Magashule Ally’s Murder Rocks ANC: Intelligence Members Implicated

Key Takeaways:

• Crime Intelligence members were involved in the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
• An undercover Crime Intelligence officer, Witness E, alerted his superiors about the planned murder, but no action was taken.
• Witness E claims that some of his senior officers were involved in executing the plot to murder Magaqa.
• Former police minister Senzo Mchunu allegedly attempted to persuade Witness E to lie to the commission and dictate what should be included in his statement.
• The Madlanga Commission is investigating alleged criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.

Introduction to the Madlanga Commission
The Madlanga Commission, established to investigate alleged criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies, resumed on Monday after a seven-week break. The commission heard testimony from an undercover Crime Intelligence officer, referred to as Witness E, who revealed that Crime Intelligence members were involved in the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. Witness E claimed that he had alerted his superiors about the planned murder, but no action was taken, and that some of his senior officers were involved in executing the plot.

The Murder of Sindiso Magaqa
Sindiso Magaqa, a former ANC Youth League secretary-general, was shot in KZN’s uMzimkhulu Municipality, where he was a councillor, in July 2017. He died in September 2017. In July 2025, Sibusiso Ncengwa was sentenced to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment for Magaqa’s murder. Ncengwa named his co-conspirators and the alleged mastermind, former municipal manager Stanley Sikhosana, who faces charges relating to the murder. Witness E’s testimony has shed new light on the circumstances surrounding Magaqa’s murder and the alleged involvement of Crime Intelligence members.

Allegations Against Senzo Mchunu
Witness E also testified that former police minister Senzo Mchunu had phoned him in December 2024 to request information about Magaqa’s murder. Mchunu allegedly asked Witness E to identify the SAPS officials involved in the planning and killing of Magaqa. Witness E claimed that he provided Mchunu with the names of the officials and their alleged roles in the murder. However, Witness E also alleged that Mchunu attempted to persuade him to lie to the commission and dictate what should be included in his statement. Mchunu allegedly wanted to shift the blame to Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo, who was not involved in the murder.

Testimony of Major General Anthony Gopaul
Major General Anthony Gopaul, the acting deputy KZN police commissioner, also testified before the commission. He stated that he received a call from Mchunu about the February 2025 murder of the ANC’s Mandeni Ward 18 councillor, Phendukani Mabhida. Gopaul claimed that Mchunu asked him to keep him abreast of the investigation, which raised concerns about political interference and a possible breach of protocol. The commission heard that such matters should be handled through senior SAPS command channels, rather than direct contact between the minister and junior officers.

The Commission’s Investigation
The Madlanga Commission is expected to hear testimony from dozens of witnesses over the coming months as the probe continues. The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, stated that Phase One of the investigation had focused on establishing the factual basis of the allegations made by KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Phase Two, currently under way, allows those implicated to respond to the allegations and raise their own claims. Phase Three will see Mkhwanazi and supporting witnesses recalled, with their evidence subjected to testing through questioning and rebuttal. The commission’s investigation aims to uncover the truth about alleged criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.

Conclusion
The testimony of Witness E and Major General Anthony Gopaul has shed new light on the alleged involvement of Crime Intelligence members in the murder of Sindiso Magaqa and the attempts by former police minister Senzo Mchunu to interfere with the investigation. The Madlanga Commission’s investigation is ongoing, and it is expected to uncover more evidence of alleged criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. The commission’s findings will be crucial in restoring trust in the country’s law enforcement agencies and ensuring that those responsible for the alleged crimes are held accountable.