BY: Saneliso Mlambo
The Durban High Court has stayed the execution of arrest warrants issued against KwaZulu-Natal taxi boss Siyabonga Thomas Getsemane, pending further legal proceedings. The warrants relate to allegations of fraud, extortion, trespassing and harassment dating back to 2023, but the allegations have not been tested in court.
Judge Mluleki Chithi granted the interim order after Getsemane and three other applicants brought an urgent application against the National Prosecuting Authority, the Minister of Police and other respondents. According to court papers, police attempted to execute the warrants at Getsemane’s La Lucia home on 17 July but were unable to locate him.
The warrants were authorised by the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on 26 June 2026. Getsemane’s legal team argued that the warrants carried the same case number as a November 2023 matter in which he and 12 others were arrested over alleged trespassing at Qala Quarry in Inanda. That earlier case was not enrolled after prosecutors declined to prosecute.
Authorities have indicated that the latest warrants relate to allegations of fraud and extortion linked to documents Getsemane allegedly presented to police regarding his presence at the quarry. Those allegations remain before the courts, and no findings of guilt have been made.
The High Court’s order does not determine Getsemane’s innocence or guilt. It temporarily suspends the execution of the warrants while the legal challenge proceeds. The matter is expected to return to court for further argument.