One of alleged hitmen in Sindiso Magaqa murder pleads guilty
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 in Harry Gwala district, Mluleki Ndobe, who was a mayor, and municipal manager Zwelibanzi Sikhosana, were also arrested in connection with Magaqa's murder but their charges were later withdrawn.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.
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Justice seems elusive as the accused in the Sindiso Magaqa murder pleads guilty
Nearly eight years after the assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, a key breakthrough in the long-running murder case has finally arrived. One of the four men charged with his killing, Sibusiso Ncengwa, has pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, admitting to pulling the trigger in the 2017 shooting. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that Ncengwa, who was charged alongside Sbonelo Myeza, Mlungisi Ncalane and Mbulelo Mpofana, admitted to the murder of Magaqa and several related crimes during court proceedings on 6 June 2025. His confession marks a pivotal moment in a case that has drawn national attention and exposed deep political tensions in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the NPA, Ncengwa submitted formal admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act. These included admitting to the murder of Magaqa on 13 July 2017 in uMzimkhulu, the attempted murder of Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa and Nceba Mazongolo, malicious damage to property involving the victims' vehicles, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The court found Ncengwa guilty based on his admissions. His sentencing is scheduled for 30 June 2025. Meanwhile, his co-accused, Myeza and Mpofana, will appear in court on 19 June 2025 for a new indictment following the separation of their trial from Ncengwa's. The fourth accused, Mlungisi Ncalane, has been declared unfit to stand trial and is currently admitted to a psychiatric facility. Ncengwa's detailed confession outlined the planning, coordination, and execution of the attack, implicating all the accused in a plot that has long been suspected to be politically motivated.
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Sindiso Magaqa, a rising star within the ANC and former secretary-general of the Youth League, was seen as one of the more outspoken and reformist figures within the party at the time of his death. He was also a vocal critic of corruption. Image: Supplied Nearly eight years after the assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, a key breakthrough in the long-running murder case has finally arrived. One of the four men charged with his killing, Sibusiso Ncengwa, has pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, admitting to pulling the trigger in the 2017 shooting. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that Ncengwa, who was charged alongside Sbonelo Myeza, Mlungisi Ncalane and Mbulelo Mpofana, admitted to the murder of Magaqa and several related crimes during court proceedings on 6 June 2025. His confession marks a pivotal moment in a case that has drawn national attention and exposed deep political tensions in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the NPA, Ncengwa submitted formal admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act. These included admitting to the murder of Magaqa on 13 July 2017 in uMzimkhulu, the attempted murder of Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa and Nceba Mazongolo, malicious damage to property involving the victims' vehicles, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The court found Ncengwa guilty based on his admissions. His sentencing is scheduled for 30 June 2025. Meanwhile, his co-accused, Myeza and Mpofana, will appear in court on 19 June 2025 for a new indictment following the separation of their trial from Ncengwa's. The fourth accused, Mlungisi Ncalane, has been declared unfit to stand trial and is currently admitted to a psychiatric facility. Ncengwa's detailed confession outlined the planning, coordination, and execution of the attack, implicating all the accused in a plot that has long been suspected to be politically motivated. 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 ✕ Sindiso Magaqa, a rising star within the ANC and former secretary-general of the Youth League, was seen as one of the more outspoken and reformist figures within the party at the time of his death. He was also a vocal critic of corruption, particularly in local government structures in KwaZulu-Natal, and had begun to challenge maladministration in the uMzimkhulu municipality where he served as a councillor. His assassination in 2017 shocked the nation and deepened fears about the growing number of politically motivated killings in the province. Magaqa was shot multiple times in what police described as a "targeted hit" and succumbed to his injuries weeks later in a Durban hospital. At the time of his death, tensions within the ANC were high, with factional battles and contestation for positions often spilling over into violence. Many observers linked his murder to his anti-corruption stance and his efforts to expose irregularities in tender processes. Since 2017, the case has suffered from delays, threats to witnesses, and allegations of political interference. The guilty plea by Ncengwa is the first significant development in years, offering hope that justice may finally be within reach for Magaqa's family and supporters. With Ncengwa's confession now on the record, the prosecution is expected to build a stronger case against the remaining accused. Eight witnesses have already testified, and more are expected as the trial resumes. As sentencing looms and the remaining accused prepare for trial, the court proceedings may finally uncover the full truth behind a killing that has left a lasting scar on South African politics.
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