After months on the run and a R100 000 bounty on his head, one of South Africa’s most dangerous fugitives has finally been captured, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Vuyolwethu Tshukela, widely known by the alias ‘Yesu’, was arrested in Welkom, Free State, on Friday, 13 June, following an intense investigation by Western Cape authorities. The 38-year-old, originally from Mthatha, had been linked to a string of brutal crimes tied to ongoing violence within the taxi industry, including multiple murders, extortion rackets, and arson.
Police confirmed that Tshukela’s arrest came after several appeals to the public yielded critical information. He had been on the most-wanted list in the Western Cape since early 2024, with his name surfacing in connection to a wave of targeted killings and attacks in Philippi East, Nyanga, and Delft, all believed to be taxi conflict-related.
In April, SAPS issued an urgent media alert asking for help locating Tshukela, citing his involvement in the August 2024 murders of several taxi owners and operators in Cape Town’s most volatile hotspots. Further killings in September deepened the manhunt, prompting authorities to offer a reward.
According to investigators, Tshukela’s criminal network is believed to have operated in the shadows of Cape Town’s public transport sector, using fear, firebombings, and lethal force to exert control. His list of pending charges is expected to grow as detectives continue to unravel the extent of his alleged operations.
Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests, stating that the suspect was likely not acting alone.
Tshukela is expected to make his first court appearance at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 17 June, where prosecutors will begin outlining the full scope of the charges.
More developments are expected as the case unfolds.
Also read:
Picture: SAPS / Facebook
