In South Africa, allegations of extortion and business intimidation have surfaced involving two prominent taxi bosses in Mpumalanga. Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni and Bafana Sindane face extortion and money-laundering charges for allegedly demanding R2 million in protection fees from Tengane Mining. The company was awarded a contract to supply aggregate stone for the R573 Moloto Road construction project. WhatsApp messages presented to the Madlanga Commission have added to the allegations, raising questions about their links to police officers and men accused or convicted of taxi-related killings.
The Madlanga Commission heard evidence from Tengane Ntuli's affidavit, stating that Sibanyoni and Sindane threatened to split his contract 60%-40% for operating in the area. Ntuli pushed back, saying this would kill his business. They then demanded R100 000 monthly payments. Ntuli secured the contract himself as a permit holder licensed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. He told the Commission that Sibanyoni and Sindane sent multiple WhatsApp messages demanding meetings and payments. Tengane Mining director Bathabile Ntuli also testified that the company made regular payments under duress.
Sibanyoni and Sindane are accused of extorting Tengane Mining between 2021 and 2025. Tengane Mining made R2 million in payments before going to court. Bathabile Ntuli stated that all payments made to Sibanyoni and his team were under duress, as they feared for their lives due to Sibanyoni's operational history in Kwaggafontein. The construction and transport economy along Mpumalanga's Moloto Road appears to have operated under an unwritten rule that businesses had to share in government contracts or pay to work in the area.
Sibanyoni testified before the commission, pointing to Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi as police officers who visited a farm owned by the late Jotham "King Mswazi" Msibi. The farm has been linked to various suspects, including Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. Sibanyoni claimed that individuals would visit the farm, and he was afraid to comply with police stops, fearing kidnapping. He conceded to visiting the farm a few times but stopped after Msibi's death in 2024.
Sindane failed to appear at the Madlanga Commission, citing ill health and spiritual seclusion related to his journey to becoming a sangoma. WhatsApp messages presented to the commission indicated that Sibanyoni and Sindane had cornered the lucrative Moloto Road economy. One message referred to an alleged R500 million contract on the road that the two men sought to acquire.
The commission also heard evidence about the alleged financing of men convicted of taxi-related murders. Sibanyoni was confronted with evidence that he paid the legal expenses of Calvin Gwabo Mahlangu, convicted in a taxi-related killing. Sibanyoni did not deny paying the legal fees, stating he intervened after Mahlangu's mother asked for assistance. He claimed providing financial assistance did not mean he hired or instructed the men to commit killings.
The commission's testimony suggests that pressure was deliberately applied to force Putco towards a sale, after the bus company was at loggerheads with Sibanyoni and GCBS. Over 350 incidents involving taxis blocking buses were recorded, and Putco buses were burned. Sibanyoni denied that the messages demonstrate extortion or criminal control, stating the payments were linked to "local business support".
Key points
- Mpumalanga taxi bosses Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni and Bafana Sindane face extortion and money-laundering charges.
- The accused allegedly demanded R2 million in protection fees from Tengane Mining.
- WhatsApp messages presented to the commission suggest an unwritten rule that businesses had to share in government contracts or pay to work in the area.
