Taxi boss Bafana "King of the Sky" Sindane has been ordered to appear before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday. His lawyers had sought to postpone his testimony due to prior commitments at the Khampepe Commission. However, Chairperson retired Deputy Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga directed Sindane's legal team to file a formal postponement application by midnight on Monday. The application will be heard on Wednesday, but Madlanga said Sindane must attend the commission regardless of the outcome.
Sindane faces criminal charges linked to an alleged extortion scheme involving more than R2 million. The state alleges that Sindane, along with Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, and Philemon Msiza, forced a mining businessman in Mpumalanga's Nkangala district to pay unlawful protection fees between 2022 and 2025. The businessman was allegedly threatened with having his operations shut down if he failed to pay. Sindane also faces money-laundering charges connected to the proceeds.
The commission has subpoenaed Sindane and issued a Rule 10.6 notice requiring him to answer questions about alleged criminal syndicates and associations in the transport sector. Sindane's expected appearance comes after his co-accused, Sibanyoni, appeared before the commission on Monday, but his testimony was postponed. Sindane was granted bail after his arrest and authorities alleged that he attempted to evade arrest.
Sindane's lawyers, led by Mpati Qofa, told the commission that they had already been scheduled to appear before the Khampepe Commission and asked for his testimony to be delayed. "We were booked as far as February for the Khampepe commission," Qofa said. However, Madlanga emphasized that Sindane's presence on Wednesday was crucial.
The Madlanga Commission is investigating alleged criminal syndicates and associations in the transport sector. The commission's hearings are not sitting on Tuesday, allowing Sindane's legal team to prepare for his testimony on Wednesday. The outcome of the postponement application will determine if Sindane's testimony will proceed as scheduled.
Sibanyoni, another prominent taxi boss, has also been embroiled in controversy. He was granted R70,000 bail in the Delmas Magistrate's Court and has launched an urgent High Court application to halt his arrest. The cases against Sindane and Sibanyoni highlight the growing scrutiny of taxi bosses and their alleged links to organized crime.
The cases against Sindane and Sibanyoni have significant implications for the taxi industry in South Africa. The Madlanga Commission's investigation aims to uncover the extent of alleged criminal syndicates and associations in the transport sector. As Sindane testifies on Wednesday, the commission's findings are expected to shed more light on the matter.
Key points
- Taxi boss Bafana Sindane to face Madlanga Commission over R2m extortion claims
- Sindane faces money-laundering charges connected to alleged extortion scheme
- Commission aims to uncover alleged criminal syndicates in transport sector
