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An alleged Western Cape extortion kingpin was among seven suspected criminals who were shot and killed during a shootout with the police in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.
Speaking at the release of the third quarter crime statistics on Friday, National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola confirmed that Yanga 'Bara' Nyalara, who has had previous run-ins with the law on charges including murder, rape, extortion, and robbery was among the deceased.
It was reported that officers from the National Intervention Unit tried to stop vehicles that were allegedly transporting illegal firearms to Butterworth, from Cofimvaba, when the suspects sped off resulting in a high-speed chase.
Several firearms were retrieved at the scene, including high-calibre rifles.
Police initially confirmed that six people had been shot and killed during the gun battle, however, a seventh body was found after the wounded suspect had allegedly attempted to flee the scene.
“Police were pushed off the road and they tried to stop those cars, then as a result, the occupants of three cars shot at the police. As a result, seven people were declared dead. It was discovered that one of those was someone called ‘Bara’.”
- Jacaranda FM
