GCUWA, Eastern Cape – Yanga "Bara" Nyalara, the notorious extortion kingpin and taxi boss who instilled fear in the Cape Town township of Khayelitsha, has been killed in a deadly shootout with police in the Eastern Cape.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon near Ndabakazi village outside Butterworth (Gcuwa), has triggered mixed reactions, with some residents celebrating his demise while others lament the loss of a figure they believed brought a semblance of order to their community.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shootout, which resulted in the deaths of seven suspects, including Nyalara.
According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, officers from the National Intervention Unit (NIU) received intelligence about two vehicles carrying suspected illegal firearms travelling from Cofimvaba towards Gcuwa (Butterworth). Cofimvaba is Nyalara's hometown.
"Police spotted the vehicles next to Cofimvaba and attempted to stop them," Mawisa said. "The suspects sped off, and a chase ensued, and a backup was called to assist in the chase. While they were between Ndabakazi and Butterworth, the alleged suspects shot at the police, who then retaliated."
The high-speed chase culminated in a fierce exchange of gunfire on the N2 highway near Ndabakazi. Six suspects were initially reported dead at the scene. However, a seventh body was later discovered by the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue team in a nearby river, where the suspect had apparently attempted to escape after being shot.
At the release of the quarterly crime statistics, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed Nyalara's death, saying: "The answer is yes [he was killed]. The police were pushed off the road and tried to stop those cars, but the occupants opened fire, and officers returned fire."
He added that a traditional leader from the Eastern Cape had been previously forced off the road by the suspects.
A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Nyalara's identity, stating: "They have been on [the] police radar for some time. They were travelling with a vehicle with no registration plates. The NIU (National Intervention Unit) tried to stop the car, but they (the suspects) decided to shoot first. I am sure it was because they were out of options. The car had firearms."
Following the shootout, police recovered several firearms from the suspects' vehicles, including four AK-47 rifles and two pistols.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said that investigators combed the crime scene from Thursday afternoon into the early hours of Friday morning. "IPID's investigation is under way," she said.
For residents of Site C in Khayelitsha, Nyalara's death has evoked a range of emotions. While some are relieved to see the end of his reign of terror, others remember him as a figure who brought a degree of stability to their community.
"Before his arrest, when he was controlling our area, he opened several car washes around and gave jobs to amaphara that were tormenting us," said one resident who wished to remain anonymous. "We used to get robbed, but with his interventions, the robberies ended."
The resident added: "Even when he was released in November last year, our kasi became quiet again. Lots of people are sad that he was killed. I was one of the people who marched to the cop shop three years ago demanding that cops leave Bara alone."
A community leader from Site C echoed these sentiments, describing Nyalara as a "necessary evil."
"We don't condone criminality, but whatever he was doing brought peace in our kasi," the community leader said. "When he was in jail, kids were shot inside a barbershop, but if he was out by that time, it wouldn't have happened. As residents, we welcome anything that helps us."
However, not everyone shares this view. Nyalara was no stranger to law enforcement, having been arrested more than 20 times on charges ranging from murder and attempted murder to rape, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, extortion, and robbery.
In November 2024, robbery charges against him were withdrawn after two key witnesses refused to testify, citing fears for their lives. He was also accused of involvement in a 2016 armed robbery at an MTN store in Cape Town.
In August 2024, Nyalara and co-accused Wandile Tofile were acquitted of charges related to a 2021 mass shooting in Khayelitsha, where 12 people were killed and six others wounded. The court ruled the sole witness in that case was unreliable.
The death of Yanga "Bara" Nyalara marks the end of a controversial chapter in the history of Khayelitsha. While some celebrate his demise, others mourn the loss of a figure who, despite his criminal activities, brought a sense of security to their community. The IPID investigation will hopefully shed light on the circumstances surrounding his death and bring closure to this complex and multifaceted story.
A resident from Cofimvaba who encountered Bara on Tuesday, 18 February, said the street he was walking on was cleared, with only him and his heavily armed bodyguards using it.
"People were just scared of him because we never saw such a thing in our area," said the woman.
She said when he was shot, Bara, who was also a taxi owner, had a meeting with taxi owners at a community hall.
