Sibanyoni Defends Legal Payments As Madlanga Commission Probes Extortion And Police Information

Mpumalanga taxi industry leader Joe Sibanyoni has defended his payment of legal fees for a man convicted of a taxi-related murder during questioning at the Madlanga Commission.

Sibanyoni is being cross-examined as the commission examines his WhatsApp messages and his alleged links to extortion, organised crime and criminal interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson has also questioned Sibanyoni about a multimillion-rand extortion case involving a Mpumalanga tender, for which Sibanyoni is facing criminal charges.

Sibanyoni Challenges Extortion Questions

Sibanyoni told the commission that his involvement in the tender was to make a financial contribution, although he was unable to provide details about some of the payments under questioning.

He took issue with Chaskalson's questioning and objected to what he viewed as an attempt to put him on trial before the commission.

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“If I were to be found guilty, I would blame Mr Chaskalson…and we are here in the commission just to assist, now he's trying me out. Get that just straight dates, where did you put the money?”

The commission is also examining WhatsApp messages that indicate payments were made towards the legal expenses of at least two people convicted of taxi-related murders.

Sibanyoni was questioned about a specific payment and defended his involvement in covering legal fees.

Classified Docket Raises Questions

Sibanyoni was also questioned about classified information relating to an alleged criminal group known as the “Kwaggafontein 20”.

He testified that he did not know how his associate, taxi boss Oupa “Bafana” Sindane, obtained a classified police docket concerning the group.

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The docket included information about a shooting involving Sibanyoni's nephew, Mandla Ntsweni. The alleged criminal group has been linked in the evidence to more than 20 murders.

Sibanyoni told the commission that he had recently informed police about Ntsweni's whereabouts. He maintained that he was not interested in the classified information that Sindane had received.

Commissioner Challenges Sibanyoni's Account

Sibanyoni's evidence prompted an exchange with commissioner Sesi Baloyi, who questioned whether he could genuinely have had no interest in information concerning his nephew.

Baloyi suggested that Sindane had sent Sibanyoni the information because he knew Sibanyoni would be interested in allegations involving Ntsweni.

“And Mr Sindane would have sent it to you, I want to suggest. He would have sent it to you because he knows and expects that you are interested in what Mandla is alleged to have done or to have been involved with. I find it unbelievable that you were not interested in the information contained herein, as it relates at least to your nephew. It can't be; it's impossible. You can comment if you want to,” Baloyi prompted.

Sibanyoni declined to comment.

“No, no, I don't have I don't have a comment,” Sibanyoni responded.

The commission continues to scrutinise Sibanyoni's WhatsApp communications and his evidence concerning the alleged criminal activities, financial payments and police information raised during the proceedings.