PIETERMARITZBURG – Sibusiso Ncengwa (37), the self-confessed inkabi responsible for the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, has been sentenced to an effective 25 years behind bars. The Pietermaritzburg High Court handed down the sentence on Monday, 7 July, bringing a measure of closure to a case that has highlighted the scourge of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
The courtroom was packed with family members, friends, community leaders, and ANC members, all seeking justice for Magaqa. Security was tight, with at least 15 heavily armed police officers present inside the court, and Church Street closed outside, reflecting the sensitivity and high stakes of the case.
Ncengwa made Section 220 admissions to the court on 6 June, confessing to shooting Magaqa on 13 July 2017 in uMzimkhulu. He also admitted to the attempted murder of Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa, and Nceba Mazongolo, as well as malicious injury to property related to the vehicles belonging to Magaqa and others. In addition, Ncengwa pleaded guilty to two counts of firearm-related charges and the unlawful possession of ammunition, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokeswoman Natasha Kara.
Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba condemned Ncengwa’s lack of remorse and stated that he posed a danger to society. She sentenced him to a total of 85 years imprisonment on multiple charges, which will run concurrently, resulting in the effective sentence of 25 years.
The breakdown of the sentence includes:
- 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder
- 25 years for murder
- 15 years for three counts of attempted murder (five years each)
- Nine years for malicious damage to property (three years for each of the three counts)
- 10 years for two counts of unlawful possession of firearms (five years each)
- One year for the illegal possession of ammunition
In her sentencing, Judge Mlaba emphasised the gravity of Ncengwa's actions. “Your conduct in agreeing to take the life of a person demonstrates a clear disregard for human life. The right to life is what you currently enjoy, but the one that you took away from the deceased [Magaqa] was for selfish reasons.” She added that Ncengwa was solely motivated by financial gain and showed a brazen disregard for human life and a lack of humanity, which must be condemned.
The judge highlighted the devastating impact of Magaqa's murder on his family, stating, “The deceased had a family, young children that would forever be denied a prevailing precedent of having a present father in their lives. You did not seem to have considered all the above when you decided to arm yourself, attack and kill the victim.”
Advocate Elvis Gcweka, representing the state, presented victim impact statements compiled by Magaqa's brother and a member of the ANC in KZN. Magaqa's brother told the court that Sindiso was a valuable member of society and a breadwinner for their family, underscoring the profound loss felt by those who knew and depended on him.
The case against Ncengwa’s remaining co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, will be back in court on 6 October, as they continue to maintain their innocence. The fourth accused, Mlungisi Ncalane, has been declared unfit to stand trial and is currently in a psychiatric facility.
KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Elaine Harrison welcomed the successful finalisation of the case, commending the continued and fruitful working relationship with their law enforcement partners, particularly the Political Killings Task Team in the province. “We hope that sentences of this nature deter like-minded individuals,” she said, sending a strong message that political violence will not be tolerated.
Judge Mlaba acknowledged the prosecutor's concerns about the prevalence of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the urgent need to address this issue. While there were factors that might have justified a deviation from prescribed minimum sentences, the judge felt that the sentence proposed by Ncengwa’s lawyer would have been dispassionate about the 10 offences he had been convicted of.
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