Nafiz Modack wanted 20% fee to collect R2m from asset manager, witness tells court
The witness, Shanil Maharaj, said that he asked Nafiz Modack for help after he lost money in an investment with another State witness, who can only be identified as "Mister C".
Nafiz Modack (foreground, in blue jacket) appeared in the Western Cape High Court on 8 May 2024. Picture: Carlo Petersen/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - A State witness has testified how alleged underworld crime boss, Nafiz Modack, wanted a 20% fee to collect two million rand for him after an investment went sour.
The witness, Shanil Maharaj, said that he asked Modack for help after he lost money in an investment with another State witness, who can only be identified as "Mister C".
Modack and 14 co-accused face 124 charges for various crimes, including murder, extortion and running a criminal enterprise.
Maharaj said that after making numerous attempts to get the money back from Mister C, a business associate put him in contact with Modack.
"It was Nafiz. I had contact with Nafiz... Nafiz Modack."
Maharaj told the court that Modack made certain requirements before agreeing to collect the money.
"I explained my story to Mister Modack over the phone. Mister Modack was asking for facts, he was asking for proof, he was asking for statements, he was asking for the truth..."
Maharaj said that Modack sent him a message to forward to Mister C, which read: "Hell's Angels will do the collection from you... this is now a criminal matter."
Earlier this week, Mister C testified that one of Modack's co-accused, Jacques Cronje, kidnapped him at a hotel in Century City before making death threats to pay back the money.
The trial continues.