PUBLIC order police surrounded the Cape Town Magistrate Court where alleged 28s gang king pin Ralph Stanfield appeared today.
Heavily armed, the police were stationed both outside and inside the courtroom.
A group of Stanfield's friends and family picketed outside the court, holding posters reading : "This is a family man" and "He is not a flight risk, nor is he a threat to society".
Stanfield is facing charges of fraud and corruption along with five others after they were arrested for their involvement in an alleged illegal gun licensing syndicate.
The court will decide today whether to grant Stanfield a bail hearing.