Extortion of Cape Town luxury car dealership takes centre stage in Modack trial

CAPE TOWN - The extortion of a luxury car dealership in Cape Town was centre stage on Wednesday in the case against alleged gang boss Nafiz Modack.

The state presented evidence of millions paid to an apparent front company, Empire Investment Cars, from the targeted dealership, The Toy Shop.

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Five of Modack's 14 co-accused in the trial were allegedly paid with money laundered through Empire Investment Cars, which the prosecution argues was acquired through extortion.

Modack and his co-accused face 124 charges related to various crimes, including murder and running a criminal empire.

State prosecutor Greg Wolmarans on Wednesday told the court that more than R4 million was paid to Empire Investment Cars from The Toy Shop between September 2018 and November 2020.

Wolmarans said a future state witness, Mark Misdorp, who was manager of The Toy Shop at the time, will testify that the money was extorted from the business.

The Toy Shop came under the spotlight in February 2021, when a gang of about 40 entered the store and damaged at least eight vehicles before assaulting staff.

Proceedings were brought to a halt on Wednesday when Judge Robert Henney questioned the State's case, asking Wolmarans why there were no charges of extortion related to the evidence.

The matter was then adjourned for the state and Modack's defence attorney to convince Henney whether the evidence is admissible in court on Thursday.