Sibanyoni denies extortion over R900,000 Ntuli payment

Joe Sibanyoni told the Madlanga Commission that he paid R900,000 to businessman Tengane Thomas Ntuli as a contribution to a venture linked to the proposed Moloto Road upgrade, denying Ntuli’s allegation that their dealings involved extortion. The testimony also examined Sibanyoni’s involvement in funding legal costs for convicted taxi killer Gwabo Mahlangu and allegations about his links to criminal networks, which he denied. Ntuli accused Sibanyoni of demanding protection payments connected to his quarry business and work related to the road project. During questioning, the commission heard allegations of an initial cash demand and a proposed share of business income. The reported amounts and stages of those allegations differ. The central dispute is whether the arrangement was a business partnership or extortion; the supplied accounts do not establish which explanation is correct. Sibanyoni said Ntuli had mining rights at a quarry and that they discussed local-content work, which he said required a portion of project activity to involve local businesses.