Man arrested in murder of former Knysna mayor Tsengwa

Police have arrested a 44-year-old man in Peddie, Eastern Cape, in connection with the killing of former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa. The South African Police Service said the arrest followed an investigation by its Political Killings Task Team and took place on November 6, 2026. The suspect remains in custody and was expected to appear at Knysna Magistrates Court on November 9, facing one charge of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said Tsengwa was shot dead in his vehicle in Knysna on August 19, 2026. Three other occupants were in the vehicle and survived. The charges against the arrested man relate to the shooting; they do not establish his guilt.

The arrest is the latest development in an investigation that has involved other suspects. One report said three people had previously been arrested in connection with Tsengwa’s murder. It reported that two, Vusumzi Gungu, 46, and Thobelani Lakhe, 39, were due back in court on December 10. Charges against a third accused, Lonwabo Faleni, had been provisionally withdrawn, with the state reserving the right to reinstate them.

Tsengwa was a councillor for the African National Congress and...