Following the rejection of his request to postpone his testimony, Oupa “Bafana” Sindane, a prominent player in the taxi sector, is anticipated to provide evidence related to his case to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, 28 September 2026.
Legal complications have arisen surrounding Sindane’s attendance as he contests the commission’s use of WhatsApp communications retrieved from his phone and his attorneys have sought to postpone hearings. On Friday, the panel denied the request to delay the hearing and mandated that Monday, “in whatever format,” the evidence pertaining to Sindane must continue.
Oupa “Bafana” Sindane, a prominent person in the taxi sector, is set to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, 28 September 2026. This comes after their decision to reject his request to delay his presence.
Despite being subpoenaed to testify before the panel, key player in the Mpumalanga taxi sector Sindane did not arrive when his evidence was initially due to be presented. at order to pursue a challenge at the High Court, his legal team had requested a delay in the proceedings.
On Friday, 25 September, the commission denied the request to postpone the hearing and ordered that, regardless of the venue, Sindane’s or any relevant evidence must be heard on Monday.
Suspicion surrounds WhatsApp communications purportedly exchanged between Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, a prominent figure in the taxi sector, and Sindane. As part of its probe into claims of criminal networks, violence in the taxi industry, and potential ties between those working in the industry and police enforcement, the committee has focused on such conversations.
The commission’s use of Sindane’s mobile data has been contested by him. To stop the commission from using the messages and other mobile evidence, his legal team has gone to the High Court in Pretoria. On October 6th, that application will be heard.
The head of evidence, Matthew Chaskalson SC, has stated that the commission has the WhatsApp chats in its possession legally and that the relevant material should not be withheld due to the legal challenge. That being the case, the commission has argued that the various court processes should not halt its work.
