Madlanga Commission Rejects Bafana Sindane’s Postponement Bid, Evidence to Proceed on 28 September
- The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Bafana 'King of the Sky' Sindane's application to postpone his appearance
- Sindane had missed his scheduled testimony on 23 September after citing both a medical condition and a sacred spiritual retreat
- His legal team had also filed an urgent High Court application to block evidence from seized mobile devices being led at the commission
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Source: UGC
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has dismissed an application by Mpumalanga taxi boss, Oupa Bafana "King of the Sky" Sindane, to delay his hearing.
The Commission has ordered that evidence relating to him be led on Monday, 28 September 2026, in whatever format possible. The Commission reserved the decision after arguments on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, and issued it by statement on Friday, 25 September 2026.
Sindane's absence and dual justifications
Sindane had been scheduled to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, 23 September, following the testimony of fellow taxi boss Johannes "Ferrari" Sibanyoni. The hearing was expected to focus on financial transactions, stokvel dealings, and alleged criminal networks within the taxi industry.
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He failed to appear in person, as his legal representative, Advocate Thabani Masuku, submitted a last-minute postponement request. The request cited a medical certificate indicating Sindane was suffering from uncontrollable hypertension and could potentially return to duty by Sunday, 27 September.
A secondary reason was also presented: Sindane was reportedly undergoing a period of sacred spiritual seclusion for purposes of spiritual enlightenment. Advocate Masuku argued that the private nature of the practice should not be taken as bad faith or an attempt to obstruct the commission's work.
Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and Commissioner Sesi Baloyi SC pushed back on this explanation, questioning why the spiritual seclusion had been entirely omitted from Sindane's formal founding affidavit if it was a genuine reason for his absence.
High Court bid to block evidence
On the eve of his scheduled appearance, 22 September, Sindane had filed an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria seeking to interdict his subpoena and prevent the commission from proceeding with his testimony.
His legal team argued that the commission planned to question him on the contents of his mobile devices and WhatsApp messages, which were seized during a separate criminal investigation into extortion and money laundering in Kwaggafontein involving him and Sibanyoni.
They contended that presenting this material publicly while criminal proceedings remain ongoing would violate his constitutional right to a fair trial. With the postponement application now dismissed, the commission's instruction is clear: evidence concerning Sindane must proceed on Monday, 28 September, regardless of the format.
Sindane and Sibanyoni celebrate court victory
Briefly News also reported that Ferrari Sibanyoni and ‘King of the Sky’ Sindane were recorded living it up after their extortion and money laundering case was struck off the roll.
Sibanyoni and Sindane, two prominent taxi bosses, recently appeared before the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court alongside Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza.
Following the court’s ruling to strike the matter from the roll, Sibanyoni and his co-accused celebrated inside and outside the courtroom, but the celebrations did not end there.
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Source: Briefly News
