Chikunga rejects Sibanyoni’s claim she knew of taxi cartel

Former transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has denied claims by Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni that she knew about alleged cartel activities linked to the taxi industry. A spokesperson for Chikunga said the minister’s only meeting with Sibanyoni during her transport tenure was about an operational grievance and did not involve discussion of organised-crime or cartel matters.

What was said at the Madlanga Commission

During his appearance before the Madlanga Commission, Sibanyoni told the panel he had attempted to expose alleged cartel activity and said he had discussed the matter with Chikunga in 2023. He told the commission she knew about the alleged cartel and that,

“most constitutionally troubling, Chikunga disclosed that she was aware certain officials within the Department of Transport had divided allegiances.”

According to Sibanyoni, she said some officials “answered not to me, answered not to the department, but to the farm”.

Chikunga’s response

A statement from Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities spokesperson Cassius Selala set out Chikunga’s position. The statement said Chikunga met with Sibanyoni once, at his request, in 2023, and that the meeting concerned a specific operational grievance relating to the non-operation of his taxis.

Selala said the meeting was accompanied by the chief executive officer of one of the road entities and was limited to the operational matter that had been raised. The statement added there were no other meetings, discussions, telephone calls or other communications between Chikunga and Sibanyoni before or after that engagement.

Denial of broader knowledge

Chikunga’s office said it is categorically incorrect to attribute to the minister any broader conversation or knowledge of the matters Sibanyoni raised in his testimony. The statement specifically said:

“Minister Chikunga did not discuss with Mr Sibanyoni, and does not know of, any alleged divided allegiances within the Department of Transport or any alleged private individual operating from a farm outside Pretoria.”

For emphasis, the spokesperson added:

“For the avoidance of doubt, no such statement was made by Minister Chikunga to Mr Sibanyoni or to any other person.”

Commitment to the commission

Selala said Chikunga respects the Madlanga Commission and its mandate and that she had chosen to correct the record because testimony before a commission is given under oath and carries significant public weight. The statement concluded that there was one meeting, it was requested by Mr Sibanyoni, it concerned an operational grievance regarding his taxis, and the matters now attributed to Minister Chikunga were neither discussed nor known to her.