Francesca Villette
THE case of alleged 28s gang kingpin Ralph Stanfield is much like a Hollywoood movie, advocate Pete Mihalik said at his client’s bail application hearing at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Stanfield, nephew of Colin Stanfield – deceased leader of gang The Firm – was released on R100 000 bail. He faces charges of fraud, corruption and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
“He (Stanfield) won’t tamper with evidence or be a flight risk. All these things: the guns, ammunition, it’s overwhelming. A little bit like Hollywood,” Mihalik said.
Stanfield, his girlfriend Nicole Johnson, sister Francisca Stanfield, and three police officers – Billy April, Mehloti Manganye and Mary-Gail Cartwright were arrested last week during the police’s Operation Combat.
Operation Combat was set up to respond to gang violence in the Western Cape.
On Friday, a bomb scare at Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court, where Stanfield was to appear, meant the case had to be transferred to the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. Johnson and Francisca Stanfield got bail of R50 000 and R30 000 respectively.
Yesterday, April, Manganye and Cartwright were also granted bail of R20 000 each. Heading Operation Combat, Jeremy Vearey said he respected the court’s decision to grant the accused bail
The six appeared in front of magistrate Joe Magele.
Walking up to the dock, Stanfield was smiling and gave Johnson a quick kiss.
Mihalik put it to the court that Stanfield did not have any previous convictions or pending cases. The State did not oppose bail.
Armed policemen were present in and around the court, including in the courtroom where Stanfield appeared.
About 100 of Stanfield’s friends and family picketed outside the court, holding posters reading: “This is a family man”, “He is not a flight risk nor is he a threat to society”, “Release Stanfield” and “Vearey is feeding the media garbage”. Following the court proceedings, Stanfield, wearing a black balaclava and grey hooded top, was escorted in a police van.
His supporters cheered and sang praise songs in Stanfield’s name.
On Monday, the same crowd of people turned volatile and made death-threats to the media, saying the media was spreading lies about Stanfield and that he was nothing but an honest businessman.
The six are expected to appear again on September 4 to give the State time for further investigation.
As part of his bail agreement, Stanfield will have to report at the Melkbos Police Station once a week.