Sindiso Magaqa murder: State to lead evidence in former municipal manager’s bail application

DURBAN - The former municipal manager linked to the murder of African National Congress (ANC) politician Sindiso Magaqa will return to court on Tuesday morning, where the State will lead evidence in his application for bail.

Stanley Sikhosana is charged with the 2017 murder of the councillor, where Sikhosana served as a municipal manager for the uMzimkhulu Local Municipality.

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Magaqa was shot in July 2017 and died in September in hospital.

Sikhosana was nabbed by the police's political task team investigating politically motivated murders, which was established in 2018, months after Magaqa and other politicians were killed in KwaZulu-Natal.

The accused will return to the uMzimkhulu Magistrates Court, where the prosecution will continue arguments that he be granted bail.

During the previous court appearance last week, Sikhosana concluded his testimony as he fights for bail in the high-profile murder case.

He refused to answer some of the critical questions by the prosecutor in relationship to alleged involvement in the Magaqa murder case, and even failed to provide circumstantial reasons as to why he should be granted bail.

State prosecutor Adv Lawrence Gcaba argued that even eight years after Magaqa was killed, community members are still demanding justice for him.

"The court should listen to that cry. You've avoided prosecution for so long, Mr Sikhosana, but they are not giving up."

Gcaba argued that Sikhosana should be denied bail in order to stand trial with the rest of the accused.

"The trial is supposed to start in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on the 6th of October 2025, where Mr Sikhosana will be accused number 3, together with Mr Mpofana and Mr Myeza, your associates."

On Tuesday morning, the prosecution will submit its opposing affidavit; an investigating officer is also expected on the stand.