Feared Khayelitsha gang boss Yanga “Bara” Nyalara killed in Police shootout

Yanga “Bara” Nyalara, one of Khayelitsha’s most feared gang figures, was killed in a police shootout in the Eastern Cape on February 20, 2025.

Authorities intercepted two vehicles near Butterworth (Gcuwa) suspected of carrying firearms, leading to a violent confrontation that left seven suspects, including Nyalara, dead.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has since launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Nyalara was widely associated with gang violence, extortion, and multiple murders, including a 2021 mass shooting that claimed 12 lives.

Despite his reputation, legal action against him proved difficult. He was acquitted of the mass shooting charges in August 2024 due to unreliable witness testimony, and in November 2024, robbery charges were dropped after witnesses refused to testify, allegedly out of fear.

His death marks the fall of a notorious underworld figure, but whether it signals the end of his gang’s reign remains uncertain.

Authorities continue their investigations into the shootout, with more details expected to emerge in the coming days.