Mpumalanga taxi boss and businessman Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni has denied being part of a threatening message sent to businessman Dr Tengane Ntuli, demanding a payment. Sibanyoni testified before the Madlanga Commission, stating that his associate, Bafana "King of the Sky" Sindane, acted alone in sending the message. The message threatened to stop Ntuli's operations in the affected area if a payment was not made. Sibanyoni described Ntuli as someone with whom he had a good relationship.
The exchange came as the commission examined a R2 million extortion case opened by Ntuli against Sibanyoni and Sindane. Ntuli claims that the two men demanded a "protection fee" in return for allowing his operations to continue without interference. The allegations emerged after Ntuli secured a South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) tender to upgrade the Moloto road through Kwaggafontein. Sibanyoni denied sending any threatening message or instructing Sindane to do so.
The commission was shown a WhatsApp message allegedly sent by Sindane after a payment was missed. In the message, Sindane referred to an earlier agreement involving a 60/40 split with Sibanyoni and questioned why the amount being paid had been reduced. Sindane then questioned why Ntuli's operations were continuing when the alleged payments were not being made in full. He gave Ntuli 48 hours to explain why the operation should not be stopped.
In his affidavit, Ntuli said the payments were putting his business under financial strain because a substantial portion of its profits was going to the group. The evidence prompted evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC to characterise the material before the commission as pointing to an extortion operation involving threats of violence. Sibanyoni has denied the allegations against him.
Sibanyoni was questioned on Tuesday over payments allegedly made towards the legal costs of Gwabo Mahlangu, a convicted criminal linked to taxi-related murders. The Madlanga Commission is examining alleged criminal syndicates and extortion cases involving taxi bosses. The commission heard that Sibanyoni made a R900,000 business payment to a man accusing him of extortion.
The WhatsApp messages, recovered from Sindane's phone, have emerged as a key part of the commission's examination of alleged criminal syndicates. The messages allegedly show taxi bosses demanding monthly payments from a contractor working on the Moloto Road project. The inquiry also heard that Sindane had applied to the High Court in Pretoria to stop the commission from hearing his testimony, but his application was struck off the roll.
Sibanyoni is expected to continue testifying before the Madlanga Commission. The commission's findings could have significant implications for the taxi industry and those involved in alleged extortion rackets. The case has highlighted the issue of extortion and violence in the taxi industry, with many calls for greater accountability and action against those involved.
Key points
- Taxi boss Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni denies involvement in a R2m extortion case, blaming associate Bafana 'King of the Sky' Sindane.
- The Madlanga Commission is examining alleged extortion rackets and criminal syndicates involving taxi bosses.
- The case has highlighted the issue of extortion and violence in the taxi industry.
