Former Knysna mayor and ANC councillor Aubrey Tsengwa was shot dead on Wednesday night while driving home with three passengers in Joodsekamp. The 48-year-old sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and upper body and was declared deceased at the scene.
Police are investigating the killing and three counts of attempted murder after an unidentified gunman opened fire on the vehicle in Ngxalo Street at about 21:20. One passenger was wounded in the arm and taken to hospital. No arrests have been made and the motive remains unknown.
Details of the shooting
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that detectives from the provincial Serious and Violent Crime unit are handling the case. According to preliminary information, Tsengwa was driving when an unknown man approached the vehicle on foot, opened fire, and fled the scene.
“A 48-year-old ward councillor [was found] with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and upper body. He was declared deceased at the scene,”
Twigg said.
He added that one passenger sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and received medical treatment.
The scene was processed by forensic personnel, and detectives are following available leads.
Political background of Aubrey Tsengwa
Tsengwa served as Knysna’s executive mayor from August 2022 until February 2025. His tenure was marked by political instability and leadership changes in the municipality.
He was removed as mayor after a motion of no confidence in February 2025 but remained the ANC councillor for Ward 8. He resigned from the council in March 2025, contested the seat again three months later, and was re-elected.
Party reactions
ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni confirmed the death and described it as “tragic and shattering news.”
“We send our deepest condolences to his family and the Knysna community. He was a man full of life, and his life was cowardly cut short by criminals. We call for the speedy apprehension of those responsible,”
Mtsweni said.
DA Knysna mayoral candidate Levael Davis, who served alongside Tsengwa in council and communities since 2016, also condemned the killing.
“Whatever our political differences, we shared a commitment to serving our community,”
Davis said.
He called on police to ensure the perpetrators face the full might of the law.
The shooting of Aubrey Tsengwa comes amid growing concern about political violence ahead of the November 2026 local government elections. In June, three local politicians were killed in a single weekend, including ANC councillor Sicelo Mleve in Gqeberha and two candidates in Cape Town. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has warned that political killings are escalating, particularly in eThekwini. At least 10 ANC councillors have been killed in the Eastern Cape since 2022.
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