Judas Phoku, a taxi operator with the Mathibela Taxi Association in Bushbuckridge is also a deputy chairperson of SANTACO Mpumalanga Provincial Taxi Council (MPTC), lost his business when his taxis and house were burnt down two years ago.
This devastating incident left him without any income to support his family. He also survived an attempt on his life, when an unknown attacker fired at him.
During the MPTC elective conference, Sibanyoni expressed that his “conscience would not permit him to ignore the challenges faced by a dedicated and loyal colleague who was unable to support his family”, while Sibanyoni himself was prospering.
“Mr Phoku has his cars burned. His unfortunate situation did not sit well with me and my family. We had a family meeting and agreed that we need to do something to assist him to put food on the table for his family.
“I can’t afford to have someone I work with struggle at the end of the day when we part ways you don’t know how he is going to provide for his family because he did not have any income. And I at the same time I am doing well,” Sibanyoni said.
He commended his family for their generosity and understanding, noting that they were willing to use family resources to help someone who had supported them during a difficult time.
“Mr. Phoku has been very supportive my family. We had to do something to help him as well,” said Mrs Sibanyoni as she thanked taxi operators for supporting and trusting in the leadership of her husband.
“I am thankful to the Sibanyoni family for what they have done for me and my family. May God bless them for their act of kindness,” said Phoku during the handover of the vehicle keys and ownership papers.
