Cape Town - The Western Cape’s most wanted man, Yanga Nyalara, who is facing 12 counts of murders for an apparent reign of terror in Khayelitsha will no longer be sharing the dock alone but rather with two co-accused.
The two men, Wandile Tofile and Manelisi Ngumla, joined Nyalara in the dock today at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that Nyalara, dubbed “Bara”, together with Tofile, is charged with 12 murders, four attempted murders, and one count of the illegal possession of a firearm.
Nyalara was arrested last month in Bothasig after a massive manhunt was launched for his arrest, with police offering a R100 000 reward.
He was found inside a house with two other suspects, aged 21 and 28, who were allegedly found in possession of tik and mandrax valued at R90 000.
Police claim Nyalara’s crime spree started in Cape Town in 2016, where he was involved in a business robbery, and is wanted on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition, which were committed between 2018 and 2022 in Khayelitsha.
Nyalara was also sought for a cash-in-transit robbery perpetrated in Libode in the Eastern Cape in 2018.
According to his charge sheet, Nyalara is a resident of Brown’s Farm in Philippi and is 30-years-old.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “The Cape Town Magistrate’s Court added Wandile Tofile and Manelisi Ngumla as co-accused to the cases against Yanga Nyalara, initially charged alone with twelve counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, a count of illegal possession of a firearm and a count of illegal possession of ammunition.
“The State alleges that the two went on a shooting spree, which left Gavin Futho, Mzingisi Mbilini, Mohamed Hassan, Mandlakayise Simelane, Thabiso Simelane, Asemahle Mayekiso, Epgalenga Bathani, Thembile Lemani, Siphiwe Azora, Ahamed Abulla, Alukar Osmar and Omar Osman dead.
“Badru Mohamed, Lundi Manyandela, Bulelwa Mlandu and Bonga Maguganzi survived the shooting, resulting in the attempted murder charges against the accused.”
Ntabazalila said the State was set to prove that the duo had allegedly created a criminal enterprise to apparently extort businesses in the Khayelitsha community.
He detailed: “Nyalara and Tofile are also charged under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 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.”
Ntabazalila said Ngumla’s alleged role with Nyalara was that they were charged for the six murders of Khayalethu Nelani, Athenkosi Bonkolo, Mthokozisi Mhlakaza, Asanda Nofemela, Sivuyile Lubobo and Fundisile Mxhonywa.
The fatal incident took place on May 8, in Site C, Khayelitsha.
“Lwandiso Singama survived the shooting, and the accused are charged with his attempted murder,” he further stated.
“They also face two counts of illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of ammunition and dealing in drugs.”
Senior State Advocate Mervyn Menigo made a request for a postponement in the matter due to the extensive investigation that was outstanding, which included forensic reports, fingerprint comparison, cellphone analysis, drug analysis and ballistic reports.
Advocate Phindile Moses Vephile, who represented the defence, said he did not oppose the State’s request for a postponement.
The case was remanded to October 4.
All the accused have since abandoned their right to a bail application for now.