Alleged mastermind behind Sindiso Magaqa's murder to stand trial in October

Former uMzimkhulu municipal manager Stanley Sikhosana will next month stand trial for the murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.

On Tuesday, Sikhosana was denied bail in the uMzimkhulu Magistrate's Court.

The former manager was re-arrested by the Political Killings Task Team in July this year.   

Magaqa was shot execution style kilometres from his home in July 2017.  

The State in the case previously argued that it had overwhelming evidence that Sikhosana was the mastermind behind Magaqa's killing.   

It also indicated that the late former mayor, Mluleki Ndobe, may have been involved. 

"Bail was denied to Mr Sikhosana here in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate's Court, in handing down the judgment. The presiding officer found that he did not prove exceptional circumstances to be released on bail and further found that the defence did not show that the release on bail will be in the interest of justice.

The case has been postponed to 6 October. 

Sikhosana will join his two co-accused when trial resumes in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in October.