A South African commission of inquiry has heard allegations of an extortion racket involving taxi bosses Joe Sibanyoni and Bafana Sindane. According to businessman Dr Thomas Ntuli, the group demanded a monthly payment of R100,000 from him to ensure smooth operations of his business. Ntuli had secured a tender with the South African National Roads Agency to upgrade the Moloto road. The accused, including Sibanyoni, Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela, and Philemon Msiza, have denied the allegations and are out on bail.
WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Sindane to Ntuli were read out in the commission, revealing a threatening tone. In one message, Sindane expressed disappointment and demanded a response within 48 hours, detailing why the payment had not been made. The message stated that the operation would be stopped if Ntuli did not account for the payment. The messages were described as part of a pattern of alleged extortion by advocate Matthews Chaskalson, the chief evidence leader.
The alleged extortion racket involved a protection fee that Ntuli was told to pay to operate smoothly. According to Ntuli, the group claimed that the land was theirs, and he needed to pay them to avoid disturbances. The accused have denied the allegations, but the commission heard evidence of a pattern of payments demanded from Ntuli from July 2021 until 2025. The payments were allegedly reduced from an initial 60/40 split between Ntuli and Sibanyoni.
The commission also heard about another alleged threat made by Msiza in November 2025. Ntuli claims that Msiza told him that the group would stop operations at his mining company if they did not receive a payment. Ntuli stated that the alleged protection fee was crippling his business, as most of its profits were going to the group. The accused have denied any wrongdoing, but the commission continues to hear evidence.
Chaskalson described the alleged extortion racket as being enforced with threats of violence. He pointed out that the WhatsApp messages and affidavits from Ntuli and others suggested a pattern of extortion. The commission also heard about chats between an attorney and Sindane, which allegedly involved demands for payments for representing two hitmen implicated in taxi-related killings.
The accused, including Sibanyoni and Sindane, were arrested in May 2026 and charged with extortion and money laundering. They have denied the allegations and are out on bail. The Gauteng High Court had earlier struck off the roll Sindane's urgent application to stop the Madlanga commission of inquiry from hearing his testimony.
The commission continues to hear evidence in the alleged extortion case against the taxi bosses. Key points include the alleged demands for a protection fee, the threatening WhatsApp messages, and the accused's denial of any wrongdoing.
Key points
- The accused, including Sibanyoni and Sindane, allegedly demanded a monthly payment of R100,000 from Ntuli.
- WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Sindane to Ntuli revealed a threatening tone and demands for payment.
- The accused have denied the allegations of extortion and money laundering.
