A South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Response Team captain and a 38-year-old suspect have been killed in a shootout during an overnight operation in Knysna.
The 50-year-old police captain was part of an integrated team investigating a string of shootings, including the killing of former Knysna mayor and councillor Aubrey Tsengwa.
The deadly confrontation happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning as police followed up information about illegal firearms at the Sewende Laan informal settlement along Uniondale Road.
Knysna Shootout During Illegal Firearms Operation
Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the deaths and said the captain had been deployed to the area as part of the investigations into Tsengwa’s murder and two other killings reported separately last week.
“The captain, aged 50, was attached to the provincial Tactical Response Team and deployed in the area as part of investigations into the murder of councillor and former mayor of Knysna, Aubrey Tsengwa, as well as two others in separate shooting incidents last week,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa.
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Potelwa said the operation was based on information concerning illegal firearms at the informal settlement.
The suspect, aged 38, was also killed during the exchange of gunfire.
Police recovered two firearms from the suspect.
“Psychosocial support is currently provided to the SAPS team on the scene as well as colleagues of the captain in Cape Town,” Potelwa added.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi has sent condolences to the police captain’s family and colleagues.
Firoz Cachalia Visits Knysna After Political Killings
The latest shooting comes days after Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia visited Knysna on 25 August following the murders of Tsengwa and two other people in separate incidents.
Tsengwa was shot dead in Joodsekamp on 19 August while travelling with passengers.
During his visit, Cachalia received a briefing from SAPS and met with local leaders following the killings.
Four Suspects Arrested In Tsengwa Murder Case
Police have confirmed that four suspects are in custody and face charges of conspiracy to murder Tsengwa.
Their bail hearings are scheduled to take place this week.
Investigations into the deaths of Mandla Tyololo and Mandla Matiwane are continuing.
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Cachalia offered condolences to the families of those killed and commended police for following up on information linked to the cases.
The acting minister stressed that the state has a duty to ensure justice and restore trust in Knysna.
