Kasi’s most feared man killed in hail of bullets!
RESIDENTS of Site C in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, are experiencing mixed emotions.
This follows the death of Yanga “Bara” Nyalara, an alleged protection fee kingpin.
Yanga was allegedly killed during a shootout with cops in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape on Thursday, 20 February.
A picture circulating on social media shows a heavily wounded man sitting in front of a Toyota Fortuner steering, and the victim is believed to be Yanga.
Yanga was recently released from prison in November 2024 after he was acquitted of 12 counts of murder.
The acquittal came after some of the state witnesses were murdered in some unclear circumstances while others refused to testify as they feared for their lives.
Yanga’s death has caused distress among residents of Site C, who believed he had reduced crime in their area.
“Before his arrest, when he was controlling our area, he opened several car washes around and gave jobs to amaphara that were tormenting us. We used to get robbed, but with his interventions, the robberies ended.
“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,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
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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.
A community leader from Site C said Bara was a necessary evil in their kasi.
“We don’t condone criminality, but whatever he was doing brought peace in our kasi. 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,” said the community leader.
Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said six armed suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with police on N2 near Ndabakazi outside Butterworth.
“The incident occurred on Thursday, 20 February 2025, at about 2pm.
“Members attached to the National Intervention unit operationalized after they received information about two vehicles with firearms driving from Cofimvaba,” Mawisa said.
She said cops spotted the vehicles next to Cofimvaba and attempted to stop them.
“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.
“On investigation, six people were fatally wounded, and firearms were recovered on their vehicles,” said Mawisa.
Mawisa said another body was found at the banks of the nearby river on Friday, 21 February.
She added that the case has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) for further investigation.
Ipid spokesman Phaladi Shuping confirmed that they are actively investigating the matter.
“Ipid is investigating a case of “Death as a result of Police action” following a shootout between police officers and an alleged armed gang on Thursday, 20 February 2025, near Butterworth in the Eastern Cape.
“The Ipid team combed the crime scene yesterday afternoon, 20 February 2025, until the early hours of this morning, 21 February 2025. IPID’s investigation is underway,” Shuping.
