Tsengwa shooting: State provisionally withdraws charges against Faleni(33)

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Developments in the ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of former Knysna executive mayor and Ward 8 councillor Aubrey Tsengwa on 19 August have resulted in the State provisionally withdrawing its charges against accused 3, Lonwabo Faleni (33).

Faleni appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 11 September, for his formal bail application.

However, the application did not proceed after State prosecutor Brandon Smith informed the court that investigations into the matter had been finalised.

Smith indicated that, in light of developments arising from the investigation, the State had decided to provisionally withdraw the charges against Faleni.

Defence attorney Bulelani Bans came on record for Faleni and confirmed to the court that he would also withdraw as Faleni’s legal representative.

Bans will continue to jointly represent accused 1, Vusumzi Gungu (46), and accused 2, Thobelani Lakhe (39), alongside defence attorney Daan Dercksen.

Lakhe and Gungu remain before court
Lakhe and Gungu also appeared briefly in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Friday in connection with the charges stemming from Tsengwa’s shooting.

Their matter was postponed for further investigation, with a possible bail application to be considered depending on the position of the defence.

Lakhe was called first in a separate matter relating to a charge of possession of suspected stolen property, for which he appeared in court three days earlier, on Tuesday, 8 September.

That matter is expected to run concurrently with the charges arising from the Tsengwa shooting, namely conspiracy to commit murder, murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Tsengwa was fatally shot in Ngxalo Street, Joodsekamp, on the evening of 19 August. Three other people who were with him at the time were also wounded.

The provisional withdrawal of charges against Faleni does not amount to an acquittal, and the State may reinstate charges should circumstances warrant it.

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