Yanga “Bara” Nyalara, a notorious figure linked to gang violence, extortion, and numerous murders in Khayelitsha, was reportedly killed in a police shootout on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in the Eastern Cape.
The incident occurred near Butterworth (Gcuwa) when law enforcement received reports about two vehicles suspected of transporting firearms.
According to reports, seven individuals, including Nyalara, were shot dead during the confrontation.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has initiated an investigation to ascertain the details surrounding the event.
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Nyalara was widely feared in Khayelitsha and associated with various violent offences, including a mass shooting in 2021 that resulted in 12 fatalities.
Unreliable witness testimonies led to his acquittal from those charges in August 2024. In November 2024, the dismissal of robbery charges against him occurred when witnesses, purportedly fearing for their safety, declined to testify.
His death signifies the removal of a significant criminal influence in the area; however, authorities are still examining the circumstances of the shootout as of February 21, 2025.
