‘His mother asked me’: Taxi boss Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni explains why he paid legal fees to convicted hitman - IOL

South Africa - Pretoria -29 September 2026 - Mpumalanga taxi boss and businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni has defended paying the legal expenses of a convicted hitman, telling the Madlanga Commission that he stepped in after the man’s family asked him for help.

Sibanyoni was questioned on Tuesday over payments allegedly made towards the legal costs of Gwabo Mahlangu, a convicted criminal linked to taxi-related murders.

The payments came under scrutiny after WhatsApp messages recovered from the phone of Sibanyoni’s associate, Bafana Sindane, were presented to the commission.

Chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson questioned Sibanyoni about why he would finance the legal expenses of a man convicted of serious crimes.

“His family approached me … his mother approached me to help,” Sibanyoni told the commission.

The taxi boss denied allegations that the payments reflected a deeper relationship with Mahlangu or criminal activity.

The issue formed part of wider evidence concerning Sibanyoni’s alleged links to extortion and interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

On Monday, Chaskalson read messages from Sindane’s phone which, he said, indicated that Sibanyoni and Sindane were involved in paying legal expenses for at least two people convicted of taxi-related murders.

“What these chats cumulatively suggest is that Sibanyoni and Sindane were involved in paying legal expenses,” Chaskalson said, pressing Sibanyoni on the reasons for the alleged payments.

Sibanyoni was subsequently challenged over a specific transaction and sought to explain and defend his role in making the payment.

The commission is examining the evidence as it investigates allegations surrounding the taxi industry.