'Born-again' Staggie guilty of rape
2003-01-28 16:01
Cape Town - Former Hard Livings Cape Flats gang leader Rashied Staggie was found guilty of kidnapping, rape and the illegal possession of a firearm in the Cape High Court on Tuesday.
Staggie is the twin brother of alleged druglord and Hard Livings gang co-leader Rashaad who was lynched in Salt River, Cape Town more than six years ago.
Staggie, who became a born again Christian more than three years ago, and a co-accused Randall Bosch, pleaded not guilty to all charges before acting judge Jeremy Sarkin.
The victim, a 17-year-old girl and police informer, was gang raped on the Cape Flats in August 2001.
The girl, who is now in a witness protection programme, was told she had been raped for being a traitor.
Earlier, the girl told the court she was kidnapped by Staggie, Bosch and two others and raped in turn by the men.
She said the men later told her to keep quiet or she would be killed.
When she eventually laid a charge she was threatened and tried to commit suicide.
Sarkin said the defence presented a poor case but the victim stuck to her story despite exhausting cross-examination.
- SAPA