The Ministry of police has welcomed with great enthusiasm, the arrest of an alleged criminal mastermind who is alleged to have played a central role in the multiple killings that have taken place in the Khayelitsha township of Cape Town.

Yanga Endrey Nyalara also known as ‘Bara’ who has been on the run from police, wanted for a string of serious and violent crimes in the province was arrested during an intelligence driven operation on the 1st of July 2022.

The 30-year-old made his first court appearance on Monday 04 July 2022, Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele and the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile attended the court proceedings. Minister 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 Khayelistha area that has been torn by various scenes of multiple murders.” concluded Cele.

Over and above the six murder charges, Nyalara has also been charged with the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, attempted murder, robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as dealing in drugs.

The Police Ministry is also encouraged that the SAPS in the province, expect to make more arrests for crimes linked to Nyalara and that communities continue to come forward with valuable information that assists police investigations to deal decisively with crime.

Source: South African Police Service