A suspected hitman is expected to appear before the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 9 November 2026, following his arrest in connection with the murder of former Knysna Executive Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, as investigations into suspected politically motivated killings in the Western Cape continue.
The 44-year-old suspect was arrested during a takedown operation in Peddie, Eastern Cape, on Friday, 6 November, following an investigation led by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the investigation had led police to the Eastern Cape, where the suspect was apprehended.
“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.
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
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