Latest news with #ANCYL
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Additional accused in Magaqa murder remains behind bars
The accused was re-arrested on Monday in Malvern, in KZN. A 55-year-old former municipal manager of the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality linked to the murder of ANC Youth League (ANCYL) secretary-general, Sindiso Magaqa, will remain behind bars until his next court appearance. Zweliphansi Stanley Skhosana appeared in the Mzimkhulu Magistrate's Court on Tuesday in connection with the murder of Magaqa. Bail application National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Skhosana is facing several charges. 'Skhosana appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and defeating the administration of justice. 'The case was remanded to 1 August 2025 for the defence to appoint counsel for the bail application,' Ramkisson-Kara said. ALSO READ: Hitman sentenced to life for murder of ANC councillor Zakhele Khuzwayo 'We are disturbed,' states ANCYL Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Skhosana was re-arrested on Monday in Malvern, Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). 'He was previously arrested in 2018 alongside the late mayor of the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality, a businessman, two former police officers and a hitman. 'The hitman, Sbusiso Ncengwa, was convicted of 25 years' imprisonment on 7 July 2025,' Mathe said. The ANCYL welcomed the latest arrest in the murder of Magaqa. 'We are disturbed by the fact that the former municipal manager fled his residence to evade arrest, demonstrating that he is a flight risk and must be denied bail. It must also be noted that he has a prior criminal matter, which casts further doubt on his respect for the rule of law'. Magaqa's murder During the trial, 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 Magaqa's 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. Magaqa was serving as a councillor in Umzimkhulu Local Municipality at the time of his death. He was shot in July 2017 and succumbed to his injuries after spending time in the hospital. It is alleged that Magaqa was preparing to expose alleged tender corruption in the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality related to the construction of a community hall when he was killed. ALSO READ: Was it really a hit? IFP update on deputy chief whip's death
The Herald
17 hours ago
- The Herald
Former municipal manager arrested for Sindiso Magaqa's killing
A former municipal manager at Umzimkhulu local municipality has been rearrested in connection with the murder of former ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. The 55-year-old official was arrested on Monday in Malvern in Durban. He was previously arrested in 2018 with the late mayor of Harry Gwala district municipality, a businessman Mbulelo Mpofana, two former police officers Sbonelo Myeza and Mlungisi Ncalane, and Sibusiso Ncengwa. The former municipal manager is expected to appear in Umzimkhulu magistrate's court on Tuesday. Ncengwa, a self-confessed hitman, has since been sentenced for Magaqa's murder. 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 ammunition. The sentences are to run concurrently. Ncengwa was already serving 95 years in prison for armed robbery convictions. At the time of his murder, Magaqa was attached to the Umzimkhulu local municipality. He was shot dead while two other councillors survived the hit. The police political killings task team took over the case in July 2018 after the formation of the unit. Within a month, the first hitman, Ncengwa, was arrested by the team. Three other co-accused — Myeza, Mpofana and 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 Fort Napier Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. The trial of the other two suspects is scheduled for October. TimesLIVE
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Former Umzimkhulu municipal official arrested for the murder of ANCYL leader Sindiso Magaqa
A former senior Umzimkhulu municipal official has been arrested for the murder of former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa by the Political Killings Task Team. National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said the 55-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday in Malvern, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Mathe added that he is expected to appear at the Umzimkhulu Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Meanwhile the hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa was recently sentenced to 85 years in prison. During his trial, Ncengwa implicated other people in plotting and coordinating the assassination. His two alleged accomplices were former police officer Sibonelo Myeza and businessman Mbulelo Mpofana. The third accomplice, Mlungisi Ncalane, will not see his day in court as he had been declared mentally unfit to stand trial and has been confined to a mental institution. Ncengwa is now expected to testify against the two other accused, who were allegedly present during Magaqa's shooting on July 13, 2017. Two councillors, Jabulile Msiya and Nonsikelelo Mafa, who were with Magaqa during the attack at a car wash, were also shot but survived. Another alleged accomplice, Jabulani Mdunge, who allegedly sprayed Magaqa and others with AK-47 bullets, died in a shootout with police. During the mitigation of his sentence, Ncengwa confessed that a day before the shooting, he went to Umzimkhulu from Durban to confirm Magaqa's identity. On the day of the murder, he spotted Magaqa arriving at the car wash he often frequented. The assailants were paid a total of more than half a million Rand for the murder. Magaqa was killed for speaking out against a corruption-riddled tender to construct a local memorial hall. [email protected] IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘I don't see white people here': Malatji laments lack of diversity in the ANCYL
Malatji says the ANC's veterans league is the only structure of the party that reflects all races. ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malji says he would like to see more diversity in the party. He was addressing youth league members in the Eastern Cape over the weekend. Malatji said the ANC has to live up to its non-racial character by ensuring that all races are represented in the ANCYL. 'I am seated here, and I do not see the proper spreading of the demographics of this country. I do not see white people here. I do not see coloureds here. I do not see Indians,' he said. ANC demographics Malatji said it is essential for all races to be represented in the ANCYL, as it produces future leaders of the ANC. 'The ANC has a nonracial character and that nonracial character must reflect in the preparatory school of the ANC, because if it does not reflect here, it will not reflect in the mother body. The youth league is where we must prepare leaders of the mother body,' he said. Malatji said the youth league should avoid looking like an exclusively black organisation. 'If here we are a mini-PAC, then we have a problem. Even when we recruit, we must be deliberate in recruiting everyone from all corners of this country, whether you are black or white, you must be in the ANC,' he said. ANC unity and succession Malatji said the Youth League is the ANC's hope of surviving the current political landscape and needs to be united. According to Malatji, one way to ensure his is to avoid contestation at the party's next elective conference in 2027. 'Where we are at this stage, the ANC can no longer afford a contested national conference; the ANC cannot afford any other breakaway. The leadership of the ANC in 2027 must be elected on consensus,' he said. Malatji said the ANC should spend time at its elective conference discussing policy direction and not succession battles. 'Delegates who are young and will be sent to that conference will not spend time singing about individuals, they will spend time on how to build and work on resolutions that can take the ANC back to become the organisation of the people again,' he said. The ANC's secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, has appealed to all party members not to start conversations on who will lead the ANC after Cyril Ramaphosa. ALSO READ: Liberation movements fighting for survival and new injustices Malatji has made headlines for a different reason recently, after he described KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as a pop star for holding a press briefing where he revealed serious allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. He was slammed for his comment, in what he described as 'burning in the fire' without anyone to defend him. 'I was looking at the regions of the youth league, but I could see everyone has run away. They said President, we did not send you to say that,' he said. Malatji said he believes that he came under fire for that comment because the ANC is associated with criminals. 'Even when you say the right thing, that commissioners must arrest criminals, they must not call press briefings. 'Because your integrity is in question, society says he is sent that one to protect criminals,' he said. NOW READ: R10k just to show up: Fear of 'Nkabane 2.0' as ANC Youth League leaders get hospital board positions
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Clr Sizwe Mathebula brings community together for Mandela Day soccer tournament
Mgewana Sports Ground was buzzing with fun as the community, young and old, came together to celebrate Mandela Day in the name of sport. On July 19, ward 17 councillor, Clr Sizwe Mathebula, hosted a soccer tournament at the sports ground to honour Nelson Mandela's legacy of unity. 'As we all know that the old man believed in sport, I decided to bring the community together to honour him through what he believed in,' he said. Clr Mathebula added that they have also noticed that there is under development in the area and young people need to be assisted in terms of sports equipment and facilities, and that is why they are trying to assist. Three teams that included the Ntaks FC, Mgewana FC, and Tiger Boys FC, participated, and though Ntaks FC was crowned the winner of the tournament, all three were given soccer kits, medals, and cups. Bonginkosi Shabangu, Provincial executive member of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Mpumalanga said, 'This tournament was hosted to ensure that young people interact in social cohesion and furthermore they must participate in sport activities.' Regional chairperson of the ANCYL in Nkangala, Jafta Mosotho, stepped in and emphasised the importance of hosting such tournaments. 'We really thank the ward councillor who made sure that the tournament becomes a success. We must continue making sure that such programmes continue and that young people gather together and forge a way forward,' he said. Clr Mathebula assured that the tournament was not an end but the beginning of many to come. 'We will continue to host such tournaments in honour of this gallant fighter,' he concluded. See more photos here: Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: [email protected]
