Chikunga Denies Knowing About Taxi Cartel Activities Raised at Madlanga Commission
- Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni testified before the Madlanga Commission that he informed Sindisiwe Chikunga about alleged cartel activities
- Sibanyoni claimed Chikunga told him that Transport Department officials answered to a farm rather than the department itself
- Chikunga's spokesperson pushed back on the testimony, insisting their only meeting concerned an operational matter about his taxis not operating
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SOUTH AFRICA — Former Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has rejected testimony from Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni, who appeared before the Madlanga Commission on 28 August 2026 and alleged she was aware of cartel activities within the taxi industry.
According to IOL, Cassius Selala, spokesperson for the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, issued a statement on Chikunga's behalf after Sibanyoni's appearance before the commission. In his testimony, Sibanyoni claimed he had briefed Chikunga about alleged cartel operations linked to a farm owned by the late taxi mogul Jothan Msibi. He further alleged that Chikunga told him certain officials within the Department of Transport reported to the farm rather than to the department.
Chikunga's version of the 2023 meeting
Selala said Chikunga met Sibanyoni only once during her time as transport minister, at his own request, because his taxis were not operating. According to the spokesperson, the meeting was confined strictly to that operational matter and was attended by the chief executive of a road entity. Selala stated that no further communication took place between the two and denied that Chikunga made any remarks about divided loyalties or farm-based authority structures. Selala added that Chikunga respects the Madlanga Commission and remains committed to the truth being established through a process that is fair and grounded in evidence.
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View Chikunga's statement on X:
Commission continues to hear taxi industry testimony
Sibanyoni's appearance forms part of ongoing proceedings at the Madlanga Commission, which has been examining alleged misconduct and criminal networks within South Africa's taxi industry. Earlier sessions at the commission have drawn testimony from a range of figures connected to the sector, with several claims implicating public officials in its operations. Chikunga, who served as Deputy Minister of Transport before being appointed to the ministerial role, has not been called to testify before the commission. Her statement through Selala represents her first public response to Sibanyoni's allegations.
Sibanyoni warned Bheki Cele
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Sibanyoni's testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he revealed critical conversations with former Minister of Police Bheki Cele regarding criminal networks in the taxi industry. The testimony included alarming claims of a cartel embedded within the South African Police Service, which Sibanyoni warned could hinder efforts to address rampant violence against taxi operators.
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Source: Briefly News
