Taxi Boss Bafana Sindane Ordered to Appear at Madlanga Commission Amid R2 Million Extortion Allegations
Bafana “King of the Sky” Sindane, a prominent taxi boss and co-accused in an extortion case, has been directed to appear before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Despite his legal team’s request for a postponement due to prior commitments at the Khampepe Commission, the commission’s chairperson, retired Deputy Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, insisted on Sindane’s attendance pending the outcome of the postponement application.
Sindane’s lawyer, Mpati Qofa, informed the commission that she was unavailable from Tuesday until the following week because of scheduled appearances at the Khampepe Commission. She committed to submitting a formal postponement application by midnight on Monday, 21 September. Madlanga agreed to consider the application but emphasised that Sindane must still be present on Wednesday, as the application’s approval was not guaranteed.
The commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system. Sindane, along with taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, and Philemon Msiza, faces charges linked to an alleged extortion scheme involving more than R2 million. The state alleges that between 2022 and 2025, the group unlawfully demanded protection fees exceeding R2.2 million from a mining businessman in Mpumalanga’s Nkangala district, identified in reporting as Thomas or Tengani Ntuli. The businessman was reportedly threatened with the closure of his operations if he failed to comply.
In addition to extortion, Sindane faces money laundering charges connected to the proceeds of the alleged scheme. All accused were granted bail of R70,000 each in May 2026. The criminal case was re-enrolled in the Delmas Magistrates’ Court following an earlier appearance at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court. The case’s procedural history includes a prior postponement after the prosecutor failed to appear, amid reported threats to his life, which prompted an investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The Madlanga Commission has subpoenaed Sindane and issued a Rule 10.6 notice requiring him to answer questions about alleged criminal syndicates and associations within the transport sector. While Sindane is expected to appear on Wednesday, there is no confirmation that he has yet provided substantive testimony before the commission. His co-accused Sibanyoni appeared before the commission on Monday, 21 September, but his testimony was postponed.
The commission’s inquiry focuses on the broader issue of criminal infiltration and political interference in the justice system, including possible improper relationships between individuals in the transport industry and police officials. It is important to note that the charges against Sindane and others remain allegations. No findings of guilt have been made, and all accused are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.