Taxi boss Sindane fights Madlanga commission subpoena with medical plea and court bid

Oupa Bafana Sindane, a prominent taxi boss in Mpumalanga, is seeking to delay his testimony before the Madlanga commission. Known as the "King of the Sky," Sindane submitted a medical certificate to the commission in hopes of delaying his appearance. However, his legal team has filed an urgent High Court application to block the commission from compelling him to testify and using his WhatsApp messages. The matter is set for a hearing on 6 October 2026.

Sindane's legal representative, Thabane Masuku, argues that the Madlanga commission should not present Sindane's statement in evidence due to the risk of reputational damage. Masuku emphasized that Sindane's poor health would hinder his ability to follow proceedings and cautioned against proceeding with the testimony in his absence.

Masuku warned that broadcasting Sindane's testimony without him present could result in unreliable evidence, permanent public disclosure, reputational harm, and even an appearance of guilt before any criminal trial.

Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga dismissed Sindane's claim of spiritual seclusion, stating that he did not include it in his founding affidavit. Madlanga expressed doubt that the commission could take Sindane's claim seriously, as he himself had not deemed it important enough to emphasize. Masuku countered that lawyers often choose which aspects to emphasize or downplay, and in this case, spirituality was deliberately left out to avoid public intrigue.