Four men accused of murdering Sindiso Magaqa plead not guilty

The four men charged with the murder of African National Congress (ANC) Youth League secretary Sindisiso Magaqa pleaded not guilty to all charges at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday.

The accused, Sbonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana, Mlungisi Ncalane and Sibusiso Ncengwa allegedly killed Magaqa in July 2017, in the Umzimkhulu area, where he had been serving as an ANC councillor.

Magaqa died in September 2017, while recovering at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.

Charges

The four men are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property, and charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

He was shot along with colleagues Nontsikelelo Mafa and Jabu Msiya, who both survived.

In February last year, Myeza, Mpofana and Ncalane were each granted R5 000 bail in the Ixopo Magistrate’s Court.

Ncengwa, on the other hand, was found guilty of plotting a cash-in-transit heist and sentenced to 95 years imprisonment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court in March last year.

The trial continues.

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Loyiso Nkohla

Former ANC Youth League activist Loyiso Nkohla was shot dead last week at the Philippi Railway Station in Cape Town.

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, told the media that the circumstances around the shooting are currently under investigation.

He also confirmed that three others were injured in the shooting.

According to reports, Nkohla had been addressing a meeting in Philippi when he was shot dead.

Nkohla, a former City of Cape Town councillor, was apparently with another former ANC councillor, Thembinkosi Pupa, when the shooting occurred. They were there representing the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and engage with shack dwellers who were occupying the train station.

According to witnesses, Pupa was also shot and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Nkohla had held leadership positions in four political parties, having done most of his cross-overs in the last six years, and even becoming a meme for it.

READ MORE: Former ‘poo-thrower-in-chief’ Loyiso Nkohla shot dead

Additional reporting by Devina Haripersad.