Madlanga Commission | ‘I’m not retired’: Sibanyoni hits back at taxi industry exit reports

Taxi industry boss, Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, has dismissed reports that he has stepped away from the taxi industry, insisting that he remains firmly in the driver’s seat.

Sibanyoni returned to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, where he addressed reports that he had relinquished several leadership positions following his explosive testimony before the commission last month.

Reports had suggested that Sibanyoni had resigned from a number of taxi industry roles, including his position as Second Deputy President of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).

However, Sibanyoni appeared puzzled by the reports, telling the Commission that he remains president of the South African Local and Long Distance Taxi and Bus Organisation (SALLDTBO).

“There were reports that, subsequent to your initial testimony before the commission, you retired. Can you please clarify that for us,” asked Commissioner Sandile Khumalo.

“Thank you commissioner. I am still part of the taxi industry. I didn’t retire. I am still the president of SALLDTBO. The media reports are not true,” responded Sibanyoni.

“…and as far as your other business interests. Are you still part of those?,” asked Commissioner Khumalo.

“Correct, Commissioner,” responded Sibanyoni.

He also pushed back against scrutiny of the so-called Shosholoza Club, describing it as a legitimate stokvel and a savings and mutual-support arrangement rooted in South African culture.

Sibanyoni rejected suggestions that the club could be used as a conduit for improper financial flows, taking the Commission through what he described as two phases of the social club.

He said the original club was established in 2019, while a new one was formed last year.

The current club has eight members, including Sibanyoni and Gubis 85 Security Solutions Pty Ltd Director, Calvin Mahlangu.

“The mechanism of the new Shosholoza Club is straight forward. Each of the eight members make monthly contributions throughout the year and at the end of the year each members each receive their accumulated funds back thereby constituting a service mechanism that are rather than the profit generation enterprise. The appropriate year end accumulative distribution to each member was R 4.5 million reflecting the accumulative contributions of all members over the year,” said Sibanyoni.

He questioned why banks would scrutinise what he described as “a group of blacks saving money”, arguing that similar financial arrangements involving wealthy businessmen might not attract the same level of suspicion.

Sibanyoni called for another commission to investigate what he described as systemic issues affecting Black South Africans, particularly perceptions around their financial activities.

The taxi boss also confirmed that his sister works for Gubis 85, a private security company with which he has a formal business relationship.

Sibanyoni described himself as a client of the company and maintained that he does not have exclusive control over its operations or responsibility for the actions of those associated with it.

Despite this, Sibanyoni described Gubis 85 founder and director, Calvin Mahlangu, as his “homeboy”.

He said he had used the company for personal security and that a taxi association previously covered the cost of his security detail.

He also dismissed any suggestion that his sister’s employment at Gubis 85, on its own, points to wrongdoing.

Gubis 85 has featured prominently in evidence before the Commission in relation to a City of Tshwane security tender and alleged irregular ad hoc security payments.

Sibanyoni further distanced himself from the company’s finances, telling the Commission that he cannot be held responsible for how the private entity conducts its financial affairs.

He said invoices reflecting monthly payments of about R145,000 to Gubis 85 were for services rendered and did not indicate an improper relationship.

Sibanyoni also testified that Cash Send payments appearing in his WhatsApp exchanges were acts of generosity towards others.

He invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination, refusing to answer questions about the Kwaggafontein 20 case.

He argued that the case does not directly implicate him and falls outside the Commission’s mandate and the scope of Regulation 10(6).

Sibanyoni said the matter concerns people other than himself and conduct for which he is not an accused.

He told the Commission that he had already discussed aspects of the case with police officials while in custody and had been questioned about messages involving his alleged associates, Themba Nkambule and Bafana Sindane.

Meanwhile, the Commission has given Sibanyoni’s legal team additional time to familiarise itself with documents ahead of his cross-examination.

A date for his return to the witness stand has not yet been announced.

The commission has also ordered Bafana Sindane’s legal team to submit an application by midnight seeking a postponement of his testimony, with Sindane subpoenaed to appear before the commission on Wednesday.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao