Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
Four people charged with the murder of former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa have pleaded not guilty.
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.
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.
Senior prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba kicked off proceedings by reading the indictment. The accused face one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
“You acted in the furtherance of a common purpose. We are not certain when the common purpose was launched, but we allege that it was before the murder [of Sindiso Magaqa] and attempted murder [of Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa and Nceba Mazongolo],” he said.
“The State alleges that these offences were planned or premeditated. The minimum sentence for the offence of murder is life imprisonment,” he continued.
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.
The State is expected to call at least 64 witnesses, among them ANC members from Umzimkhulu.
The trial is expected to continue until 12 May but the prosecutor told Judge Faith Mlaba that they could require an extension.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.