Two more join city’s ‘most wanted’ man

TWO more people have been included in cases involving the Western Cape’s most wanted man, Yanga “Bara” Nyalara.

Nyalara returned to the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday, this time along with co-accused Wandile Tofile.

Initially Nyalara was charged alone with 12 counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, a count of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

The State alleged Nyalara and Tofile went on a shooting spree in May 2021 in Site B, Khayelitsha.

The court heard that Tofile was also abandoning his bail bid.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “Nyalara and Tofile are also charged under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca), as they were prominent members of a gang that engaged in a range of criminal activities which include extortion of informal businesses around Khayelitsha and committing violent criminal acts, by instilling fear among the owners of the informal businesses to induce them to pay money to the gang.

“They also eliminated competing gangs who are also engaging in extortion in the area.”

Their case was postponed until October 4.

State advocate Mervyn Menigo said the investigation was extensive, comprising forensic reports, fingerprint comparison, cellphone analysis, drug analysis and ballistic reports.

Then the court heard there was another co-accused, Manelisi Ngumla, who later also appeared in relation to some of the charges.

Nyalara and Ngumla are charged with attempted murder and six counts of murder that happened this year on May 8 in Site C, Khayelitsha.

Ntabazalila said the two were also charged with illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of ammunition and dealing in drugs.

Nyalara’s family, joined by some Khayelitsha residents, yesterday staged a protest outside the court calling for him to be released, claiming he was “innocent and crime is out of control now that he has been unlawfully arrested.”