A 50-year-old police captain has been shot and killed during an operation in Knysna, where he had been deployed as part of an investigation into the murder of former mayor and councillor Aubrey Tsengwa.
The captain, who was attached to the Western Cape provincial Tactical Response Team, was killed early on Wednesday during an integrated police operation at the Sewende Laan informal settlement on Uniondale Road.
A 38-year-old suspect was also killed during the exchange of gunfire.
Police operation turns deadly
According to police, the team was following information about illegal firearms when officers encountered the suspect.
A shootout followed, resulting in the deaths of the police captain and the 38-year-old suspect.
Police said two firearms were recovered from the suspect.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Captain was investigating Tsengwa’s murder
The officer had been deployed to Knysna as part of the investigation into the killing of former Knysna mayor and councillor Aubrey Tsengwa.
His deployment also formed part of efforts to investigate two other fatal shootings in the area.
Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo were killed in separate incidents in Knysna last week.
Investigations into those two murders are continuing.
Three suspects already in court
The latest shooting comes as the investigation into Tsengwa’s murder moves through the courts.
Three suspects have already appeared before the Knysna Magistrate’s Court in connection with the case.
Police said the suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
They were remanded in custody until 31 August, when they are expected to return to court for a formal bail application.
The investigation into Tsengwa’s killing remains ongoing.
Police commissioner mourns fallen officer
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi expressed condolences to the captain’s family, friends and colleagues following his death.
The police service said psychosocial support was being provided to members who were at the scene, as well as colleagues of the deceased officer in Cape Town.
The captain’s identity had not yet been publicly released at the time of the statement.
Knysna faces heightened security concerns
The officer’s death comes amid a series of violent incidents in the Knysna area, including the murder of Tsengwa and the separate killings of Matiwane and Tyololo.
The recovery of two firearms during Wednesday’s operation is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into illegal firearms and violence in the area.
For police, the loss of a Tactical Response Team member underscores the risks faced by officers conducting operations against armed suspects.
The investigations into the three killings, as well as the circumstances surrounding the fatal shootout, are continuing.
