* Story has been updated
Durban - A year since the death of the former ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa, the Hawks have arrested a suspect in connection with his murder. Magaqa was killed after being shot at while sitting in his car with fellow councillors after attending an ANC branch executive meeting on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
At the time of his death, Magaqa was an ANC councillor at the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality. The former youth league secretary-general, along with fellow councillors Jabulile Mzizi and Nonsikelelo Mafa were wounded in a hail of bullets fired at Magaqa's car, in which the three were sitting after attending an ANC branch executive meeting at the Ncambeble Primary School.
Magaqa died from his injuries at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban.
The Mail and Guardian reported that a suspect had been arrested earlier this week by the Hawks and was set to appear in the Umzimkhulu Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The Hawks in KZN said they could not comment on the arrest as the matter was being handled by the Minsiter’s office, but a spokesperson for the minister could not be reached on her phone.
Natasha Kara, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, confirmed a man had appear in court on Thursday. She said the accused faced one murder count and two counts of attempted murder. He is set to appear in court again next Thursday.
Police Minister Bheki Cele
Minister Bheki Cele is expected to brief the media at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Headquarters on Thursday afternoon.
In September last year, The Mercury reported that a suspect linked to Magaqa’s death was killed in a shootout with police.
The man had been allegedly part of a group of 10 armed robbers involved in a shootout with police on the N2, between Harding and Kokstad on September 1 last year.
* Story has been updated to include comment from the National Prosecuting Authority.
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