Former ANCYL secretary-general's killer gets hefty prison sentence
Ncengwa pleaded guilty under Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act on 6 June 2025, admitting to shooting Magaqa in uMzimkhulu on 13 July 2017.
He also confessed to attempting to kill Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa, and Nceba Mazongolo, damaging vehicles and unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.
In his admissions, Ncengwa outlined the events leading to Magaqa's murder and named his co-accused Sbonelo Myeza, Mlungisi Ncalane and Mbulelo Mpofana.
He also revealed the names of the alleged masterminds who planned the assassination.
During sentencing, Advocate Elvis Gcweka presented victim impact statements from Magaqa's brother and a KwaZulu-Natal ANC member.
Magaqa's brother described him as a community leader who had established a soccer team for local youth and was his family's breadwinner.
The ANC statement described Magaqa's death as a loss to the organisation.
The court sentenced Ncengwa to 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder and another 25 years for murder.
He also received five years' imprisonment for each of the three counts of attempted murder. Three years for each of the three counts of malicious injury to property.
For the firearm-related offences, the court sentenced him to five years for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm.
Another five years for unlawful possession of a firearm, and one year for unlawful possession of ammunition.
The court ordered that these sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of 25 years.
KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Elaine Harrison welcomed the conviction and praised law enforcement partners, especially the Political Killings Task Team.
'We hope sentences like this deter like-minded individuals,' she said.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
3 hours ago
- eNCA
Phoenix community on a healing journey
DURBAN - The community of Phoenix north of Durban, has marked four years since the violent, deadly civil unrest of July 2021. A gathering has been organised to commemorate one of the darkest periods in South African history. July unrest anniversary | Four years since looting, chaos, and bloodshed It's meant to start a healing process and foster reconciliation. Over 300 people were killed and businesses looted in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, after the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma.
The South African
12 hours ago
- The South African
Back in business! MaMkhize heads up new soccer club
Shauwn Mkhize – also known as MaMkhize – has officially been named the president of the eSwatini soccer club, Mbabane Highlanders. This comes months after her South African team, Royal AM, was seized by SARS to pay off her R40 million debt. The club was later expelled from the PSL. The millionaire businesswoman has come under fire over her numerous clashes with the law, including tax evasion, fraud, forgery, and bribery. In a press release, Mbabane Highlanders, now named Mbalane Highlanders AM, confirmed that MaMkhize had become the club's president. In a video clip, MaMkhize revealed that she had added a 'touch of gold' and her signature 'AM', and that players of the eSwatini club would now wear black and gold. She said in a special welcome ceremony on Saturday, 12 July, of her new club allegiance: 'Today marks a new chapter, not a takeover but a partnership. A merging of histories between Eswatini and South Africa, rooted in shared ambition and excellence. 'Together, we will raise the standard, grow our talent, and bring this club the success it deserves. 'My promise is simple: I will lead with integrity, vision and heart. We're not here to participate, we're here to elevate'. Although the club has adopted many elements of the her Royal AM club, MaMkhize does not own the Swati counterpart. According to Sunday World, the businesswoman was given a three-year contract to manage the club. MaMkhize's deal with Mabalane Highlighers comes months after the bosses of fellow eSwatini club Moneni Pirates laughed off claims that she was their potential new owner. The reality TV star made headlines when she attended the club's Ingwenyama Cup final against Royal Leopards in Apil. Speaking to FARPost , Moneni Pirates president Thulani Xaba stated that he was unaware of any deal on the table. He said: 'I haven't spoken to or met her. There's nothing that has been spoken from my end to me…. I think it's just more mileage for her socials'. Xaba also shadily responded to MaMkhize's criminal allegations and implied that she was who they would wanted representing the club. 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 South African
19 hours ago
- The South African
Paige Bell's GoFundMe page donations near R1 million
The GoFundMe page set up to help raise funds to ease the financial burden faced by South African stewardess Paige Bell's family is nearing the R1 million mark. At the time of publishing, the page had raised $54 121 (R970 000). The page has a stated goal of raising $60 000. Bell, 20, was tragically murdered aboard a £9.5 million superyacht in the Bahamas by a Mexican co-worker last week. Meanwhile, the man accused of murdering Bell has been pictured for the first time . Mexican crew member Brigido Munoz allegedly sexually assaulted and killed Bell in the 142-foot vessel's engine room – just days before her 21st birthday. Munoz appeared in court in capital Nassau, where Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley denied him bail and remanded him in custody until a 20 November hearing. Munoz, who worked as an engineer on board the Far From It yacht, was not required to enter a plea. The magistrates court heard Bell was found partially clothed and bloodied, with slash wounds to her neck and defensive injuries on her arms – suggesting she fought for her life. Munoz was reportedly discovered lying close by with injuries on his arms, in what authorities suspect may have been a failed suicide attempt. He was rushed to hospital before being charged. Described by friends as a 'golden girl,' Bell was reportedly just days away from returning to South Africa to celebrate her 21st birthday on 14 July. Bell's former school, Hillcrest High School, in KwaZulu-Natal, paid tribute to her on social media. 'It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends, and all who knew and loved former Hillcrest High School pupil, Paige Bell. 'Paige matriculated in 2022 and is remembered by our HHS community as an incredibly special young lady who was the happiest, most bubbly person. 'We know that her untimely and tragic death is a great loss to all who knew Paige, and beyond devastating to her parents and family. 'As a school we will be holding them in our thoughts and prayers and would like to ask for the support of the greater HHS community in bringing Paige home to her family. 'Please share and donate to the GoFundMe account that was set up, in her honour, to assist her family during this incredibly difficult time.' Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending 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.
