{
  "id": 10956373,
  "title": "Sibanyoni denies involvement in burning down of 50 Putco buses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/sibanyoni-denies-involvement-in-burning-down-of-50-putco-buses",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T13:35:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sibanyoni-denies-involvement-in-burning-down-of-50-putco-buses/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni has denied any involvement in the burning down of over 50 Putco buses. Sibanyoni firmly rejected allegations that he or his association were responsible for the attacks, stating that the taxis obstructing Putco buses were not affiliated with his operations. However, when questioned about his video comments, Sibanyoni claimed he was expressing community concerns and not admitting to any criminal activity. He also proposed that Putco burned its own buses due to a labor dispute. Yet, this theory was challenged by evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, who pointed out that there was no strike occurring on the day in question. Upon further probing, Sibanyoni remained evasive, repeatedly asserting that he was not linking the bus burning to any strike. When asked about industry disputes, Sibanyoni remained unresponsive, leaving the true motives behind the bus burning incidents unclear.",
  "summary": "Sibanyoni has rejected suggestions that he or his association were behind the attacks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Joe Sibanyoni questioned over ‘our own 30%’ PUTCO comment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/joe-sibanyoni-questioned-over-our-own-30-putco-comment",
        "published": "2026-09-30T09:37:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni denies Putco bus attacks after warning Ramaphosa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/taxi-boss-joe-sibanyoni-denies-putco-bus-attacks-after-warning",
        "published": "2026-09-30T12:23:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni grilled over ‘interference’ with Putco after Ramaphosa ‘confrontation’ [VIDEO]",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/joe-ferrari-sibanyoni-grilled-over-interference-with-putco-after",
        "published": "2026-09-30T12:28:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}