Pietermaritzburg – A chilling affidavit has emerged, implicating two senior Umzimkhulu Local Municipality officials in the assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary-general, Sindiso Magaqa.
The explosive document, deposed by convicted armed robber Sibusiso Malusi Ncengwa, alleges that the officials orchestrated Magaqa’s murder to prevent the exposure of their alleged corrupt activities.
Ncengwa, currently serving a 30-year prison sentence, provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and including the killing, painting a picture of a conspiracy involving high-ranking municipal officials, police crime intelligence, and organised criminals.
Ncengwa's statement reveals that Magaqa was on the verge of filing criminal corruption charges against the two senior municipal officials when he was attacked on 13 July 2017. He succumbed to his injuries two months later. The hitmen, according to Ncengwa, were promised not only a substantial payment of R120 000 for the assassination but also lucrative tenders within the municipality as a reward for their services.
“He [Myeza] said he wanted to hire us for the killing of a person who is working at the municipality in Umzimkhulu. He explained to us that he is not alone who wants this job of killing someone but has partners,” Ncengwa states in his affidavit.
The affidavit further reveals the financial incentives offered to the hitmen. "After the job has been done, we will have to register a CK [close corporation] jointly so that we can be awarded a tender worth a big sum of money. I requested that after we had killed the person I would like them to give or pay me a million [rand] or R800 000 cash to do business separately from the joint company for tender business because I am not interested in tender business and Mpofana said he had no problem with my request.”
Ncengwa describes the planning and execution of the assassination, including a failed initial attempt due to police presence in the area. He recounts how Jabulani Mdunge, another implicated individual later killed in a shootout with police, assured them of police protection during the operation. "Mdunge said I must relax, we have police officers in our group who are watching the route for us. He also said it is the police officers who had supplied him with an AK47 which he was carrying and even the Mercedes Benz was a stolen car."
The affidavit details the events of the day of the murder, describing how Magaqa was shot at close range at a carwash. “Mdunge followed me at the carwash and we both started shooting at him [Magaqa]. Mdunge had told me to shoot in the air to scare [off] the people so that nobody takes action while he was shooting at Magaqa.” Following the assassination, the hitmen were reportedly paid R20 000 each, with police officers also receiving a share of the payment. However, Ncengwa notes that the promised tenders and the remaining portion of the agreed-upon payment were never received.
The affidavit also links the July 2021 riots to crime intelligence’s alleged involvement in political killings and the destruction of property during protests demanding the release of former president Jacob Zuma. Ncengwa alleges that police officers and informants acted as agents provocateurs, inciting violence and destruction.
A top-secret counterintelligence report, which has been submitted to senior crime intelligence officials for further investigation, also highlights the link between the assassins and the politicians, further strengthening the accusations detailed in Ncengwa's affidavit. The report indicates that the AK47 rifle and vehicle used in Magaqa’s murder belonged to the police crime intelligence unit.
When contacted for comment, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe responded: "We cannot confirm the authenticity of these documents. The matter is sub judice, and no further comment will be provided."
The allegations detailed in Ncengwa’s affidavit and the counterintelligence report paint a disturbing picture of corruption, collusion, and violence within the KwaZulu-Natal political landscape. The ongoing trial of the four men implicated in Magaqa’s murder, and the potential implications of this new evidence, promise to shed further light on this complex and deeply troubling case.
