2 accused in alleged Tsengwa murder plot back in court in December

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - The case of conspiracy to commit murder against Vusumzi Gungu (46) and Thobelani Lakhe (39) has been postponed to 10 December for further investigation.

Gungu and Lakhe briefly appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court today, Monday 26 October, and remain in custody.

They are accused of involvement in the alleged conspiracy to assassinate former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, who was shot dead on 19 August.

The matter was postponed alongside a separate case stemming from the accused’s arrests. Both cases are scheduled for screening by the regional court’s control prosecutor on 10 December.

Lakhe faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and three counts of attempted murder. An additional charge relating to allegedly stolen property involving a Volkswagen Polo was enrolled against him on Tuesday 8 September, ahead of the anticipated bail application of his co-accused, Lonwabo Faleni (33). However, the State withdrew its charges against Faleni on 11 September.

Gungu was arrested and charged on 16 September in connection with an alleged stolen property incident dating back to May 2024.

As previously reported, Lakhe and Gungu’s bail applications remain in abeyance. Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether the murders of Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo on 20 August are linked to Tsengwa’s killing or the fatal shootout on 26 August that claimed the life of Tactical Response Team Captain Zamani Mzayiya.

Although the cases stemming from the arrests are being heard jointly, they remain separate proceedings. The accused remain in custody as the investigations continue.

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