Police have arrested a 37-year-old man accused of masterminding the murder of Democratic Alliance ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday during a joint operation involving the Serious Violent Crime Investigation unit and the Special Task Force.
Police also seized a vehicle allegedly used in the crime and seven cellphones.
The man was expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 27 July, on charges of murder and extortion.
The two gunmen who allegedly carried out the shooting remain at large.
Candidate killed after voter drive
Dyokwe, 48, was shot dead in Dunoon, Cape Town, on 20 June.
She had been returning from a voter registration drive ahead of the November local government elections.
After dropping off fellow DA volunteers, two armed men approached her vehicle and opened fire.
Dyokwe suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
DA Cape Town Metro regional chairperson JP Smith said her family welcomed news of the arrest.
He described the killing as “a real dagger” for both Dyokwe’s relatives and the party.
Extortion investigated as possible motive
Before her death, Dyokwe reported receiving alleged extortion threats.
In an affidavit submitted in February, she claimed seven men had demanded protection fees from her.
Smit disputed reports that Dyokwe had stopped paying extortion money, saying she had consistently told him she had never paid protection fees.
He said the DA had shared possible leads with police after the murder, but stressed that these were theories rather than confirmed motives.
The lines of inquiry included alleged extortion activity, Dyokwe’s former boyfriend and complaints involving a mental health and substance abuse facility.
Other election killings under investigation
The DA previously offered a R50 000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
However, Smith said he did not believe the reward had contributed to the arrest.
Dyokwe was one of three political figures killed during the first voter registration weekend.
ANC councillor Sicelo Mleve was shot dead in Gqeberha, while Build One South Africa candidate Leon Ngcikwe was killed in Gugulethu.
Two men have been charged in Mleve’s case.
No arrests have been announced in connection with Ngcikwe’s murder.