KNYSNA - A Western Cape police captain investigating the murder of former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa has been killed in a shootout with a suspect on Wednesday.
The 50-year-old Tactical Response Team officer was killed during an operation at the Sewende Laan informal settlement, where police were investigating the possession of illegal firearms.
A 38-year-old suspect was also killed in the shootout. Police recovered two firearms from the scene.
The cop's deployment to the area included probing two other political murders of Mandla Matiwane and Madla Tyololo. The two were also local ANC politicians.
Tsengwa, 48, was shot and killed on Wednesday night while reportedly on his way home in the Joodsekamp area of Knysna.
A preliminary investigation found that Tsengwa was travelling with three other people when an unknown gunman opened fire on the vehicle before fleeing on foot.
Tsengwa sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and upper body and was declared dead at the scene.
Three suspects have already appeared in court for Tsengwa's murder.