Cape Town - Rashied Staggie was allegedly in the middle of planning his birthday bash when he was arrested for being in possession of stolen liquor, cigarettes and cigars.
The former Hard Livings gang boss appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday along with co-accused, Joburg businessman Jayraj Pillay, 56, his son Michaheel Mahendra Pillay, 19, and Joao de Gouveia, 45.
They were released on R5 000 bail each and are expected back in court on July 11.
Staggie was also ordered to report to the Department of Correctional Services offices in Cape Town before 4pm on Monday.
The department indicated it would decide after the court matter whether to revoke Staggie’s bail or not.
Staggie’s wife Rashieda, his three daughters and son and other relatives were all at court to support him.
According to the State, Staggie and his co-accused were arrested last Thursday in three luxury cars in a parking area in Century City, following a police tip-off.
Police found 23 bottles of Johnnie Walker Green worth R20 000, several boxes of expensive Cuban cigars and British cigarettes, as well as four licensed firearms, including a .22 revolver, a Taurus, and a Glock.
All the accused were charged with possession of stolen property.
On Monday State prosecutor Dail Andrews said they were looking to add additional charges with regards to failure to properly safeguard the firearms.
“One of the firearms was found on [unnamed] accused and the others were just in the car,” he said.
The whisky has been linked to a container, shipped from London, that was stolen at a depot in Johannesburg on April 20, with goods worth R10.5million.
Andrew said the batch numbers of the liquor allegedly found in the accuseds’ possession, matched those of the container’s items.
The State did not oppose bail but said Staggie and Pillay senior, an alleged former drug dealer, would face a schedule five offence.
Andrews also read Staggie’s previous convictions, ranging from a 2001 rape to as far back as a 1978 housebreaking.
Pillay was previously convicted of culpable homicide, and also faced charges of theft, and possession and dealing in drugs and stolen property.
Outside court Pastor Ivan Waldeck said the booze was meant for his friend’s 60th birthday party next month.
Staggie is employed as a motivational speaker at Waldeck’s rehab centre, where he earns R5 000 per month.
“It’s the first time he’s really celebrating his birthday so we are doing preparations for the big celebration,” said Waldeck.
Waldeck added that they had provided the Hawks with receipts for the whisky, which was bought from “a legitimate liquor shop in Johannesburg”.
He said Staggie was relieved to be free and is ready to go back to working among gangs “to get peace for once and for all in Cape Town”.
Daily Voice