Killer’s sentence in the Magaqa murder case widely welcomed

Veteran activist and violence monitor, Professor Mary de Haas, says while she welcomes the sentencing of Sindiso Magaqa’s self-confessed killer, his sentence is still a travesty of justice.

Sibusiso Ncengwa, who admitted to shooting the former ANC Youth League Secretary General in uMzimkhulu in 2017, was sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder, 25 years for murder, 15 years for three counts of attempted murder, nine years for malicious damage to property, 10 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and one year for possession of unlicensed ammunition at the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

He is, however, likely to spend 25 years behind bars, should he be granted parole, as all the sentences are to run concurrently.

Speaking to YNews, de Haas described the Magaqa case as a miscarriage of justice.

Magaqa was ambushed along with two councillors, Jabulile Mzizi and Nontsikelelo Mafa, and their driver.

He is, however, the only one who lost his life in the attack.

The former ANCYL secretary general was gunned down for attempting to expose corruption in the Umzimkhulu Municipality, where he was a councillor.

Ncengwa confessed to killing Magaqa in June and implicated a former mayor from the Harry Gwala Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

Judge Nompumelelo Radebe acknowledged his remorse and cooperation with investigators, but said he cannot be allowed to go back to society.

 

Human rights activist and social worker, John Clarke, says he hopes the sentence will bring about change in the protection of whistleblowers.

His two co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, will return to court in October for their trial.

ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, believes that Ncengwa’s sentence sends a message that violence in democratic South Africa won’t be tolerated as a means to silence voices.

The ANC Youth League also added its voice, welcoming the ruling.

“Mkhwanazi should have followed Protocol, he did not respect the President”

📢Babita Deokaran,
📢Pamela Mabini,
📢Jimmy Mohlala,
📢Moss Phakoe,
📢Wandile Bozwana,
📢Sindiso Magaqa.

-These are the people who had a Loudhailer and exposed crime following Protocol. They were… pic.twitter.com/mbJHfKeFM0

— Msunu ka Johann Rupert (@ZizinjaAbelungu) July 7, 2025

Sindiso Magaqa https://t.co/xEgCBAfTwb

— Ndim umama ka nana (@mehlomakhulu87) July 7, 2025

Reminder on why Sindiso Magaqa was kiled:

He was a whistle blower on the alleged corruption that was happening at Umzimkhulu municipality.

He died trying to get rid of the cancer…. https://t.co/Ir3hgOIPou

— Mvelase Mthembu waseTugela (@XolileMlunguzi) July 7, 2025

The EFF’s Statement on the Sentencing of Sibusiso Ncengwa for the Murder of Sindiso Magaqa

-The EFF notes that the three other assassins involved in the murder have already been charged and two are expected to stand trial in October this year. However, we reiterate our call for… pic.twitter.com/o2KUeAYesF

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 7, 2025