Suspected gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of theft of a motor vehicle.
The couple were arrested at their Constantia home on Friday night after they were linked to an investigation into the circumstances of the theft of a motor vehicle in Milnerton in 2022.
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Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi told the Daily Maverick that once charged, the couple will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court for ‘theft of [the] motor vehicle, assault common, robbery common and fraud.’
In addition, Ralph ‘will also answer on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as he was found to be in possession of a firearm without a valid license at the time of his arrest.’
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As per News24, prosecutor Frank van Heerden indicated that the State had opposed the couple’s release on bail because the vehicle was valued in excess of R100 000. This bordered on the realms of a Section Five offence, which comprises murder, attempted murder, indecent assault, rape, drug-related crimes, corruption, extortion, fraud, forgery or theft to the value of R500 000, and the illegal dealing in or smuggling of firearms.
To this end, the accused must provide a good reason as to why they should be released.
The couple’s lawyer, Ross McKernon, stated that neither of them had previous convictions, adding that the Stanfields were out of warnings for another pending case.
McKernon also stated that the Stanfields are married and have two children, who are in the care of their grandmother. Furthermore, Nicole had an emergency operation the day before the arrest and therefore needs further medical care. However, the couple was sent back to prison and scheduled to return to court on Monday to apply for bail.
According to News24, Nicole will be kept in Pollsmoor Prison’s hospital wing, while a social worker will be sent to check on the children.
The couple recently made headlines due to a dispute over shares in the Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge on Kloof Street in Gardens. The Daily Maverick reports that the Stanfields were arrested nine years ago in an ongoing firearms case that involved allegedly corrupt police officers.
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