Sindiso Magaka was a proportional representation councilor in Umzimkulu local government when he was ambushed and shot. File photo by Gallo
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has referred one of the four people charged with the murder of former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) secretary-general Sindiso Magaka for psychiatric evaluation.
This comes after four people accused of murdering Mr Magaka in 2017 – Sibonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana, Mlungisi Nkarane and Sibusiso Nchengwa – appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday. It was conducted.
In addition to murder, the suspects are also charged with attempted murder, criminal damage to property, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Magaka City was attacked in 2017 after a branch meeting in Umzimkulu. Two other deputies were also injured in the ambush. Magaka died in hospital a few months later.
Defense activist Shane Matthews told the court that accused number three, Mr Ncalan, was not mentally fit to stand trial and may not be able to fully understand the proceedings. “When I tried to talk to him this morning before the trial, it was as if the defendant was staring at me. He didn't seem to understand what was going on,” Matthews said.
Mr Ncalane's father, Kurufala Ncalane, 69, took the stand to support claims about his son's mental health.
“My son has been showing aggression towards me,” Ncalan said, adding that his son was unable to perform certain duties at home, such as cooking.
He also said, “There were two gas cylinders and paint at home, but my son threw away the gas cylinders and took the paint with him to paint the wood.''
State advocate Lawrence Gqaba asked his father why mental health issues were only raised in the Pietermaritzburg High Court and not in the Kwamaphumulo Magistrates' Court, where he previously appeared.
Ncalan said her daughter was handling the case on behalf of the family at the time.
“The hospital provided documentation that my son is stable and can continue living. But I disagree,” Nucalan said. “I disagree because I've been with him all my life. How can you say he's stable?”
Matthews asked the court to send him for a psychiatric evaluation, and Judge Nompumelelo Radebe agreed, ruling that Ncalan should be sent for an evaluation as it had been a long time since his last evaluation. was lowered.
This article first appeared in The Witness.
