Alleged gang boss Nafiz Modack has firmly denied accusations that a company previously owned by his brother was used to launder money. Testifying in his own defense since last week, Modack has been addressing the numerous charges against him and his 14 co-accused, including claims of running a criminal empire and orchestrating the 2020 murder of organized crime detective Charl Kinnear.
Company Sale at the Center of Allegations
One key aspect of the case revolves around Empire Investment Cars, a company once owned by Modack’s brother, Yaseen Modack. According to Modack’s testimony on Wednesday, co-accused Adiel Mukudam purchased the company from Yaseen in 2019.
Evidence presented in court showed that monthly payments of R100,000 were made to a bank account in Mukudam’s name over a five-month period. The prosecution suggested these payments were suspicious and potentially indicative of money laundering. However, Modack explained that the payments were simply part of an agreed-upon plan for Mukudam to pay off his debt to Yaseen for the company purchase.
This explanation stands in contrast to testimony from Hawks officer Captain Edward du Plessis, who stated that Mukudam’s bank card was found on the driver’s seat of the car in which Modack was arrested in April 2021.
Murder of Charl Kinnear and Alleged Rivalries
Modack’s defense also touched on his alleged involvement in violent crimes, including the murder of Detective Charl Kinnear and a plot to kill an underworld figure named Naude.
One of the state’s key witnesses, referred to only as “Mr. A” for protection, had testified that he was hired to kill Naude on Modack’s behalf. Mr. A admitted to firing several shots at Naude’s Bellville home on September 6, 2019.
Modack, however, denied having any reason to target Naude. “I never met him in person, my lord,” he told the court. “And in 2017, my lord, the clubs were all signed to TSG—80 percent of them, my lord—so there couldn’t have been a reason for me to harm him in 2019.”
Nightclub Security Disputes
Modack explained that Naude had been in charge of nightclub security in Cape Town between 2012 and 2017. However, Modack claimed he took over security at the majority of Cape Town’s nightclubs in 2017, effectively eliminating any potential rivalry with Naude. He emphasized that Naude was no longer involved in the nightclub business by the time the alleged assassination attempt took place.
Modack also addressed the prosecution’s claim that Naude was connected to prominent underworld figures Jerome “Donkie” Booysen and Mark Lifman. Lifman, another well-known figure in Cape Town’s criminal underworld, was shot dead in George recently. Despite the alleged associations, Modack maintained that he had no personal issues with Naude.
Ongoing Trial and Defense Strategy
The trial is expected to continue as Modack and his co-accused face a total of 122 charges, including racketeering, extortion, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder. Throughout his testimony, Modack has attempted to frame himself as a businessman with no motive to engage in violent criminal activities or money laundering schemes.
The case has garnered significant public attention due to the high-profile nature of the charges and the individuals involved. With the defense now presenting its arguments, all eyes will remain on how the court assesses the credibility of Modack’s testimony and the evidence brought forth by the prosecution.
As the trial progresses, Modack’s denials will be weighed against the testimony of state witnesses and forensic evidence. The outcome will be crucial in determining whether Modack’s alleged criminal empire is exposed or if he is acquitted of the charges leveled against him.
In other news – Amanda Manku opens up about challenging ‘Skeem Saam’ storyline
Actress Amanda Manku, best known for her role as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Thobakgale on Skeem Saam, has shared the emotional toll of her current storyline on the popular SABC1 show. Manku, 33, admitted that portraying Lizzy’s harrowing journey of choosing between her life and her unborn twins was one of the most difficult performances of her career.
In the storyline, Lizzy’s character faces a heart-wrenching decision after doctors reveal that continuing her pregnancy could lead to permanent paralysis. Read More
