Minister Ramatlakane Welcomes Staggie Sentencing

Staggie was sentenced at the Bellville Magistrate's court to an effective 13 years for the years for the theft and possession of firearms, and several rounds of ammunition at a military base in Faure near Cape Town. He is also appealing against a 15 year jail term for the conviction on rape charges.

His co- accused ex-policemen Roderick Collins, Daniel o' Connell, Abdul Ganief, Roland Olince, Graham Greentree, Ricardo Adams, and Charles Benjamin have also been sentencing to jail terms or between 12 and 15 years.

Commenting on the sentence, Minister Ramatlakane said: "Sentencing of high profiled gang leaders like Staggie is a clear signal that the integrated approach to fight crime which has brought together the police, justice and directorate of public prosecution, is making inroads in its objective of tackling high flyer crimes.

"Staggie is but one of many of those 'untouchables' whom the integrated team from the different law enforcement units, have targeted. Water-tight cases are being built and soon we will be tracking down others.

"There are still many out there who think we will not get to them. I must warn them, we will soon be on their heels and they may soon find themselves behind bars serving long term jail sentences. We therefore call on those who have not yet reformed, to reform now and move away from the life committing such crimes." said Minister Ramatlakane

"All of these agencies have joined forces in targeting what we have come to known as the 'high flyer criminals'. These are the untouchables."

"Towards the end of last of year, we have drawn up plans to crack down on those untouchables dealing in organized crime such as gangsterism, druglords, crime syndicates, abalone poachers, and white collar crime."

Minister Ramatlakane added that: "I hope that the communities of the Cape Flats will now have some sleep now that one of the most notorious former gang leaders has been sent to jail for some time. I think justice has prevailed for them."