Former Mkhondo Local Municipality mayor Vusi Motha and his co-accused will remain in custody until their next court appearance.
They appeared before the Piet Retief Magistrates court on Tuesday following their arrest on Monday in connection with the killing of Councillor Sbonelo Ntshangase and two other people.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mpumalanga police confirmed the two, aged 43 and 52 were arrested on Monday and during their arrest, an automatic rifle with ammunition was confiscated and they were both charged with unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Police also confirmed that other firearms and ammunition alleged to be owned by a certain security company were confiscated and the matter is still under investigation.
Ntshangase (36), Sizwe Mbingo (40) and Sandile Khumalo (51) were shot dead at about 8 pm in Longhomes Township, Mpumalanga.
Police say the councilor and his mechanic were dropped off by a friend who was driving a bakkie when three gunmen suddenly opened fire at them and fled the scene.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said Mbingo who was in the car died at the scene while the other two died in hospital.
Mohlala said two other people were taken for questioning and could also be possibly faced with other charges.
A video of the late Councillor where he names those behind the murder of politicians in the province and those he claimed would will kill him has been widely circulated on social media platforms https://twitter.com/MgodoyiR/status/1615264995197210627.
Ntshangase is the second councilor to be killed in a space of two months. Another councilor Muzi Mnyathi was killed in November.
On Saturday the Ntshangase family spokesperson Sibusiso Nyembe said they were aware of the attempts to kill the councilor, but they were not expecting it to happen so soon.
He said the family believe the killing was politically motivated because Ntshangase was active in politics and in fighting corruption, describing him as a selfless leader.
The suspects are expected to return to court on Tuesday.