Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni grilled over ‘interference’ with Putco after Ramaphosa ‘confrontation’

Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni faced intense questioning at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday regarding a resurfaced video in which he appeared to warn President Cyril Ramaphosa about potential interference with Putco bus operations if local demands were not met.

Please assist us. When you find someone wanting to interfere with the Putco business, you must throw it, assist us. Don’t put the wrong thing. Assist us as, how do we get into this space?

Sibanyoni, who was seeking a 30% stake in the bus company for local operators, attempted to clarify his remarks to the commission. He argued that his use of the word “interference” was not intended to imply sabotage or illegal disruption, but rather a desire for formal engagement and business participation.

If I am engaging with you, it’s one and the same thing when I interfere with you. Interfere, that’s when I’m engaging you.

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson challenged this interpretation, highlighting the distinction between legitimate business negotiation and the disruption of services. Chaskalson presented evidence of over 350 incidents between October 2024 and January 2025 where Putco buses were forced to turn around due to blockades by taxis in Mpumalanga.

When asked if he was aware of the scale of these disruptions, Sibanyoni denied any knowledge of the incidents and rejected allegations that his association was responsible for the blockades. The commission continues to investigate claims of criminal infiltration and political interference within the transport and justice sectors.