A 17-year-old Grade 11 student from Khayelitsha was shot and killed in broad daylight on Tuesday, just before he was set to testify in a criminal case against Yanga ‘Bara’ Nyalara, a notorious Eastern Cape criminal, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Missing teenager found following families appeal to public
The student was expected to provide evidence in a case related to 12 extortion killings in Khayelitsha, separate from Nyalara’s recent acquittal on mass murder charges.
Although it has not been confirmed that this murder is directly linked to the Nyalara case, it is notable that this is the third state witness to be killed before testifying against Nyalara.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg reported that the student was gunned down while walking home on Lindela Road, Kuyasa, in Khayelitsha.
Find your perfect set of wheels with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
‘The victim was approached by an unknown man who shot him in the chest and head. He was declared dead at the scene,’ Twigg said. The shooter fled, and the motive for the attack remains unclear.
Local detectives are investigating the murder and following up on leads to find the perpetrator. The deceased has been identified by locals as Olwethu Dyonta from Siphamandla Secondary School, who was due to testify against Nyalara. The Khayelitsha Community Police Forum confirmed that Dyonta was also scheduled to appear in court on Thursday for a robbery case.
Residents have claimed that Dyonta had been followed prior to the shooting. The CPF expressed deep sadness over the murder, noting that this was the second student killed in less than a week.
‘Any death of a school learner is heartbreaking and strongly condemned,’ they said.
In related court proceedings, there was confusion in the Cape Town Regional Court regarding whether a bail application or the start of the trial was expected. Nyalara’s lawyer, Reuben Liddell, reported issues with security and the magistrate’s recusal from the case, leading to a postponement. The case will now proceed on 3 September for a pre-trial meeting.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) expressed their sorrow over the shooting. Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said, ‘We sincerely hope that the relevant authorities are able to apprehend the perpetrators as soon as possible.’
The WCED is providing counseling support to the affected school community.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city, at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
Also read:
Picture: Sharon Seretlo / Gallo Images