The 27-year-old striker struck after six, 12 and 16 minutes at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town to notch only the second hat-trick in the league this season.

Thamsanqa Mkhize put City four goals ahead in first-half stoppage time and Rhulani Manzini pulled one back for Port Elizabeth-based Chippa on 76 minutes.

A disastrous night for the visitors was completed in the final minute when Lerato Manzini was red-carded.

"All that mattered was the result," said man-of-the-match Jayiya as Cape Town went one point above Wits in the standings.

Cape Town have 42 points, Wits 41, Kaizer Chiefs 39, SuperSport United 37 and title-holders and African champions Mamelodi Sundowns 34.

City and Chiefs have eight fixtures left, SuperSport nine, Wits 10 and Sundowns 12 in the most open South African title race for many seasons.