Four arrested after Khayelitsha protest where police Nyala was set ablaze

FOUR men are expected in court on Friday in connection with a violent service delivery protest in Thembeni and Empolweni on Wednesday evening where a police Nyala was burnt. 

The unrest erupted around 8:40pm as community members took to the streets demanding electricity, leading to chaos when a petrol bomb was reportedly thrown at a SAPS vehicle.

According to Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk, members of the Public Order Police Faure (POPS) were responding to the protest, where approximately 180 residents had gathered.

“Allegedly, the crowd was pushed back utilising a police Nyala. When the members were reversing back to Baden Powell, they noticed smoke inside the vehicle, and they jumped out of the vehicle and noticed that it was on fire. Fire and Rescue were called to extinguish the fire. The members did not sustain any injuries,” said Van Wyk.

He said the circumstances surrounding the burning of the SAPS Nyala are under investigation.

“Four adult males were arrested for attempted murder, public violence, and malicious damage to property in connection with the incident last night. The suspects are due to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates' Court on October 17. This case docket was transferred to Provincial Detectives for further investigation.”

However, community leader Bulelani Qolani rejected claims that protesters were responsible for the incident.

“On Wednesday, the officers arrived in the Nyala (commonly referred to as a hippo). They assaulted people, then they parked the hippo on a burning tyre. The police must speak the truth; they did this to the state vehicle,” he said.

“They passed by us, and they shot people. There was no engagement with the people; they just fired shots at them. They didn’t even ask where the leaders were. The protesters are young people, aged between 12 and 15 years, but four adults were arrested.”

Qolani said residents were not seeking confrontation but basic services.

Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais condemned the attack on police during the protest.

“The Western Cape, like many parts of the country, is already severely under-resourced when it comes to policing. We cannot afford to lose essential equipment that plays a vital role in ensuring public order and protecting both officers and residents in high-risk areas. Destroying these tools of safety only further undermines our collective fight against crime and lawlessness,” Marais said.

In a separate incident, on Tuesday, a bus was set alight while approximately 150 disgruntled community members staged a demonstration on Baden Powell Drive.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said: “They pelted the vehicles with stones, and in the process they set a bus alight. The police took action and dispersed the crowd. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. Makhaza police registered cases of public violence, malicious damage to property, and damage to essential infrastructure."

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile Application MySAPS anonymously.

Cape Times