Madlanga Commission: Taxi boss questions legality of cellphone, WhatsApp evidence

Taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni appeared before the Madlanga Commission on September 21, 2026, denying allegations of hiring hitmen or having corrupt police ties. Sibanyoni, a former president of the South African Local and Long Distance Taxi and Bus Organisation, stated that he had never hired contract killers (izinkabi) or had improper relationships with SAPS members.

He claimed to have experienced a series of deaths among his associates and colleagues in the taxi industry, describing it as an "avalanche" and "extraordinary concentration of fatal incidents."

Sibanyoni discussed his relationship with Warrant Officer Bhokgolo Mahlangu, a serving police officer who had access to his estate, emphasizing that this was a security measure due to the threats surrounding him and his associates. He rejected claims that he had retired, stating that he remained active in business and served as the executive leader of the South African Local and Long Distance Taxi and Bus Organisation.

Charges against Sibanyoni include extortion and money laundering. He faces allegations of extorting over R2 million in protection fees from a mining businessman and is co-accused alongside taxi boss Oupa "Bafana" Sindane and two others. Sibanyoni challenged the commission's use of cellphone evidence seized during criminal proceedings, arguing that his private communications were used without his consent.

He also disputed the presentation of certain WhatsApp messages, stating that they could create a wrong impression and were not direct communications between him and Sindane.