What started in 2023 with the arrests of The Firm gang boss accused Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson has developed into a widespread police takedown with at least 17 suspects detained in Cape Town over 10 months.

Investigations into crimes ranging from murder to fraud, and with tracks from construction sites to upmarket homes, have developed into a mega court case in Cape Town, with alleged gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson at the centre of it.

Starting with the couple, over 10 months the police have made at least 17 arrests. These stretch to the restaurant and construction sectors, as well as to other private businesses and even Cape Town's municipality.

Some of the arrested suspects are connected to other criminal cases, highlighting how seemingly isolated violence and different forms of lawbreaking are tightly connected, especially in South Africa's gangsterism capital, the Western Cape.

Business deals and gang suspicions

Stanfield and Johnson were arrested at their home in the upmarket Cape Town suburb of Constantia in 2023 on charges relating to car theft.

Shortly afterwards, three other accused - Denver Booysen, Johannes Abrahams and Jose Brandt - joined them in the dock.

This week that case grew significantly to include eight others accused of crimes including high-profile shootings that have rattled Cape Town over several years.

The State alleges they are...