Madlanga Commission: Taxi bosses ran R2m extortion racket via WhatsApp
WhatsApp messages read at the Madlanga Commission allegedly show taxi bosses demanding monthly payments from a contractor working on the Moloto Road project, while the inquiry also moved to charge former Crime Intelligence general Feroz Khan for failing to appear.
In a recent case presented to the Madlanga Commission, businessman Dr. Tengane Thomas Ntuli alleged that taxi bosses Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni and Bafana "King of the Sky" Sindane orchestrated an R2 million extortion racket through WhatsApp messages. Ntuli claimed that Sibanyoni and Sindane threatened and intimidated him, demanding a monthly "protection fee" of R100,000 until 2025 to continue his operations.
The alleged extortion scheme allegedly began in July 2021. WhatsApp messages between Sindane and Ntuli, read aloud by Advocate Matthews Chaskalson SC, detailed the calls for payment and explanations for the reduced payments. Ntuli also alleged that Sindane threatened to halt his mining company's operations in November 2025 if he did not make another payment.
The allegations led to the arrest of Sibanyoni, Sindane, another taxi boss, and Mvimbi Masilela on charges of extortion and money laundering. They have denied the charges and are currently out on bail. The High Court in Pretoria denied Sindane's urgent application to halt the commission from hearing his testimony, ensuring that he is required to testify before the commission.
Meanwhile, former Crime Intelligence major-general Feroz Khan, who failed to appear before the inquiry, faces the possibility of criminal charges after disregarding a subpoena issued by the commission despite being given the option to testify virtually.
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