Police to launch investigation into hitman's confession in Magaqa murder
Sindiso Magaqa was killed in 2017.
Image: Supplied
A former KwaZulu-Natal south coast municipality senior official, believed to be one of the masterminds behind the murder of the former ANC Youth League leader, Sindiso Magaqa, could be added to the three accused when they appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court next week.
The official was named by the confessed hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa, when he pleaded guilty to killing Magaqa last week.
In his 13-page affidavit, Ncengwa, who is already serving a long jail term for his involvement in a cash heist, detailed how Magaqa's murder was planned and executed.
He named the official and late Harry Gwala District Municipality Mluleki Ndobe as the mastermind behind Magaqa's murder, who he said hired him and other accused to assassinate the former ANC Youth League leader, who was an ANC councillor in Umzimkhulu at the time.
Ndobe and the official were arrested in 2018; however, they were released due to insufficient evidence at the time.
Ncengwa, businessman Mbulelo Mpofana, former policeman Sibonelo Myeza, and Mlungisi Ncalane were arrested in 2018 and charged with Magaqa's murder.
They would be back in court on Thursday, June 19, 2025, except Ncengwa, who will return at the end of the month for sentencing after the State accepted his guilty plea.
Reacting to the confession, police provincial spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the new allegations would be investigated by the case's investigating officer.
"The investigating officer of the case is in court, so if there is new evidence or allegations coming out in court in relation to the case, of course, he would have to investigate," said Netshiunda.
However, he warned that police do not arrest people simply because they are named in a crime, but investigate and determine the next step.
Police are also expected to investigate the alleged involvement of the National Prosecuting Authority officials and a former journalist after the hitman also revealed their roles.
Ncengwa also revealed shocking details about the role played by the SAPS's Crime Intelligence Unit members in the planning and execution of Magaqa's killing; however, police said the allegations against officers would be referred to either Hawks or the Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID)
According to Ncengwa, the police purchased the AK-47 they used to murder Magaqa with slush funds. He added that they bought a Mercedes-Benz that was used for trips to Durban and Umzimkhulu.
He added that by escorting their vehicle on the day of Magaqa's shooting, the police ensured that no officers would arrest them while travelling to Durban. The police officer who did this was compensated R20,000.
The hitman provided details about the NPA's involvement, stating that he would have confessed a long time ago had the agency not attempted to stop him.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Minister Ntshavheni welcomes recent developments in Magaqa murder
Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has briefed the media on various issues of national importance following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Image: GCIS Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has welcomed the confession made by one of the suspects linked to the 2017 murder of ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa. This comes as reports suggest that when the three accused appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court next week, a former senior official from the KwaZulu-Natal south coast municipality who is thought to have been one of the masterminds behind Magaqa's murder may be added. This official was named by the confessed hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa, when he pleaded guilty last week. On Thursday, Ntshavheni briefed members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. "For the July 2017 killing of former ANC Youth League leader, Sindiso Magaqa, Cabinet takes political killings seriously, more so because the victims are people who are committed to the fight against corruption in municipalities and government. We are hopeful that this breakthrough will shed further light on other players," she 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 ✕ Ad loading The minister also reflected on a range of issues, including the scourge of GBVF, the work of the police, the extreme weather conditions which have resulted in the deaths of 57 people in the Eastern Cape, as well as the recently announced National Dialogue and the reported new Covid-19 variant in 22 parts of the world. "On the extreme weather conditions in the Eastern Cape, Cabinet extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the flooding across various areas in the Eastern Cape. Several families have also been displaced, and infrastructure has been damaged. Minister Hlabisa has just recorded that to date 57 victims have been recorded and further work is being done to retrieve the remains of the victims," she said. On the fiscal framework, which was adopted by the National Assembly on Wednesday, Ntshavheni welcomed the new framework, but expressed concern about the low economic growth, which grew by 0.1% in the last quarter. On Wednesday, while opposition parties rejected the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals that underpin the 2025 Budget, GNU parties have come out in support of the revised Budget, saying it is a product of compromises to achieve much-needed economic growth. "On the issues of the economy and economic growth, the Cabinet noted the Gross Domestic Product figures as released by Stats SA, indicating that the economy grew by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025. This follows an increase of 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024. "Among others, agriculture, forestry, and the fishing industry increased by 15.8%, whereas the transport, storage, and communications industry increased by 2.5%. Furthermore, the catering and accommodation industry increased by 0.5%, and Cabinet remains concerned by the decline in the manufacturing industry, and we await the finalised report on the industry," she said.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Meyiwa trial in turmoil again as judge sparks outrage — 'He must go'
Last week, after Judge Mokgoatlheng made a series of inappropriate remarks — first berating a defence lawyer for requesting time off to run the Comrades Marathon, then launching into a monologue about black lawyers, race relations, and his political history. The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial — already marred by controversy — has entered another crisis, with growing calls for presiding Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng to recuse himself following racially charged courtroom comments and political outbursts. Over the past decade, the case has come to symbolise dysfunction in South Africa's justice system. It has featured the arrest and public humiliation of Advocate Malesela Teffo, courtroom chaos, and persistent speculation around singer Kelly Khumalo's alleged involvement in Meyiwa's killing. Now, it faces what could be its most serious credibility blow yet: a presiding judge accused of losing impartiality. Last week, after Judge Mokgoatlheng made a series of inappropriate remarks — first berating a defence lawyer for requesting time off to run the Comrades Marathon, then launching into a monologue about black lawyers, race relations, and his political history. He also made unsolicited comments about President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling him his 'junior' and referencing shared links to the ANC and Azapo. The remarks triggered outrage both inside and outside the courtroom, with many calling them inappropriate, irrelevant, and undignified. In response, the judge issued a lengthy apology on Monday. 'If you believe that I, as a judge, am so useless, dumb, and you think you can't get a fair trial from me, please tell me, I will recuse myself,' he told lawyers in court. 'I don't want to impose myself on people who doubt my integrity, honour and dignity.' He went on to insist that he is not racist, citing his presence at the historic 1955 Congress of the People in Kliptown alongside his father. 'If I trampled on anybody's toes because of my racism... I wish to apologise for being a racist,' he said. 'But I can tell you, it's not a conscious thing about me to be a racist.' Despite his apology, public confidence is waning fast.'This judge has clearly lost the plot,' said criminal law expert Advocate Thembeka Radebe. 'It's no longer about Senzo Meyiwa. It's about Judge Mokgoatlheng, and that's a complete derailment of justice. He must go.' If Mokgoatlheng does recuse himself — or is removed — the trial would need to start from scratch for a third time. That means a new judge, re-hearing all witness testimonies, and likely several more years before a verdict is reached. For the Meyiwa family, already exhausted by nearly 10 years of legal delays, this would be yet another devastating blow. The murder of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa in 2014 shook the nation. What was expected to be a clear-cut trial has instead turned into a saga of dysfunction, scandal, and spectacle. Many legal analysts now warn that unless urgent corrective steps are taken — starting with the judge stepping down — the public may permanently lose faith in the justice system.'The trial has become a circus,' said Radebe. 'And justice is nowhere in sight.'
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Police to launch investigation into hitman's confession in Magaqa murder
Sindiso Magaqa was killed in 2017. Image: Supplied A former KwaZulu-Natal south coast municipality senior official, believed to be one of the masterminds behind the murder of the former ANC Youth League leader, Sindiso Magaqa, could be added to the three accused when they appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court next week. The official was named by the confessed hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa, when he pleaded guilty to killing Magaqa last week. In his 13-page affidavit, Ncengwa, who is already serving a long jail term for his involvement in a cash heist, detailed how Magaqa's murder was planned and executed. He named the official and late Harry Gwala District Municipality Mluleki Ndobe as the mastermind behind Magaqa's murder, who he said hired him and other accused to assassinate the former ANC Youth League leader, who was an ANC councillor in Umzimkhulu at the time. Ndobe and the official were arrested in 2018; however, they were released due to insufficient evidence at the time. Ncengwa, businessman Mbulelo Mpofana, former policeman Sibonelo Myeza, and Mlungisi Ncalane were arrested in 2018 and charged with Magaqa's murder. They would be back in court on Thursday, June 19, 2025, except Ncengwa, who will return at the end of the month for sentencing after the State accepted his guilty plea. Reacting to the confession, police provincial spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the new allegations would be investigated by the case's investigating officer. "The investigating officer of the case is in court, so if there is new evidence or allegations coming out in court in relation to the case, of course, he would have to investigate," said Netshiunda. However, he warned that police do not arrest people simply because they are named in a crime, but investigate and determine the next step. Police are also expected to investigate the alleged involvement of the National Prosecuting Authority officials and a former journalist after the hitman also revealed their roles. Ncengwa also revealed shocking details about the role played by the SAPS's Crime Intelligence Unit members in the planning and execution of Magaqa's killing; however, police said the allegations against officers would be referred to either Hawks or the Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID) According to Ncengwa, the police purchased the AK-47 they used to murder Magaqa with slush funds. He added that they bought a Mercedes-Benz that was used for trips to Durban and Umzimkhulu. He added that by escorting their vehicle on the day of Magaqa's shooting, the police ensured that no officers would arrest them while travelling to Durban. The police officer who did this was compensated R20,000. The hitman provided details about the NPA's involvement, stating that he would have confessed a long time ago had the agency not attempted to stop him.
