A recent hearing at the Madlanga commission has shed light on the alleged extortion scheme involving Bafana Sindane, a Mpumalanga taxi boss and associate of Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni. WhatsApp messages found on Sindane's phone reveal his alleged connections to police officers and hitmen. The messages show that Sindane had a police officer saved on his phone as "Lepara SAPS Highway", who allegedly offered to provide him with escorts.
According to Adv Mathews Chaskalson, chief evidence leader, the chats suggest that Lepara was at Sindane's disposal, with one message indicating that Lepara was available to provide escorts. Another exchange between Sindane and a person saved as "Mashigo SAPS Midrand" also suggests an ongoing relationship for providing escorts. These allegations have raised questions about Sindane's connections to law enforcement and his involvement in the alleged extortion scheme.
The commission also heard that Sindane allegedly sent threatening messages to businessman Dr Thomas Ntuli after he missed a monthly "protection fee" payment in July 2024. Sindane, Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Masilela, and Philemon Msiza were arrested in May 2026 and charged with extortion and money laundering following a complaint by Ntuli. The group allegedly demanded a protection fee from Ntuli for his operations to continue without disruption after securing a Sanral tender to upgrade Moloto Road.
In one message, Sindane allegedly demanded an explanation from Ntuli after he reduced his monthly payment from R100,000 to R50,000. The message expressed disappointment and demanded a response within 48 hours, detailing why the operation should not be stopped. The commission also heard about R250,000 that Adv Hartley Ngoato allegedly demanded from Sindane and Sibanyoni for representing convicted hitmen Calvin Gwabo Mahlangu and Tshegofatso Makofane.
The WhatsApp exchanges appear to show that Sibanyoni and Sindane were paying the legal expenses of Mahlangu and Makofane, who were convicted in separate taxi-related murder cases. Chaskalson stated that the chats cumulatively suggest that Sibanyoni and Sindane were involved in supporting the legal defence of these two men, and the commission would like to find out why.
Sindane approached the Johannesburg high court to block the commission from hearing his testimony and evidence but his application was thrown out of court. He also failed to appear before the commission, leading to Chaskalson presenting his evidence in his absence. Sibanyoni is expected to return to the commission on Tuesday.
The allegations against Sindane and others have raised concerns about the involvement of taxi bosses in extortion schemes and their connections to law enforcement and hitmen. The commission's findings will likely have significant implications for those involved and may lead to further investigations and prosecutions.
Key points
- - Bafana Sindane's alleged connections to police officers and hitmen have been revealed through WhatsApp messages. - Sindane and others allegedly demanded a protection fee from Dr Thomas Ntuli for his operations to continue without disruption. - The commission found evidence that Sindane and Sibanyoni were paying the legal expenses of convicted hitmen.
