The self-confessed killer of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa has pleaded with the Pietermaritzburg High Court to be lenient on him and not to impose a life sentence for the July 2017 gruesome murder.
Sibusiso Ncengwa made this plea on Monday through his lawyer when the court convened to sentence after, earlier this month, he confessed to the killing and was duly found guilty.
Ncengwa named the late Mluleki Ndobe, the former ANC mayor of the Harry Gwala district municipality in southern KwaZulu-Natal, and Zweliphansi Skosana, the former municipal manager at Umzimkhulu local municipality (where Magaqa was a councillor), as those who ordered the hit.
He also implicated a senior eThekwini municipality employee, Mdu Ncalane, as having helped move around money when there was a dispute in jail after it emerged that the main hitmen underpaid the others.
The money was also required to cover legal fees.
The other accused in the matter are Mlungisi Ncalane, Mbulelo Mpofana and Sibonelo Myeza. The court will try them later this year, as they have not pleaded guilty.
Sindiso’s dreams shattered
In a statement for the court, the spokesperson of the Magaqa family, Lwazi Magaqa, laid out how the family suffered after the assassination and how better life prospects for Sindiso’s children were shattered.
He said Sindiso was building a double storey for his family, and all that was abandoned after he was killed.
He added that Sindiso’s dreams for better education were shattered after he was eliminated for exposing corruption in Umzimkhulu municipality.
In a statement on behalf of the ANC, advocate Kwazi Mshengu said Sindiso’s killing left a “deep scar” in the party, and comrades started suspecting each other, and the image of the party was dented as it became a common suspicion that it was no longer safe to be an elected member of the ANC.
Ncengwa’s lawyer tried to plead with the court to be lenient, saying he called the Magaqa family and apologised for the killing, and a life sentence should not be imposed as Ncengwa showed remorse.
He also pointed out that he has family dependents and the motive was out of sheer financial desperation.
Eight years spent in jail already
He also told the court Ncengwa has been behind bars for eight years, implying he has already felt the pain of being behind bars.
The lawyer also told the court that Ncengwa asked to be detained at Westville Prison in Durban, as he felt safe there after spilling the beans.
The state pushed back against Ncengwa’s lawyer, saying the suffering of the Magaqa family is immeasurable and stiff sentences should be imposed to deter others from committing similar political killings.
It also said the court should take into account the community’s outrage about the matter and the fact that everyone wants justice done.
The state also said Ncengwa’s confession and disclosure of information do not lighten the gravity of his crime.
The sentencing will resume on July 7.
