Sindiso Magaqa’s alleged killer has been in custody all month

Reports have emerged that former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa’s alleged killer was already arrested at the start of September.

His involvement in the prominent ANC member’s killing reportedly only became apparent after forensic evidence linked him to the case. He was originally arrested for a different crime.

Magaqa died at a hospital in Durban on September 4 after he was shot in a presumed assassination attack on July 13. He was a ward councillor in Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal at the time.

The Sowetan reports that the alleged gunman was arrested in the company of other gunmen on September 1 for the shootings of Magaqa (36), Nontsikelelo Mafa (27), and Jabu Msiya (44).

Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the arrest to The Sowetan.

They quoted him as saying: “The suspect will be appearing in court soon. Further arrests are imminent as the task team established by Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula is working day and night to put a stop to political killings in the KwaZulu-Natal province.”

The paper’s sources said the man was 38 years old and lived in both a suburb in Berea and at a KwaMashu hostel, and was arrested following a shootout with police on September 1. The police allegedly interrupted a cash-in-transit heist planned by “10 robbers” between Harding and Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal. Three of the alleged robbers were shot and killed while the other seven were arrested.

One suspect was allegedly linked to Magaqa’s killing through forensic evidence.