Youth leader died fighting corruption
I didn’t know in these killings Magaqa was also going to die, says Mbalula
POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula said yesterday slain former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa was killed for fighting rampant corruption in the u Mzimkhulu Local Municipality where he was serving as a councillor.
“Magaqa did not have a gun and his killers killed an innocent young man. They are cowards,” Mbalula said.
He was addressing throngs of ANC and community members at a memorial service for Magaqa in his village of Ibisi, u Mzimkhulu, following a visit to Magaqa’s home.
There he was shown the bullet-riddled Mercedes Benz in which Magaqa and two other Umzimkhulu councillors were attacked in July.
He said Magaqa had complained to him that there were people following him and he felt his life was in danger.
“Today’s pain is most felt by the mother. Not only has the family lost a brave son, but this whole country has.
“I didn’t know that in these killings in this region Magaqa was also going to die.
“I saw Sindiso’s car and it looked like it had come out of a war zone. We will find them, not only the killers but those who paid the killers too,” Mbalula said.
The police minister was quick to dispel allegations that Magaqa was planning to join another political party.
“Magaqa lost everything that came with the privileges of being an ANC Youth League secretary. He could’ve decided to leave the ANC and join the EFF, but he didn’t,” Mbalula said.
He said even when Magaqa had returned to u Mzimkhulu after his suspension from the league, he would never call asking for money or elevation into political positions.
“He never deserted the ANC,” said Mbalula.
The Hawks had been tasked with looking into corruption, not only in the Harry Gwala region but, all over the country, he said. “If we allow this (corruption) to continue then we do not have a state.”
Mbalula urged the ANC to give “one of its most loyal foot soldiers a befitting farewell.” He said they loved Magaqa, but they might have failed him.
“To have to come to your home because of your death, we apologise for that,” Mbal- ula said.
Njabulo Nzuza, ANC Youth League secretary-general, said Magaqa was a soldier of the league’s “Economic Freedom in our Lifetime” campaign.
“Magaqa understood that when joining the ANC, he was not joining the party for positions. He epitomised loyalty and knew the party should work for the people of South Africa.
“The Magaqa family produced one of the finest cadres of the revolution,” Nzuza said.
Super Zuma, ANC provincial secretary, said in the same vain that Chris Hani’s sacrifice and blood had ushered South Africa into democracy, they hoped Magaqa’s blood would bring peace to the Harry Gwala region.