Trial date set for Yanga 'Bara' Nyalara's armed robbery case in Cape Town CBD

A trial date has been set for Yanga “Bara” Nyalara in relation to an armed robbery in the Cape Town CBD dating back eight years. 

On Thursday, 5 September 2024, Nyalara briefly appeared in the Cape Town Regional Court where he was informed his trial would commence on 11 November 2024.

Nyalara (32), from Brown’s Farm in Philippi, was recently acquitted of 12 murders related to extortion.

State prosecutor Ebrahim Adams told the court that the State had five witnesses lined up.

Nyalara’s legal representative, advocate Reuben Liddell, informed the court that his client, who remains in custody, would take the stand during the trial.

His appearance on Thursday followed an earlier court date last week in which he faced charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and the illegal possession of a firearm.

These charges stem from an eight-year-old case in Cape Town.

Read more: Acquitted Cape Town mass killing co-accused back in dock on robbery, firearm possession charges

The crime took place on 30 June 2016. According to a witness statement, Nyalara allegedly approached a victim with a firearm and stole a cellphone valued at R2,300, R1,000 in cash, and an MTN jacket near an MTN shop on Riebeek Street in St George’s Mall. The statement also claims that Nyalara was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Read more: Extortion gangs in Mother City leave a trail of dead in their wake

Nyalara’s advocate expressed uncertainty about the evidence the State would present regarding the firearm possession charge. 

“You worship, there was no firearm utilised on the scene… My instructions are that my client has nothing to do with this matter, he knows nothing about it,” Liddel stated.

 Read more: Police minister Senzo Mchunu declares war against armies of “murderous parasites’

Nyalara’s appearance was heavily secured, with seven armed police officers escorting him and positioning themselves around him and at the entrance of Court C, in contrast to his previous court appearance.

During his court appearance, Nyalara made a request to his lawyer, which Lidell announced to the court, stating: “I was informed by my client that there is a request that he be taken to Pollsmoor (Prison) now, and he wasn’t aware of that and his clothes are still at Goodwood (Prison).”

In response, Adams assured the court that he would “make the necessary arrangements” for Nyalara to get his clothes.

Magistrate Byron Pedro informed the court that Nyalara was scheduled to return to court for the beginning of his trial on 11 November 2024. Nyalara will remain in custody until his next court appearance. 

Rise in extortion