Man accused of ordering hit on Magaqa returns to court for closing arguments in bail bid

The former uMzimkhulu municipal manager accused of ordering the hit on African National Congress (ANC) politician Sindiso Magaqa returns to court for closing arguments in his bail application on Friday.

Stanley Sikhosana was re-arrested in July for Magaqa's murder following further investigations by the Political Killings Task Team.

Magaqa was shot near a spaza shop in uMzimkhulu back in July 2017. He died in hospital in September the same year.

The State in this high-profile murder case will on Friday argue why Sikhosana must be denied bail.

Previously, the prosecution told the court that there is overwhelming evidence that Sikhosana is behind Magaqa’s killing during his term as municipal manager of the uMzimkhulu Local Municipality.

“At long last, we have evidence linking the mastermind, unfortunately, the other one is deceased, to the killing of this young man [Magaqa]. We’ve managed to put Mr Sikhosana to answer to the charges of the overwhelming evidence that we have against you,” said lead prosecutor Advocate Lawrence Gcaba.

The State said Sikhosana plotted the murder together with former uMzimkhulu Mayor Mluleki Ndobe, who has since died.

Two other accused in this case are out on bail and are set to go on trial in October.

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