Sibanyoni faces questions on vacuum left by Msibi’s passing as Motsumi, Khan are set to appear

In a month’s time, taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni will face questions about why he did not amass the same power and influence as his predecessor, the late Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi.

Sibanyoni, who appeared before the Madlanga commission on Friday, is expected to return in September to continue his testimony, presenting himself as the polar opposite of Msibi.

Sibanyoni succeeded Msibi as president of the South African Local and Long Distance Taxi and Bus Organisation, an organisation the late taxi boss led for more than two decades before his death in January 2024.

He told the commission that he was a law-abiding man of faith who had survived two assassination attempts and had worked to bring peace to the taxi industry.

But much of his testimony centred on the extraordinary power and influence he said Msibi wielded from his farm in Dinokeng near Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.

Sibanyoni described the farm as a “state within a state” and a “command centre”.

“The farm of Mr Jotham Msibi … was not merely a rural property or a private home. Having visited it on at most two occasions, I observed that it functioned as an operational and political command centre of an organisation that wielded power far beyond the boundaries of the minibus taxi industry,” Sibanyoni testified.

“I do not exaggerate what I have observed, and therefore depose what I know from direct experience. The farm was a seat of power whose significance and reach were understood and widely accepted within the industry and beyond,” he said.

Sibanyoni said his testimony did not amount to “reckless and unfounded allegations” about the extent of Msibi’s power or his alleged reach into government.

“Within the taxi industry and far beyond it, there have been and continue to be persistent reports and a widespread, deeply entrenched belief that [Msibi] exercised influence that extended to the highest echelons of government and the state,” Sibanyoni said.

He also told the commission that former transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, now minister in the Presidency for women, youth and people with disabilities, had confirmed to him that certain officials in the transport department were reporting to Msibi’s farm.

Co-commissioner Sandile Khumalo pressed Sibanyoni on whether the power wielded by Msibi had been transferred to him when he became the taxi boss.

“If it is true that [Msibi] wielded the power that he wielded, that some government officials or departments reported to him, did the power that he wielded pass on to you?” Khumalo asked.

“Not at all. I specifically deal with taxi matters that concern our members,” Sibanyoni replied.