Pietermaritzburg – The Madlanga Commission, investigating the murder of former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) secretary Sindiso Magaqa, has heard startling testimony suggesting that his death was preventable. A witness, identified only as Witness E, claimed that the gunmen themselves informed him in advance that they had been hired to assassinate Magaqa.
Witness E made the claim while testifying before the commission on Monday, stating that the information came directly from the shooters and was, therefore, “not hearsay”.
“The shooters are the ones that told me, we are being hired to kill Sindiso Magaqa,” he asserted.
Magaqa, aged 35 at the time, along with two fellow councillors, was shot on 13 July 2017, outside a general dealer following a council meeting in southern KwaZulu-Natal. He succumbed to complications arising from the attack several weeks later, on 4 September.
In July 2025, hitman Sbusiso Ncengwa was handed a 25-year prison sentence for his role in the murder. However, the Madlanga Commission continues to probe the broader circumstances surrounding the assassination, including potential motives and the involvement of other individuals.
Despite portraying himself as a highly effective intelligence operative, Witness E conceded that he failed to take any action to prevent Magaqa's murder, despite having prior knowledge of the plot.
The witness claimed a “100% success rate” in infiltrating various criminal organisations, including drug cartels, stock-theft syndicates, and cash-in-transit gangs. He further stated that suspects he had previously identified were either jailed or had died. This assertion only served to amplify the gravity of his inaction in the Magaqa case.
Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga pressed Witness E on his glaring failure to prevent the killing, given his alleged expertise and prior knowledge. The line of questioning focused on why he failed to act on the information he received.
Madlanga further inquired whether the shooters had identified individuals who would be assisting them in the assassination plot.
Witness E responded in the affirmative, testifying that the alleged masterminds identified by the gunmen were, in fact, his superiors. This revelation has added a new layer of complexity to the investigation, raising questions about potential complicity within the witness's own organisation.
The witness agreed with the commission's assessment that the murder could have been prevented if action had been taken between the time he received the warning and the actual shooting. However, he steadfastly refused to disclose the names of those allegedly involved, citing concerns for his own safety and ongoing operational constraints.
The testimony from Witness E comes against the backdrop of former police minister Senzo Mchunu’s recent appearance before the commission. Mchunu denied any wrongdoing and rejected suggestions of political interference in the investigation into Magaqa's murder.
The commission's work continues as it seeks to uncover the full truth behind Magaqa's assassination and to determine whether any further action could have been taken to prevent the tragic event. The testimony of Witness E has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and the potential for internal obstruction within law enforcement agencies.
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