Aubrey Tsengwa Laid to Rest as Knysna Mourns Former Mayor

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Concordia on Saturday to bid farewell to Aubrey Tsengwa, the former Knysna mayor and ANC Ward 8 councillor whose life was cut short in a fatal shooting last week.

Tsengwa, 48, was laid to rest after being remembered as a community leader whose years of public service extended beyond political office.

He was shot and killed on the evening of 19 August while driving home in the Joodsekamp area of Knysna. Police said an unknown gunman approached the vehicle and opened fire, killing Tsengwa and wounding three other people who were travelling with him.

His death sent shockwaves through Knysna and prompted renewed concern about violence and political tensions in the Western Cape town.

A Life of Public Service

Tsengwa’s career in public service stretched beyond his time in elected office.

Before entering politics, he worked for the Knysna Municipality as a traffic official for many years. He later became involved in local politics and rose to become executive mayor of Knysna.

He served as executive mayor from August 2022 until February 2025.

Although his time as mayor ended following a motion of no confidence, Tsengwa returned to the municipal council in 2025 after winning the Ward 8 by-election as the ANC candidate.

His return to council reflected the support he continued to enjoy among residents in the ward.

Remembered as a Servant of the Community

Tributes following Tsengwa’s death have focused heavily on his relationship with the communities he served.

Knysna Municipality described him as a respected leader whose life was dedicated to service. Mayor Thando Matika said Tsengwa’s contribution to the municipality extended beyond party politics and that he had given himself to his community.

Those sentiments were echoed at Saturday’s funeral, where hundreds of mourners gathered in Concordia to pay their final respects.

For many residents, Tsengwa’s story was closely connected to the communities he represented and the challenges facing people in the area.

Murder Investigation Continues

While the funeral provided an opportunity for family, friends, colleagues and community members to mourn, the investigation into Tsengwa’s death continues.

Three people have appeared in court in connection with his murder, with the matter postponed to 31 August. The state is opposing bail.

Police have not publicly established a motive for the killing.

The circumstances surrounding Tsengwa’s death have also attracted heightened attention because two other men — former ANC councillor Mandla Matiwane and taxi industry figure Mandla Tyololo — were killed in separate shootings in Knysna the following day.

The series of killings has raised concerns about violence in the town, while authorities continue to investigate whether there are connections between the cases.

A Community Left to Grieve

The killing has left Knysna confronting difficult questions about safety, leadership and violence.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais condemned Tsengwa’s killing and called for those responsible to be identified, arrested and brought to justice. She also warned about the sensitivity of the political environment ahead of the local government elections.

The investigation has itself come under tragic circumstances. A Western Cape police captain who had been deployed to Knysna as part of the investigation into Tsengwa’s murder was killed in a shootout with a suspect on 26 August.

The developments have added another layer of concern to an already deeply troubled situation.

Remembering Tsengwa

For those who knew Aubrey Tsengwa, however, his final chapter is not defined solely by the circumstances of his death.

It is also the story of a man who spent years serving his community, first as a municipal employee and later as a councillor and mayor.

His funeral on Saturday brought together hundreds of people who came to honour that contribution and stand alongside his family during a painful period.

As the investigation continues and the court process unfolds, the people of Knysna are left to mourn a local leader whose life ended violently but whose years of public service will remain part of the town’s history.

Aubrey Tsengwa was laid to rest on Saturday, but the questions surrounding his death — and the wider violence affecting Knysna — remain.