The trial begins this week

Ralph Stanfield, alleged leader of the 28s gang, and his wife Nicole Johnson appear in the Western Cape High Court this week alongside twelve co-accused on charges of murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms…

A mammoth organised crime case

The case is geared to be one of the biggest underworld prosecutions in the province to date and is set to go on for months with dozens of witnesses expected to testify for both the…

Four years of investigation

The case stems from a nearly four-year criminal investigation into the machinations of the couple's alleged criminal empire, whose tentacles have entangled both the private sector and government.

Witnesses murdered and intimidated

Several key State witnesses have been murdered and left seriously injured, with others reportedly intimidated into not testifying for the State, raising the stakes in the fight against organised crime.

Police penetration by the gang

In October two thousand twenty-two, Western Cape Judge Daniel Thulare warned that evidence suggests senior management of the SAPS in the province has been penetrated to the extent that the twenty-eights gang has access to…

“evidence suggests that senior management of the SAPS in the province has been penetrated to the extent that the 28 gang has access to the table where the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in the Western Cape sits with his senior managers”

History of acquittals

By two thousand seven Stanfield had already been acquitted of committing five murders, including of three children, one of whom was two years old, and arson.

Guns-to-gangs case withdrawn

Since two thousand fourteen, when Stanfield and Johnson were first arrested in the guns-to-gangs case, charges were laid in two thousand fourteen, withdrawn in two thousand sixteen, reinstated in two thousand eighteen, and finally withdrawn…

Housing tender fraud charges withdrawn

In two thousand twenty-five, prosecutors provisionally withdrew fraud and corruption charges against Stanfield, Johnson and nine co-accused relating to a one billion rand city housing tender scam.

From car theft to racketeering

The current case began when Stanfield and Johnson were arrested in September two thousand twenty-three for fraud, robbery and car theft.

The Stanfield-Johnson Enterprise

Key to the case is a racketeering charge showing how Stanfield and Johnson allegedly lead a criminal empire dubbed the Stanfield-Johnson Enterprise, which through its enforcement grouping known as The Firm is alleged to have…

Pattern of racketeering activity

To prove their case, prosecutors must show how between two thousand nineteen and two thousand twenty-three Stanfield and Johnson used violence, extortion, corruption and questionable benevolence to build their power and buy loyalty from government…

Wendy Kloppers murder

City of Cape Town housing official Wendy Kloppers was shot dead in February two thousand twenty-three at the City's Symphony Way housing project site in Delft.

Community divided on Stanfield

Some community members view Stanfield and Johnson as providers of jobs and assistance that government cannot offer. Others fear their community organisations are fronts to access tenders and that violence is used to intimidate witnesses.

Fear of increased violence if freed

A Valhalla Park resident warned that Stanfield's arrest had led to mayhem on the Flats, with shootings every day and gangs fighting for control.

“Ralph being free means those who want control [of] our areas will no longer be able to get what they want. At least if he is out it will bring us some sort of peace.”

Prosecutors must deliver a final blow

With Stanfield and Johnson seen by many as a stepping stone out of poverty and their support base strong, prosecutors must ensure they deal a final and crippling blow to the Enterprise's operations.