25 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR SINDISO MAGAQA MURDER ACCUSED
07 JULY 2025
25 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR SINDISO MAGAQA MURDER ACCUSED
Sibusiso Ncengwa (37) was sentenced to an effective 25 years imprisonment in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, today, following his conviction for the murder of former ANC Youth League Secretary General Sindiso Jethro Magaqa in July 2017, in uMzimkhulu as well as other charges.
On 06 June 2025, Ncengwa made Section 220 Admissions to the court, admitting to shooting Magaqa on 13 July 2017. He also admitted to the attempted murder of Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa and Nceba Mazongolo; and the malicious injury to property in respect of the motor vehicles belonging to Magaqa and others. Ncengwa also admitted to the two counts of firearm-related charges and the unlawful possession of ammunition.
He further outlined the events leading up to Magaqa’s death and the interactions he had with his co-accused, namely Sbonelo Myeza, Mlungisi Ncalane, and Mbulelo Mpofana. Ncengwa also divulged the names of the alleged instigators or masterminds behind Magaqa's killings.
His admissions amounted to a Plea of Guilty, and he was convicted accordingly.
In aggravation of the sentence, Advocate Elvis Gcweka handed in Victim Impact Statements compiled by Magaqa's brother; and from a member of the African National Congress (ANC) in KZN.
Magaqa's brother told the court that his brother, Sindiso, was a valuable member of society. He had set up a soccer team for the youth in the area to keep them off the streets. He was also the breadwinner of their family.
The ANC in KZN, in their statement, mentioned that Sindiso's death was a loss for the organisation.
In court today, Ncengwa was sentenced as follows:
25 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, 25 years imprisonment for murder, five years imprisonment for each of the three counts of attempted murder, three years imprisonment for each of the three counts of malicious injury to property, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, five years imprisonment for unlawful possession for firearm and 1 year imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in the effective sentence of 25 years imprisonment.
The DPP KZN, Adv. Elaine Harrison, welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter, and we commend the continued and fruitful working relationship with our partners in law enforcement, in particular, the Political Killings Task Team in KZN. We hope that sentences of this nature deter like-minded individuals.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229