Staff Reporter.
The national police ministry has praised the investigative work and high-level SAPS operations that led to the arrest of the Western Cape’s most wanted man.
Last month, police in the Western Cape offered a R100 000 reward for any information that led to the successful arrest and prosecution of Yanga Endrey Nyalara.
Nyalara, also known as “Bara”, was wanted for a string of serious and violent crimes, including multiple killings in Khayelitsha.
He’s considered Cape Town’s ‘Most Wanted’ criminal and he’s managed to evade the cops for some time.
But now time’s up for multiple murder suspect Nyalara who has made his first appearance in court following his arrest in Bothasig last month.
He was wanted on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault and possession of unlicensed firearms – crimes he allegedly committed between 2018 and this year in Khayelitsha.
Police said Nyalara was also wanted for a cash-in-transit robbery in Libode in the Eastern Cape in 2018.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Nyalara faced 18 counts of murder.
“Yanga Nyalara, also known as Bara, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court this morning. He is facing 31 charges which include 18 counts of murder, attempted murders, illegal possession of firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and dealing/ possession of drugs.
Police Minister Bheki Cele attended the court proceedings on Monday and told reporters Nyalara was nabbed in Bothasig.
Cele praised the investigative work and police operations that led to the high profile arrest.
“Police have done a good job putting this man – who thought he could live without impunity – behind bars. This arrest will gain us some ground in our efforts to fight crime in the province. We believe the arrest of ‘Bara’ will solve many other cases going forward, especially in the Khayelitsha area that has been torn by various scenes of multiple murders.”