The high-profile trial of Nafiz Modack, a notorious alleged underworld kingpin, continued this week with prosecutors pushing forward with the cross-examination of the accused. Modack, who stands trial alongside 14 co-accused, is facing a staggering 122 charges ranging from murder and extortion to fraud and money laundering.
The Charges Against Modack
Modack, often described as one of the most influential figures in the Cape Town underworld, is accused of a wide array of criminal activities, including running a ruthless crime syndicate involved in various illegal operations. The charges also include serious offenses like attempted murder and racketeering.
The case has drawn significant attention, with the prosecution accusing Modack of using his criminal network to exert influence over local businesses, law enforcement, and other sectors to maintain his criminal empire.
Bribery Allegations Against Modack
A key focus of the prosecution’s case is an alleged bribery attempt involving Modack and Major General Jeremy Vearey, a former top police official. State prosecutor Greg Wolmarans has been questioning Modack about his alleged attempts to bribe Vearey in exchange for the return of six firearms that were seized from Modack’s home in 2017.
Wolmarans set out to demonstrate that Modack had been involved in corrupt dealings, specifically trying to get Vearey to return the firearms by offering him a large sum of money through a middleman.
According to the State’s case, Modack allegedly paid over R1 million to Mohamed Hanware, a go-between, who acted as an intermediary in the attempted bribe. The goal was to influence Vearey’s decision regarding the confiscated weapons, which Modack claimed were unfairly seized in a police raid.
Modack, however, denied any wrongdoing in the case and instead argued that his actions were intended to expose Vearey’s corrupt practices, claiming that he was working to uncover corruption within the police force.
Payments to Hanware’s Wife
As the cross-examination continues, Wolmarans has questioned Modack about payments made by Modack’s company, Empire Investment Cars, totaling more than R500,000 to Caitlyn Bowan, the wife of Mohamed Hanware. The prosecution believes these payments were part of an attempt to cover up the bribery scheme.
Modack’s legal team has yet to clarify the exact nature of these payments, though Hanware himself testified earlier that the money was part of a larger con. He claimed that he had persuaded Modack to pay the money as part of a plan to repay a debt he owed to Hanware, rather than as part of a direct bribe to Vearey.
Hanware’s testimony, which has already raised suspicions about the relationship between Modack and his associates, further complicated the case against the alleged underworld kingpin. It also led to questions about whether Modack’s dealings were part of a larger network of corruption that could implicate more individuals within both the criminal underworld and law enforcement.
Modack’s Defence
In his defense, Modack has maintained that he was wrongly accused and that the payments and dealings were misinterpreted. His legal team argues that no evidence exists to substantiate the bribery charges, insisting that Modack’s involvement with Hanware was merely financial and not connected to any illegal activity.
Modack has also repeatedly denied the allegations that he was trying to influence police officers for his personal gain, instead framing the payments as part of a larger strategy to expose the corruption he believes was prevalent within law enforcement circles.
The State’s Strategy
The state prosecutors’ strategy is clear: they aim to dismantle Modack’s credibility and prove that his criminal activities were not limited to low-level offenses but involved complex and high-profile corruption schemes. By focusing on the bribe attempt and the dubious payments to Hanware’s wife, prosecutors are seeking to establish a pattern of illegal behavior that implicates Modack in multiple serious crimes.
Wolmarans has also questioned Modack’s wealth and lifestyle, suggesting that his lavish spending and business dealings were funded by the proceeds of crime. The State will continue to argue that Modack’s operations were part of a systematic effort to corrupt law enforcement and undermine the justice system in Cape Town.
Ongoing Cross-Examination
As the trial progresses, Modack’s legal team is expected to continue defending him against the allegations. The cross-examination is set to continue this Monday, with prosecutors hoping to solidify their case by breaking down Modack’s testimony and challenging the veracity of his claims.
The outcome of this case could have serious implications not only for Modack but for others implicated in the underworld and corruption cases. The public is closely watching how this high-profile trial unfolds, as it could shed light on the inner workings of criminal networks and the extent of corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
With more than a dozen serious charges hanging over his head, Nafiz Modack’s trial is far from over, and the next stages of the proceedings will likely reveal further details about his alleged criminal empire. The cross-examination is expected to intensify as both the defense and prosecution continue to battle over the facts of the case.
