A Western Cape police captain deployed to Knysna to investigate the murder of former mayor and councillor Aubrey Tsengwa was shot dead during an operation early on Wednesday.
The 50-year-old captain, who was attached to the provincial Tactical Response Team, was part of an integrated police team following up on information about illegal firearms at the Sewende Laan informal settlement on Uniondale Road.
A 38-year-old suspect was also killed in the shootout.
Police said two firearms were found in the suspect’s possession.
The captain had been deployed to Knysna as part of investigations into Tsengwa’s murder and two other shootings in the area last week in which Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo were killed.
Three suspects have already appeared in court in connection with Tsengwa’s murder.
In a statement earlier this week, police said the three appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
They were remanded in custody until August 31 for a formal bail application.
Investigations into the murders of Matiwane and Tyololo are continuing.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi conveyed his condolences to the captain’s family and colleagues.
Police said psychosocial support was being provided to members of the team at the scene as well as the captain’s colleagues in Cape Town.
The captain’s name had not yet been released.
