Arrest in Magaqa murder case brings family relief

The family of the assassinated former ANC youth secretary Sindiso Magaqa has welcomed the arrest of a former Umzimkhulu municipal manager.

The manager was arrested by the Political Killings Task Team on Monday and will appear in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate's Court Tuesday.

National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said the 55-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday in Malvern, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The manager was named by the convicted hitman, Sbusiso Ncengwa, alongside the late provincial legislature deputy Speaker, Mluleki Ndobe, as the ones who masterminded Magaqa’s murder.

Reacting to the news, Dr Lwazi Magaqa said the family was happy that the real alleged mastermind behind his brother’s murder has been finally arrested, adding that the family will provide a comprehensive comment after his appearance on Tuesday.

“We are happy that he has finally been arrested; however, we will give our full comment after his appearance tomorrow," said Magaqa.

Ncengwa was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison following his confession to the murder and implication of several people, including the two accused, Sibonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana.

The third accomplice, Mlungisi Ncalane, will not see his day in court as he had been declared mentally unfit to stand trial and has been confined to a mental institution.

Ncengwa is now expected to testify against the two other accused, who were allegedly present during Magaqa’s shooting on July 13, 2017. Magaqa died in September of the same year.

Two councillors, Jabulile Msiya and Nonsikelelo Mafa, who were with Magaqa during the attack at a car wash, were also shot but survived. 

Another alleged accomplice, Jabulani Mdunge, who allegedly sprayed Magaqa and others with AK-47 bullets, died in a shootout with police.  

During the mitigation of his sentence, Ncengwa confessed that a day before the shooting, he went to Umzimkhulu from Durban to confirm Magaqa’s identity. 

On the day of the murder, he spotted Magaqa arriving at the car wash he often frequented. 

The assailants were paid a total of more than half a million rand for the murder. 

Magaqa was killed for speaking out against a corruption-riddled tender to construct a local memorial hall.

Cape Times