Try GOLD - Free
Community claims SAPS torched Nyala during protest
Cape Argus
|October 17, 2025
KHAYELITSHA residents have alleged that police officers deliberately set fire to their own Nyala armoured vehicle amid a violent service delivery protest in Thembeni and Empolweni on Wednesday evening.
The unrest erupted around 8.40pm as community members took to the streets demanding electricity, leading to chaos when a petrol bomb was reportedly thrown at a SAPS vehicle.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, members of the Public Order Police were responding to the protest, where approximately 180 residents 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," said Van Wyk.
He confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the burning of the SAPS Nyala are under investigation.
This story is from the October 17, 2025 edition of Cape Argus.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Cape Argus
Cape Argus
UK battles obesity in kids with ad ban
NEW regulations come into force yesterday in Britain banning daytime TV and online adverts for so-called junk foods, in what the government calls a “world-leading action” to tackle childhood obesity.
1 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
Mother City grooves at Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade
THOUSANDS, young and old, oohed and aahed as they watched the minstrels jig through the Mother City yesterday.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
With World Cup looming, Bafana’s logistics woes raise concerns
THE South African Football Association's (SAFA) dedication to adequately support its national team, Bafana Bafana, has come under intense scrutiny.
1 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
Two games, one goal: Bulls go all-in to ignite Ackermann era
THE Bulls’ first season under Johan Ackermann has reached a defining moment, and the next two weeks will reveal far more than whether they can still sneak into the Champions Cup knockout stages.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
Festive season tourism statistics 'a letdown'
THE tourism industry association, Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), has expressed disappointment over the sector's performance during the festive season.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
No arrests yet in Bitou deputy mayor gun case
POLICE said that they are still investigating the case of the Bitou Deputy Executive Mayor, Nokuzola Kolwapi, who found herself in trouble after a video emerged appearing to show her discharging a firearm just before Christmas.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
Betway Premiership title race intensifies
WHILE the Africa Cup of Nations gathers momentum with Africa’s finest going head-to-head for continental supremacy, the start of the new year has also brought the Betway Premiership tantalisingly close to resumption, especially with Bafana Bafana getting knocked out in the Last 16 on Sunday.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
Malaysia moves to limit prime minister’s term to 10 years
MALAYSIAN prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that he would introduce legislation this year to limit the prime minister’s term to a maximum of 10 years, fulfilling one of his campaign promises.
1 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
A glimmer of hope for students
THE news from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) that it has processed all funding applications for the 2026 academic year is a huge relief for many students and their families across South Africa.
1 mins
January 06, 2026
Cape Argus
BLAZE FORCES FAMILIES TO SLEEP IN CARS
Hundreds of people homeless
3 mins
January 06, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size