Western Cape police are reeling following the death of a police captain who was killed during a shootout with a suspect in Knysna in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 26 August 2026).
The 50-year-old captain, attached to the Provincial Tactical Response Team, was deployed to the area as part of ongoing investigations into the murder of Knysna councillor and former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, as well as two other fatal shooting incidents reported last week.
At the time of the incident, an integrated SAPS team was conducting an operation at the Sewende Laan informal settlement on Uniondale Road, following up on information relating to illegal firearms.
A shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of the police captain and a 38-year-old suspect. Two firearms were recovered from the suspect.
Psychosocial support is being provided to members of the SAPS team who were at the scene, as well as to the captain's colleagues in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, three suspects have already appeared in court in connection with Tsengwa's murder, while investigations into the killings of Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo remain ongoing.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi has conveyed her condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen police officer.
The 50-year-old captain, attached to the Provincial Tactical Response Team, was deployed to the area as part of ongoing investigations into the murder of Knysna councillor and former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, as well as two other fatal shooting incidents reported last week.
At the time of the incident, an integrated SAPS team was conducting an operation at the Sewende Laan informal settlement on Uniondale Road, following up on information relating to illegal firearms.
A shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of the police captain and a 38-year-old suspect. Two firearms were recovered from the suspect.
Psychosocial support is being provided to members of the SAPS team who were at the scene, as well as to the captain's colleagues in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, three suspects have already appeared in court in connection with Tsengwa's murder, while investigations into the killings of Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo remain ongoing.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi has conveyed her condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen police officer.