Taxi Boss Oupa ‘King of the Sky’ Sindane brought down by Madlanga Commission

Oupa Bafana Sindane, known as the "King of the Sky," is scheduled to appear before the Madlanga Commission. His testimony is set for Wednesday, 23 September 2026, following the rejection of his request to postpone. The commission's Chairperson, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, emphasized that the tight timeline does not accommodate witnesses who miss their scheduled appearances.

Sindane's legal team filed an urgent application to prevent the Madlanga Commission from forcing his presence and to block the use of his WhatsApp messages. The matter will be heard on 6 October 2026, where judges will decide if the subpoena will be enforced despite his health concerns. Despite presenting a valid medical certificate, Sindane claimed he would be fit to return to work on 28 September 2026.

The commission proceeded with his evidence on that day, as his presence could counter potential prejudice. Sindane was set to testify about alleged networks within the taxi industry, following his associate and fellow taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni. Both are co-accused in an extortion and money-laundering case, with the state alleging that between 2022 and 2025, they forced a businessman in the Nkangala district to pay protection fees or face having their operations shut down. Sindane also faces charges of money laundering connected to the proceeds.