Magaqa murder trial set for November

The trial of three men accused of murdering former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Jethro Magaqa is set to commence in Pietermaritzburg High Court in November. Magaqa was fatally shot in July 2017, later succumbing to his injuries in the hospital. Sbonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana, and Zweliphansi Stanley Skhosana appeared in court on Thursday, where a pre-trial conference concluded and the case was deemed ready for trial.

The trial is scheduled to last from November 9 to December 11. They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to murder, actual murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, ammunition, malicious damage to property, and undermining the administration of justice. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the pre-trial conference was completed and the matter was certified as trial-ready.

Skhosana's legal team had submitted representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for further review, with the state pledging to expedite the process. Myeza and Mpofana are currently on bail, while Skhosana remains in custody after his bail request was rejected in September 2025. Magaqa, who served as a councillor in Umzimkhulu Local Municipality, held the position of ANC Youth League secretary-general from June 2011 to April 2012 before being suspended for a year due to misconduct.