ANC heavyweight appears for murder of Youth League official

Harry Gwala district municipality mayor and senior ANC KZN provincial leader Mluleki Ndobe and three other men have appeared in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. Ndobe – who is number three on the ANC’s province to province list for the 8 May elections and its former KZN deputy provincial secretary – appeared briefly along with Harry Gwala municipal manager Zwelibanzi Sikhosana, businessperson Mbulelo Mpofana and former SAPS tactical response team (TRT) member Sibonelo Myeza, says a Mail & Guardian Online report. The four are accused of murdering Magaqa and attempting to murder councillors Nontsikelelo Mafu and Jabulile Msiya in an ambush in July 2017 in the southern KZN town. Magaqa died from his injuries two months later while both Mafu and Msiya were wounded but survived. A fifth accused has reportedly turned state witness and did not appear in court with the four. Ndobe and his co-accused were not asked to plead. They were all remanded in custody until 25 March, when they will make a bail application. Prosecutor Shohana Moodley said the four had been charged with premeditated murder, a schedule 6 offence, which meant that they would have to show exceptional circumstances if they were to be granted bail. At the time of Magaqa’s killing, his friends and comrades claimed publicly that he and other councillors, including speaker Khaya Thobela, had been murdered over their attempt to expose corruption in the refurbishment of the Umzimkhulu Memorial Hall.

Full Mail & Guardian Online report