Taxi leader Joe «Ferrari» Sibanyoni underwent multi-day questioning as part of the Madlanga Commission. He was questioned regarding WhatsApp messages, payments, alleged extortion, links to a convicted murderer, and warnings about potential disruptions at PUTCO. Before concluding his testimony, he rejected all accusations, citing the Bible.
After a week of discussions concerning a R500 million tender, WhatsApp messages, the burning of PUTCO, threats, extortion allegations, involvement with a convicted killer, and ongoing disputes over the right to self-defense, Sibanyoni turned to the Bible. Appearing before the Madlanga Commission this week, he quoted Matthew 5:11–12, presenting himself as a person enduring persecution.
This interrogation began after lead counsel Matthew Chaksalson posed uncomfortable questions regarding WhatsApp messages, video recordings, and allegations related to his business and taxi operations. All this material was obtained from the phone of his associate, Bafana «King of Heaven» Sindane.
Sibanyoni disputed the notion that a message proved his involvement, claiming he neither sent it nor remembers receiving it. He was also accused regarding messages describing him as the «new sheriff in town,» which apparently referred to his status following the death of former taxi boss Mswazi Msibi. Sibanyoni dismissed this description, stating he prefers to call himself the «president.»
A video recording was shown to Sibanyoni, made during a 2024 meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Gvede Mantashe. During this meeting, he demanded a 30% local stake in PUTCO and warned that if people learned about disruptions at the bus company, «they should know it was us.»
The inquiry gained additional significance after the commission learned of the burning of 50 PUTCO buses in January 2025. Sibanyoni denied ordering the attacks, insisting his statements concerned community participation, not violence. His connection to violence came under renewed scrutiny when asked about financing the legal costs of Gvabo Malanga, a convicted murderer linked to taxi-related killings.
When asked why he was funding the defense of «Inkabi,» Sibanyoni's answer was straightforward: «His mother asked me to.» Another question concerned businessman Dr. Tengane Ntuli and payments totaling approximately R2.29 million. Sibanyoni admitted receiving R100,000 monthly under what he described as a verbal partnership for «local content,» but agreed that he performed no physical work for these payments. He rejected characterizing this arrangement as extortion, instead blaming his associate, Bafana «King of Heaven» Sindane, for allegedly sending threatening messages to Ntuli independently.
Throughout the testimony process, Sibanyoni's legal team also referenced his pending criminal cases in Delmas and Kwağgafontein. The Commission objected, noting that a claim of privilege against self-incrimination must be made in response to specific questions, not used as an overarching defense. Sibanyoni denied guilt and contested the charges brought against him, leaving the commission with a final warning: «We'll see each other when I see you... If not, we'll see each other soon.»
The Commission suspended public hearings, which will resume on November 9.