CCN

28 September 2026 | 20:30

PRETORIA — Mpumalanga taxi boss Madoda Johannes “Joe Ferrari” Sibanyoni is expected to return to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, 29 September, as the inquiry continues examining evidence concerning his alleged links to criminal networks, police officials and the taxi industry.

The hearing is scheduled to take place at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria.

Sibanyoni has already appeared before the commission twice, first on 28 August and again on 21 September, when he read a supplementary statement responding to further evidence put before him.

His cross-examination has yet to take place.

Meanwhile, evidence placed before the commission has included WhatsApp messages and other documents linked to a separate criminal case in which Sibanyoni is accused of extortion and money laundering.

He denies the allegations.

Sibanyoni’s first appearance

Sibanyoni first testified on 28 August under a Rule 10.6 notice.

During his evidence, he rejected allegations that he was a member of the so-called “Big Five” criminal syndicate.

Instead, he told the commission that he had been a target of the alleged network.

Sibanyoni described surviving shootings in 2006 and August 2022 and named the late taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi in connection with threats against him.

He also told the inquiry that he had previously approached then-police minister Bheki Cele about allegations of a cartel with roots inside the police.

The commission’s public record notes that these claims remain untested evidence rather than findings.

Supplementary statement and delayed cross-examination

Sibanyoni returned to the commission on 21 September and read a supplementary statement after making corrections.

He used the statement to respond to additional evidence, including WhatsApp messages involving suspended police sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

Sibanyoni described Nkosi as a social acquaintance and denied that his relationship with police officers was improper.

He also challenged the use of data extracted from his cellphone, arguing that the information had been obtained during a separate criminal investigation.

His cross-examination was subsequently postponed after his lawyer, Advocate Mpati Qofa, told the commission he had other commitments. The commission’s public record says a new date had not yet been determined.

The R2.2 million criminal case

Separate from the commission, Sibanyoni faces criminal charges arising from an alleged extortion scheme involving a mining businessman.

The state alleges that Sibanyoni and his co-accused demanded more than R2.2 million in protection fees between 2022 and 2025.

According to evidence reported from the commission, the alleged arrangement involved demands for approximately R100,000 a month from businessman Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli.

Ntuli has alleged that the payments were demanded to allow his business operations to continue without interference.

The alleged extortion was connected to a business project involving a Sanral tender to upgrade the Moloto road in Mpumalanga.

The allegations have not been tested in a criminal trial.

Arrest and bail

Sibanyoni was arrested on 12 May 2026 alongside co-accused including Oupa “Bafana” Sindane.

They face allegations of extortion and money laundering.

The accused were later granted bail of R70,000 each.

The commission’s public record states that the criminal matter was subsequently postponed in the Delmas Magistrates’ Court to 20 October 2026, after the defence said it had not received the final docket or charge sheet.

All the accused deny the charges.

WhatsApp evidence comes under scrutiny

The criminal case has also become relevant to the Madlanga Commission because investigators seized and examined cellphone data from Sibanyoni.

Sibanyoni objected to the commission relying on information taken from his phone, arguing that the material had been obtained during the criminal investigation.

The commission has nevertheless continued examining WhatsApp communications and other documents connected to the case.

The material forms part of the inquiry’s wider investigation into relationships between taxi-industry figures, police officials and people allegedly connected to organised crime.

Evidence concerning Bafana Sindane

The commission has also heard evidence concerning Sibanyoni’s relationship with fellow taxi boss Oupa “Bafana” Sindane.

Sindane is a co-accused in the separate extortion case.

On Monday, 28 September, evidence leaders examined WhatsApp communications from Sindane’s phone, including material concerning alleged police escorts, police contacts and alleged payments connected to legal representation.

The commission also heard evidence suggesting that Sindane allegedly possessed confidential SAPS information. (EWN⁠)

The evidence is being considered in the broader context of the commission’s investigation into alleged links between police officials and taxi-industry figures.

What We Know

• Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni is a Mpumalanga taxi boss and businessman.
• He first testified before the Madlanga Commission on 28 August.
• He returned on 21 September to read a supplementary statement.
• He denies being a member of the alleged “Big Five” syndicate.
• He has denied improper relationships with police officers.
• His cross-examination has been postponed.
• He faces separate criminal charges involving alleged extortion and money laundering.
• The state alleges that more than R2.2 million in protection fees were demanded from a mining businessman between 2022 and 2025.
• The alleged payments were approximately R100,000 per month.
• Sibanyoni and his co-accused were granted R70,000 bail each.
• The criminal case remains before the Delmas Magistrates’ Court.
• The allegations have not been proven in court.

The Big Question

What will emerge when Sibanyoni is subjected to cross-examination about the evidence placed before the commission?

His first two appearances largely involved him presenting his own account and responding to additional material.

Cross-examination could allow evidence leaders to put the WhatsApp communications, alleged relationships and other documentary evidence directly to him.

What Happens Next

Sibanyoni is expected to return to the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, 29 September, subject to the commission’s sitting arrangements.

The inquiry is expected to continue examining the evidence concerning his relationships with police officials, his alleged links to the taxi industry and the material arising from his separate criminal case.

The commission will ultimately have to assess the evidence and determine what findings, if any, are justified.

For now, the allegations against Sibanyoni and his co-accused remain unproven.

Featured image caption

Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni is expected back before the Madlanga Commission as evidence concerning his alleged links to police officials and a separate R2.2 million extortion case comes under scrutiny.

Article information

Category: Madlanga Commission / Crime
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
Key figure: Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni
Commission chair: Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga
Evidence: WhatsApp communications, cellphone data and documents linked to a separate criminal case
Related criminal case: Alleged extortion and money laundering
Status: Evidence under examination; criminal allegations not yet tested at trial

Legal note

The allegations concerning the alleged protection-fee scheme are allegations by the state and complainant and have not been proven in court. Sibanyoni and his co-accused deny the charges and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission is also subject to testing and does not by itself constitute a finding of criminal guilt or wrongdoing.