The Madlanga Commission dismissed Bafana Sindane’s request to postpone his testimony and ruled on 25 September 2026 that evidence concerning the taxi boss must be presented on Monday, 28 September 2026, in whatever format the commission determines.
Sindane was subpoenaed to appear before the commission on 23 September but sought to delay his testimony, presenting a last-minute medical certificate citing “severe hypertension, sinusitis and flu,” according to his lawyers. The commission rejected this and ordered for the evidence to proceed.
In addition, Sindane’s lawyer, Thabani Masuku, told the commission his client was undergoing a period of “sacred spiritual seclusion,” and argued that no adverse inference should be drawn from Sindane’s refusal to disclose details of this private process.
Alongside his medical and spiritual claims, Sindane has launched an urgent High Court application in Pretoria to halt the subpoena compelling him to testify, and to prevent the commission from using cellphone material seized during a police investigation into extortion and money laundering. This application is scheduled for hearing on 6 October 2026.
The evidence the commission seeks to hear involves WhatsApp messages linked to Sindane and fellow taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni, including references to “izinkabi” — a term often used to mean hitmen or contract killers.
On 21 September, Sibanyoni testified before the commission, denying any involvement in contract killings and objecting to the use of phone records taken from his device while in police custody. He stated, “I categorically deny that I have ever commissioned, employed, assessed or provided support to persons engaged in taxi violence or any form of contract killing.”
Despite the commission’s focus on these messages, there is yet no official finding that the WhatsApp exchange proves criminal conduct. The allegations remain under investigation and are also subject to ongoing legal challenges.
This hearing forms part of the Madlanga Commission’s broader probe into the infiltration of law enforcement and the taxi industry by criminal networks. The commission has faced ongoing controversies over the admissibility of evidence and the participation of key witnesses.
Community members and legal analysts watch closely as the inquiry progresses with the testimony on Monday set to shed further light on allegations concerning the violent side of the taxi industry.
The Cape Flats News journalist will follow the court hearing on 28 September and the subsequent High Court application on 6 October for further updates.