Sibusiso Ncengwa stood with his head bowed as Judge Nompumelelo Radebe delivered his sentence at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday.

"Count one conspiracy to commit murder. You are sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. Count two, murder, you are sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. Count three, attempted murder. You are sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Count four, attempted murder. You are sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

"Count five, attempted murder. You are sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Count six, malicious injury to property, you are sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Count nine, unlawful possession of a fully automatic firearm. You are sentenced to five years’ imprisonment."

He was convicted on 11 counts. His sentences will run concurrently.

Magaqa was ambushed at Ibisi Village in uMzimkhulu in July 2017, along with two councillors, Jabulile Mzizi and Nontsikelelo Mafa, and their driver. The other three survived the attack.

Ncengwa changed his plea to guilty last month, leading to his case being separated from his two co-accused.

Judge Radebe acknowledged his remorse and cooperation with investigators, including naming the alleged masterminds behind the killing.

But she said this was not enough to allow him back into society.

" By removing you from society, the interest of society would be served. Your conduct in agreeing to take the life of a person demonstrates a clear disregard for human life. The right to life is one that you currently enjoy, but one that you took away from the deceased and for selfish reasons."

Magaqa was gunned down in uMzimkhulu in 2017, allegedly for exposing corruption in the local municipality.

The trial of Ncengwa's co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, is expected to resume in October.

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