Former Umzimkhulu municipal manager Zweliphansi Skhosana denied bail in high-profile murder case of Sindiso Magaqa
A former Umzimkhulu municipal manager Zweliphansi Stanley Skhosana has been denied bail by the Mzimkhulu Magistrates’ Court in connection with the murder of former African National Congress (ANC) Youth League Secretary, Sindiso Magaqa.
Skhosana, 55, appeared in court on Tuesday where he faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice.
“The Magistrate said that Skhosana failed to prove exceptional circumstances that warrant his release on bail. Further, the court said that Skhosana did not show that his release on bail was in the interest of justice,” said Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Skhosana was first arrested in 2018 alongside the late Umzimkhulu mayor, a businessman, two ex-police officers, and a known hitman, but the matter failed to progress at the time.
He was re-arrested in July in Malvern, Johannesburg.
Ramkisson-Kara said the state served an indictment on Skhosana and the matter was remanded to October 6, 2025, for his first appearance in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
She added that Skhosana will join the other two co-accused in the matter, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana.
Meanwhile, the hitman, Sbusiso Ncengwa was convicted to 25 years’ imprisonment on July 7.
Magaqa was killed in Umzimkhulu in July 2017. It is believed that Magaqa was killed for speaking out against a corruption-riddled tender to construct a local memorial hall.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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