Former transport minister Chikunga denies Joe Sibanyoni’s claims of knowing about taxi cartel

Former transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has denied taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni's claims that she was aware of alleged cartel activities linked to the taxi industry. Chikunga, now the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, clarified the nature of her meeting with Sibanyoni during a commission appearance on Friday.

Sibanyoni alleged that their meeting in 2023 concerned cartel activities at late taxi mogul Jothan Msibi's Gauteng farm. However, Chikunga's spokesperson, Cassius Selala, stated that the meeting was solely about an operational grievance involving Sibanyoni's taxis and not about any organized crime syndicates. Selala confirmed that Chikunga only met with Sibanyoni once, at his request, due to his taxis not operating at the time.

No other meetings or communications between Chikunga and Sibanyoni were ever documented. Chikunga's spokesperson emphasized that the former minister did not discuss any alleged divided allegiances within the Department of Transport or any private individual operating from a farm outside Pretoria. Chikunga has stated unequivocally that there was never any such conversation or knowledge on her part.