Nafiz Modack, the alleged underworld kingpin, has made explosive claims at the Western Cape High Court, stating that he hired his co-accused, Zane Kilian, to track the cellphone of slain Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear, amidst a plot to kill him. These shocking revelations came as Modack took the stand for the third day of his trial, shedding light on his connection with Kilian and denying any direct involvement in Kinnear’s death.
Modack is one of several accused in the high-profile trial surrounding the murder of Detective Kinnear, who was tragically shot outside his Bishop Lavis home in September 2020. Kilian, alongside Modack and 13 other co-accused, is facing a range of serious charges, including the illegal interception of cellphone data. The prosecution argues that the tracking of Kinnear’s phone ultimately led the gunman to the detective’s home, resulting in his fatal shooting.
During his testimony, Modack explained that he had hired Kilian, a former rugby player, after meeting him in Johannesburg, but insisted that Kilian’s task was only to monitor whether Kinnear was meeting with notorious gang boss Jerome “Donkie” Booysen. Modack emphasized that he had no direct role in the actual murder and was unaware that Kinnear would be killed that day. He claimed that he only learned of Kinnear’s death through Advocate Bruce Hendricks, not long after the tragic incident occurred.
Modack’s statements came amid claims that Kinnear, in collaboration with Booysen, had allegedly conspired to assassinate him, though Modack did not provide concrete evidence to support this claim. His testimony also touched on the legal troubles he faced after Kinnear’s murder. Modack was questioned by the Hawks, who initially suspected him in connection with a shooting targeting Bradley Goldblatt, a state witness in the trial. However, Modack pointed out that he was never directly interrogated about Kinnear’s death during that time.
In another dramatic twist, Modack alleged that Colonel Eddie Clarke, one of the detectives involved in investigating Kinnear’s murder, had warned him that he would face numerous charges unless he paid a bribe of R500,000. This claim further deepened the complexity of the case and raised questions about possible corruption within the investigation.
As the trial progresses, the courtroom is set to be filled with further revelations surrounding the murder of one of South Africa’s most high-profile anti-gang detectives. With Modack’s testimony adding layers of intrigue and uncertainty, the case continues to captivate public attention as more details emerge.
