A 44-year-old suspect was arrested in Peddie, Eastern Cape, on 6 November 2026 by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in connection with the murder of former Knysna Executive Mayor and ANC councillor Aubrey Tsengwa. The suspect faces one charge of murder and three counts of attempted murder, police confirmed.
Tsengwa was shot dead on 19 August 2026 while seated in his car in Knysna, an attack that also left three other occupants wounded but alive. The investigation by the PKTT led officers to the Eastern Cape, where the takedown operation was executed and the suspect taken into custody.
“The PKTT-led investigation into the murder of former Knysna Executive Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa has led to the arrest of a 44-year-old hitman,” said SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. She added, “The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to appear before the Knysna Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 9 November 2026. He is facing one charge of murder and three counts of attempted murder.”
Two other men, Vusumzi Gungu and Thobelani Lakhe, remain in custody as part of a related investigation, with their next court date scheduled for 10 December 2026. The relationship between their arrests and the newly detained suspect has not been confirmed by police.
The case has drawn widespread attention since Tsengwa’s murder coincided with the deaths of two other ANC-linked individuals in the Garden Route region: Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo. While police have indicated they are investigating possible links between these killings, no official connection or motive has yet been established.
Political violence remains a pressing concern in the Western Cape, with SAPS strengthening efforts through specialised units like the PKTT to address targeted killings. The arrest marks a significant step in the investigation, but questions remain as the suspect awaits court proceedings.
The Cape Flats News journalist will update readers on the proceedings following the suspect’s court appearance and any further developments in the case.