Cape Town – Police have launched a murder investigation after Mbhashe Local Municipality councillor Ernest Fipaza, 63, was shot dead at his homestead in Dutywa, Eastern Cape, on Friday evening.
Fipaza was killed at his home in Bende locality, Taleni Administrative Area, on 23 October, after an argument with two unidentified suspects who allegedly arrived at the property at about 7.30pm.
“The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata has condemned the fatal shooting of a Mbhashe Local Municipality councillor in Dutywa on Friday evening, 23 October 2026, and has announced the deployment of maximum resources to augment the local investigation team,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.
According to police, the confrontation escalated into a physical altercation before one of the suspects allegedly drew a firearm and shot Fipaza.
“The suspects pointed firearms at the victim’s son and demanded the deceased’s firearm,” SAPS said.
The suspects were reportedly shown a safe, which they broke open, but they did not find a firearm before fleeing the scene.
Police have opened a murder case, with an additional charge of house robbery. The suspects remain at large.
A task team from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Investigation Unit has been assigned to investigate the killing.
Anyone with information that could assist police in tracking down the suspects is urged to contact the investigating team leader on 071 475 2292.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
