Sindiso Magaqa murderer receives two life sentences

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – 7 July 2025 – In a landmark development in the fight against political corruption and violence, Sibusiso Ncengwa, the man who admitted to the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League Secretary General Sindiso Magaqa, has been handed two life sentences by the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court. This judgment, delivered on Monday morning, marks a crucial step in bringing accountability to a case that has gripped South Africa for years.

Ncengwa’s Guilty Plea Unravels a Web of Allegations

Ncengwa’s conviction follows his guilty plea, which included charges of murder, attempted murder, malicious injury to property, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. This admission wasn’t merely a confession of his own actions but also a shocking revelation of alleged orchestration at high levels.

Crucially, Ncengwa has accused the late uMzimkhulu mayor, Mluleki Ndobe, of masterminding the assassination plot. Ndobe, who tragically took his own life in November 2020, was allegedly aided by another manager in the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality and a powerful provincial leader in KwaZulu-Natal. Ncengwa’s testimony paints a grim picture of a politically motivated hit, stemming from Magaqa’s steadfast commitment to exposing crime and corruption within the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality.

Magaqa: A Champion Against Corruption

Sindiso Magaqa was a vocal opponent of patronage schemes and the alleged embezzlement of funds intended for public infrastructure. His unwavering dedication to ethical governance ultimately put him in grave danger. On 13 July 2017, Magaqa and two councillors were ambushed and shot multiple times while in a vehicle outside a tuck shop in Umzimkhulu. He succumbed to his injuries weeks later.

The Legal Ramifications: A Precedent for Future Prosecutions

Ncengwa’s detailed plea statement, submitted under Section 220, has opened the door for further legal action against those he implicated. Legal experts highlight the significance of this case, particularly concerning the application of common purpose and collaborative criminal intent under the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997. This act dictates that anyone who solicits, facilitates, or aids a murder can be held equally liable as the perpetrator.

Rulings from previous cases, such as S v Mgedezi & Others (1989) and S v Thebus & Another (2003), reinforce the principle that individuals who plan, facilitate, or materially support a murder – through actions like providing payment or weapons – can face the same murder charges as the person who pulls the trigger. This means that if sufficient evidence is established, the alleged masterminds named by Ncengwa could face equivalent charges for premeditated murder, classified as “principal in the first degree.”

What’s Next? The Pursuit of Justice Continues

Ncengwa’s sentencing isn’t the end of this complex saga; rather, it may be the beginning of a broader campaign for justice. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) now faces the critical task of leveraging Ncengwa’s testimony to pursue the remaining accused. The court’s acceptance of Ncengwa’s evidence for his conviction creates a solid legal foundation, making it difficult for that evidence to be disregarded when introduced against others.

The public will be watching closely to see if the justice system can follow the evidence with integrity, ensuring that accountability extends beyond the confessed killer to all who played a role in this tragic political assassination. The fight for truth in the Sindiso Magaqa murder case is far from over.