Cape Town - Rashied Staggie’s best friend said the former gang leader is far too clever to be caught red-handed with stolen goods.
The former Hard Livings boss is expected in court on Monday after he was busted with alleged stolen firearms and alcohol and cigars “worth millions”.
Staggie was one of four people arrested by the Hawks in three luxury cars along the N1 near Canal Walk on Thursday.
Joburg police, working on a theft case, were led to the stolen goods by Staggie’s electronic monitoring bracelet.
But Pastor Ivan Waldeck believes the charges are trumped up and nothing but a ploy by desperate cops to “net a big fish”.
Waldeck said: “The police are lying, why would Rashied do anything illegal under the cameras on the N1 and Canal Walk?”
A fuming Waldeck said Staggie was at the mall to meet a mutual friend of theirs, a businessman from Johannesburg.
“I was supposed to be at that meeting but I couldn’t go because I was busy with following up on the Manenberg peace talks, which Rashied [along with Safe Labs and his Grace Performing Arts Church] helped secure last week,” he said.
“The three guns found were not illegal, they belong to our friend, and he has the papers for it.
“Why would Rashied be taking guns back into Manenberg when he just helped bring about peace in an area where 21 people were murdered this month?
“Why would Rashied place his freedom in jeopardy for three boxes of liquor?”
In 2001, Staggie was convicted of kidnapping and ordering the rape of a 17-year-old.
His parole officially ends next year.
He is currently employed as a cleaner at Waldeck’s rehab centre in Bellville South.
Police say the suspects were travelling in a convoy of three luxury cars, and cops found three guns and “several boxes of expensive whiskey and cigars” in Staggie’s vehicle.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Lloyd Ramovha said the contraband was reported stolen at Cleveland Police Station in Johannesburg.
Ramovha said: “Three firearms were found in their possession and lots of expensive whiskey and cigars.”
He said liquor and cigars were stolen from an imported shipping container at the City Deep depot last week.
“The suspects aged between 20 and 60 years old will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and suspected stolen property,” said Ramovha.
At the time of Staggie’s arrest, the second time he has been taken back into custody since his release on parole less than three years ago, he was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet as per his parole conditions.
Correctional Services spokesman Simphiwe Xako said a decision about revoking Staggie’s parole or not will only be taken after his court appearance.
Prior to his arrest, Staggie was involved in giving motivational talks mainly to young men involved in gangsterism and drug abuse.
Waldeck added: “I’m telling you that Rashied Staggie will not fall, because of his sincerity, even if I’m the last person who believes in him.”
Daily Voice