Latest news with #Ncengwa
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.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
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.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Breakthrough in Sindiso Magaqa murder case: one accused pleads guilty
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.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
ANC Youth League SG Sindiso Magaqa's killer pleads guilty
Magaqa was shot in July 2017 and succumbed to his injuries after spending time in the hospital. Sibusiso Ncengwa, the fourth accused in the murder trial of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, has pleaded guilty. Ncengwa, Sbonelo Myeza, Mlungisi Ncalane and Mbulelo Mpofana are all charged with the murder of Magaqa. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Ncalane was subsequently declared unfit to stand trial and is currently admitted to a psychiatric facility. Guilty plea Ramkisson-Kara said on 25 April 2023, four men were charged with the murder of Magaqa, and all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. 'On 22 May 2025, Sibusiso Ncengwa (Accused 4) advised the court of his intention to plead guilty or make admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997. He also made an application for a separation of trials from his co-accused.' Ramkisson-Kara said the state opposed this application, and the case was remanded to 06 June 2025 for Ncengwa to make the Section 220 admissions. ALSO READ: Two arrested and charged for IFP deputy chief whip's 'assassination' 'On 06 June 2025, in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, Ncengwa admitted to shooting Magaqa on 13 July 2017 in the uMzimkhulu area.' Attempted murder Ramkisson-Kara added that Ncengwa also admitted to the attempted murder of Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa and Nceba Mazongolo. 'Ncengwa further admitted to malicious damage to property (the vehicles of Magaqa and others) and the joint unlawful possession of a firearm. 'In his admissions, Ncengwa outlined in detail the events leading up to Magaqa's death and the interactions he had with his co-accused, namely Myeza, Ncalane, and Mpofana. His admissions were accepted by the state, and these admissions amounted to a plea of guilty,' Ramkisson-Kara said. Sentencing Ramkisson-Kara said the court found Ncengwa guilty based on his admissions and convicted him accordingly. 'The case against Ncengwa was remanded to 30 June 2025 for sentencing. The case against Myeza and Mpofana will return to court on 19 June 2025 for a new indictment to be served on them as their matter has now been separated from that of accused 4 (Ncengwa).' Magaqa was shot in July 2017 and succumbed to his injuries after spending time in the hospital. The state has thus far presented evidence from eight witnesses. ALSO READ: WATCH: KZN police investigating shooting of MK Party member in apparent hit
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
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.
