Madlanga Commission | Witness E makes shocking testimony on Magaqa murder

The Madlanga Commission heard that the killing of former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) secretary Sindiso Magaqa was preventable, after Witness E claimed the gunmen told him in advance they were hired to kill Magaqa but failed to answer why he could not act.

Testifying at the commission on Monday, Witness E said he received the information directly from the shooters and insisted it was “not hearsay”.

“The shooters are the ones that told me, we are being hired to kill Sindiso Magaqa,” he said.

Despite portraying himself as a highly effective intelligence operative, Witness E conceded he failed to act.

He claimed a “100% success rate” in infiltrating drug cartels, stock-theft syndicates and cash-in-transit gangs, adding that suspects he previously identified were either jailed or dead.

The 35-year-old Magaqa, and two fellow councillors were shot on July 13, 2017 outside a general dealer after a council meeting in southern KwaZulu-Natal.

He died weeks later, on September 4, from complications linked to the attack.

In July 2025, hitman Sbusiso Ncengwa was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for the murder.

Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga pressed Witness E on the glaring failure to prevent the killing.

Madlanga asked whether the shooters had also named people who would assist them.

Witness E replied “yes”, testifying that the alleged masterminds identified by the gunmen were his superiors.

The witness agreed with the commission that the murder could have been prevented if action had been taken between the warning and the shooting.

However, he refused to disclose names, citing safety and operational constraints.

The testimony landed against the backdrop of former police minister Senzo Mchunu’s recent appearance before the commission, where he denied wrongdoing and rejected suggestions of political interference in the investigation.

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