The Ayepyep Cape Town nightclub has become the center of a high-stakes conflict involving alleged gang connections, legal battles, and clashing business partners after the tragic death of DJ Sumbody. This article explores the details of this dramatic saga, delving into the accusations and counter-accusations swirling around the nightclub’s management.
The Dispute
Nicole Johnson, wife of alleged 28s gang leader Ralph Stanfield, and DJ Sumbody’s business partner, Kagiso Setsetse, are at the heart of the dispute. Johnson has challenged Setsetse’s court interdict concerning Ayepyep Cape Town, insisting that Setsetse is not genuinely afraid of her husband and dismissing claims that the nightclub is operating at a loss.
Setsetse, who co-owns the Ayepyep nightclubs in Pretoria and Cape Town with the late DJ Sumbody, accused Stanfield of hijacking the Cape Town establishment and issuing threats. Upon their refusal to comply with his demands, Stanfield allegedly threatened to shut down the nightclub and intimidate its staff.
Allegations and Counter-allegations
Setsetse accused Stanfield of misleading him and DJ Sumbody about their nightclub’s security arrangements and Johnson’s role in the company. He also claimed that Stanfield demanded shares and instructed them to issue a share certificate to his mother-in-law, Barbara Johnson.
However, Nicole Johnson countered these allegations, asserting that Stanfield was merely offering assistance. Drawing on her husband’s connections to Cape Town’s security services and knowledge of local business practices, Johnson maintained that Setsetse and DJ Sumbody had approached Stanfield about an extortion threat reportedly linked to Nafiz Modack and Jerome “Donkie” Booysen.
Legal Drama and Company Finances
Court documents revealed that Ayepyep Cape Town generated a monthly turnover of approximately R6 million since its inception in 2021. Setsetse, DJ Sumbody, Johnson (as general manager), and her mother (an alleged shareholder) each received R150,000 salaries, according to the alleged gang leader’s wife.
Johnson accused Setsetse of blocking her from accessing Ayepyep’s bank account and work email address to prevent her from obtaining evidence of their communications. Additionally, she alleged that Setsetse misappropriated company funds and made unauthorized transfers to his personal accounts and the Pretoria nightclub.
As this convoluted legal drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Ayepyep Cape Town controversy will be resolved. With millions of Rand at stake and reputations on the line, the struggle for Ayepyep Cape Town is far from over. The nightclub has become a battleground for control and influence in Cape Town’s nightlife scene, amidst the backdrop of gang affiliations, extortion threats, and competing narratives.
