Pietermaritzburg – Eight years after the heinous murder of African National Congress (ANC) councillor, Sindiso Magaqa, convicted hitman Sibusiso Ncengwa has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Magaqa was murdered in July 2017.
At the time of his murder, Magaqa was attached to the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality.
Magaqa and two other councillors were shot at by gunmen during the attack. The other to other councillors survived.
Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the South African Police Service (SAPS) Political Killings Task Team took over the case in July 2018.
“Within a month, the first hitman, Ncengwa was arrested in August 2018 by the team,” Brigadier Mathe said.
“Six others were later arrested in December 2018 by the investigating team.”
Today, Monday 7 July 2025, the Pietermaritzburg High Court found Ngcengwa guilty on 11 counts, including:
- Count 1: Conspiracy to commit murder- 25years
- Count 2: Murder – 25 years
- Count 3: Attempted murder- 5 Years
- Count 4: Attempted murder- 5 years
- Count 5: Attempted murder- 5 years
- Count 6: Malicious damage to property – 3 years
- Count 7: Malicious damage to property- 3 years
- Count 8: Malicious damage to property-3 years
- Count 9: Unlawful possession of a fully automatic firearm- 5years
- Count 10: Unlawful possession of firearms – 5 years.
- Count 11: Unlawful possession of ammunition- 1year
“Count: 1,3 to 11 will run concurrently with Count 2 which is 25 years,” explained Brigadier Mathe.
“Three other accused are still in custody with the third declared mentally unfit to stand trial.
“The third accused is in a mental institution.”
Brigadier Mathe said the trial of the two who are fit to stand trial is expected to be heard between 19 September 2025 to 21 October 2025 in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
