Ralph Stanfield recently secured bail but despite this legal victory, the purported leader of the notorious 28s gang continues to be detained.
Ralph Stanfield scores bail but remains in prison – Here’s why
According to reports, the court’s decision on Thursday to grant bail came with a hefty price of R250,000, in a case where he faces serious charges, which include illegal possession of firearms and attempted murder.
Magistrate Heather Paulse pointed out that the evidence against Stanfield was less convincing than the prosecution had anticipated, signalling potential weaknesses in the State’s case.
Stanfield, however, could not relish his partial freedom as he remains entangled in another legal battle.
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Previously, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court denied his bail in a separate case, an outcome Stanfield is currently appealing at the Western Cape High Court.
The juxtaposition of bail approvals and denials captures the complexity of his legal entanglements, all while he remains under custody, awaiting further court proceedings.
The Stanfield case: Here’s everything we know
Ralph Stanfield’s arrest in September 2023 at his residence in Constantia marked the beginning of his most recent legal woes.
The Anti-Gang Unit, acting on an arrest warrant, discovered Stanfield in possession of keys to a safe containing an unlicensed shotgun and ammunition.
His lawyers argued that PPE Security owned the safe and was legally maintained by them, a claim supported by testimony from Aidan Minnaar of PPE Security during the bail hearings.
Despite these defences, the State challenged the compliance of the associated paperwork with the Firearms Control Act, casting doubt on the legality of the firearms possession.
These ongoing legal proceedings stem from broader allegations of criminal activities, including extortion attempts that led to a temporary shutdown of Ayepyep Lifestyle, a local business in Cape Town, in August 2023.
The establishment claimed that it was targeted by Stanfield and his associates, leading to significant disruptions and fear among local business operators.
As Stanfield prepares to plead not guilty to all charges, he remains housed at Brandvlei Correctional Facility, with the legal saga showing no signs of abating.
