Everson Luhanga
Yanga Andrey Nyalara is accused of murdering 19 people, but is a hero in Khayelitsha.
To them he is like Robin Hood, an outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor.
Nyalara, one of Cape Town’s most wanted criminals, was arrested on Friday after evading capture for months. But despite his alleged crimes, many are calling for his release.
Last month, police offered a R100,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
As well as murder, he stands accused of robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, selling drugs and attempted murder, as well as violating the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Also known as “Bara”, the notorious gangster appeared in court on Monday. Police Minister Bheki Cele was in attendance.
National police spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said that Nyalara is alleged to have played a central role in multiple killings that have taken place in the Khayelitsha township of Cape Town.
But some residents in Khayelitsha, where Nyalara comes from, consider him a hero and have vowed to support him whenever he appears in court.
Residents claim that he has been protecting them and was more effective than the police when it comes to solving crime and catching the criminals who robbed them.
The Khayelitsha community in the Site C section of Cape Town is outraged by his arrest, and are now fearful about a future without him in it.
A resident in Khayelitsha told Scrolla.Africa that Nyalara is their hero and they will support him throughout this difficult time.
“He made sure that no one gets robbed in Site C and if it happened that one was robbed, they reported to him and he made sure he got their belongings back,” they said.
“He was more effective than the police because we could always get our stolen belongings back while when we report to the police, nothing happens.”
Two months ago, the same community marched to Khayelitsha Police Station to show their solidarity with Nyalara after it emerged that he was wanted for murder.
“He has been there for us, supporting us and making sure our community is safe,” added the resident.
Nyalara was arrested following a police sting on Friday. He was caught whilst in the company of two women and a bag of drugs.
Outside court on Monday, Police Minister Cele revealed to residents that Nyalara had skipped bail in the Eastern Cape in a case involving a cash-in-transit robbery. “Nyalara has abandoned his bail, and his case was postponed to August 18, 2022,” said Cele.
