Mpumalanga taxi boss Bafana "King of the Sky" Sindane's legal team has applied to postpone his testimony before the Madlanga Commission, citing his uncontrollable hypertension and a concurrent period of sacred spiritual seclusion. Advocate Thabani Masuku presented the application, raising three issues, including Sindane's medical condition, his spiritual retreat, and a pending High Court challenge to the commission's subpoena.
Masuku argued that Sindane's spiritual seclusion is a deeply personal and culturally significant process that cannot be interrupted. He emphasized that the practice is inseparable from Sindane's personhood, identity, and well-being as an African person. The legal team maintains that the commission should not force Sindane to abandon his spiritual retreat.
A medical certificate was presented to the commission, citing high blood pressure as a separate reason Sindane is not fit to testify. This added a new dimension to earlier correspondence, in which the spiritual seclusion had been raised. The medical issue and spiritual retreat are occurring simultaneously, requiring the legal team to explain the dual circumstances.
Sindane's lawyers also pointed to an urgent application before the Pretoria High Court, seeking to interdict the commission's subpoena. The matter is scheduled to be heard on October 6, 2026. The dispute concerns information allegedly extracted from Sindane's cellphone by the Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit and provided to the commission.
Chief Evidence Leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC opposed the postponement request, arguing that the pending court application and spiritual seclusion should not halt the commission's work. He described the High Court challenge as a "self-created urgency" and suggested the matter could be struck from the roll due to the delay.
Chaskalson proposed that documentary evidence connected to Sindane's testimony should be "flighted" before the commission, allowing the inquiry to continue while preserving the opportunity for Sindane to respond later. He stressed that the commission cannot afford prolonged delays, as its programme is tight and it needs to finish its work.
The Madlanga Commission is expected to rule on the matter on Monday. The commission's work may be impacted by the outcome, as it continues to investigate allegations involving Sindane and co-accused Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni. The dispute over the use of private WhatsApp messages, reportedly containing references to alleged hitmen and payments, remains a key aspect of the case.
Key points
- Sindane's lawyers cite his medical condition and spiritual retreat in bid to delay testimony
- The Madlanga Commission faces a tight programme and may be impacted by delays
- A High Court challenge to the commission's subpoena has been launched by Sindane's lawyers
