Prominent businessman and taxi tycoon Joe “ Ferrari”Sibanyoni claims he received intelligence years ago that alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had been hired by the late taxi boss Jothan Zanemvula “Mswazi” Msibi to assassinate him.
“That was the information I received from people who knew, but I could not authoritatively say it was him because I did not have evidence,” Sibanyoni told Africa Daily.
His remarks come ahead of Matlala’s trial, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, 20 July, where Sibanyoni is expected to become the State’s first witness against the alleged underworld kingpin.
Sibanyoni said he was not shocked when police investigators later identified Matlala as the alleged mastermind behind the attempt on his life.
“I was not surprised. I knew he was in the picture,” he said.
According to Sibanyoni, Matlala and his co-accused were allegedly hired by Msibi to eliminate him over a long-running feud in the taxi industry.
“I didn’t know him, but they were paid by Mswazi to kill me because of the differences we had 20 years ago,” he said.
He said Msibi viewed him as his biggest rival in the taxi business and that their conflict stretched back at least two decades.
“Our differences with Mswazi started at least 20 years ago. I later left the taxi industry to pursue other business interests, but when I returned, that’s when my problems started again,” Sibanyoni said.
Despite being the State’s first witness, Sibanyoni said he is not anxious about taking the stand.
“I will tell the court what I know. I won’t say he must go to jail or that he must be acquitted. I stand to gain nothing from his incarceration or his acquittal. The law must take its course, and it is up to the court to decide his fate,” he said.
Reflecting on the night he was ambushed, Sibanyoni admitted he had a feeling that his life was in danger and believes he should not have ignored his instincts.
He was travelling with a friend after the pair had dinner when they arrived at a golf estate shortly before 11pm in a red vehicle.
Police allege that Sandile Masimula, 21, an acquaintance of Sibanyoni, was driving the vehicle.
As the two men got out, a white vehicle allegedly entered the parking area. Four armed men, carrying rifles, allegedly opened fire from inside their vehicle.
A security officer who was patrolling the estate returned fire, discharging about 15 rounds from his pistol. The guard later claimed he believed he had struck one of the attackers.
Investigators recovered approximately 21 AK-47/R5 cartridge casings at the scene, while Masimula was rushed to Unitas Hospital for medical treatment.
“On that fateful day, shortly before I was shot, I told myself when I was leaving the restaurant that I should not have stayed there that long until so late. When I left, I drove quickly because I had an intuition that something was going to happen. Unfortunately, when I reached the entrance of my estate, they started shooting. Luckily, the guards at the gate fired back and the attackers fled,” Sibanyoni said.
Matlala and his co-accused — Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Matlala’s wife Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama — are expected to appear in court on Monday for trial.
Kekana is accused number one, Mabusela accused number two, Matlala accused number three, Tsakani Matlala accused number four, and Nzama accused number five.
The five accused face 25 charges, including 11 counts of attempted murder linked to three separate shooting incidents allegedly committed between August 2022 and January 2024.
The State alleges they orchestrated multiple shootings, laundered money linked to the alleged assassination plots, and used a fraudulent invoice to conceal the source of the funds and mislead the court.
Matlala also faces charges relating to the alleged attempted murder of his former girlfriend, television actress Tebogo Thobejane, as well as the shootings of Sibanyoni and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubong.
National Prosecuting Authority South Gauteng Spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole had not responded to written questions by the time of publication.
