ANCYL welcomes sentencing of Sindiso Magaqa's killer
Magaqa was ambushed and shot multiple times on 13 July 2017 for blowing the whistle on corruption in his hometown of Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal, where he was also a councillor at the time. He later died in September the same year at the age of 35 as a result of his injuries.
Last week, Ncengwa pleaded with the Pietermaritzburg High Court not to impose a life sentence as he has already spent eight years in prison. However, on Monday, 7 July, the High Court imposed an effective sentence of 25 years' imprisonment on Ncengwa for his role in the 2017 assassination that sent shocking waves across the country, along with related charges.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KwaZulu-Natal said Ncengwa was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, 25 years imprisonment for murder, five years imprisonment for each of the three counts of attempted murder, three years imprisonment for each of the three counts of malicious injury to property, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession for firearm and 1 year imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in the effective sentence of 25 years' imprisonment.
The ANC Youth League said this sentencing is a long-overdue but crucial step toward justice, accountability, and the truth behind the politically motivated murder of a dedicated revolutionary and fearless youth leader.
ANCYL secretary-general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle said Sindiso Magaqa was a brave and principled cadre of the ANCYL who represented the finest traditions of activism, truth-telling, and resistance to corruption.
Ngudle said Magaqa paid the ultimate price for standing against wrongdoing, particularly in local government, and his murder was a devastating blow to the Youth League and broader democratic movement.
'While we welcome this sentence, the ANCYL remains deeply concerned by the web of alleged political conspirators who remain unaccountable. The confession made by Ncengwa implicates high-ranking individuals, including municipal officials and political figures.
'We therefore call on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and law enforcement agencies to move with urgency in pursuing every lead and ensuring that those who planned and financed this assassination are brought to book,' he added.
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