Kamogelo Moichela|Published
The SA Revenue Service (SARS) has reportedly issued formal tax notices to Mpumalanga taxi boss Bafana “King of the Sky” Sindane and a close associate, with Sindane allegedly owing R17 million and his associate facing a separate R9 million tax bill.
SARS allegedly flagged Sindane for failing to submit tax returns for approximately 15 years.
His associate, who was not named, is reportedly facing a separate outstanding tax bill of about R9 million after allegedly failing to file returns for six years.
The tax issue was raised on Tuesday at the Delmas Magistrate’s Court, where Sindane appeared alongside Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Makhaya.
The four men face allegations of extorting more than R2 million from businessman Tengane Thomas Ntuli in connection with his road-construction contract.
The mention of SARS triggered an immediate objection from Sindane’s lawyer, Menzi Simelane, who accused the prosecution of raising an unrelated matter that could unfairly damage his client’s reputation.
“The only reason the SARS issue was raised was to literally scandalise accused number five,” Simelane said, adding that this was unfair.
He argued that the tax investigation had no place in the proceedings because it was not part of the charges before the court.
“SARS is not mentioned as something to be added on the charge sheet, and it shouldn't have been mentioned at all,” he said.
The court postponed the case to April 20, 2027, with the State seeking additional time to investigate the allegations surrounding the road-construction tender.
The reported tax liabilities place Sindane under further scrutiny as questions about his activities and connections in Mpumalanga continue to attract attention.
Sindane has been implicated at the Madlanga Commission after WhatsApp messages from his phone reportedly revealed communications between him and police officers.
He also refused to appear before the commission.
Separately, Sindane and Sibanyoni have been linked to allegations that a group operating in Mpumalanga extorts money from local businesspeople through so-called “protection fees”.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL News