The murder of ANC ward councillor Aubrey Tsengwa in Knysna has raised fresh concerns about political violence ahead of South Africa’s local government elections.
Tsengwa, 48, was shot dead in Ngxalo Street on Wednesday night after an unknown gunman allegedly opened fire on the vehicle in which he was travelling.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said officers responded to the shooting at about 9:20pm and found Tsengwa with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and upper body. He was declared dead at the scene.
One of the three passengers travelling with Tsengwa was also wounded and taken to hospital for treatment.
The gunman reportedly fled the scene on foot and remains at large. Police have not yet established a motive for the killing.
The circumstances have prompted a warning from Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais, who said the timing of the murder was particularly concerning.
“While the exact motive of this crime is still under investigation, it must be noted that Mr Tsengwa’s murder comes at an increasingly sensitive political period as we approach the local government elections,” Marais said.
She called for vigilance against any form of political violence.
The warning comes as political parties prepare for another closely contested local government election period, putting renewed focus on the security of councillors and other public representatives.
However, authorities have not established that Tsengwa’s killing was politically motivated.
For now, investigators are working to determine who carried out the attack and why Tsengwa was targeted. The suspect has yet to be arrested.
The case is likely to face increased scrutiny as police investigate whether the councillor’s political role played any part in the shooting.