28s gang boss’s wife to face further charges of fraud, on top of murder charges

Nicole Johnson, wife of alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, finds herself entangled in further legal troubles as the State reveals evidence of her alleged fraudulent activities.

Johnson and Stanfield face charges related to a manhunt and attempted murder, allegedly stemming from a substantial theft by a former employee turned State witness. The witness, fearing for his life, went into hiding after learning of Stanfield’s purported plan to “kill him.”

During the bail hearings, the State disclosed a recorded audio call made by Johnson to a tracking company, suggesting fraudulent claims regarding the car’s ownership. Johnson argued that the vehicle owner was present during the call.

The State also highlighted an attempted assassination of the State witness and reported gunfire at a complainant’s father’s home while the couple was in custody. Johnson asserted her daughter’s illness during a prison visit, emphasizing her incapacity to care for the children.

Facing potential loss of her Sorbet Salon franchises, Johnson’s businesses were impacted after Sorbet terminated agreements. The State argued against her bail application, labeling her as dishonest, while Johnson’s defense emphasized the unforeseeable circumstances affecting her child’s health and businesses.

A related corruption case is still pending against former Cape Town DA councillor for Human Settlements Malusi Booi for allegedly taking bribes from the gang in exchange for affording Johnson’s construction company Glomix the rights to build public housing on the City’s behalf.

The gang has recently been a major participant in the “construction mafia” extortion racket in the city, and since SAPS charged Booi and the contract was not renewed, the gang has resorted to extensive intimidation and threats of City officials, following which several companies have been blacklisted because of their links to the extortionate practices.

However, some criticise the City for acting only when SAPS arrested Booi, instead of investigating the gang ties four years earlier, when Fadiel Adams of the National Coloured Congress (then “Gatvol Capetonians”) alerted the authorities to the corrupt deal.

Appearing at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court for a new bail application, Johnson claims her daughter’s medical needs and failing businesses necessitate her release.

The court postponed the case to January 16, awaiting the magistrate’s judgment.