WhatsApp Leaks Lay Bare R100k-a-Month Extortion Case Against Mpumalanga Taxi Bosses
Damning WhatsApp messages detailing an alleged protection fee racket have been laid bare at the Madlanga Commission, exposing a multi-year extortion case against prominent Mpumalanga taxi bosses.
The communication reveals how taxi bosses Joe Sibanyoni and Bafana Sindane allegedly coerced a local businessman into paying massive monthly fees to secure the smooth operation of a major state road project.
Alongside co-accused Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza, the group faces trial for extortion and money laundering following their arrests in May 2026.
The criminal complaint was launched by Dr Thomas Ntuli, a businessman who secured a lucrative tender from the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) to upgrade the notorious Moloto Road.
According to evidence presented on Monday, the syndicate allegedly approached Ntuli asserting that the construction site sat on “their land.”
To operate without violent disruption or operational interference, Ntuli was allegedly told he had to pay a recurring “protection fee.”
The commission heard evidence that the group initially demanded a 60/40 profit split in favour of Sibanyoni (referred to as “the president”).
This layout was eventually negotiated down to a fixed monthly payment of R100,000, which Ntuli allegedly paid from July 2021 until 2025.
Chief evidence leader Advocate Matthews Chaskalson read out archived WhatsApp text transmissions sent by Sindane after Ntuli began missing or short-changing the scheduled payments.
“I’m sad and disappointed to have to write another message to you to chase for payment,” one message from Sindane read. “You used to pay us R100,000, but I’m now left confused as to why you’ve reduced the payment yet again.Your operation continues to run, yet we are not taken care of in an equitable way.”
When payments dried up entirely in July 2024, the tone of the communication shifted from disappointment to overt hostility.
“I demand a response, within 48 hours, detailing why the operation should not be stopped so that you can come and account on what’s going on,” a subsequent ultimatum warned.
All four of the accused have denied the allegations of extortion and financial crime.
They are currently out on bail while the commission’s hearings and criminal proceedings continue.
