Latest news with #Magwaza
The Herald
12 hours ago
- The Herald
Life sentences for killers of ANC ward chairperson over tenders
On January 29 2020 Makhanya visited his sister in Verulam, north of Durban. It was at this time he befriended Hadebe. The court heard how the two, who were nabbed through a political task team, were linked through cellphone records. They pleaded not guilty to the charge. Though Hadebe had no previous convictions Makhanya, a grade 4 primary school dropout, was previously convicted of an attempted murder charge. He was a taxi conductor based at a Port Shepstone rank at the time of the murder. Balton said there were no compelling and exceptional circumstances which permitted her to deviate from the prescribed minimum life sentence. She found the pair were ruthless and had no regard for a human life. She said Hadebe was Magwaza's close friend but wanted to get a tender at all costs. Balton said the court could also not ignore submissions from the state on how a dying Magwaza had allegedly called out Hadebe to rescue him, not knowing he was the one behind his murder. He visited the Magwaza family to offer condolences. 'Magwaza's family trusted him, ' she said. Balton said the victim impact statement of Amahle Masikane, Magwaza's niece, demonstrated how her uncle's death disrupted her studies and forced her get a job at a call centre. She said the statement also portrayed the shock, grief and destruction the family endured after the murder. 'She [Masikane ] was shocked at seeing her uncle lying in a pool of blood.' The sentencing was not without drama as Hadebe told his lawyer Manoj Hardeo he wanted the proceedings postponed as he wanted to retain a new lawyer. Balton told Hadebe the matter was completed as he had been convicted. She advised Hadebe he should for apply for leave to appeal after sentencing. TimesLIVE
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Life sentences for the brutal murder of Zandile Gumede's loyalist
Slain ANC man Sduduzo Magwaza. Image: Supplied Two men accused of murdering Sduduzo Magwaza, a loyalist of former mayor of eThekwini Zandile Gumede, have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Durban High Court. Magwaza, an ANC member, was gunned down in his flat in Cornubia on January 12, 2021, by Siphamandla Makhanya, who was sent by his friend Mxolisi Hadebe. He later died at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital due to gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. Hadebe sent Makhanya to kill his friend to take control of his tenders. Additionally, before Magwaza was killed, he had been nominated to become chairperson of the party at the Durban Ward 102 in Verulam for the upcoming elections. 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 Handing down her sentence, Judge Sharmaine Balton said the duo did not have any compelling circumstances that would allow her to deviate from the minimum sentence. She sentenced the pair to life imprisonment each and declared them unfit to possess any firearm. Magwaza's niece, Amahle Masikane, said her uncle's murder left her and the entire family traumatised. She said that when they heard the gunshots on the day of the incident, they feared they would all die. 'During this time, there were children in the house, with the youngest being seven months old,' Masikane added. After her uncle's death, she became the breadwinner, taking a job at a call centre while finishing her studies. 'Nobody should ever get to see the man who raised them lying helpless in a pool of blood.' She said it was a punch in the gut that the person behind her uncle's murder was one of his closest friends, that they had also considered to have his best interests at heart. Simangele Qwabe, Magwaza's sister, hailed State senior prosecutor advocate Elvis Gcweka for his good work. 'Without the prosecution and working hand in hand with the court, I do not think we would have gotten here. I am pleased with their work,' she said.
