- SARS issued a formal R17 million tax demand to Mpumalanga taxi boss Bafana Sindane, reportedly linked to 16 years of alleged non-compliance
- The demand came to light during court proceedings where Sindane faces separate extortion and money-laundering charges worth over R2 million
- Sindane's lawyer objected to the tax matter being raised in court, arguing it was unrelated and intended to damage his client's reputation
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MPUMALANGA — The South African Revenue Service has issued a R17 million tax demand to Mpumalanga taxi boss Bafana Sindane, also known as Oupa Jossiah Sindane or "King of the Sky", according to a Sowetan report published on Thursday.
Various reports indicate that Sindane received the letter of demand on Monday, and that the amount relates to roughly 16 years of alleged tax non-compliance.
Tax demand surfaces in criminal court
The SARS demand became public knowledge during Sindane's appearance at the Delmas Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where he and co-accused Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, and Philemon Msiza face charges of extortion and money laundering. The prosecutor raised the SARS investigation after the presiding magistrate enquired about outstanding matters in the case.
Sindane's attorney, Menzi Simelane, objected to the mention of the tax issue, arguing it bore no relevance to the criminal proceedings and had been introduced to "scandalise" his client.
The criminal charges allege that Sindane and his co-accused extorted more than R2 million from businessman Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli, whose business interests include contracts tied to the Moloto Road upgrade in Mpumalanga.
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Madlanga commission links and associate's tax notice
Separately, evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has raised questions about Sindane's alleged connections to police officers and his access to police escorts. WhatsApp messages retrieved from his cellphone were submitted to the commission as part of testimony concerning the alleged extortion scheme.
An eNCA report has further indicated that a close associate of Sindane may have received a separate tax notice estimated at approximately R9 million.
Sindane and his co-accused have denied the criminal allegations and remain out on bail. The tax demand and the criminal charges constitute distinct legal matters, and the allegations in the criminal case have not been proven in court.
Commission reject Sindane's bid to halt testimony
Briefly News also reported that the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry dismissed an application by Mpumalanga taxi boss, Oupa Bafana "King of the Sky" Sindane, to delay his hearing. The Commission has ordered that evidence relating to him be led on Monday, 28 September 2026, in whatever format possible. The Commission reserved the decision after arguments on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, and issued it by statement on Friday, 25 September 2026.
Source: Briefly News