State continues using cellphone evidence in bid to show Modack behind attempted murder of Booth

State prosecutor, Greg Wolmarans, on Tuesday continued to use cellphone evidence to argue that alleged underworld gang boss, Nafiz Modack, was behind the attempted murder of criminal defence attorney, William Booth, in April 2020.

Modack and 14 others currently face 122 charges related to operating a criminal enterprise, including the attempt on Booth's life at his Higgoveale home five years ago.

Modack admitted in court that he was hired by businessman, Shaneel Maharaj, to perform a debt collection from a former State witness, who can only be identified as "Mister C," in March 2020. However, Modack denied asking co-accused Zane Kilian to "ping" Mister C's whereabouts.

Modack insists he handed the debt collection over to co-accused, Jacques Cronje, after Maharaj indicated he could no longer afford Modack's services.

The court heard that after Cronje allegedly kidnapped and threatened "Mister C," the witness sought the legal services of Booth to obtain a protection order.

Wolmarans pressed Modack on why he continued to communicate with Maharaj after claiming he had handed the collection over to Cronje.

"These communications that we're going through show that you were at the forefront of the 'Mister C saga' that connects to William Booth as well. You were right in the middle," Wolmarans asserted.

Modack countered, telling the court he entertained the messages merely to show courtesy to an associate who had introduced him to Maharaj.

The trial continues.