Taxi Boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni Returns to Madlanga Commission
Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni is set to return to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry for cross-examination on Tuesday, facing questions about an alleged extortion racket that extracted more than R2 million from a contractor working on the Moloto Road upgrade project.
Sibanyoni, president of the South African Local and Long Distance Taxi and Bus Organisation, previously testified before the commission on 28 August 2026 about his business relationship with the late taxi mogul Jothan “Mswazi” Msibi.
The commission is investigating allegations of corruption, criminality and alleged links between taxi industry figures, criminal networks and law-enforcement officials.
THE R2.29 MILLION “PROTECTION FEE”
Evidence presented to the commission last week detailed how Sibanyoni and his close associate Oupa “Bafana” Sindane allegedly received more than R2.29 million in protection fees from Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli, whose company supplied aggregate stone to the R3.7 billion Moloto Road upgrade project.
Ntuli’s affidavit states that at his first meeting with Sibanyoni, he was told to pay R100,000 to “open a line of communication.” From July 2021 until November 2025, Ntuli says he paid Sibanyoni and Sindane monthly, with most payments made to the company MJ & Sons Transport.
“During the meeting I was told that, for me to operate in that area, I have to pay a protection fee because they are the police looking after all the land in Kwaggafontein,” Ntuli said, describing Sibanyoni as part of a “cartel” running a protection fee syndicate.
WhatsApp messages recovered from Sindane’s phone reveal threats when payments were missed. In a July 2024 message to Ntuli, Sindane allegedly wrote:
“You used to pay us R100,000, but I’m now left confused as to why you’ve reduced the payment yet again. I demand a response, within 48 hours, detailing why the operation should not be stopped so that you come and account for what’s going on”.
The message was signed off as “The Landlord, GrowthPoint” allegedly to disguise Sindane as the sender.
“THE NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN”
Chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson told the commission that the WhatsApp messages suggest a transition of control over protection payments.
“He used to report at the farm for all his Soshanguve projects, but he now knows there’s a new sheriff in town,” Chaskalson said. “So, what we infer from this is that there is a contractor who used to pay protection money to Mr Msibi, but he’s now heard that there’s a new sheriff in town, and he now approaches Mr Sibanyoni”.
Sibanyoni has denied involvement in Jothan Msibi’s alleged Gauteng cartel, which he referred to as “the farm.” In his statement to the commission, he said: “I have succeeded as the leader of the taxi industry, which must be distinguished from leading the farm and wielding the power that flows from it”.
LEGAL FEES FOR CONVICTED HITMEN
The commission also heard evidence that Sibanyoni and Sindane allegedly paid legal expenses for two men convicted of taxi-related murders.
WhatsApp exchanges involving attorney Hartley Ngoato show repeated requests for payment for representing Gwabo Mahlangu and Tshegofatso Richmond “Morwa” Makofane, both convicted of taxi-related killings.
Mahlangu was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2025, while Makofane was sentenced to life in 2023 for violent taxi shootings.
“What these chats cumulatively suggest is that Sibanyoni and Sindane were involved in paying the legal expenses of Mr Gwabo Mahlangu, who was convicted of a taxi-related murder, and Mr Tshegofatso Richmond Makofane, who was also convicted of a taxi-related murder,” Chaskalson said. “They were supporting the legal defence of these two apparent ‘izinkabi,’ and we would like to find out why”.
Ngoato was allegedly owed at least R250,000 in outstanding legal fees.
POLICE AT SINDANE’S FINGERTIPS
The WhatsApp evidence also revealed that Sindane allegedly had police officers at his disposal for escorts. According to Chaskalson, Sindane had a police officer saved on his phone as “Lepara SAPS Highway” who offered to provide him with escorts.
“If one looks at the chats, it seems essentially that Lepara was at the disposal of Mr Sindane. In one of the chats, Lepara tells Sindane that they are available in case he needs an escort,” Chaskalson said.
Another exchange was between Sindane and a person saved as “Mashigo SAPS Midrand,” which Chaskalson said showed “an ongoing relationship” about providing escorts.
SIBANYONI CHALLENGES EVIDENCE
Sibanyoni is opposing the use of his WhatsApp messages as evidence. He has indicated he will not answer questions about the separate criminal charges he faces, saying doing so could prejudice his court case.
Sibanyoni, Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza were arrested in May 2026 and charged with extortion and money laundering following Ntuli’s complaint. All four have denied the allegations and are out on bail.
On Monday, the Gauteng High Court struck from the roll Sindane’s urgent application to block the commission from hearing his testimony and to prevent the WhatsApp messages from being admitted as evidence.
