Alleged 28s boss Ralph Stanfield and co-accused face high court trial for Rashied Staggie's murder
The alleged leader of the 28s gang, Ralph Stanfield and his co-accused appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where it was revealed the group will be heading to face trial in the Western Cape High Court.
Stanfield, his wife, Nicole Johnson, and 12 others face an array of charges in what is expected to be an explosive trial to hit the high court.
The accused include: Johannes Abrahams, Denver Booysen, Jose Brandt, Jonathan Cloete, Shakeel Pelston, Imtyaas Sedick, Warren-Lee Dennis, Michael Morris, Chevonne McNab, Sharaxaadt Essop, Brandon Cornelius, and Keathan Gardiner.
The other accused, Abraham Wilson, has since died.
The group face 41 charges, including murder, attempted murder, fraud, illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession of ammunition, robbery, and theft of a motor vehicle.
In an indictment handed over to the court, the group are alleged to have conspired and murdered Hard Livings (HL) gang boss Rashied Staggie in a hail of bullets on December 13, 2019, in London Road, Salt River.
At the time, the 28s and HLs were embroiled in a hectic turf war.
Staggie was killed on the same spot where his twin brother, Rashaad was shot and set alight in August 1996.
The murder charges also relate to the late City of Cape Town employee Wendy Kloppers.
Kloppers, 49, who worked for the City’s Environmental Affairs Department, was gunned down on February 16, 2023, in Delft.
The murder of 27s gang leader, William ‘Red’ Stevens, who was gunned down in February 2021, in Kraaifontein has also been listed among the charges.
In its indicted handed over to the court, the State is set to prove that the group acted and are active members of a criminal gang known as ‘The Firm’ operating in Bishop Lavis, Valhalla Park, Delft, and Mitchells Plain and hold positions of leadership and subservience in accordance with the ranking system of the 28s prison gang. The indictment names Stanfield as the leader.
The Firm opposes and fights against members of the 27s prison gang, HLs, Dixie Boys, Sexy Boys, and Ghetto Kids operating in Kraaifontein, Woodstock, Parow, Bellville, Belhar, and Eerste River.
The Western Cape spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed the matter has been transferred to the high court.
The matter has since been postponed until November 7, 2025, for pre-trial.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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