3 accused of former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa’s assassination return to court

KNYSNA NEWS - The three men accused of the assassination of former Knysna mayor and Ward 8 councillor Aubrey Tsengwa (47) appeared in Courtroom F of the Knysna Magistrate’s Court today, Monday 31 August.

Vusumzi Gungu (46), Thobelani Lakhe (39) and Lonwabo Faleni (33) face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and three counts of attempted murder.

As previously reported, Tsengwa was gunned down on Wednesday 19 August. Three other people who were with him at the time were also wounded in the shooting.

One of the victims, who was hospitalised with a gunshot wound, has since shown improvement. The police have yet to obtain a statement from him.

During today’s proceedings, joint defence representatives Bulelani Bans and Daan Dercksen came on record indicating that they would jointly represent all three the accused.

The defence further informed the court that it was conducting its own enquiries, consultations and investigations.

The matter was postponed to 11 September for a formal bail application by accused 3, Faleni.

Gungu and Lakhe have not applied for bail at this stage, and their bail applications are being held in abeyance pending the defence’s ongoing enquiries and investigations.

Read more in this week’s edition of Knysna-Plett Herald.

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The three men accused of the murder of Aubrey Tsengwa (47) are Vusumzi Gungu (46), Thobelani Lakhe (39) and Lonwabo Faleni (33). Photo: Rozano Alie