Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni has put former Police Minister Bheki Cele in the spotlight at the Madlanga Commission, detailing his concerns about taxi violence, the existence of a criminal cartel, and potential connections to senior SAPS officials.
PRETORIA — During his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni revealed that he had approached then Police Minister Bheki Cele regarding grave issues of violence within the taxi industry, along with serious allegations against high-ranking members of the South African Police Service.
What transpired next became a notable highlight of Sibanyoni’s account.
Sibanyoni claimed that Cele eventually returned his call but offered a response that was both brief and dismissive.
His testimony coincided with the Commission’s review of a message he sent to Cele in May 2022, in which he raised alarm over the ongoing killings in the taxi sector, allegations of a criminal organization, and links to senior officials within SAPS.
COMMISSION QUESTIONS SIBANYONI ON CELE’S RESPONSE
During questioning, Sibanyoni was probed about Cele’s reaction to the more severe elements of his report.
The Commission noted that Sibanyoni’s communication encompassed more than just the issue of taxi fatalities.
It included allegations of a cabal and ties to senior SAPS officials implicated in these claims.
When asked whether Cele addressed anything beyond his assertion about violence in the taxi industry, Sibanyoni replied:
“Not at all.”
This concise answer carried significant implications.
Sibanyoni’s assertion indicates he approached the political leader responsible for law enforcement with information he deemed critical, yet he did not receive the anticipated response.
These assertions from Sibanyoni at the Commission are not to be construed as findings against Cele or SAPS.
SIBANYONI CONTINUED TO DEMAND ACTION
Sibanyoni stated that he did not simply give up on the issue following their phone call.
He claimed he kept pressing Cele for action.
According to his testimony, Sibanyoni suggested establishing a focused engagement regarding taxi issues to systematically address the significant concerns plaguing the industry.
He informed the Commission that this proposal was turned down.
Sibanyoni noted that Cele believed no one aside from him would be willing to come forward with information.
Despite this, Sibanyoni persisted.
He conveyed to the Commission that the killings and challenges affecting the taxi sector required a more robust governmental response.
His attempts, however, were ultimately in vain.
THREE MONTHS LATER, AN ATTACK OCCURRED
The testimony took a dramatic turn at this point.
Sibanyoni recounted that roughly three months after he sent the May 2022 message, assailants fired upon his vehicle.
“I was shot twice. I survived,” he testified.
However, Sibanyoni quickly clarified an important point about his testimony.
He explicitly stated he was not suggesting that reporting the information to Cele had led to the attack.
He was not speculating on any causal relationship.
Instead, Sibanyoni wanted the sequence of events officially recorded, emphasizing its timing.
REACHING OUT TO OTHER GOVERNMENT LEADERS
After the shooting and what he perceived as inadequate resolution from the Police Ministry, Sibanyoni sought further government intervention.
He testified about reaching out to then Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga.
Sibanyoni described that interaction as distinctly different.
He stated that Chikunga listened to his concerns and engaged with him regarding the information he provided about violence in the taxi industry and institutional failures.
Sibanyoni also spoke about reaching out to transport authorities and eventually Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
These efforts were part of a central argument in his testimony to the Madlanga Commission.
Sibanyoni rebuts any characterization of himself as someone shielding criminal networks.
Instead, he contends that he was consistently urging state entities to take action.
“A TARGET WHO REFUSED TO BE SILENCED”
Sibanyoni’s statement stood in stark contrast to the allegations surrounding him and the narrative he wishes the Commission to endorse.
He asserts that he was the one urging the state to intervene.
“I was not the one protecting criminals. I was not obstructing investigations. I was advancing them,” he stated.
Then he delivered a line that encapsulated his defense:
“That is not the sequence of events of a cartel member. That is the sequence of events of a target who refused to be silenced.”
SIGNIFICANT ALLEGATIONS PRESENTED TO THE MADLANGA COMMISSION
Sibanyoni’s testimony raises critical questions, but it does not, on its own, establish any wrongdoing by Cele, senior SAPS officials, or individuals mentioned in his account.
His claims are currently subject to examination before the Madlanga Commission.
The importance of his testimony lies in the nature of what he reported, when he reported it, and the responses he received.
The Commission is investigating a much larger narrative involving taxi violence, alleged criminal organizations, and claims of state infiltration.
For Sibanyoni, however, the matter is highly personal.
He believes he made attempts to alert the state.
He asserts that he sought intervention.
He survived an assassination attempt.
Now, years later, Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni is presenting his account of events to the Madlanga Commission under oath.
