Latest news with #SibusisoNcengwa
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'The police don't work!' Really? Let's weigh critique against evidence
Members of the South African Police Service preparing for the 2025 State of the Nation Address at the Castle of Good Hope. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers This pejorative chorus echoes from certain corners of society, often lacking context and driven by subjective, biased, and unfair characterisations. These claims, often border on disinformation- and they do a disservice to apparent facts. A simple search reveals the staggering reality: South Africa's correctional centres are critically overcrowded. As of early 2025, approximately 167,300 inmates are housed in facilities built for just 107,346 - an excess of about 60,000 individuals, resulting in an overcrowding rate of 56%. These aren't minor offenders- they include murderers, rapists, hijackers, and other hardened criminals. Let it be made abundantly clear: these inmates did not walk into custody voluntarily. Complex SAPS intelligence-led driven investigations - were coordinated by diligent, dedicated, hardworking men and women in blue, to bring about watertight cases resulting in these convictions. For instance – just recently, we have witnessed no less than noteworthy – prominent cases being brought before courts – whose outcomes were severe convictions – while others are still awaiting trials and sentences – among them they includes: Sibusiso Ncengwa, convicted for the murder of Sindiso Magaqa, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 7 July 2025. His co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, will face trial in October 2025. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane, executed in Durban on 10 February 2023. Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, a Pretoria-based tenderpreneur, was also arrested in May 2025 following a high-profile investigation. He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, all linked to a botched hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane. But that's just the surface. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ His company, Medicare24, cancelled by the National Commissioner of Police Fannie Masemola upon realizing that there was something untoward – when it was controversially awarded a R360 million health services tender. In July 2025, four suspects - including alleged mastermind KT Molefe and former police detective Michael Tau - were arrested for the murder of DJ Sumbody, gunned down in Woodmead in November 2022. Firearms recovered from the scene are linked to ten other high-profile cases. Meanwhile, SAPS commercial crime investigators made significant strides: At least 12 Eskom employees were arrested for corruption-related offences in 2024/25, working with NAT JOINTS and internal security teams. Eight Transnet-linked individuals, including former executives, were arrested between July 2024 and June 2025: Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane - for a R93 million locomotive tender fraud. Zakhele Lebelo and Phathutshedzo Mashamba - for R10 million in kickbacks. Garry Pita - for irregular payments in the broader procurement scandal. These breakthroughs stem from meticulous investigations into state capture-era contracts - proof that the system works when led and given the support it deserves. We are witnessing progress within state-owned entities - locomotives are transporting people and goods to their various destinations; the restoration of Eskom has brought a halt to loadshedding – whose impact have severely devastated the economy, and energy is fuelling optimism and economic momentum. While internal controls by various state owned entities deserve recognition, we must not overlook the crucial role of SAPS investigators in safeguarding national integrity. Their work against complex white-collar crime is indispensable. To those who peddle cynicism and misinformation: dissent is valid, and holding institutions accountable is necessary. But criticism must be equitable, principled, and evidence-based - not reactive, selective, or prejudicial. 'When criticism is done objectively – with the intention to develop – and empower – will be the first to acknowledge our fallibilities and take corrective measures to improve – service delivery' says the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. * Thabo Moetji, South African Police Service (SAPS) Media Liaison. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
The Herald
08-07-2025
- The Herald
Hitman jailed for murder of ANC youth leader Sindiso Magaqa
The self-confessed killer of former ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa was sentenced to an effective 25 years' imprisonment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday. Sibusiso Ncengwa was convicted after he pleaded guilty to murdering Magaqa in 2017. He was sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder, 25 years for murder, 15 years for three counts of attempted murder, nine years for malicious damage to property, 10 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and one year for possession of unlicensed ammunition. The sentences are to run concurrently. Ncengwa is already serving 95 years in prison for armed robbery convictions. His defence lawyer, advocate Andrew Matlamela, had pleaded with the court to hand down a lenient sentence, saying his client had shown remorse by pleading guilty. However, the prosecutor, advocate Elvis Gcweka, told the court Magaqa's family is battling to come to terms with their loss and his mother breaks down in tears when her son's death is brought up. Three other co-accused —Sbonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana and Mlungisi Ncalane — were charged with conspiracy to murder, murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and malicious damage to property. Ncalane has been declared unfit to stand trial after two psychiatric reports revealed he was mentally ill. He is a patient at Napier Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. The trial for the other two suspects is scheduled for October. TimesLIVE
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Political violence in KwaZulu-Natal: Why Moerane Commission recommendations remain unimplemented
Sibusiso Ncengwa will be sentenced next Monday for participating in the killing of Sindiso Magaqa, the former ANCYL secretary-general. Image: Bongani Hans The recommendations of the Moerane Commission, which investigated the spate of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, are gathering dust without being implemented seven years after they were released, while the killings continued unabated. Former premier Willies Mchunu said one of the recommendations was the establishment of an independent panel, which was to forge peace within and among political parties. Mchunu established the Advocate Marumo Moerane SC-led commission in October 2016 during the peak of political killings, which at the time exceeded 150, to identify their root cause and how they could be eliminated. He said Moerane suggested that the panel should help politicians, who would normally kill each other for tenders and positions. However, the establishment of the panel would require funding. 'Only the government, which keeps taxes, should be doing this,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Premier Thami Ntuli and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the province had not yet responded to requests for comment. Mchunu, who was the premier between 2016 and 2019, said he could not establish this panel because his term of office was running out. The issue of political killings after the commission's recommendation was topical at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday when the NPA and defence lawyers debated it during Sibusiso Ncengwa's mitigation of sentence. Ncengwa will be sentenced next Monday after he confessed to the killing of the former ANC Youth League secretary-general, Sindiso Magaqa, who was an ANC councillor at the Mzimkhulu Municipality when he was gunned down in 2017. In his affidavit, Ncengwa confessed that he and his fellow hitmen were hired by the former mayor of the Mzimkhulu Municipality, Mluleki Ndobe, who was also ANC's Harry Gwala Region chairperson, and other senior officials, including a municipal manager, to eliminate Magaqa. Magaqa's sin was that he was about to spill the beans on the corrupt-riddled tender to build a local memorial hall. He was executed in broad daylight at a car wash on July 13, 2017. Other councillors who were with him survived with bullet wounds. The assassins were paid a total of R620,000 and also promised a R1 million tender. The State and the defence had agreed to a jail sentence of less than life on condition that Ncengwa would soon testify against the people his affidavit implicated. Ndobe committed suicide on November 6, 2020, while the assassin, Jabulani Mdunge, who allegedly shot Magaqa with an AK-47 obtained from a crime intelligence officer, was later killed in a shootout with police. Mchunu said the political killings in the province would not end as long as there are political parties' elective conferences, and general, local government, and by-elections, because politicians were greedy for power and material benefits. 'For those things (power and benefits), they will continue to fight one another to the extent of even killing one another. 'That is why there should be an independent programme to teach those who are participants in politics about how to conduct themselves civilly.' Mchunu said the provincial government should consult Moerane and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) for advice on how to establish the peace-making body. During the court proceeding on Monday, NPA's Advocate Elvis Gcweku and Ncengwa's advocate, Andrew Matlamela, spoke about the political killings continuing after the Moerane Commission. People who testified at the commission about Magaqa's murder were lined up as witnesses in the murder trial. 'When I perused the commission's report, there was an opening quotation that says, 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark'. 'That commission was clearly describing the state of KwaZulu-Natal in respect of the political killings,' said Ngcweku. He said the commission concluded that Magaqa's killing was linked to the corruption in Mzimkhulu Municipality, whose hall's construction took a long time than expected to be completed, while money had already been spent. Magaqa demanded progress in the construction and also proposed forensic investigations, and that the matter be debated at the council. 'What is common about the killing of politicians in KwaZulu-Natal is the issue of tenders and corruption within the municipalities,' said Ngcweku. He cited the killing of Sduduzo Magwaza, an ANC chairperson in Ward 102, north of Durban, as an example that, after Moerane had concluded his work, killings continued. Magwaza's murder in November 2021 was also connected to tenders. 'Similarities between this case (Magaqa) and that case (Magwaza) are that the comrades kill other comrades using hitmen,' Ngcweku said. Matlamela said the ANC was rotten when it came to political killings, which the party has refuted.
The Herald
01-07-2025
- The Herald
Sentencing delayed for Sindiso Magaqa's killer
The sentencing of a self-confessed killer of former ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa was postponed at the Pietermaritzburg high court. Sibusiso Ncengwa, who pleaded guilty to Magaqa's murder, was due to be sentenced on Monday but his case was postponed to next Monday. The court heard mitigating and aggravating factors in relation to Ncengwa's sentencing. Ncengwa's lawyer, advocate Andrew Matlamela, pleaded with the court to hand down a lenient sentence, saying his client didn't waste the court's time and pleaded guilty to all charges against him. Prosecutor, advocate Elvis Gcweka told the court that Magaqa's family is still reeling from shock after the incident and battling to come to terms with their son's death. Gcweka read out the Magaqa family's statement, which highlights that Magaqa was not only a leader in society but somebody's child, a brother, a father and a breadwinner. He said that Magaqa's mother cries every time her son's case is reported in the media. 'His mother needs counselling and psychological assistance. Just think about a 71-year-old who is also a diabetic who needs medical treatment. Sindiso was the sole person who was supporting his family,' said Gcweka. The court was packed with ANC members, who came to witness the proceedings, including ANCYL president Collen Malatji. Ncengwa, who is already serving 95 years in prison for a string of armed robbery convictions, made a guilty plea in court earlier this month. He and his three co-accused — Sbonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana and Mlungisi Ncalane — are charged with conspiracy to murder, murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and malicious damage to property. However, Ncalane has been declared unfit to stand trial after two psychiatric reports revealed he was mentally ill. He is now a patient at Napier Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. The suspects were arrested in 2017 for the killing of Magaqa. It is alleged Magaqa was killed because he had a dossier containing information of alleged corruption regarding the upgrade of a community hall in Mzimkhulu on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. It is also alleged that millions of rand were pumped into the accounts of appointed service providers but no upgrade was done on the hall. The late ANC leader and mayor in Harry Gwala district Mluleki Ndobe and municipal manager Zwelibanzi Sikhosana were also arrested in connection with Magaqa's murder but charges against them were later withdrawn. Ndobe committed suicide in 2020. In his guilty plea, Ncengwa said: 'I confirm that I am the accused herein and that I know and understand the charges preferred against me, which are appearing on the indictment. My legal representative has explained to me the consequences of making this statement and I fully understand it.' Ncengwa said he freely, voluntarily and without being influenced pleaded guilty to the charges against him, adding that he made admissions to the charges 'in sound and sober senses'. Ncengwa said Magaqa was shot with an AK47 rifle by his late co-accused, Jabulani Mdunge. Mdunge died in a shoot-out with police during a foiled cash-in-transit heist in September 2017. Ncengwa said he received information from Mpofana, the facilitator who also recruited hitmen, that Ndobe and Sikhosana wanted Magaqa to be killed. During the attack, Ncengwa fired shots in the air to intimidate people who were at the car wash where Magaqa was attacked. After Magaqa was allegedly shot by Mdunge, Ncengwa said Mpofana called Sikhosana informing him that the job was done, he said in his guilty plea. Ncengwa said they were paid R120,000 in cash for the murder. Ncengwa said in his guilty plea that Sikhosana came with the money. 'We split the money and we all received R20,000 as there were six people who were supposed to be paid,' Ncengwa said. He said there was also a further R500,000, which was allegedly paid by Sikhosana, which was used for the ongoing legal costs. Ncengwa added that they were also promised a R1m tender for the hit on Magaqa. The trial of the other accused will take place in October. TimesLIVE
eNCA
19-06-2025
- eNCA
Magaqa family sees the light at the tunnel following suspect's confession
PIETERMARITZBURG - The family of slain former ANC Youth League Secretary General, Sindiso Magaqa, is relieved that one of the accused is speaking out. Sibusiso Ncengwa has admitted to his involvement in the 2017 murder, and will be sentenced later this month. His co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, returned to the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday. Ngcengwa also implicated former uMzimkhulu mayor, the late Mluleki Ndobe and former journalist, Mdu Ncalane. Magaqa's family says this case has dragged for far too long and has taken a huge toll on them.
