R100K bail for alleged 28s gang boss

Cape Town - Alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, facing charges relating to an alleged illegal gun licensing syndicate, has been granted bail of R100 000 bail.

He left the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in a convoy guarded by police and surrounded by supporters and relatives who spilled out into the street.

Three police officers arrested on similar charges were released on R20 000 bail each.

The State did not oppose bail for four of the six accused who appeared in connection with charges relating to fraud, corruption, and possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Stanfield; Nicole Johnson, his girlfriend and mother of his children; his sister Francisca Stanfield; Billy April; Mehloti Manganye; and Mary-Gail Cartwright were in court on Tuesday.

Stanfield, his girlfriend and sister were arrested on Thursday. Johnson was granted bail of R50 000 and Francisca Stanfield R30 000 bail on Friday.

Their arrests followed that of the three Joburg police officers.

Stanfield is related to the late Colin Stanfield, leader of The Firm gang.

As happened on Monday, several supporters arrived at court waving placards declaring Stanfield to be an asset to the community and a legitimate businessman.

Pete Mihalik, for Ralph Stanfield, told the court he had no previous convictions and no pending cases, and it was unlikely he would intimidate witnesses, despite the “overwhelming, Hollywood-style” police presence at court.

A condition of his bail is that he signs in at the Melkbosstrand police station each Tuesday.

April, Manganye and Cartwright were each granted R20 000, with similar bail conditions.

Once bail was paid, Stanfield and the officers were swept away in police vehicles with sirens blaring, zipping through a large group of people, many of whom made the 28s gang sign as the vehicles passed.

The group is expected back in court on September 4.