Alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack has made serious allegations against high-ranking police officials, accusing them of working with his late rival, Mark Lifman, to orchestrate an attempt on his life. Taking the stand for the second consecutive day in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday, Modack claimed he had been tipped off about the plot by a close friend, who allegedly had connections to top law enforcement officers.
This revelation came during the testimony of his former friend, Mohamed Hanware, who appeared as a State witness. Hanware, speaking from the Middle East via an online meeting, was first implicated in the ongoing underworld trial early last year. The relationship between Modack and Hanware deteriorated over accusations that Modack had paid R40 000 to bribe slain AGU detective Charl Kinnear and former officer Chesron De Vries to recover his firearms.
In response, De Vries denied the claims, stating that he and Kinnear had visited Hanware’s home to gather information about a high-profile kidnapping, not to engage in any illicit dealings. However, the situation escalated as bank records presented in court by the Hawks revealed that Modack had transferred over R500 000 to Hanware in an alleged attempt to corrupt Major-General Jeremy Vearey, the former head of detectives.
Hanware, however, contended that Modack owed him R1.3 million and claimed he had deceived Modack into believing that the money had gone to Vearey. Modack’s testimony continued with startling revelations about his rivalry with Lifman. According to Modack, after tensions escalated between them, he received information suggesting that the police had planned a hit on his life. In his own investigation, Modack claimed he uncovered evidence that Lifman had instructed Vearey to carry out the attack.
Modack further testified that Hanware had warned him about the plot, even telling him that Kinnear had disclosed Modack’s whereabouts in Johannesburg, making it clear that the authorities were tracking his movements. As time passed, Modack said he was repeatedly harassed by the AGU, accusing them of raiding his home without warrants, assaulting his staff, and even shooting his dogs.
Modack went on to explain that, out of fear for his safety and that of his family, he paid Vearey through Hanware, confirming that he had been present when they were in contact. His testimony also included a chilling prediction made by Hanware the day before the murder of Hard Livings gang boss Rashied Staggie. Hanware allegedly informed Modack that Staggie was to be killed on December 13, 2019, because the police had failed to control him.
This testimony further cemented Modack’s belief that the threat against his own life was very real. The trial continues, with Modack’s explosive accusations adding fuel to the already volatile legal proceedings surrounding South Africa’s underworld figures.
