Former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa shot dead in Joodsekamp
Former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa was shot and killed in Joodsekamp, South Africa, on Wednesday night. Police are investigating the motive behind the attack, which also left a passenger in his vehicle wounded.
Why it matters
The assassination of a political figure highlights ongoing concerns regarding political violence and safety in local South African governance.
Knysna ward councillor and former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa was shot dead on Wednesday night.
Tsengwa represented ward 8, covering Concordia and Joodsekamp, and was Knysna's executive mayor from August 2022 until February 2025.
Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg said officers were called to Ngxalo Street in Joodsekamp at about 9.20pm and found the 48-year-old with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and upper body.
Twigg said a gunman walked up to the vehicle and opened fire before running off.
"According to preliminary information, the councillor was driving a vehicle with three passengers when they were approached by an unknown man who opened fire on the vehicle before fleeing the scene on foot," Twigg said.
"One of the passengers sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was transported to hospital for medical treatment."
Twigg said no one had been arrested and the motive was not immediately known.
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