Mpumalanga taxi boss Oupa “Bafana” Sindane did not appear before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, with his legal team citing, among other reasons, his participation in a period of spiritual seclusion as part of his traditional healing journey.
Sindane had been expected to testify before the commission on 23 September 2026. Instead, his lawyers appeared on his behalf and sought a postponement, putting forward several grounds for his absence.
One of the reasons was what Advocate Thabani Masuku described as Sindane’s “spiritual seclusion”. Masuku told the commission that the process was private and that Sindane had chosen not to disclose details about the nature of his spiritual journey.
“Spiritual seclusion is very important for many people,” Masuku argued, saying people should not be forced or coerced while seeking spiritual enlightenment. He further argued that Sindane’s decision to keep the details private should not lead to an adverse inference against him.
The commission also heard that Sindane had submitted a medical certificate citing health problems, while his legal team was simultaneously challenging aspects of the commission’s efforts to compel him to testify.
According to reports, the legal team’s arguments came as Sindane faced an urgent High Court application concerning his subpoena and the use of information obtained from his phone, including WhatsApp messages.
Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson SC had proposed that the commission continue dealing with evidence relating to Sindane while he was unavailable, but Masuku opposed the approach, arguing that Sindane needed to be in a position to follow proceedings and respond to evidence that could affect him.
The commission was ultimately left to consider whether Sindane’s various reasons justified postponing his appearance.
The Madlanga Commission’s official record says the three grounds placed before it included a medical certificate, spiritual seclusion and Sindane’s urgent High Court application.
