Advocate Matthew Chaskalson read the chats into the record on September 28, 2026, while Sindane was absent.
The messages point to what Chaskalson described as a structured extortion racket. The alleged network overlaps with the Big Five cartel that NOWinSA has been tracking.
“The inference that I draw in relation to these payments is that there is an extortion racket,” Chaskalson said.
A shootout, skull emojis and a leaked police report
The WhatsApp trail turns dark around September 2, 2024.
Sibanyoni forwarded Sindane live updates about a police shootout. One message read: “Mandla got a shot esandleni, entameni and enhloko but none near the bones so he’s okay.”
The next update was more direct: “Suprise ushonile”, meaning Surprise is dead, followed by a string of skull emojis.
Hours later, a man identified as Nkambule Themba sent Sindane a confidential SAPS “success report”.
The report detailed a 4am intelligence-led operation in Kwaggafontein targeting the Kwagga 20, a group linked in the evidence to extortion, killings and construction mafia activity.
Suspects allegedly shot at police during the operation. Two were arrested and one, identified as Surprise Ngodela, was killed.
The docket lists murder counts in Tweefontein, Bronkhorstspruit and Moletlane.
Chaskalson said the WhatsApp exchanges expose a wider network.
“The chats show that there is a relationship between Sindane, Sibanyoni and violent criminals, izinkabi [hitmen] and other people,” he said.
Protection fees on the Moloto Road project
The Commission also heard evidence about alleged protection fees linked to the R3.7 billion Moloto Road upgrade in Mpumalanga.
Contractor Dr Tengane Ntuli says he paid Sibanyoni and Sindane R2.29 million between July 2021 and November 2025.
Our report on Ntuli’s Moloto Road affidavit details how the alleged demands developed.
“New sheriff in town”
In another WhatsApp exchange, Sibanyoni told Sindane about a contractor who had previously reported to Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi.
Msibi has been described as a leader of the Big Five cartel.
The contractor now knew there was a “new sheriff in town”, with Sibanyoni allegedly being the sheriff in question.
Legal fees for convicted killers
Chaskalson also told the Commission that the pair were allegedly involved in paying legal fees for convicted hitmen in taxi-industry murders.
The WhatsApp chats show advocate Hartley Ngoato complaining about “nonpayment” after defending two men sentenced to life imprisonment.
Read the full story on the lawyers and unpaid legal fees.
Sibanyoni’s explanation
The Commission asked Sibanyoni whether he supported or employed contracted killers.
He denied it.
Sibanyoni also said “dogs jogging” referred to morning exercise and that “izinkabi” meant rank security guards.
He is due to return for cross-examination on September 29, 2026, when he will also face questions about the legal fee arrangements.
Sindane’s court bid fails
Sindane’s urgent application to stop the Commission from hearing his evidence was struck off the roll on Monday, with a punitive costs order.
Judge Richard Mkhabela heard the matter virtually.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the Commission “welcomes the ruling this morning by the Gauteng High Court to strike off the roll the urgent application”.
Sindane’s legal team arrived later after travelling from Johannesburg.
By then, Chaskalson had already been cleared to continue. He had earlier said evidence leaders had “danced too much” around Sindane.
What comes next
The evidence heard by the Madlanga Commission could feed into potential arrests and prosecutions, an outcome President Ramaphosa has backed.
Any charges would then move to the NPA and Hawks for formal dockets.
Readers can also follow the hearings through the Commission’s official records (open in new tab).
