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28 September 2026 | 21:32
PRETORIA —

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard detailed allegations that taxi bosses Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and Oupa “Bafana” Sindane demanded millions of rand from businessman Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli through what was described as a monthly “protection fee” arrangement.

Chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson took the commission through WhatsApp exchanges and Ntuli’s account of the alleged scheme on Monday.

According to evidence presented to the commission, Ntuli was allegedly required to pay R100,000 a month after becoming involved in the supply of aggregate material for construction work on the R573 Moloto Road near Kwaggafontein.

The allegations form part of a criminal case in which Sibanyoni, Sindane, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza face charges of extortion and money laundering. The accused have denied the allegations and are out on bail.

Ntuli says he was introduced to Sindane as a “deputy president”

Ntuli’s account, as presented by Chaskalson, centres on his involvement in the Moloto Road construction project.

He said he had obtained a mining rights permit for Tengane Mining and approached King Civil, the main contractor appointed to construct a seven-kilometre section of the road.

It was during this period, according to his evidence, that he allegedly encountered pressure to pay money to operate in the area.

Ntuli told the commission that Sindane was introduced to him during a meeting involving Sibanyoni and other people.

According to the evidence presented, Sindane was introduced as a “deputy president”.

Ntuli allegedly said he was then instructed to pay R100,000.

He later allegedly made a cash payment of R100,000 to Sibanyoni after being told that the group was responsible for looking after the land in Kwaggafontein.

Alleged 40% demand

The commission heard that the demands allegedly escalated.

Ntuli said Sibanyoni and Sindane later demanded 40% of his earnings from the operation.

The arrangement was allegedly changed to a monthly payment of R100,000 to Sibanyoni’s company, MJ & Son Transport.

Chaskalson told the commission that payments made to the company amounted to more than R2.29 million.

The alleged payments were said to have continued over a period running from 2021 into 2025. Other reporting on the commission evidence has placed the alleged monthly payments at R100,000 and said the group allegedly threatened to stop Ntuli’s operations if payments were not made.

WhatsApp messages allegedly show pressure over payments

The commission was shown WhatsApp exchanges between Sindane and Ntuli.

One message, read into the record, allegedly followed a reduction in Ntuli’s payment from R100,000 to R50,000.

In the exchange, Sindane allegedly questioned why the payment had been reduced and referred to an earlier arrangement involving Sibanyoni.

He allegedly demanded an explanation within 48 hours and warned that the operation could be stopped.

The message was presented as part of the evidence supporting the allegation that the payments were not ordinary commercial arrangements but were allegedly enforced through threats and pressure.

Sindane was not present in the commission to respond to the contents of the messages.

Payments allegedly increased after contractor changed

The commission also heard that the alleged demands changed after Edwin Construction became involved in the project.

According to Chaskalson’s presentation, Sibanyoni and Sindane allegedly demanded R120,000 after the change.

The evidence leader characterised the material before the commission as pointing to an alleged extortion syndicate.

Chaskalson said the affidavits and WhatsApp exchanges showed what he described as an alleged “extortion racket” involving threats and demands for payment.

Those characterisations are allegations presented by the evidence leader and have not been established as findings of the commission.

The criminal case

The allegations before the Madlanga Commission are connected to a separate criminal prosecution.

Sibanyoni, Sindane, Masilela and Msiza were arrested in May 2026 and face charges of extortion and money laundering arising from allegations involving Ntuli.

The state alleges that more than R2 million in protection fees were demanded from the businessman between 2022 and 2025.

All four accused deny the charges and have been granted bail of R70,000 each. The criminal matter has not been tried, meaning the allegations remain to be proved in court.

The Delmas Magistrates’ Court postponed the matter to 20 October 2026, with the defence reportedly raising concerns about not having received the final docket and charge sheet.

Sindane’s evidence remains under scrutiny

Sindane has separately been fighting efforts by the commission to examine evidence from his cellphone, including WhatsApp communications.

His postponement application was dismissed, and the commission ordered that evidence concerning him be led on Monday, 28 September, in whatever format was possible.

His legal team has also raised concerns about possible self-incrimination arising from questions the commission intends to ask about his alleged associations and discussions involving “izinkabi”.

The commission’s public record notes that the allegations against Sindane remain untested because he has not yet answered them in the witness box.

What We Know

• Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli is at the centre of the alleged protection-fee case.
• He was involved in supplying aggregate material connected to construction work on the R573 Moloto Road.
• The commission heard allegations that he was told to pay money to continue operating in the area.
• A monthly payment of R100,000 was allegedly demanded.
• Chaskalson said payments to MJ & Son Transport exceeded R2.29 million.
• WhatsApp messages allegedly show Sindane demanding explanations for reduced or missed payments.
• The four accused — Sibanyoni, Sindane, Masilela and Msiza — deny the criminal charges.
• The criminal case remains before the courts and no conviction has been recorded.

The Big Question

The central issue now before the commission is whether the payments described by Ntuli were legitimate commercial arrangements or whether, as alleged by the evidence leaders and the state, they were extracted through intimidation and threats.

The WhatsApp messages, payment records and Ntuli’s account are expected to form part of the evidence the commission considers in determining what happened.

The commission itself does not determine criminal guilt. Any criminal liability arising from the allegations must ultimately be determined through the criminal justice process.

What Happens Next?

The Madlanga Commission is continuing with evidence concerning Sindane, Sibanyoni and alleged criminal networks operating around the taxi industry.

Sibanyoni’s own evidence remains part-heard, while Sindane has been required to answer evidence presented against him.

The criminal matter involving the four accused is due back in the Delmas Magistrates’ Court on 20 October 2026.

Featured Image Caption

Taxi bosses Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and Oupa “Bafana” Sindane are facing allegations linked to an alleged protection-fee scheme involving businessman Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli. The allegations were examined at the Madlanga Commission on 28 September 2026.

Article Information

Publication: Crime Connect
Section: Madlanga Commission / Crime & Justice
Date: 28 September 2026
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
Reporter: Crime Connect Reporter

Primary sources: Madlanga Commission public hearing record; reporting on the commission proceedings by TimesLIVE, Sowetan and African News Agency.

Legal Note

The allegations in this article are based on evidence and submissions presented before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and on the related criminal case. Sibanyoni, Sindane, Masilela and Msiza have denied the allegations and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The commission has not made a final finding of criminal guilt against any of the accused.