Latest news with #SindisoMagaqa
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
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Justice Committee Chairperson Says Justice Prevails in Sindiso Magaqa Murder Case
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Xola Nqola, welcomed the sentence of long-term imprisonment for the man who was found guilty of murdering ANCYL secretary-general Mr Sindiso Magaqa, a former ANC Youth League Secretary-General and dedicated public servant. Mr Nqola said the conviction and the 25-year sentence mark a significant moment for the rule of law in South Africa and reinforces our collective belief that justice must be served — regardless of time, influence or status. Mr Ncengwa admitted that he was one of a group of men who were paid R120 000 to kill Mr Magaqa in 2017. Mr Ncengwa also implicated in the crime former city manager of the Umzimkhulu municipality Mr Zweliphansi Skhosana; the ex-mayor, Mr Mluleki Ndobe, who has since passed on, and former journalist and eThekwini municipality communications manager Mr Mdu Ncalane. Mr Magaqa was a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and integrity in public service. His untimely death was not only a loss to his family and community but to the nation. Mr Nqola said the committee commends the investigative and prosecutorial teams for their persistence in pursuing this complex case and hopes that this outcome brings some measure of closure to Mr Magaqa's loved ones. 'We urge continued support for law enforcement and the judiciary in their efforts to address politically motivated crimes and protect all who serve the public. South Africa's democracy depends on the assurance that no one is above the law,' Mr Nqola said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The South African
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
ANCYL welcomes sentencing of Sindiso Magaqa's killer
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has welcomed the sentencing of Sibusiso Ncengwa, the hitman who murdered its former secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. 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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- The Citizen
JUST IN: Magaqa's killer sentenced
Magaqa was killed before he could reveal the information he had on alleged corruption in a KwaZulu-Natal municipality. Magaqa was shot in July 2017 and succumbed to his injuries after spending time in the hospital. Picture: Supplied One of the men who killed former ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa has been sentenced to 25 years for murder. Sibusiso Ncengwa admitted that he was part of a group of men who were paid R120 000 to kill Magaqa in 2017. His lawyers had pleaded for leniency. They argued that he had apologised to the Magaqa family and had shown remorse for his deeds. Ncengwa is also serving time in prison for other crimes unrelated to Magaqa's murder. These include armed robberies. NOW READ: Malatji condemns alleged involvement of ANC members in Magaqa murder
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.
