CRIME SCENE: Knysna, Southern Cape: The senseless killings are continuing unabated in this pristine and once peaceful holiday town.

The latest victim is a police captain whose death has left his colleagues in the Western Cape in shock.

The captain was killed in the early hours of Wednesday, 26 August 2026 in a shootout with a suspect during an operation in Knysna.

The 50-year-old captain 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, Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo,  in separate shooting incidents last week.

At the time of the captain’s death, the SAPS integrated team was executing an operation following up on information about illegal firearms at the Sewende Laan informal settlement on Uniondale Road. 

The 38-year-old suspect also died in the shootout. Two firearms were found in his possession.

According to the South African Police Services (SAPS) psychosocial support is currently being provided to the police team at the scene, as well as to the captain’s colleagues in Cape Town.

Three suspects appeared in court for Tsengwa’s murder, with investigations ongoing into the murders of Matiwane and Tyololo.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi, has conveyed condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased police official.