Three people arrested in connection with the murder of former Knysna mayor and ANC councillor Aubrey Tsengwa have been remanded pending a formal bail application.
The three appeared briefly in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The case was postponed to August 31. The state is opposed to their release on bail.
Tsengwa, 48, the Ward 8 councillor, was killed on Wednesday last week in Ngxalo Street, Joodse Kamp, while driving home with several other people.
One of the passengers was shot in the arm and taken to hospital.
Police said an unknown gunman had approached their vehicle at about 9.20pm and opened fire before fleeing on foot.
Tsengwa was declared dead at the scene.
A day later, former Knysna Ward 7 councillor Mandla Matiwane, 47, and Knysna Codeta (Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association) chair Mandla Tyololo, 48, were shot dead in Bongani at about 9pm.
All three were ANC members.
Though details remain sketchy, preliminary reports indicate that Matiwane and Tyololo were in a vehicle when they came under fire.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies said the investigation was ongoing.
Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Vusumzi Gungu, 46, Thobelani Lakhe, 39, and Lonwabo Faleni, 33, made their first appearance on Monday on provisional charges of conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Ntabazalila said the case was postponed to August 31 ahead of a formal bail bid.
“The state may add a further charge of attempted murder as the complainant on this count is currently in hospital,” he said.
“The police still need to obtain a statement from that complainant.”
Following the killings, Knysna acting municipal manager Boy Ngubo confirmed that the municipality had deployed additional security for councillors.
Ngubo said the municipality had since taken precautionary steps.
“Some councillors have been taken to a place of safety due to the nature of the crisis.
“I can’t divulge more information.”
Ngubo said municipal work and services would continue as planned.
“Law enforcement and police will also do a proper risk assessment to understand the gravity of what we are dealing with,” he said.
Water and sanitation minister Pemmy Majodina visited the homes of the slain ANC members at the weekend.
Majodina said at the time that the party needed to show compassion to the grieving families.
Tsengwa’s death has drawn tributes from across Knysna’s political divide, despite a career marked by strong political convictions, leadership battles and controversy.
He served as deputy mayor in 2019 before becoming mayor in August 2022, when an ANC-led coalition replaced the DA.
He faced repeated political challenges and legal disputes and was eventually removed from office on February 14 2025, after a third motion of no confidence.
During Tsengwa’s time as mayor, Western Cape local government MEC Anton Bredell ordered a provincial government investigation into the appointment of political support staff at the municipality.
After his removal as mayor, Tsengwa resigned as a councillor on March 31 2025, shortly before ANC sanctions against him for unlawfully making political appointments were finalised.
The ANC subsequently suspended him for allegedly undermining party business.
But his political career was far from over.
Three months later, Tsengwa returned to the council after winning back his Ward 8 seat for the ANC in a by-election in June 2025.
Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.