Day: August 20, 2026

Minister Marais Condemns Killing of Former Knysna Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais has condemned the killing of former Knysna mayor and ANC ward councillor Aubrey Tsengwa.

Tsengwa was shot and killed in Knysna on Wednesday evening, 19 August 2026.

Marais extended her condolences to Tsengwa’s family, friends and colleagues, describing the killing as “brutal” and “senseless”.
“I strongly condemn this brutal, senseless killing,” Marais said.

She welcomed the deployment of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit to investigate the murder.

“Every possible avenue must be followed so that those responsible can be identified, arrested, and brought to justice,” she said.

Marais said the motive for the killing remains under investigation, but warned that Tsengwa’s murder comes during an increasingly sensitive political period ahead of the local government elections.

“We must be vigilant against any form of political violence,” she said.

Marais added that she would closely monitor the progress of the investigation.

SA Agulhas II arrives safely at Marion Island

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The SA Agulhas II has arrived safely at Marion Island, where a 32-member team is working to reactivate the research base following the evacuation of the previous team earlier this year.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister David Maynier said significant progress had already been made to restore the base through careful coordination and cooperation between all stakeholders.

“While there is still much work to be done, the efficient redeployment of the Marion Island team bodes well for the future of our research programme in the region,” Maynier said in a statement on Thursday.

The team departed Cape Town on 5 August 2026 and reached Marion Island on 9 August to begin an initial inspection of the base.
It includes 20 officials from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), who landed on 10 August to begin reactivating the facility.

The operation has involved transporting equipment, repair materials and essential supplies from the vessel to the island by helicopter.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said cargo offloading would continue over the coming week. If there are no delays, the formal takeover of the base by the M83 team is scheduled for 25 August.

Maynier stressed the strategic importance of research conducted at Marion Island, noting that the Southern Ocean has a direct impact on South Africa’s climate, economy and security.

“We must retain our position as Africa’s leader in Southern Ocean and Antarctic research, through careful management of our bases on Marion Island and Antarctica,” he said.

Former Knysna Mayor killed

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Former Knysna executive mayor and current ANC Ward 8 councillor Aubrey Tsengwa has been killed in a shooting in Knysna.

Police have launched a murder investigation, along with three cases of attempted murder, following the attack in Ngxalo Street in Joodsekamp at approximately 9.20pm on Wednesday, 19 August.

According to police, Tsengwa was travelling home with three other people when an unidentified gunman approached and opened fire. The suspect fled the scene afterwards.

Tsengwa, who was behind the wheel at the time of the attack, sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.

The three other occupants were injured and transported to a medical facility for treatment.

Police have not yet established a motive for the shooting, and the investigation is continuing.

Tsengwa served as executive mayor of Knysna from August 2022 until February 2025. He was removed from office after a motion of no confidence against him was passed.

He returned to the Knysna Municipal Council in June 2025 after being elected as the ANC's Ward 8 councillor in a by-election.

Tributes have since begun pouring in following his death.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS mobile application.

Western Cape Government brings Rental Housing Tribunal services closer to Garden Route residents

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht

The Western Cape Government has expanded access to rental housing support in the Garden Route with the launch of two new Rental Housing Tribunal offices in George and Oudtshoorn.

Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers officially launched the offices on Monday, 17 August, bringing the number of local, free and professional rental housing advisory and dispute-resolution services in the Southern Cape to four.

The new offices mean residents no longer need to travel hundreds of kilometres to Cape Town to access administrative justice and assistance with rental-related disputes.

Operating under the Rental Housing Act, the offices will provide tenants and landlords with guidance on their rights and responsibilities, face-to-face advice, early dispute-resolution support and formal referrals to the Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Simmers said the initiative is aimed at making government services more accessible while promoting a fair, transparent and stable rental market.

“Today is about much more than opening government offices. It is about bringing government closer to the people.”

The expansion comes as rapid economic and population growth in the Garden Route continues to drive demand for well-regulated rental housing. The new offices will help communities better understand their rights and responsibilities, resolve disputes earlier and support safe, lawful and dignified living conditions.

The George and Oudtshoorn offices complement the fully operational Rental Housing Tribunal office in Mossel Bay and the recently launched office in Bitou, further strengthening access to rental housing services across the region.

Minister Simmers stressed that the Tribunal’s role is not to favour either landlords or tenants, but to ensure a balanced rental environment.

“Responsible property owners must feel secure in their investments, while tenants must be treated with dignity and fairness.”

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure says it will continue working to decentralise advisory and dispute-resolution services across municipalities, bringing government support closer to communities while strengthening housing stability and access to justice for both landlords and tenants.
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