The Pietermaritzburg High Court on 7 July 2025 sentenced Sibusiso Ncengwa to an effective 25 years in prison for the 2017 murder of former African National Congress Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. Ncengwa pleaded guilty last month to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He admitted shooting Magaqa during an ambush in uMzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal, and wounding three passengers who were travelling with the politician. Handing down judgment, Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba said Ncengwa had shown “a clear disregard for human life” by agreeing to the plot to kill Magaqa. The judge ordered that several of the individual sentences run concurrently, resulting in a single 25-year term. The defence argued against a life sentence, citing the accused’s guilty plea and cooperation with investigators, including naming alleged masterminds. NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara welcomed the ruling, calling it a step toward accountability in political killings that have plagued KwaZulu-Natal. Three other suspects connected to the case remain before the court.