Yanga “Bara” Nyarala, once feared as one of the most notorious figures in Khayelitsha and the broader Cape Town area, has been released from custody following a significant development in his robbery case. The 32-year-old former teacher had been awaiting trial for a 2016 robbery at St George’s Mall in the Cape Town CBD, where he allegedly stole a phone worth R2,300, R1,000 in cash, and an MTN jacket, in addition to possessing an unlicensed firearm. However, on the eve of his trial, the case hit a major setback when four key witnesses in the case refused to testify, citing fears for their safety. This left the prosecution with little choice but to withdraw the charges, ultimately leading to Bara’s release from jail.
Bara’s legal troubles have been ongoing, following his earlier acquittal in August 2024 on charges related to the brutal murder of 12 people in an extortion-linked mass killing. Although he was cleared of those charges, he remained in custody due to the pending robbery trial. The robbery trial had been delayed multiple times, with the most recent delay occurring on 11 November 2024, when only one of the five scheduled witnesses showed up to court. The prosecutor’s request for another postponement was contested by Bara’s lawyer, Rueben Liddell, who argued that his client had already spent too much time behind bars without resolution, calling for the matter to be struck off the roll entirely.
Magistrate Byron Pedro, however, refused to strike the case from the roll and ordered that the trial be postponed to 26 and 27 November. Despite this, the trial hit another roadblock when witnesses again failed to testify, citing fears for their lives, which ultimately led to the charges being dropped. Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Western Cape, confirmed that the withdrawal of the charges was due to the witnesses’ reluctance to testify. This marked a dramatic turn in the case, with Bara walking free after a long period of uncertainty.
Bara’s rise to notoriety in Khayelitsha has sparked both fear and admiration. While many saw him as a ruthless figure, involved in various criminal activities, others viewed him as a protector of his community. Following his arrest in July 2022, after being apprehended in Bothasig while in bed with two women, local residents rallied behind him, demanding his release. They described him as a local “crime fighter,” crediting him with reducing robberies and murders in the area, particularly in Site C, where he allegedly took a more direct approach to crime control than the police. Some even claimed that his efforts included running car washes that kept local criminals occupied and diverted them from illegal activities.
The murder charges against Bara were also mired in controversy. Along with his co-accused, Wanda “Mampintsha” Tofile, Bara was accused of orchestrating a series of killings in May 2021 linked to extortion, but both men were acquitted. The case against them collapsed after the only remaining witness’s testimony was deemed inconsistent and unreliable. Tragically, two of the other witnesses in the case died under suspicious circumstances. The acquittal further fueled Bara’s local following, with some community members believing the justice system had failed to deliver a fair verdict.
Bara’s legal saga has become emblematic of the complex dynamics within South Africa’s communities, where some view individuals like him as both criminals and heroes. While the state and law enforcement may have failed to secure a conviction in his robbery case, the community’s sentiments remain divided. As a former police minister, Bheki Cele, attended Bara’s first court appearance, it was evident that his case had drawn significant public attention. Whether seen as a criminal or a community leader, Bara’s story is far from over, and his influence in the streets of Khayelitsha remains undeniable.
