The high-profile trial of alleged underworld figure Nafiz Modack returns to the Western Cape High Court on Monday following a month-long court recess. Modack and his 14 co-accused are facing a combined 122 charges, including murder, attempted murder, extortion and racketeering.
The proceedings were paused in June after one of the accused fell ill, while a Legal Aid strike added further delays to an already lengthy trial. The matter now resumes with the State and defence expected to continue presenting evidence.
Nafiz Modack Trial Returns After Lengthy Delay
The Nafiz Modack trial resumes after weeks of interruptions that slowed the progress of the case. Before the court adjourned, Presiding Judge Robert Henney expressed disappointment that the proceedings had not advanced as planned.
Judge Henney said he had hoped the evidence and cross-examination of all 15 accused would have been completed before the recess. However, only three of the accused had taken the witness stand by the time the court broke.
Western Cape High Court To Hear More Evidence
The Western Cape High Court is expected to continue hearing testimony from accused number three, Ziyaad Poole, when proceedings get under way. His evidence remains incomplete following the adjournment.
The trial still has a considerable distance to go, with 12 of the remaining accused yet to present their cases. Some of the accused have, however, indicated that they do not intend to testify in their own defence.
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The Nafiz Modack trial centres on allegations involving organised crime, with Modack and his co-accused facing 122 charges. These include murder, attempted murder, extortion and racketeering.
As the trial resumes, the court is expected to continue working through the outstanding defence cases before the matter can move closer to conclusion.
