POLICE say alleged extortion kingpin Yanga 'Bara' Nyalara had been on their radar over a number of crimes that allegedly implicated him.
This follows a video circulating on social media where the now slain Nyalara is seen leaving what appears to be a meeting with taxi bosses in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape hours before he and six heavily armed men were killed following a shoot out with police last week.
“No one has come forward to Cofimvaba Police Station to lodge a criminal complaint on allegations of extortion. Eastern Cape Police were investigating allegations and following information on incidents that implicated him. Police investigation is still underway,” said Eastern Cape police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa.
In another video, Nyalara was seen exiting the Cofimvaba police station where it was claimed that he had received preferential treatment.
To this Mawisa said: “Any community member is treated with respect and dignity in our SAPS frontline desk, and no preferential treatment is given to anyone, as all our citizens are equal.”
She said Nyalara had been at the police station for an affidavit.
Separately, Western Cape police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said all pending cases in the province linked to Nyalara would be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“The cases that he has been acquitted in court are considered to be finalised. All cases pending against him will be referred to the court/NPA for decisions,” Van Wyk said.
The NPA said they needed confirmation of death before they could make a decision.
“The process is that the State waits for confirmation of the passing away of an accused, receive a death certificate and make a decision on the docket. That decision gets taken to court and the matter the accused faces gets formally withdrawn,” NPA Western Cape spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila said.
Nyalara was killed while he had been travelling along the N2 near Ndabakazi, in Butterworth with his heavily armed bodyguards when when operatives from the National Intervention Unit (NIU) tried to stop and search them. The two vehicles were suspected of carrying unlicensed firearms. However, the vehicles sped off, leading to a high-speed chase from Tsomo to the N2 near Mission A/A.
“During the chase, the NIU attempted to stop the Fortuners, but one vehicle collided with the NIU vehicles and opened fire. The police returned fire, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including Nyalara,” a police report stated.
Nyalara was released from prison on November 26, 2024, after spending two years in jail in connection with the murder of 18 people. He was acquitted July last year. The prosecution alleged that he and his co-defendant, Wanda Tofile, orchestrated a massacre in Site B, Khayelitsha, in a revenge attack on May 15, 2021. According to reports, Nyalara had been extorting taxi associations, charging them up to R2 000 a week.
He was also held for the alleged execution of six people in Site C. Charges against him were eventually withdrawn, including a business robbery at an MTN store in Cape Town CBD.
Last week, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said they had received numerous messages from concerned communities regarding Nyalara.
“They were afraid of him and are now relieved he is gone, which means well done to the police. The officers were pushed off the road. It’s shocking how daring these criminals can be.”
Cape Times