The Madlanga commission has been investigating the dealings of Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, particularly his interactions with bus company Putco and the taxi industry. On Wednesday, Chief evidence leader Adv Matthew Chaskalson presented several allegations against Sibanyoni, including a series of events that appeared to form part of a plot to force Putco out of business. These events included a threat to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the blocking of Putco buses, and the torching of 51 buses.
Sibanyoni disputed Chaskalson’s claims, but the evidence leader argued that the sequence of events raised questions about a possible link between the attacks and difficulties in securing a proposed 30% stake in Putco. About a year before the torching, Sibanyoni had raised concerns with President Cyril Ramaphosa and minerals and energy minister Gwede Mantashe about red tape preventing local businesses from accessing opportunities with Putco. He said they were pursuing a deal that would see 30% of the work going to locals.
A month after the 51 Putco buses were torched at three KwaNdebele, Mpumalanga, depots, Sibanyoni and his associates approached the bus company with an offer to buy it. However, Putco raised concerns about the timing and said the company was not on the market. The bus company reportedly demanded a R100m non-refundable deposit and a minimum R2bn cash guarantee from an approved finance house before considering any bona fide offer.
Sibanyoni also made statements about his connections to other influential figures. He told the commission that suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya had been at a farm owned by late taxi boss Jotham Msibi, who has been described before the commission as the alleged president of the so-called “Big Five” cartel. The cartel allegedly deals in tender fraud and drug trafficking, among other crimes.
Chaskalson questioned whether the attacks on Putco buses were linked to Sibanyoni’s efforts to secure the proposed 30% stake and whether they were intended to put pressure on Putco to sell. Sibanyoni disputed this assertion, but the commission is continuing to investigate the allegations. The Madlanga commission is tasked with uncovering the truth behind various allegations of corruption and wrongdoing.
The torching of the 51 Putco buses had significant consequences for the company and its operations. The attacks caused disruptions to services and financial losses for Putco. The company has since been working to recover from the damage and restore its operations. The investigation into Sibanyoni’s alleged links to the torching is ongoing.
The commission’s investigation into Sibanyoni’s dealings with Putco and the taxi industry is part of a broader effort to uncover corruption and promote accountability in the sector. The findings of the commission are expected to shed more light on the allegations and potentially lead to further action against those involved.
Key points
- Sibanyoni disputed Chaskalson’s claims of a plot to force Putco out of business.
- Putco demanded a R100m non-refundable deposit and a minimum R2bn cash guarantee from an approved finance house.
- Sibanyoni linked Lt-Gen Sibiya to the alleged “Big Five” cartel.
