PRETORIA - Controversial Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni used the last few minutes of his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to defend his reputation.
As he read out the closing remarks of his statement, he began by reiterating that he has spent more than 42 years building what he described as a ‘legitimate life'.
He told the Commission that he intervened to prevent violence in the taxi industry when others chose not to intervene
Sibanyoni took the stand on Friday after he was summoned to alleged criminal syndicates, and their associates even reported the criminal cabal to the Minister of Police.
READ | LIVESTREAM | Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni testifies at Madlanga
As he continued to read the last bit of his statement to the record, Sibanyoni also touched on surviving a 2022 ambush in Centurion.
This is the same failed assassination attempt which Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala has allegedly been linked to and is in court for.
“When the National Prosecuting Authority charged the men who tried to kill me, I stood ready to testify against him, and now I sit before the Commission of Inquiry, being asked whether I discussed the hiring of his men. I understand why this Commission must ask difficult questions of everyone in its scope. I do not resent the process; I respect it,” Sibanyoni told the commission.
Despite the allegations surrounding his name, including the alleged extortion and money laundering case, Sibanyoni maintains that he has never been convicted of any crime.
He told the Commission: “My dignity is not negotiable, my cooperation is genuine, and the truth, I am confident, will vindicate me.”
Sibanyoni will be back before the Commission on 21 September.