Eastern Cape Municipality suspends liquor sales ahead of Yanga Bara Nyalara’s funeral

Eastern Cape Municipality suspends liquor sales ahead of Yanga Bara Nyalara’s funeral! An Eastern Cape municipality has announced a temporary suspension of alcohol sales ahead of the funeral of alleged extortion kingpin Yanga Bara Nyalara, citing security concerns.

Intsika Yethu Municipality, in coordination with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProJOC), has imposed restrictions on liquor licences during the burial and traditional ceremony that follows.

According to an official municipal notice, all liquor outlets will cease operations on 1 March, the day of the funeral, and 8 March, the date of the traditional ceremony. Taverns and liquor stores will be allowed to operate but must close early on 2 March and 9 March at 12 p.m.

Municipal and Police Response to Safety Concerns

The municipality emphasized that the decision was made in collaboration with law enforcement to maintain public order.

“Intsika Yethu Local Municipality, together with its external stakeholders, the South African Police Service and ProJOC, advises that all liquor outlets temporarily suspend business operations on Saturday, 1 March, and 8 March 2025 due to security concerns at Intsika Yethu Municipality,” the statement read.

It further stressed that the measures were taken in the interest of public safety.

“It is the responsibility of various sectors to ensure the safety of the community. In light of this, all liquor stores and taverns must close early on Sunday, 2 March, and 9 March 2025, at 12 p.m.”

Municipal spokesperson Zuko Tshangana explained that the decision was led by police and crime intelligence, given concerns about potential unrest during the funeral proceedings.

Meanwhile, SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that additional officers have been deployed to monitor the situation and ensure public safety.

“We have deployed more officers in the area due to the funeral service of Yanga Nyalara,” Mawisa stated.

Supporters and Mourners Arrive in Numbers

On Thursday, convoys of taxis filled with mourners and supporters traveled from Site C in Khayelitsha to Cofimvaba, where Nyalara is set to be buried.

The former teacher-turned-taxi boss had a controversial history, marked by allegations of murder, extortion, and other violent crimes.

Nyalara was killed in a shootout with police on 20 February in Ndabakazi, Butterworth, while traveling from a taxi association meeting in Cofimvaba. He was accompanied by his personal bodyguards at the time.

Police Detail Deadly Shootout

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that Nyalara was among those fatally shot in the confrontation with law enforcement.

“Police were pushed off the road on Thursday while trying to stop certain vehicles. In response, three cars opened fire on officers, resulting in a shootout,” Masemola explained.

Seven people, including Nyalara, were declared dead at the scene. Authorities later recovered four AK-47 rifles and two pistols from the suspects.

Mawisa confirmed that the death toll increased to seven after police discovered an additional body.

“One vehicle got stuck on the riverbanks. The SAPS K9 Search and Rescue team was summoned, and one body was retrieved from the river. The death toll mounted to seven,” Mawisa said.

Nyalara’s Legal Battles and Criminal History

Before his death, Nyalara had been embroiled in multiple criminal cases.

• He was released from custody on 26 November 2024, after spending nearly two years in jail for the murder of 18 people. He was later acquitted in July 2024.
• At the time of his death, he was out on bail for a rape case in Khayelitsha and a cash-in-transit robbery case in Libode.

Despite his controversial past, his funeral is drawing significant attention, prompting authorities to tighten security and enforce temporary liquor bans to avoid any potential violence or unrest.

The situation in Cofimvaba remains tense as police and municipal officials monitor gatherings and ensure compliance with regulations in the coming days.