026.

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“However, the commission appreciates that this complaint is in the public interest and has requested the ethics committee to consider the matter out of turn during its next meeting scheduled for mid-June 2026,” the commission spokesperson Advocate Naome Manaka said in a statement.

Adv. Manaka appealled to the public to allow it the opportunity to follow due process to address this complaint and extend its sincere gratitude in advance to all for understanding.