Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni has testified before the Madlanga Commission, revealing that he paid businessman Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli R900,000 for a business venture. The payment was made for a proposed upgrade of the Moloto Road through Kwaggafontein. Sibanyoni stated that the payment was a contribution towards the business venture and directly to Ntuli. This testimony has garnered significant attention as Ntuli has accused Sibanyoni of extorting about R2 million from him.
The Madlanga Commission is investigating alleged criminal syndicate links in the mining sector. Messages recovered from the phone of Sibanyoni’s associate, Bafana “King of the Sky” Sindane, have emerged as a key part of the commission’s examination. These messages suggest that Sibanyoni may be involved in a larger network of alleged extortion and corruption. Sibanyoni has previously denied involvement in Jothan Msibi’s alleged Gauteng cartel, referred to as “the farm”.
Sibanyoni has a history of involvement in the taxi industry, having partnered with Msibi on taxi-related ventures. However, he maintains that his leadership of the taxi industry should not be confused with control of the alleged criminal network. Msibi, a prominent figure in the taxi industry, died in 2024. Sibanyoni emphasized that he has succeeded as the leader of the taxi industry, distinct from leading the alleged cartel.
The commission's evidence leader, Matthew Chaskalson, presented messages sent to Sindane in January 2025, which raised questions about alleged payments from contractors. The messages suggest that a contractor who previously paid protection money to Msibi is now approaching Sibanyoni. This has led to further scrutiny of Sibanyoni's business dealings and alleged connections to organized crime.
Despite the allegations, Sibanyoni is challenging the admissibility of the WhatsApp messages as evidence. The proceedings are currently underway, with the commission carefully examining the evidence presented. Sibanyoni's testimony and the WhatsApp messages have become crucial components of the investigation into alleged corruption and extortion in the taxi industry.
The Madlanga Commission's investigation aims to uncover the extent of alleged corruption and organized crime in the mining and taxi sectors. Sibanyoni's testimony and the allegations against him have significant implications for the industry and the individuals involved. The commission will continue to examine the evidence and hear from various witnesses to shed light on these allegations.
The case has sparked intense debate about corruption and organized crime in South Africa's taxi industry. Sibanyoni's case will likely have far-reaching consequences for those involved in the industry and may lead to further investigations and potential prosecutions. The commission's findings will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and the general public.
Key points
- Sibanyoni paid R900,000 to Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli for a business venture.
- The Madlanga Commission is investigating alleged links between Sibanyoni and organized crime.
- Sibanyoni denies involvement in Jothan Msibi's alleged Gauteng cartel.
