Taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni denies Putco bus attacks after warning Ramaphosa
Footage played at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday showed Sibanyoni telling Ramaphosa that local groups wanted a 30% operational stake in PUTCO, warning that they would take matters into their own hands if their demands were not addressed.
In January 2025, 50 Putco buses were set on fire in Mpumalanga, leading to an investigation. Taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni had previously warned President Cyril Ramaphosa that if reports emerged of disruptions to Putco's operations, they should be attributed to his group. This warning was made in 2024 during an ANC campaign event in KwaNdebele, attended by Ramaphosa and ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe.
Footage from the Madlanga Commission revealed Sibanyoni telling Ramaphosa that local groups wanted a 30% operational stake in Putco, threatening to take matters into their own hands if their demands were not met. Sibanyoni stated, "When you find someone wanting to interfere with the Putco business, you must know it's us." He appealed to the state to assist local groups in gaining access to the business, claiming that the 30% share belonged to the people of KwaNdebele.
If their demands were not fulfilled, Sibanyoni warned, they would fight for themselves. The connection between Sibanyoni's warning and the subsequent violent attacks has been reexamined in light of the January 2025 incidents, where armed men allegedly attacked four Putco depots, injuring employees and setting the buses ablaze.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
