Thabiso Zulu, anti-corruption activist and close friend of the late Sindiso Magaqa, says he feels a sense of relief after a hitman's confession suggested possible state involvement in Magaqa’s 2017 assassination. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Media
(The Post News)- Thabiso Zulu, a well-known anti-corruption activist and close friend of Sindiso Magaqa, says he feels a sense of relief and justice after a confession suggested the state may have been involved in Magaqa’s death.
Sindiso Magaqa, a former politician from KwaZulu-Natal, died on 4 September 2017. He was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and was serving as a local councillor in the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality when he was killed in an apparent assassination.
Sibusiso Ncengwa, a convicted hitman, testified under oath at the Pietermaritzburg High Court last week, revealing surprising claims about the involvement of SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit members in the planning and execution of the 2017 killing.
In 2018, Sibusiso Ncengwa, businessman Mbulelo Mpofana, former police officer Sibonelo Myeza, and Mlungisi Ncalane were arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Magaqa.
The hitman revealed details about the alleged involvement of members of the SAPS in the murder, as well as the reported role of some National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) officials in weakening the case.
He also named the late Mluleki Ndobe, former mayor of the Harry Gwala District Municipality, and Zweliphansi Skhosana, former municipal manager in Umzimkhulu, as the key figures behind the plot claiming they paid just over a million rand to have Magaqa killed.
Ncengwa also stated that the police used secret funds to buy the AK-47 used in the killing of Magaqa. He also claimed they bought a Mercedes-Benz with the same money, which was used to travel between Umzimkhulu and Durban.
According to Ncengwa, the police made sure the group wouldn’t be stopped or arrested on their way to Durban by arranging an escort. He said the police officer who provided the escort was paid R20,000.
The hitman also spoke about the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), saying he would have confessed earlier if he hadn’t been blocked from doing so.
He claimed that in 2019, he told a police officer he wanted to come forward, but the NPA removed the prosecutor from the case, fearing he might allow a confession especially one that pointed to police involvement.
Ncengwa has since pleaded guilty, and the court is expected to hand down his sentence at the end of the month.
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