Hitman’s Chilling Confession Reopens Wounds in Sindiso Magaqa’s Murder

A shocking turn in a political assassination case has revealed a dark web of alleged corruption and cover-ups in KwaZulu-Natal.

It’s been nearly seven years since Sindiso Magaqa, once a bright star in the ANC Youth League, was gunned down in a calculated ambush that sent shockwaves across South Africa. Now, just as the country marks another Youth Month—a time meant to honour the legacies of young leaders—his ghost has returned to haunt those accused of betraying justice.

A Murder Revisited

Convicted cash heist criminal Sibusiso Ncengwa recently dropped a bombshell in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. In a 13-page sworn confession, he admitted to being part of the hit squad that murdered Magaqa in 2017 and named names: a senior municipal official from the KZN South Coast and the late ANC heavyweight Mluleki Ndobe. According to Ncengwa, these two were the architects of the killing—furious over Magaqa’s attempts to expose corruption tied to Umzimkhulu’s town hall renovations.

The case had grown cold. Ndobe and the official were arrested in 2018 but walked free after prosecutors failed to present enough evidence. For many, it felt like the truth would remain buried with Magaqa. But Ncengwa’s explosive confession could change everything.

Allegations of a Political Hit

Ncengwa didn’t just confess to pulling the trigger. He laid out a damning web of political and institutional complicity. He claimed:

• The hit was worth R600,000

• Another R500,000 went toward legal fees for those involved

• SAPS Crime Intelligence operatives funded and facilitated the operation

• A police officer escorted the killers’ vehicle and was paid R20,000 for his silence

• A luxury Mercedes-Benz and an AK-47 were allegedly purchased with state slush funds

• The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) blocked an earlier confession in 2019 to protect implicated officers

These are not the words of a man angling for leniency. Ncengwa is already serving a long sentence for unrelated crimes. His confession, accepted by the State, reads more like a purge of guilt than a plea deal.

Police and NPA on the Spot

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the investigating officer is now probing the new allegations. But he was quick to temper expectations: “We don’t arrest based on mentions in court; we investigate.” Still, the confession has rattled the system.

Some of Ncengwa’s claims involve senior NPA officials and even a journalist—accusations that stretch far beyond just one murder case. If proven true, they would mark a devastating failure in the institutions tasked with upholding justice.

For now, Ncengwa will return to court later this month for sentencing. His co-accused are expected back in court on June 19.

Public Reaction: ‘Justice for Magaqa’ Trends Again

Social media has lit up with anger, disbelief, and long-simmering frustration. Under hashtags like #JusticeForMagaqa and #KZNpolitics, users are calling for a full inquiry into political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.

“This confession reads like a spy novel—but it’s our reality,” one user posted. “We need the TRUTH, not more delays.”

Many are questioning why it took this long for such a confession to surface—and whether it will ever lead to meaningful prosecutions. After all, political assassinations have plagued KwaZulu-Natal for decades, often linked to local power struggles, tender corruption, and internal ANC rivalries.

The Political Stakes

Magaqa, once seen as the natural successor to Julius Malema in the ANC Youth League, had become a vocal critic of corruption within the ruling party. His return to local politics as a councillor in Umzimkhulu appeared humble on the surface, but those close to him say he was gathering evidence and making enemies.

If Ncengwa’s confession holds water, it adds Sindiso Magaqa to a long and bloody list of whistleblowers silenced in South Africa’s democracy.

South Africans have heard many confessions and seen few convictions. Ncengwa’s statement may lead to a reopened case file, but whether it leads to justice remains uncertain. The public wants more than sensational headlines. They want accountability.

And in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, Magaqa’s memory demands nothing less.

“We are not dying because we are criminals. We are dying because we refuse to be silent,” Magaqa once said.

Now, years later, it may finally be his killers’ turn to answer.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com