Bafana Sindane Calls In Sick As Urgent Court Bid Threatens To Delay Madlanga Commission Testimony

Taxi industry figure Bafana “King of the Sky” Sindane was due to testify before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, but his appearance was delayed after his legal team told the inquiry that he was medically unfit to attend.

Advocate Menzi Simelane informed the commission that Sindane’s lawyers had received a medical certificate and were seeking a postponement. The development came hours after Sindane launched an urgent High Court application challenging the commission’s subpoena and its intended use of material seized from his cellphone.

Sindane is seeking to prevent the commission from accessing his WhatsApp messages while his legal challenge is considered. The High Court application is scheduled to be heard on 6 October 2026.

Bafana Sindane Calls In Sick Before Testimony

Sindane’s lawyers submitted a medical certificate to the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday morning as they sought to postpone his scheduled testimony.

“We have received the medical certificate on Wednesday,” Advocate Menzi Simelane told the commission.

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Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson did not object to Sindane’s absence but proposed that documentary evidence relating to his testimony be placed on record while the taxi boss was unavailable. Sindane’s legal team opposed that approach, arguing that he should be able to follow and respond to evidence presented in his absence.

His lawyers have also referred to Sindane’s alleged spiritual seclusion as part of their arguments for postponement, although the medical certificate was the immediate basis presented to the commission.

Sindane Takes Madlanga Commission Fight To High Court

The postponement request comes alongside an urgent legal challenge filed by Sindane in the High Court in Pretoria.

Sindane wants the court to intervene over the subpoena compelling him to testify and to prevent the commission from using material extracted from his cellphone. His application challenges the use of WhatsApp messages exchanged between him and fellow taxi industry figure Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni.

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Those messages came under scrutiny during Sibanyoni’s evidence before the commission earlier this week, including exchanges that allegedly referred to hitmen. Sibanyoni has disputed the interpretation of some of the messages and denied allegations that he was involved in hiring hitmen.

The High Court is expected to consider Sindane’s application on 6 October, while his subpoena remains in force pending the court process.

Bafana Sindane Linked To Separate Extortion Case

Sindane’s expected testimony forms part of the commission’s wider investigation into alleged criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.

He was expected to face questions about his alleged links within the taxi industry, financial dealings and communications with Sibanyoni. The two men are also co-accused in a separate case involving allegations of extortion and money laundering.

The State alleges that the separate case involves demands for more than R2.2 million in so-called protection fees from a businessman operating in the Nkangala district. Those allegations remain before the criminal courts and have not been proven.

For now, arguments over Sindane’s postponement and the treatment of the cellphone evidence continue before the Madlanga Commission, while his urgent court challenge awaits its hearing.