The wife of alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield has been granted R100 000 bail after three unsuccessful applications, allowing her to return home ahead of a high-profile trial in October.
After spending three years behind bars while fighting a string of serious criminal charges, Nicole Johnson has finally walked out of prison after the Western Cape High Court granted her bail of R100 000.
The decision marks a dramatic turning point in one of the country’s most closely watched organised crime cases and comes on an emotional day for Johnson and her family – her wedding anniversary with her husband, alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the court granted bail subject to strict conditions.
Regional NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “Bail granted. Accused to pay R100 000 on conditions.”
An emotional Johnson was welcomed by her legal team after the ruling, with her attorney, Bruce Hendricks, describing the outcome as long overdue.
“After a long wait for her release, Mrs Johnson finally got bail today in the amount of R100 000 with some conditions,” Hendricks said.
He added that after spending three years in custody at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, the legal team was delighted that she would finally be able to return home.
“We are looking forward to the trial that starts in October so Mrs Johnson can finally prove that she is innocent,” Hendricks said, adding that her release on her wedding anniversary made the day even more significant for the family.
Johnson’s release follows a lengthy legal battle after multiple attempts to secure bail were rejected. Her third application was delayed earlier this year amid disputes over cellphone records that her legal team argued were crucial to her defence. The matter was eventually postponed before returning to court.
Johnson, her husband Ralph Stanfield and several co-accused are facing 41 charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). The charges include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, illegal possession of firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition. All have denied wrongdoing and remain before the courts.
The case has attracted national attention because of Stanfield’s alleged links to organised crime in the Western Cape. While Johnson has now secured her freedom pending trial, Stanfield remains in custody after unsuccessful legal attempts to challenge his prison conditions and transfer.
The pair also made headlines in 2025 when fraud-related charges linked to an alleged R1 billion City of Cape Town housing tender involving former Mayco member Malusi Booi and other co-accused were withdrawn. However, the current POCA case remains before the courts and is expected to proceed to trial in October.
For Johnson, the High Court’s decision means she will now prepare for trial from outside prison walls after three years in custody, where she maintains she will have the opportunity to clear her name before the court.
