WATCH | Four arrested after police Nyala torched in Khayelitsha power protest chaos

suspects

Cape Town – Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the torching of a police Nyala during violent protests in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, earlier this week.

As reported by Eyewitness News, the suspects are linked to the torching of the Nyala on Baden Powell Drive near the Empolweni informal settlement.

Protesters had blocked the road with burning tyres while demanding electricity for Empolweni and Ethembeni settlements.

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said that officers from the Public Order Policing unit were deployed to the scene, where about 180 people had gathered.

“Allegedly, the crowd was pushed back utilising a police Nyala. When the members were reversing back to Baden Powell, they noticed smoke inside the vehicle, and they jumped out of the vehicle and noticed that it was on fire. Fire and Rescue were called to extinguish the fire. The members did not sustain any injuries,” van Wyk said.

He further confirmed that four adult males were arrested.

“Four adult males were arrested for attempted murder, public violence, and malicious damage to property in connection with the incident last night. The suspects are due to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on 17 October 2025. This case docket was transferred to Provincial Detectives for further investigation,” van Wyk added, as reported by IOL.

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais condemned the incident, calling it a direct attack on law enforcement.

She said the destruction of a police vehicle undermines efforts to strengthen community safety.

“This brazen attack on police officers and the deliberate destruction of critical policing resources is a slap in the face of communities who have been urgently calling for more policing resources in the province,” said Marais.

She added that she was “outraged and disturbed by the attack on officers and the destruction of an armoured vehicle,” describing it as “unacceptable and an affront to law enforcement.”

Residents, meanwhile, have accused the City of neglecting their basic needs, saying they have been patient for years without access to electricity.

The City has maintained that electrification in certain informal settlements remains a challenge because some are located on unsuitable or privately owned land, which complicates infrastructure installation.

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