Image: Sindiso Magaqa (Supplied)
By Nkosana Khumalo
Sibusiso Ncengwa, one of the alleged hitmen behind the assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, has pleaded guilty to all charges against him. Ncengwa, already serving a 95-year sentence for armed robbery, is set to be sentenced for Magaqa’s murder on 30 June in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. His guilty plea, entered on Friday, has unveiled chilling details about the 2017 killing, including a R120,000 cash payment and disturbing links to police involvement.
The Assassination That Shook South Africa
Sindiso Magaqa, a well-known figure in South African politics, was gunned down on 13 July 2017 in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal. At the time, Magaqa was the secretary-general of the ANC Youth League and a vocal critic of corruption. He was attacked while sitting in his car at a local car wash, shot multiple times with an AK47 rifle. Despite being rushed to hospital, he succumbed to his injuries on 4 September 2017. The brutal killing shocked the nation, sparking outrage and raising questions about political violence in South Africa.
The attack didn’t just claim Magaqa’s life. Others in the vehicle—Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa, and Nceba Mazongolo—were injured, and several cars, including Magaqa’s Mercedes Benz (NMZ 7293), a Mazda bakkie (NMZ 5209), and a Toyota Corolla (NMZ 2702), were damaged. The incident was widely seen as politically motivated, tied to Magaqa’s efforts to expose corruption in his community.
Ncengwa’s Guilty Plea: A Confession Unfolds
Sibusiso Ncengwa’s guilty plea has pulled back the curtain on the planning and execution of Magaqa’s murder. Appearing as accused number four in the case (CC35/2019), Ncengwa admitted his role in a conspiracy that involved multiple players. In his Section 220 admissions, filed in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, he stated: “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 confessed that he acted “freely, voluntarily and without being influenced,” pleading guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and malicious damage to property. He revealed that the plot began in July 2017 when he was approached by co-accused Sbonelo Myeza at Berea Centre in Durban. Myeza, alongside Jabulani Mdunge (who later died in a police shoot-out in September 2017), recruited Ncengwa for “a job” in Umzimkhulu.
The job, Ncengwa learned, was to eliminate a municipal official who threatened to expose corruption. That official was Sindiso Magaqa. Mbulelo Mpofana, another co-accused, facilitated the hit, acting on orders from Zwelibanzi Sikhosana, the former municipal manager, and Mluleki Ndobe, the former mayor. On 13 July 2017, Ncengwa and his accomplices—Mdunge, Myeza, Lindokuhle Nkosi, and Mlungisi Ncalane—carried out the attack. Mdunge fired the fatal shots with an AK47, while Ncengwa discharged his firearm into the air to scare off bystanders.
The R120,000 Payment and a Promised Tender
Money was a key motivator in the assassination. Ncengwa detailed how the group was paid R120,000 in cash after the killing. “We split the money and we all received R20,000 as there were six people who were supposed to be paid,” he said in his plea. The payment came from Sikhosana, delivered through Mpofana, who met the group at Berea Centre after the hit. The six recipients included Ncengwa, Mdunge, Nkosi, Ncalane, Myeza, and an unnamed police officer who allegedly assisted the group.
But the R120,000 was just the beginning. Ncengwa revealed an additional R500,000 payment from Sikhosana, intended to cover legal costs for the group as the case unfolded. He also claimed they were promised a R1 million tender as a further reward, though it’s unclear if this was ever delivered. Mpofana had assured Ncengwa he’d guide him through the tender process, despite Ncengwa’s lack of experience in such matters.
Later, while in prison, Ncengwa learned from Ndobe and Sikhosana that the initial payout had been R600,000—far more than the R120,000 he and his accomplices received. Ndobe allegedly offered another R500,000 to prevent infighting among the group, which Ncengwa recorded in a conversation with Ncalane. This recording, he said, is still held by a family member.
Police Links: A Disturbing Revelation
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Ncengwa’s confession is the alleged involvement of police officers. He claimed the AK47 rifle used in the assassination and the Mercedes Benz they drove belonged to the police. Jabulani Mdunge, who had connections within law enforcement, assured the group they wouldn’t be arrested, saying “intelligence police members” were instructed to “look after” them on the road. An additional R20,000 from the R120,000 payout was handed to a police officer for this protection, delivered by Mdunge.
These allegations point to a troubling level of corruption within the police force, raising questions about how deep the rot goes. The involvement of police resources in a politically charged assassination has intensified calls for accountability and reform in South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
Who Was Sindiso Magaqa?
Sindiso Magaqa was a rising star in South African politics. Elected secretary-general of the ANC Youth League in 2011, he was a fierce advocate for youth empowerment and a staunch ally of Julius Malema, the controversial leader who later formed the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Magaqa’s outspoken stance against corruption made him a target, particularly after he uncovered evidence of fraud tied to a community hall upgrade in Mzimkhulu.
Reports suggest Magaqa had a dossier detailing how millions of rand were paid to service providers for the hall’s renovation, yet no work was done. This corruption, allegedly involving municipal officials like Sikhosana and Ndobe, is believed to be the motive behind his killing. His death was a devastating blow to the ANC Youth League and a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who challenge the status quo.
The Co-Accused and the Road to Trial
Ncengwa isn’t facing justice alone. His co-accused—Sbonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana, and Mlungisi Ncalane—were also arrested in 2017. However, Ncalane has since been declared unfit to stand trial due to mental illness, confirmed by two psychiatric reports. He’s now a patient at Napier Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. The trial for Myeza and Mpofana is scheduled for August, where Ncengwa’s testimony could prove pivotal.
Zwelibanzi Sikhosana and Mluleki Ndobe were initially arrested in connection with the murder, but their charges were withdrawn. Ndobe, a prominent ANC leader in the Harry Gwala district, took his own life in 2020, adding another layer of tragedy to the saga. The withdrawal of charges against them has fueled speculation about political interference, a concern echoed in Ncengwa’s affidavit.
A Troubled Path to Guilty Plea
Ncengwa’s journey to this guilty plea wasn’t straightforward. He first signaled his intent to confess in 2018 and 2019, making statements to investigating officers Sekano and Sokhela while in prison. Initially, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) appeared receptive, with Advocate Selepe supporting his plea. However, a new prosecution team rejected it, allegedly under pressure to protect the police’s role in supplying the firearm and vehicle. Ncengwa claims his attorney was told the NPA’s task team intervened to remove Selepe, fearing exposure of these sensitive details.
In 2023, Ncengwa reached out to Magaqa’s family, apologising and promising to help uncover the full truth. His persistence paid off, and on 6 June 2025, his plea was formally accepted, setting the stage for sentencing.
The Bigger Picture: Political Violence in South Africa
Magaqa’s assassination fits into a broader pattern of political violence in South Africa, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. Over 100 political killings have been recorded in the province since 2011, often linked to factional battles within the ANC. These murders are driven by power struggles, resource control, and efforts to silence whistleblowers like Magaqa. The ANC has struggled to curb corruption within its ranks, with allegations of nepotism and patronage undermining public trust.
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