The arrest of a suspected hitman in the murder of former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa has brought renewed attention to a string of suspected political killings in the Western Cape, including the murders of election candidates in Cape Town.
The 44-year-old suspect was arrested in Peddie in the Eastern Cape on Friday, 6 November, nearly three months after Tsengwa was shot dead while sitting in his vehicle. Three other people survived the attack.
He is expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 9 November, facing murder and attempted murder charges, as police continue investigating suspected politically motivated killings that have claimed the lives of political figures across party lines.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the investigation had led police to the Eastern Cape, where the suspect was apprehended.
Suspect faces murder and attempted-murder charges
“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,” Mathe said.
Tsengwa was shot dead on 19 August while seated in his car in Knysna. Three other occupants of the vehicle survived the attack.
Mathe said the operation was conducted in Peddie following investigative work by the task team.
“The investigation led the team to Peddie in the Eastern Cape, where a takedown operation was conducted on Friday, 6 November 2026, resulting in the arrest of the suspect,” she said.
The suspect remains in police custody and faces one charge of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
The arrest comes amid growing concern over suspected politically motivated killings and intimidation in the Western Cape, particularly during the build-up to the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Arrest comes amid concern over political killings
At least seven suspected political killings were reported in the province during the first nine months of 2026, claiming the lives of political figures across party lines.
Among those killed were Tsengwa, an African National Congress (ANC) councillor; Democratic Alliance (DA) ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe, who was gunned down in Dunoon; and Build One South Africa (BOSA) ward candidate Leon Ngcikwe, who was shot dead in Gugulethu.
Nationally, at least 43 people were killed in 45 suspected political attacks during the first nine months of 2026, according to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC).
Zenande Mpame
iol.co.za
