Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni breaks silence on hitmen, taxi violence and cartel claims | Madlanga Commission

Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni has denied allegations that he is linked to hitmen in the taxi industry, while acknowledging their existence in certain segments of the sector and their connection to increasing violence. During his appearance before the Madlanga Commission, Sibanyoni made it clear that he is separate from the criminal networks that have been associated with parts of the taxi business.

He reiterated his testimony from previous inquiries, such as the 2019 Gauteng Shongwe Commission, regarding taxi violence.

Sibanyoni introduced himself to the commission as a successful businessman with interests in transport and property, having spent more than four decades building his ventures through legitimate commercial activities. He emphasized his commitment to conducting his affairs in accordance with the law and credited his Christian faith for his survival of two assassination attempts, describing it as divine providence.

However, when questioned about the role of "izinkabi" or alleged hitmen in the taxi industry, Sibanyoni shifted his focus to the darker aspects of the industry. He admitted that payments for killings were not always made in cash and that in some cases, individuals could be rewarded with access to profitable taxi routes, which could further fuel violence.

Sibanyoni clarified that this practice can occur both by individual operators and groups, and that some of the money used to pay izinkabi is sourced from the bucket-money system.

Nevertheless, Sibanyoni rejected the idea that knowledge or involvement with izinkabi was prevalent among taxi associations. He stated that some individuals hold the position of "boss" of their izinkabi, while others, including Christians within the associations, have no knowledge of these criminal networks.