Carlo Petersen9 May 2024 | 16:26

Nafiz Modack trial: Messages discussing intimidation, extortion presented in court

Evidence of messages between a State witness and alleged underworld crime boss, Nafiz Modack, to discuss intimidation and extortion has been presented in the Western Cape High Court.

Nafiz Modack trial: Messages discussing intimidation, extortion presented in court

Nafiz Modack (left, in blue jacket and his 14 co-accused appeared in the Western Cape High Court on 8 May 2024. Picture: Carlo Petersen/Eyewitness News

CAPE TOWN - Evidence of messages between a State witness and alleged underworld crime boss, Nafiz Modack, to discuss intimidation and extortion has been presented in the Western Cape High Court.

The witness, Shanil Maharaj, claims he hired Modack to retrieve R2 million from an asset manager, who can only be identified as "Mister C, after a botched investment.

Mister C testified that he was kidnapped, threatened and harrassed to pay back the money by Jacques Cronje, one of Modack's 14 co-accused in a high-profile trial related to running a criminal enterprise.

Maharaj told the court that Modack sent him the phone numbers of two police officers who were to assist in getting the money back from Mister C.

He said that Modack told him Mister C would be arrested as part of their efforts to retrieve the money for Maharaj. 

Earlier ths week, Mister C testified that he was arrested at his home on the third of April 2020 by the K9 unit on charges of fraud laid by Maharaj.

The matter was adjourned on Thursday for the State to subpoena the police officers to testify in court.

The trial continues.