In the third publication in a series by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), the research organisation, which tracks violent crime in Africa, outlines major developments and power shifts in the Cape Town gang landscape.

The case against Ralph Stanfield, alleged leader of the 28s gang, has brought new insights into the operations of gangs both on the streets and in prisons. Stanfield, who has been in custody since September 2023, faces 30 criminal charges, including murder and firearm possession. His prosecution, while centered on the courtroom, has led to power struggles within the gang world, with conflicting narratives about his ongoing influence.

Police sources claim that Stanfield’s absence has created a power vacuum, leading to fragmentation within the 28s, as members defect to rival gangs. Some gang members, however, dispute this, asserting that Stanfield retains control through his considerable wealth and connections. Despite the arrests of several key 28s figures, Stanfield is said to still influence operations from prison, with no credible threats to his leadership.

The prosecution has also opened a window into gang hierarchy and how street and prison gangs intersect. The 28s, originally a prison gang with strict membership rituals, have morphed into a street operation under Stanfield’s alleged leadership. Though not formally initiated into the prison-based 28s, Stanfield is reportedly attempting to gain recognition from prison leaders by leveraging his wealth and influence. This could consolidate his leadership and tighten the ties between the prison and street wings of the 28s.

The ripple effects of Stanfield’s arrest are not limited to the 28s. Communities in gang-controlled territories have experienced heightened violence, as younger gang members, emboldened by the leadership vacuum, engage in unpredictable shootings. Rival gangs, including the Fancy Boys, have exploited the turmoil to expand their turf, leading to a surge in violence across the region. The influx of firearms into the Western Cape has further exacerbated the problem, with more guns in the hands of lower-ranking members fueling deadly clashes.

Gang-related violence in the Western Cape is not a new phenomenon, but the escalation in recent months has been stark. The Fancy Boys have been poaching members from various gangs, not just the 28s, by offering access to drugs, money, and weapons. This aggressive expansion, combined with the breakdown of traditional gang structures, has led to a more volatile environment. The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition, an alliance of civil society organizations, estimated that around 200 people were shot or killed between June and July 2024, highlighting the toll this violence is taking on communities.

The Stanfield case also underscores a broader trend in South African organized crime: the country’s increasing role as a hub for transnational drug trafficking. The Western Cape, with its strategic coastal location, has become a drop-off point for cocaine shipments from Latin America. Recent incidents, including the disappearance of Terrible Josters leader Peter Jaggers, have revealed how deeply entrenched foreign criminal syndicates are in the region. In one case, a shipment of up to 700 kilograms of cocaine was reportedly lost at sea, leading to Jaggers being summoned to explain himself to his cartel contacts. Jaggers has not been seen since.

These maritime trafficking methods, where drugs are dropped into the ocean from bulk carriers and retrieved by smaller boats, are becoming increasingly common. Police recently intercepted a shipment of 400 kilograms of cocaine off the Western Cape coast, further demonstrating the area’s importance to the global drug trade. South Africa’s limited capacity to patrol its vast coastline makes it an attractive target for drug syndicates, and the sophistication of their operations continues to grow.

Firearms acquisition is another key driver of gang violence in the Western Cape. Gangs like the Fancy Boys have introduced new practices, such as permanently assigning firearms to members, rather than collecting them after use. This has led to an increase in shootings, as gang members are always armed, and conflicts over territory or business disputes frequently end in violence. Extortion, once a sideline for many gangs, has become a significant revenue stream, with gangsters using violence to enforce their demands.

Incidents of extortion-related violence are on the rise, particularly against foreign-owned businesses. In August 2024, three Somali shopkeepers were killed in Hout Bay in an extortion-related attack. Similar patterns of violence have emerged in other parts of Cape Town, as gangs compete for control over lucrative territories. Innocent civilians are often caught in the crossfire, as was the case during a gunfight in Valhalla Park in August, where a 14-year-old girl was seriously injured.

The study also focuses on political perceptions, particularly the notion that the DA does not cater for the Coloured community, and the feeling of affinity with the PA among gang affiliates.

For more details, you can read the relatively short publication here.