The Madlanga Commission has heard evidence from a Moloto Road contractor who says taxi bosses demanded R2.29 million in protection fees to keep his operation running.
Dr Tengane Ntuli’s company supplied aggregate stone to King Civil, the main contractor on a section of the R3.7 billion Moloto Road upgrade.
The evidence forms part of the wider Kwagga 20 extortion investigation.
Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson read Ntuli’s affidavit to the Commission on September 28, 2026.
Moloto Road protection fee demands
Ntuli says he was referred to Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni after securing work linked to the Moloto Road project.
According to his affidavit, Sibanyoni demanded R100,000 in cash at their first meeting in July 2022. Ntuli says he paid the amount.
He later alleged that Sibanyoni and Oupa “Bafana” Sindane demanded 40% of his contract income.
When he objected, Ntuli says they instructed him to pay R100,000 a month to a transport company linked to Sibanyoni. He described the payment as a protection fee.
R2.29 million payment trail
Financial records before the Madlanga Commission show that about R2.29 million was paid into the account linked to the arrangement.
Ntuli says the payments ran from July 2021 to November 2025.
WhatsApp messages presented to the Commission appear to support parts of his account. They include exchanges about missed or reduced payments.
In one message, a number associated with Sindane allegedly demanded an explanation after Ntuli reduced a payment.
The message referred to an earlier 60/40 split and warned that the operation could be stopped.
Chaskalson said the evidence pointed to an extortion arrangement enforced through threats of violence.
“The Landlord, GrowthPoint”
One WhatsApp exchange allegedly sent from a number associated with Sindane was signed “The Landlord, GrowthPoint.”
The sender complained that Ntuli had reduced his payment and demanded a response within 48 hours explaining why the operation should not be stopped.
Ntuli said the name was used to disguise the sender’s identity.
After Edwin Construction took over the Moloto Road contract, Ntuli alleges that the monthly demand increased from R100,000 to R120,000.
Threats over Moloto Road operations
Ntuli also alleged that security guards connected to his operation were threatened and assaulted.
He said one guard was tied up with cable ties and that a weighbridge cable was cut.
In a separate incident, Ntuli alleged that Sibanyoni, Sindane and others threatened to stop operations unless payments were made.
Chaskalson told the Commission that the evidence suggested the payments were extracted through threats of violence.
The “new sheriff” in town
The Commission also heard WhatsApp evidence involving a contractor who had previously reported to Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi.
Evidence leaders have described Msibi as a former Big Five cartel leader.
In one exchange, Sibanyoni allegedly told Sindane that the contractor now had a “new sheriff in town”, referring to himself.
The exchange forms part of the wider WhatsApp evidence linking the two taxi bosses to alleged criminal networks.
Links to alleged taxi violence
The Moloto Road evidence also connects with other material before the Madlanga Commission.
Chaskalson has told the Commission that WhatsApp exchanges involving Sibanyoni and Sindane include discussions about legal fees for two convicted killers in taxi-related cases.
Read the full story on the lawyers and unpaid legal fees.
The Commission is testing the evidence as it examines allegations of extortion, taxi violence and links to criminal networks. Sibanyoni and Sindane have denied the allegations.
What the Commission heard
The R2.29 million payment trail, Ntuli’s affidavit and the WhatsApp messages now form part of the evidence before the Madlanga Commission.
The allegations remain contested and must be tested through the Commission’s proceedings and the separate criminal case.
The evidence nonetheless provides a detailed account of how the alleged Moloto Road protection-fee payments were demanded, recorded and communicated.
