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FILE | Former ANCYL Secretary Sindiso Magaqa.
The ruling in the bail application of former Umzimkhulu municipal manager, Zweliphansi Sikohosana, in the Sindiso Magaqa murder case, will be handed down on the 23rd of September.
Magaqa, who was a councillor and former African National Congress ANC Youth League secretary general, was shot in 2017.
He died several months later in hospital.
The court heard evidence from warrant officer Jim Sekano who is part of the political killings task team.
Sekano testified that if released on bail, Sikhosana is likely to jeopardise the integrity of the state’s case.
The state handed in as evidence a petition said to be signed by community members calling for Sikhosana to be denied bail.
Sikhosana has been in custody for over a month.
His arrest in July came after convicted hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa implicated him and the late district mayor, Mluleki Ndobe, as being the masterminds behind Magaqa’s murder.
Sikhosana was previously arrested in connection with the murder, but the state provisionally withdrew the charges.
He is alleged to have played a significant role in Magaqa’s murder by funding the hit men.
It’s alleged he further paid Ncengwa and the other two accused in this matter, not to implicate him.
It’s alleged Magaqa was killed because he opposed the cost of building a memorial hall, which escalated from R4 million to over R37 million.
However, Skhosana’s lawyer, Larry Seethal, has argued that Skhosana should be granted bail as he faces similar charges as the two accused who are already standing trial in this matter.
The state and defence are expected to present their closing arguments on the 19th of September.
