6 Nafiz Modack co-accused continue to deny charges against them

6 Nafiz Modack co-accused continue to deny charges against them! The high-profile trial of alleged underworld gang boss Nafiz Modack continued on Tuesday, with six of the co-accused maintaining their innocence.

The case, which has captivated public attention, involves 15 individuals facing 122 charges linked to running a sprawling criminal enterprise.

A Web of Charges and Allegations

Nafiz Modack and his co-accused are charged with a wide array of crimes, including extortion, racketeering, intimidation, and attempted murder. The trial’s most notorious case involves the 2020 attempted murder of prominent Cape Town attorney William Booth.

Senior Hawks investigator Lieutenant-Colonel Eddie Clark has been at the forefront of the investigation, piecing together evidence to support the State’s case.

Hawks Investigator Testifies

During Tuesday’s proceedings, Lieutenant-Colonel Clark faced cross-examination over his investigation into the involvement of six of Modack’s co-accused. These include Zane Kilian, Ziyaad Poole, Moegamat Brown, Petrus Visser, and Riyaad Gesant.

Clark testified that he joined the Hawks specifically to investigate the attempted hit on Booth in April 2020. Using data retrieved from cellphones seized during the arrests, Clark said the Hawks managed to connect several suspects to the crime. He detailed how communication records and other evidence led to arrests related to the attack on Booth.

Denials from the Co-Accused

The six co-accused in question have all denied involvement in the charges brought against them:

• Zane Kilian, Ziyaad Poole, and Moegamat Brown are charged with involvement in the attack on William Booth.
• Petrus Visser faces charges of intimidation linked to the alleged criminal network.
• Riyaad Gesant, another accused implicated in the attack on Booth, has already been prosecuted for his role.

Their legal representatives have challenged the State’s evidence, arguing that the case is built on circumstantial evidence and lacks direct proof of their clients’ involvement.

The Attack on William Booth

The attempted assassination of William Booth serves as a key element in the trial. Booth, a high-profile criminal defense attorney, became a target allegedly after Modack and his associates grew frustrated with his legal efforts on behalf of a client. According to the State, Modack orchestrated the hit out of retaliation.

Lieutenant-Colonel Clark testified that the Hawks uncovered critical evidence linking Modack’s associates to the crime. This included phone records, text messages, and surveillance footage that allegedly tied the co-accused to planning and executing the attack.

The Role of Technology in the Case

Clark emphasized the importance of technology in unraveling the case. He detailed how cellphone data was used to track the movements and communications of the accused. This evidence formed a critical part of the State’s argument, allowing investigators to establish connections between various individuals within Modack’s alleged criminal network.

Clark’s testimony suggested that these digital footprints were instrumental in expanding the investigation, leading to additional arrests and charges beyond the attempted murder of Booth.

Previous Convictions

One of the co-accused, Riyaad Gesant, has already been prosecuted for his role in the Booth attack. While this conviction bolsters the State’s narrative of a coordinated effort led by Modack, it also places additional scrutiny on the remaining accused as they continue to deny their involvement.

Defense Challenges Evidence

The defense teams for the co-accused have been relentless in their efforts to discredit the State’s case. They have argued that the evidence presented by the Hawks is speculative and circumstantial. During cross-examination, Clark faced questions aimed at undermining the reliability of the cellphone data and other evidence used to implicate the accused.

The defense has also highlighted the absence of direct eyewitness testimony linking their clients to the crimes, asserting that the State’s case rests heavily on inference rather than conclusive proof.

Trial Resumes with More Testimony

The trial is set to continue on Wednesday, with another Hawks investigator expected to take the stand. This next phase of testimony will likely delve deeper into the operations of Modack’s alleged criminal network and the State’s case against the co-accused.

As the trial progresses, the case remains a significant test of South Africa’s capacity to tackle organized crime and hold high-profile figures accountable.

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