THE controversial taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari” Sibanyoni was almost ‘thrown under the bus’ during his appearance at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
He faced cross-examination over his alleged links to organised crime, extortion rackets and the manipulation of high-value government contracts.
Pushed to confirm his dealings with Putco bus, the bespectacled Sibanyoni said, his interactions were as a result of interests of the KwaNdebele community.
He flatly denied entering into a corrupt dealings with Putco, he reiterated to evidence leader Adv Chaskalson, who almost threw Sibanyoni ‘under the bus’ had it not been a swift reaction from his lawyer Mpato Qofa.
He pointed out that GCBS, an affiliate business company, wanted a 30% stake in the profitable transport routes that operated between Kwaggantein and Tshwane.
He also told the commission he facilitated meetings between the Putco chief executive Franco Pisapia and government officials at an election event attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa and minister of petroleum resources Gwede Mantashe.
“My interaction with the president and a Cabinet minister was conducted in relation to legitimate public and community matters of which I had first-hand knowledge,” he said.
He said he had engaged with the KwaNdebele community over demands that 30% of transport routes be reserved for locals.
“Do not put the red tape, assist us as to how we get into space. We are fighting for our own 30 percent within the Putco section. It is gazetted that the 30 percent belongs to the people of Kwandebele.
But when talking to HODs, we are told about the thing of the red tape. We do not need red tape. If they do not follow that, we will fight for ourselves,” Sibanyoni wrote.
In another message, he wrote: “There are mines that are here in our space, we will go and visit them, do not worry. Whilst you still are restructuring the government, it is fine. We will go there to the mines. When you see people at the mines, from KwaNdebele, you must know it is us. Do not fight us.”
When questioned about those threats, Sibanyoni refused, saying it was engaging not interfering, that prompted Judge Madlanga to put to him that, ‘Mr Sibanyoni you speak English very well, therefore you can distinguish between engaging and interfering’.
“I have never requested payment or kickbacks from Putco”, he continued with his testimony.
Sibanyoni said he had not engaged with Putco since some of its buses were burnt about 18 months ago.
He was also questioned about about WhatsApp messages concerning a R500 million contract to upgrade the R572 Moloto Road.
One of the messages referred to a contractor knowing there was a “new sheriff in town”. Evidence leaders suggested this referred to Sibanyoni taking power after the death of former taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi.
Sibanyoni rejected the description, saying he preferred to be called “the president” of the taxi association, pointing out to the crowd in the auditorium “ask my people in the room they will tell you”.
On the matter of R1.5m armoured car as a present from Gubis85 Solutions- Sibanyoni indicated by value it was far less, as his associates donated more than that, that got the reaction from Judge Madlanga ‘I would like to have friends as yours’ thus soliciting laughter from all and sundry.
Mining owner Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli submitted a statement alleging that Sibanyoni and his alleged accomplice, Bafana Sindane, operated a protection racket and forced him to pay protection fees to secure mining-related contracts.
Sibanyoni denied extorting Ntuli, saying they were legitimate business partners and that the payments were corporate dividends.
Sibanyoni and Sindane face criminal prosecution in a separate case involving charges of extortion and money laundering.
Both men are out on R50 000 bail.
During the testimony Sibanyoni was asked about millions of rands transactions that were made by his associates whose names appeared on the list.
This prompted his gorgeous lawyer Qofa to intervene and place on record some of the issues in relevance to the publishing of the transactions to the public.
He also confirmed to Adv Chasklson that the suspended Police L-G Shadrack Sibiya also went to the controversial farm owned by killed businessman Jotham “Mzwasi” Msibi.
Putco has refuted claims its CEO Pasapia also went to the farm.
Meanwhile, the public hearings have been put on hold until November 9.
The focus now will be in-camera hearings over the next two weeks.
From October 5, the Commission will move into two weeks of in-camera hearings, where evidence will be heard behind closed doors due to ongoing investigations and includes information considered sensitive.
The Commission is expected to hold two-day seminar this month to prepare for the drafting of its final report.
It will use the remaining months of 2026 to complete phase two, including testimony from suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
The Commission will then move towards the conclusion of phase three, which is expected to include the return of KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Its final report is due on January 25, 2027.
On local Government elections on November 4, spokesperson for the Commission Jeremy Michaels said “having considered a number of practicalities related to upcoming Gvt elections, particularly the fact that media coverage of the Commission and the provision of the livestream service will be difficult in the run-up to the elections, the Commission will resume its public hearings on November 9.”
Image provided (Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni recorded giving testimony at the Madlanga Commission.)
