Two men killed in Bongani
Knysna has been rocked by another double murder, less than 24 hours after former mayor and ANC councillor Aubrey Tsengwa was shot dead.
Former councillor Mandla Matiwane and Knysna Taxi Forum secretary Mandla Tyololo were travelling in a vehicle in Bongani when gunmen opened fire at about 9 pm on Thursday. Both men were killed.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said provincial serious violent crime detectives have launched a manhunt.
No arrests have been made and the motive remains unknown.
Police probe possible connection
Detectives are also investigating whether the Bongani killings are connected to Tsengwa’s murder the previous evening.
Police stressed that they have not yet established any link between the incidents.
Tsengwa, 48, was driving home with three passengers in Joodsekamp on Wednesday when a gunman approached his vehicle and opened fire.
He suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and upper body and died at the scene. One passenger was wounded in the arm. Police are investigating one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Victims linked to earlier murder case
Matiwane previously represented the ANC after winning Knysna’s Ward 7 in the 2016 local government elections.
Tyololo was arrested in 2018 over allegations that he conspired to murder ANC councillor Victor Molosi. SAPS records confirm his arrest on a conspiracy-to-commit-murder charge at the time.
He was ultimately acquitted by the Knysna Regional Court in August 2020 after spending more than two years in custody. Matiwane had been a State witness in that trial.
Knysna faces fresh violence
Molosi was murdered outside his Concordia home in July 2018. Three other men were later convicted of his killing.
Tsengwa later served as Knysna executive mayor from August 2022 until February 2025 and returned as Ward 8 councillor after winning a June 2025 by-election.
Police have now reinforced the investigative team working in Knysna as detectives search for those responsible for the latest killings.
Authorities have not announced any suspects in either shooting, and whether the attacks are connected remains part of the investigation.