Sibanyoni Questioned Over Putco Operations And Bus Stoppages At Madlanga Commission
Taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni has faced questions over his 2024 meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and allegations of interference in Putco’s operations.
Cross-examination of Mpumalanga taxi industry leader Joe Sibanyoni resumed at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, with proceedings focusing on his meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024.
The commission presented a photograph and video showing Sibanyoni with Ramaphosa and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe.
In the footage, Sibanyoni is seen discussing a local stake in the operations of bus company Putco.
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Sibanyoni said:
“Please assist us. When you find someone wanting to interfere with the Putco business, you must throw it, assist us. Don't put the wrong thing. Assist us as, how do we get into this space?”
Sibanyoni told the commission that he was seeking a subcontract involving two entities, although he declined to identify the second business.
He also denied telling Ramaphosa that he intended to interfere with Putco’s operations.
Sibanyoni Disputes Meaning Of “Interfere”
Sibanyoni offered his interpretation of the word “interfere” when questioned about his remarks to the president.
“If I am engaging with you, it's one and the same thing when I interfere with you. Interfere, that's when I'm engaging you. Interfering into your mind, into your matters, it's me engaging you about those matters,” he said.
The exchange came as the commission examined Sibanyoni’s relationship with Putco and the circumstances surrounding his discussions about gaining a stake or subcontracting opportunities in the bus company’s operations.
Commission Examines Putco Bus Stoppages
The questioning then turned to incidents involving Putco buses in Mpumalanga.
Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson presented a video showing taxi drivers stopping a Putco bus.
Chaskalson told the commission that Putco had reported more than 350 incidents between October 2024 and January 2025 in which its buses were allegedly forced to turn around after taxis blocked their routes.
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“We've been told by Putco that between October 2024 and January 2025, there were more than 350 incidents of this nature where their buses had to turn around because taxis blocked their path. Are you aware of the scale of that?” Chaskalson asked.
The questioning forms part of the commission’s examination of allegations and evidence concerning Sibanyoni’s activities and the relationship between the taxi industry and Putco’s bus operations.
