Knysna, Western Cape, has been plunged into mourning and fear after two councillors were killed in separate shooting incidents less than 24 hours apart, raising fresh concerns about possible politically linked violence in the Garden Route town.
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The first victim was Aubrey Tsengwa, 48, a former Knysna mayor and ANC councillor. Tsengwa was shot dead on Wednesday, 19 August, while travelling in a vehicle in the Joodsekamp area of Knysna.
Police said an unknown gunman approached the vehicle and opened fire. Tsengwa sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene, while one passenger was wounded.
Less than 24 hours later, another shooting claimed the lives of former Ward 7 councillor Mandla Matiwane, 47, and local taxi leader Mandla Tyololo, 48.
The two men were shot while travelling in a vehicle in the Bongani area last week. Matiwane was a former ANC councillor, while Tyololo was associated with the local taxi forum.
Knysna community in shock
The back-to-back killings have sent shockwaves through Knysna and prompted concerns that the attacks could be connected to political factionalism.
Authorities, however, have cautioned that the motives remain under investigation and that links between the shootings have not been conclusively established.
The violence has also prompted increased security measures.
Several Knysna councillors were reportedly moved to places of safety as fears grew following the killings, while additional security was deployed around councillors and municipal officials.
Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi visited Knysna as police intensified their investigation.
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Arrests have been made
According to The Herald, the investigation into Tsengwa’s murder has since resulted in arrests. Three men appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on 24 August and were remanded in custody. Their case was postponed to 31 August, with the state opposing bail.
The killings have revived painful memories of political violence in the area and intensified calls for decisive action from law-enforcement authorities. For residents, the shootings have transformed what would ordinarily be a local political dispute into a wider security crisis.
As investigations continue, authorities face mounting pressure to determine whether the killings were coordinated, politically motivated or connected to other criminal disputes.
For now, Knysna remains on edge, with the deaths of two councillors and a prominent taxi figure in the space of less than 24 hours leaving the community demanding answers and justice.
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