Nafiz Modack explains why he spent more than R500k in court bids to get back guns seized from him

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has continued its cross-examination of alleged underworld gang boss, Nafiz Modack, focusing on 25 counts of corruption against him.

Modack, along with 14 co-accused, faces a total of 122 charges linked to various crimes, allegedly committed as part of a criminal enterprise. These charges include corruption, racketeering, money laundering, and attempted murder.

Cross-Examination on Corruption Charges

Modack is currently being questioned about his evidence-in-chief, which was completed earlier this week. The prosecution, led by State Prosecutor Greg Wolmarans, is particularly focused on Modack’s alleged attempts to bribe high-ranking police officials.

The State alleges that Modack tried to bribe top police officers Jeremy Vearey and Charl Kinnear—the latter of whom was assassinated in 2020—to return six firearms confiscated from his home in 2017.

Modack, however, has provided a different version of events. He testified that he paid more than R2 million to Vearey and Kinnear through a middleman. Initially, he claimed the payment was meant to recover his firearms, but later alleged that it was also an attempt to expose police corruption and because he feared for his life.

Dispute Over the Value of the Firearms

One of the key points of contention in the cross-examination is the value of the confiscated firearms and Modack’s determination to recover them.

Modack told the court that the total value of the firearms was approximately R200,000. However, Wolmarans challenged him on this, questioning why he spent significantly more than that amount on legal fees in an effort to reclaim them.

“You were prepared to spend more money than what the firearms were worth, but you wanted those firearms back,” Wolmarans stated.

Modack responded by insisting that the firearms were taken from him illegally, and he was determined to recover them through legal means.

Legal Fees and Bribery Allegations

The State further scrutinized Modack’s claim that he had spent more than R500,000 in legal fees on court applications to have the firearms returned.

The prosecution suggested that this level of financial commitment did not align with the value of the confiscated weapons, adding weight to the allegation that Modack was engaged in corrupt activities rather than merely seeking legal restitution.

Modack, however, continued to maintain his stance, asserting that his primary concern was ensuring that his weapons were returned legally.

The Bigger Picture: Criminal Enterprise Allegations

This corruption case is just one part of the larger set of 122 charges against Modack and his co-accused. He has been linked to several high-profile crimes, including:

• Extortion and racketeering
• Money laundering and fraud
• Intimidation of business owners
• The assassination of police officer Charl Kinnear

The trial has attracted significant public interest, given Modack’s reputation as an alleged underworld figure with deep ties to organized crime.

What’s Next in the Case?

As the cross-examination continues, the prosecution aims to poke holes in Modack’s testimony, particularly regarding the alleged bribery of senior police officers.

The NPA remains committed to proving that Modack was not merely a victim of police corruption but was, in fact, a central player in a sophisticated criminal network.

With the trial still ongoing, more revelations are expected as the State continues to unpack the extensive case against the alleged underworld boss.