25-year jail term handed to Magaqa's killer

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the family of former ANĆ Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa have welcomed the effective 25-year prison sentence given to a man convicted of his murder.

- BONGANI HANS

Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba handed down a sentence, which was a deviation from the prescribed life sentence, to Sibusiso Ncengwa at the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday.

Mlaba sentenced Ncengwa, who is already serving a lengthy sentence for unrelated crimes, to 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder, 25 years for murder, and shorter terms for attempted murder, malicious damage to property and being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

All sentences will run concurrently.

Ncengwa is now expected to testify against the two other accused, who were allegedly present during Magaqa’s shooting on July 13, 2017.

“Indeed, the NPA is glad and we are happy with the sentence passed in court today, which will be effectively 25 years imprisonment,” said NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.