Pietermaritzburg High Court delivers long‑awaited justice in KwaZulu‑Natal’s most notorious political murder case
Sibusiso Ncengwa Sentenced: More than eight years after former ANC Youth League secretary‑general Sindiso Magaqa was gunned down in an ambush outside a tuck shop in Umzimkhulu, the Pietermaritzburg High Court has sentenced confessed hitman Sibusiso Ncengwa to an effective 25 years behind bars. Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba’s ruling on Monday, 7 July 2025, closes a painful chapter for Magaqa’s family and signals a hard line against politically motivated violence in KwaZulu‑Natal.
How the Court Calculated the Time
| Count | Charge | Term | Runs Concurrently With |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conspiracy to commit murder | 25 yrs | Count 2 |
| 2 | Murder | 25 yrs | — |
| 3–5 | Attempted murder (×3) | 5 yrs each | Count 2 |
| 6–8 | Malicious damage to property (×3) | 3 yrs each | Count 2 |
| 9 | Possession of a fully automatic firearm | 5 yrs | Count 2 |
| 10 | Possession of a firearm | 5 yrs | Count 2 |
| 11 | Possession of ammunition | 1 yr | Count 2 |
Because all but Count 2 run concurrently, Ncengwa will serve 25 years in total.
What Happened on 13 July 2017
- The Ambush: Magaqa and two Umzimkhulu councillors—Jabulile Msiya and Nonsikelelo Mafa—were parked at a local car‑wash when gunmen opened fire with AK‑47‑style rifles. Magaqa survived the initial onslaught but died weeks later of complications from his wounds.
- The Motive: Court papers reveal the hit was allegedly commissioned to silence Magaqa’s outspoken criticism of corruption surrounding a municipal hall tender worth more than R500 000.
The Investigation
The SAPS Political Killings Task Team, formed in 2018, arrested Ncengwa within a month of taking over the case. Six more suspects followed later that year, underscoring law enforcement’s renewed focus on wiping out “tender hit” syndicates.
Guilty Plea & Cooperation
Ncengwa’s June 2025 confession described tailing Magaqa’s vehicle, waiting for a clear shot, and later torching a getaway car to destroy evidence. He also agreed to testify against two alleged co‑conspirators—former police officer Sibonelo Myeza and businessman Mbulelo Mpofana—whose trial begins on 6 October 2025.
Victim‑Impact & Family Response
“Sindiso’s children are still without a father … but today’s sentence lets us see the light,”
—Lwazi Magaqa, family spokesperson iol.co.za
The family hopes the ruling will spur investigators to net the “big fish” who allegedly paid for the assassination. Magaqa’s mother, still traumatised and without counselling since 2017, “always cries when she sees her son on television,” the court heard.
READ: NEHAWU North West Condemns Disgraced CFO Appointment, Demands Immediate Reversal
NPA & ANC Reactions
- NPA: Spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson‑Kara called the outcome “fit for such a brutal offence” and praised prosecutors who secured the plea.
- ANC KZN: Provincial leaders hailed the verdict as “a step forward for the justice system” and vowed to monitor proceedings against the remaining accused.
What’s Next?
- Upcoming Trial: Co‑accused Myeza and Mpofana face court in October; another suspect was declared mentally unfit, and alleged triggerman Jabulani Mdunge died in a police shoot‑out.
- Broader Picture: The case is viewed as a bellwether for dozens of unresolved political killings in KwaZulu‑Natal. Analysts say a successful prosecution could embolden witnesses in other stalled probes.
Also read: IFP Confirms Deputy Chief Whip’s Murder in Katlehong Was Not Politically Motivated
