Latest news with #AubreyTsengwa
The Herald
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Knysna's Ward 8 by-election trouble-free
The by-election for Knysna's Ward 8 ran smoothly on Wednesday. Special voting in the ward took place on Tuesday, followed by the by-election on Wednesday. The ward was declared vacant after councillor Aubrey Tsengwa resigned from his position in March. The Masifunde Library and Concordia High School were used as voting stations. Lindelwa Jacklens said she voted to bring stability back to the Knysna municipality. 'Not having a councillor delays us from getting services, and for councillors to make decisions in the council regarding our needs.' Six parties contested the ward — the ANC, MK party, Patriotic Alliance, Knysna Independent Movement, EFF and the Land Party. The Herald
The Herald
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Ex-mayor Tsengwa to stand for ANC in Knysna by-election
Aubrey Tsengwa has been unveiled as the Ward 8 councillor candidate in the June by-elections in Knysna. Tsengwa was the Ward 8 councillor until he resigned just three months ago. His resignation came after an investigative committee recommended his removal from office. In April 2023, the provincial local government department established an investigative committee to examine multiple allegations against former mayor Tsengwa, former deputy mayor Alberto Marbi and former council speaker Mncedisi Skosana and provide recommendations. The investigation followed a council resolution in 2022 to create seven support staff positions in the offices of Tsengwa, Marbi and Skosana. Following his resignation, Tsengwa was suspended by the party after the ANC accused him of disrupting the party's business in the ward. Tsengwa, who is the ANC's acting chair, did not inform the party before his resignation. The by-election will be held on June 25, and other candidates vying for the position include Elmarie Maxim from the Knysna Independent Movement, who used to be a DA councillor and Vuyisile Sonjani from the MK party. The PA's Magdalena Moos is also contesting alongside Thozama Mali from the Land Party and Mkululi Pasi from the EFF. Local electoral project officer Sibusiso Ntshiba said the manual candidate nomination process closed on June 2 at 5pm while online applications closed at midnight. 'This phase involved submissions from political parties and has now transitioned to the internal processes of the IEC [Independent Electoral Commission], at this point, we are unable to confirm any further details as internal verifications are still under way,' Ntshiba said. The Herald
The Herald
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
ANC meeting descends into violence, with several assault cases opened
An ANC meeting on voter registration ended violently on Sunday after a physical altercation broke out among members, leaving people injured and resulting in several cases of assault being reported to the police. Former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa resigned as the Ward 8 councillor in April. The ANC was meeting about the voter registration in Concordia ahead of the by-election on June 25. Western Cape ANC spokesperson Muhammad Khalid Sayed said the party knew of the incident. 'We met some of the provincial leaders [on Monday]. 'We have not engaged some of the regional leaders fully on what happened. 'We need to hear all sides of the story and, obviously, the authorities have the responsibility to investigate. 'We are not the police. 'We are busy with the process of getting a sense of what happened and what the politics are around it. 'Nonetheless, we condemn in the strongest of terms any thuggery done by members of the ANC or activists of the ANC or people wearing the branding of the ANC.' ANC activist Yonela Joko said she sustained an injury to her arm and reported a case of assault against Ward 7 councillor and Knysna council chief whip Mboneli Khumelwana. Joko said an argument broke out between ANC structures. It led to shouting, swearing and then a physical fight. Joko said that when trying to flee, she was allegedly kicked to the ground by Khumelwana and assaulted by two other men. 'I am still shocked. I don't remember where the councillor came from or why they decided to attack me. 'I remember fighting back, trying to survive the brutality, so I could escape to a place of safety.' Joko said that after the fight, she was taken to the Knysna Hospital 'My whole body is in pain. I arrived at the hospital with my arm dislocated.' Joko went to the police on Monday. Khumelwana denied involvement in the assault. He said when the fight broke out, he was on his cellphone. He then went and stood with another councillor. 'I am happy a case was opened. This means we will stand in court and prove our innocence. 'I also heard that a video was taken when the fight transpired. I don't know what triggered the fight. 'What I know is that we were called to attend a meeting where we were being divided into groups for a door-to-door programme.' Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said about 10 cases were reported and were being compiled. 'We will be able to confirm once all the cases have been registered.' The Herald
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
‘ANC member behind death threats on Knysna mayor'
Knysna mayor Thando Matika Image: SUPPLIED THE death threats levelled against Knysna Mayor Thando Matika in a voice note circulated in a WhatsApp group could be linked to the upcoming by-election in ward 8, following the resignation of former mayor, Aubrey Tsengwa. This is according to the ANC Victor Molosi Region in Knysna, as police confirmed they have since launched an investigation into a case of intimidation. "The matter is investigated by our Provincial Detectives Serious and Violent Crime Investigations who have already identified a suspect. Upon completion of the investigation, the docket will be submitted to the Senior Public Prosecutor to decide whether prosecution will be instituted or not. No one has been arrested yet," said police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie. According to the ANCYL Victor Molosi Region, 'disturbing' voice notes had been circulating where a 'rogue individual' makes death threats against Matika's life. 'We are aware of organised attempts by a few to destabilise Knysna. These malicious efforts aim to undermine the progress and harmony achieved by the diligent work of the Mayor and his mayoral committee, which includes dedicated leaders of the ANCYL like Deputy Regional Convener Kay Andrews. We call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate these attempts and hold accountable those who seek to disrupt the peace and prosperity of Knysna. We take these threats with the utmost seriousness. 'Notably, in recent years, a Councillor was gunned down in front of his house in Knysna. These threats must not be taken lightly. We must learn to tolerate each other even at the height of disagreements. The criminal making these threats must be arrested and should expose the others he is referring to in the circulating voice notes,' the ANC in the region said. Approached for further comment on the matter, spokesperson Moyisi Magalela said the person behind the voice note is a member but not part of leadership structures. 'We got to learn there are people who know him, who could identify him on the voice note he was sending. In the voice note he is talking about the mayor and his leadership style. It looks like he said there was an attempt before. Overall, he is saying the new mayor has big shoes to fill and questioning his leadership style. "Because of the past experience of Victor Molosi we told the mayor he must not take these things lightly. In that light he understands things are not normal and went to the police,' Magalela said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He said they intended to talk to the structures about the incident to calm things down ahead of the by-election and urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly. The municipality said they had met with police on the issue and a new date for a budget Integrated Development Plan meeting, which was scheduled to be addressed by Matika, was yet to be scheduled. 'The Knysna Municipality takes the recent security concerns very seriously. While we cannot discuss specific security protocols in the media, we can confirm that the Municipality has engaged with SAPS on this matter. The threats are deeply concerning as they not only endanger public representatives but also undermine Council's constitutional mandate and the public's right to participate in democratic processes such as the IDP and budget consultations. A new meeting date for Ward 8 must still be finalised.
