‘We always knew Ralph did it.’ This is the stance of high-ranking members of the Hard Livings gang after alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield was officially charged for the murder of Rashied Staggie.
Speaking to the Cape Argus after the State dropped the bombshell in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday, those associated with Staggie said Capetonians “need not fear a gang war”, as they wanted justice to take its course.
The shocking announcement of Stanfield’s charge was made as he and his wife, Nicole Johnson, returned to court on Friday.
The couple, who appeared in court through a virtual meeting platform, were charged with several others on a growing charge sheet related to the murder of City staffer Wendy Kloppers.
Sitting in Brandvlei Prison, Stanfield watched as State prosecutor, advocate Frank van Heerden, announced they were adding two more charges, which included both the conspiracy to murder and murder charges.
The couple were arrested late last year for allegedly embarking on a manhunt for a former employee who allegedly stole R1 million from them.
Since then, the State added more charges and busted three alleged hitmen of the Firm Boys gang, namely Jonathan Cloete, Abraham Wilson and Shakeel Pelston, for the murder of 27s gang boss William “Red” Stevens.
They are also accused of the attempted hit on Joel, the son of Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, while another hitman is accused of murdering Kloppers, who was shot dead at a housing site in Delft earlier in the year.
Staggie was murdered outside his Salt River home on December 13, 2019, when several shots were fired at his silver Toyota Corolla parked outside his home in London Road shortly after 10am.
Thousands of people gathered at a sports field in Manenberg to say their final farewells as Staggie’s fancy coffin was placed in full view.
Shortly after his funeral, many gang members pointed a finger at Staggie’s son, Abdullah Boonzaaier. Three years later, in September 2022, Boonzaaier was gunned down in Beatrix Court.
At the time, gangs revealed that Boonzaaier was a member of the Fancy Boys gang and his death was orchestrated to settle tensions between major gangs in Manenberg.
However, three months later, there was a flare-up in gang violence and it was revealed that those affiliated with Boonzaaier had offered a R500 000 bounty for the murder of those behind his death.
In court last week, it was revealed the State would be charging both Stanfield and Cloete for conspiracy to murder and the murder of Staggie.
A source, part of the initial investigation team, said Cloete was hounded by the Anti-Gang Unit but would not crack when questioned by cops.
“On the day Staggie was shot the information came through that Ralph was behind it. Just after the murder, Ralph had booked an international holiday for his family and along with Cloete they fled to Bali or something.
“The investigators put a tag on Cloete’s passport and the minute he landed at Cape Town International Airport he was detained.
“They took him to Rondebosch SAPS but he would not crack and eventually the 48 hours were up so they had to let him go. Each time they chased him he would jump on to roofs and climb fences,” the source said.
According to a member of the Hard Livings gang, there is no reason to fear retaliation.
“Look, it’s been five years now and we always knew Ralph did it.
“Dullah was koppeling (cooperating) with Triple XXX (Ralph).
“We never retaliated because the family asked us not to.
“We don’t know why Ralph did it because he was a laaitie growing up in front of Rashied and when they shot Ralph in Joburg, it was Rashied who went to him.
“We just want justice to take its course.”
mahira.duval@inl.co.za
Cape Argus