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IOL News
06-07-2025
- IOL News
When the music plays, the guilty tremble: Those implicated in Magaqa's assassination may face the law
Ncengwa, one of four accused who have been facing this case for eight years, pleaded guilty in pursuit of leniency. His admission shattered the reputations of respected public officials and revealed allegations of orchestrated criminality embedded within state systems. The testimony of Sibusiso Ncengwa (37) opens the door for the masterminds, coordinators, and hitmen implicated in the brutal murder of Sindiso Magaqa, former Secretary General of the ANC Youth League in September 2017, to face the full force of the law. In his formal plea statement submitted in terms of Section 220, Ncengwa revealed the painful truth that Magaqa was murdered because of his commitment to fighting crime and corruption within the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality, under the Harry Gwala District. His investigative efforts and steadfast opposition to corruption placed him in grave danger after uncovering patronage schemes that undermined fair procurement processes, and alleged embezzlement of funds earmarked for public infrastructure. According to Ncengwa, the plot to assassinate Sindiso Magaqa was initiated by Mluleki Ndobe, the then-mayor of the Harry Gwala District Municipality, who later shot himself at his home in November 2020, and Zweliphansi Sikhosana, the then-manager of the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality. These senior figures, Ncengwa claims, were aided by Mdu Ncalane, executive communications official at eThekwini Municipality and a known ANC provincial leader in KwaZulu-Natal. Ncengwa further stated that Mdu Ncalane played a pivotal role in linking Ndobe and Sikhosana to the hitmen, including Ncengwa himself, Mbulelo Mpofana, Sibonelo Myeza, and Mlungisi Ncalane. Ncengwa reported that Mdu Ncalane oversaw the delivery of the initial payment, approximately R120,000, which was divided among the perpetrators. These allegations underscore the reach of the justice system in addressing organised crime, particularly where a gunman, a plot originator, and an intermediary are involved. This is supported by provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, whose application surges with the fury of the uThukela in flood, when brought to bear against orchestrated acts of violence. Under the legal doctrines of common purpose and collaborative criminal intent, soliciting, facilitating, or aiding a murder is legally tantamount to drawing the bow and firing the arrow yourself. This establishes that all who played a role must face equivalent charges. Beyond the Criminal Law Amendment Act, South African courts are bound to uphold the principle of legal precedent, where past decisions of superior courts provide binding guidance in similar cases. Rulings such as S v Mgedezi & Others (1989), S v Pule (1995), S v Masilela & Another (2001), and S v Thebus & Another (2003) establish that individuals who plan, facilitate, or materially support a murder, such as by paying for it or supplying weapons, can be held equally liable as the perpetrator, provided they shared the intent and associated themselves with the criminal act. According to this doctrine, a person who did not physically carry out the murder but who facilitated or supported the plan may face the same murder charges as the actual perpetrator. If sufficient evidence is established, Mdu Ncalane and Zweliphansi Sikhosana, named by Ncengwa as coordinators and masterminds, could face equivalent charges for premeditated murder under the classification of "principal in the first degree." This affirms the legal view that justice is not concerned with who fired the gun, but with who ordered it to be fired. The public must attentively watch Ncengwa's sentencing, scheduled for today, which follows his plea of guilty to premeditated murder, confirming that the evidence against him has already been tested by a competent court with authority to establish precedent. This creates a solid legal foundation that such evidence, once accepted for conviction, cannot later be disregarded or diminished when introduced by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as leading evidence against the remaining accused, including Mdu Ncalane and a court cannot contradict or discard evidence it has previously deemed sufficient to convict. Therefore, if the NPA opts to leverage Ncengwa's testimony to pursue others, the court must treat them consistently, without bias or dilution of evidentiary weight. Accordingly, Ncengwa's sentencing must not be viewed merely as the end of a chapter in this case. It may mark the beginning of a broader challenge to government institutions, particularly the judiciary, to follow evidence with integrity, ensuring that justice proceeds unimpeded by political agendas or leadership with ulterior motives. *The opinions expressed in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
06-07-2025
- IOL News
When the music plays, the guilty tremble: Those implicated in Magaqa's assassination may face the law
Ncengwa, one of four accused who have been facing this case for eight years, pleaded guilty in pursuit of leniency. His admission shattered the reputations of respected public officials and revealed allegations of orchestrated criminality embedded within state systems. The testimony of Sibusiso Ncengwa (37) opens the door for the masterminds, coordinators, and hitmen implicated in the brutal murder of Sindiso Magaqa, former Secretary General of the ANC Youth League in September 2017, to face the full force of the law. In his formal plea statement submitted in terms of Section 220, Ncengwa revealed the painful truth that Magaqa was murdered because of his commitment to fighting crime and corruption within the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality, under the Harry Gwala District. His investigative efforts and steadfast opposition to corruption placed him in grave danger after uncovering patronage schemes that undermined fair procurement processes, and alleged embezzlement of funds earmarked for public infrastructure. According to Ncengwa, the plot to assassinate Sindiso Magaqa was initiated by Mluleki Ndobe, the then-mayor of the Harry Gwala District Municipality, who later shot himself at his home in November 2020, and Zweliphansi Sikhosana, the then-manager of the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality. These senior figures, Ncengwa claims, were aided by Mdu Ncalane, executive communications official at eThekwini Municipality and a known ANC provincial leader in KwaZulu-Natal. Ncengwa further stated that Mdu Ncalane played a pivotal role in linking Ndobe and Sikhosana to the hitmen, including Ncengwa himself, Mbulelo Mpofana, Sibonelo Myeza, and Mlungisi Ncalane. Ncengwa reported that Mdu Ncalane oversaw the delivery of the initial payment, approximately R120,000, which was divided among the perpetrators. These allegations underscore the reach of the justice system in addressing organised crime, particularly where a gunman, a plot originator, and an intermediary are involved. This is supported by provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, whose application surges with the fury of the uThukela in flood, when brought to bear against orchestrated acts of violence. Under the legal doctrines of common purpose and collaborative criminal intent, soliciting, facilitating, or aiding a murder is legally tantamount to drawing the bow and firing the arrow yourself. This establishes that all who played a role must face equivalent charges. Beyond the Criminal Law Amendment Act, South African courts are bound to uphold the principle of legal precedent, where past decisions of superior courts provide binding guidance in similar cases. Rulings such as S v Mgedezi & Others (1989), S v Pule (1995), S v Masilela & Another (2001), and S v Thebus & Another (2003) establish that individuals who plan, facilitate, or materially support a murder, such as by paying for it or supplying weapons, can be held equally liable as the perpetrator, provided they shared the intent and associated themselves with the criminal act. According to this doctrine, a person who did not physically carry out the murder but who facilitated or supported the plan may face the same murder charges as the actual perpetrator. If sufficient evidence is established, Mdu Ncalane and Zweliphansi Sikhosana, named by Ncengwa as coordinators and masterminds, could face equivalent charges for premeditated murder under the classification of "principal in the first degree." This affirms the legal view that justice is not concerned with who fired the gun, but with who ordered it to be fired. The public must attentively watch Ncengwa's sentencing, scheduled for today, which follows his plea of guilty to premeditated murder, confirming that the evidence against him has already been tested by a competent court with authority to establish precedent. This creates a solid legal foundation that such evidence, once accepted for conviction, cannot later be disregarded or diminished when introduced by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as leading evidence against the remaining accused, including Mdu Ncalane and a court cannot contradict or discard evidence it has previously deemed sufficient to convict. Therefore, if the NPA opts to leverage Ncengwa's testimony to pursue others, the court must treat them consistently, without bias or dilution of evidentiary weight. Accordingly, Ncengwa's sentencing must not be viewed merely as the end of a chapter in this case. It may mark the beginning of a broader challenge to government institutions, particularly the judiciary, to follow evidence with integrity, ensuring that justice proceeds unimpeded by political agendas or leadership with ulterior motives. *The opinions expressed in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. DAILY NEWS
Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Cipla registers PAT of Rs 1,222 crore in Q4; EBITDA margin rises to 22.8%
Cipla has reported 30.1% increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,222 crore on a 9.2% rise in total income to Rs 6,730 crore in Q4 FY25 as compared with Q4 FY24. On the segmental front, the companys India business revenue was Rs 2,622 crore (up 8% YoY), North America business revenue was Rs 1,919 crore (up 2% YoY), One Africa business revenue was Rs 1,019 crore (up 20% YoY) and the revenue from Emerging Markets and Europe business was Rs 895 crore (up 21% YoY). Further, the API business revenue and that from Others was Rs 182 crore (down 4% YoY) and Rs 92 crore (down 2 YoY), respectively. While EBITDA rose by 16.8% YoY to Rs 1,538 crore, EBITDA margin expanded by 150 basis points YoY to 22.8% in the fourth quarter. The companys R&D investments stood at Rs 426 crore (or 6.3% of sales) for the quarter, driven by product filings and development efforts. For FY25, Cipla has recorded a consolidated net profit of Rs 5,273 crore (up 28.4% YoY) and total income from operations of Rs 27,548 crore (up 8.2% YoY). The pharmaceutical company had a net cash position of Rs 10,369 crore. The debt primarily included lease liabilities and working capital requirements. Umang Vohra, MD and Global CEO, Cipla, said: I am pleased to share that we continue to make considerable progress across our focused markets. In FY25, we recorded a revenue growth of 8% over last year with the EBITDA margin of 25.9%, driven by mix and other operational efficiencies. Our One-India business grew at a healthy 7% YoY. Key therapies in Branded Prescription business continued to outpace the market growth, Trade Generics business growth trajectory is back on track and Anchor brands of Consumer Health Business maintained leadership position. With a positive traction in our differentiated assets, the US business posted an all-time high annual revenue of $ 934 million. In One Africa, we recorded a solid growth of 12% YoY in USD terms, powered by firm performance across key markets. Emerging Markets and Europe delivered a substantial revenue growth of 15% YoY on the back of deep market focus strategy. Going ahead, the focus will be on growing our key markets, further building our flagship brands, investing in future pipeline as well as focusing on resolutions on the regulatory front. Cipla is a global pharmaceutical company focused on agile and sustainable growth, complex generics, and deepening portfolios in our home markets of India, South Africa, North America, and key regulated and emerging markets. The scrip rose 0.40% to currently trade at Rs 1518 on the BSE.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Atticus Publishing proudly present 'Awake O Sleeper' by Julie Yetter
A Generational Story of Trauma, Identity, and Redemption CA, UNITED STATES, April 4, 2025 / / -- In her evocative debut novel, Awake O Sleeper: Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Others, author Julie Yetter delivers a powerful narrative that dives deep into the generational struggles and silent traumas passed down through a family line of women. At the heart of the story is Faith, a woman who wakes up in a psychiatric ward after an overdose, only to begin the most important journey of her life—one that will force her to confront the past, embrace her identity, and rise into healing. Structured with a fluid narrative that moves between five generations of women in Faith's matrilineal line, Awake O Sleeper unravels the layers of inherited pain, strength, and resilience. Julie Yetter masterfully blends fiction with an autobiographical tone, inviting readers on a shared journey of self-discovery. The novel serves as a mirror for those navigating their own generational stories, encouraging emotional, spiritual, and psychological awakening. 'Storytelling is a family tradition,' Julie shares. 'After years of listening to the stories of the women in my family, a narrative began to form that I felt could encourage others. While our identity may be shaped by our lineage and life circumstances, our destiny remains in our hands.' With a professional background in English education and years of service in the community—as founding principal of Genesis Preparatory Academy and an active board member—Julie brings both literary finesse and heartfelt insight to her writing. Awake O Sleeper is more than a novel; it's a message of hope, transformation, and the unshakable truth that healing is possible for anyone ready to confront their story and reclaim their future. For readers looking to break cycles, understand inherited emotional wounds, and find freedom in their own stories, Awake O Sleeper is an illuminating and inspiring read. Awake O Sleeper is available now through major booksellers and online. Julie Yetter is a former educator turned author, speaker, and community leader. With a passion for storytelling and transformation, she draws from personal and generational experiences to empower others on their journey to healing. Julie lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her husband and four children, continuing her mission to inspire people to dream big, heal deeply, and believe in themselves. Atticus Publishing LLC + +1 (888) 800-1803
