Attorney hired by Modack to represent him, co-accused on previous occasions, court hears
Criminal defence attorney Gary Newmark took the stand in the Western Cape High Court on Monday, where Modack and 14 others face more than 100 charges, including murder and attempted murder
Nafiz Modack (left in dark sweater) and his co-accused appeared in the Western Cape High Court on 30 January 2024. Picture: Carlo Petersen/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - An attorney has testified he was hired by alleged underworld gang boss Nafiz Modack to represent Modack and some of his alleged associates for crimes they committed on Modack's behalf.
Criminal defence attorney Gary Newmark took the stand in the Western Cape High Court on Monday, where Modack and 14 others face more than 100 charges, including murder and attempted murder.
READ: Nafiz Modack trial: What we know so far
Newmark told the court he represented the State's first witness, a self-confessed gunman who allegedly worked for Modack on many previous occasions.
Newmark testified he has represented Modack, Mr A and four co-accused in the matter.
He said he reports back directly to Modack after proceedings to let him know what transpired in court.
Newmark revealed to the court on one occasion that Modack told him he was going to be the next Pete Mihailik, referring to his previous attorney who was gunned down in 2018.
Newmark said he received payments for his work via bank transactions and cash which would be delivered to him by Ziyaad Poole - one of the other accused in the matter.
He said he has no motive to testify against Modack but was subpoenaed to do so by the state.
The trial continues.