In the trial involving Nafiz Modack and others accused of various crimes, including the killings of Detective Charl Kinnear and tow truck driver Richard Joseph, two tow truck operators provided testimony consecutively at the Western Cape High Court.
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The first witness, known as Mr B to protect his safety, recounted a dispute within Cape Town’s towing industry in 2019. This conflict arose not only due to the presence of a newcomer named Sash from Durban encroaching on established territories but also due to underlying issues.
According to Mr B, these tensions led to a meeting of the Gatvol Towers Association (GTA), a group of towing companies in Cape Town that regulates the industry and resolves conflicts. He emphasised that the GTA operated on a system of mutual respect rather than territorial boundaries.
The meeting was held at Mike’s Kitchen restaurant in Milnerton, where Mr B observed a stretch limousine parked outside with individuals resembling bodyguards or bouncers dressed in black. Assuming they were associated with Modack due to his connections with Sash, Mr B speculated that Modack might be present.
Jerome Booysen, a prominent Cape Town businessman linked to the Sexy Boys gang, was informed about the situation and attended the meeting. His agitation escalated upon seeing Modack’s associate, Jacques Cronje, present, prompting him to demand an explanation.
The reason for Booysen’s involvement in the meeting remains unclear, but it could be linked to another trial in the same court involving a group referred to as the ‘brotherhood,’ which includes Mark Lifman, Andre Naude and Colin Booysen. This trial revolves around allegations of conspiring to murder Brian Wainstein and conflicts over nightclub security control in the city.
During the trial, a witness disclosed that Jerome’s brother, Colin, was once part of the brotherhood but later split from them due to a financial dispute. The indictment alleges that Colin joined forces with Modack, leading to a turf war between the two groups as they began poaching clients from the brotherhood’s nightclub security.
According to Mr B, Jerome Booysen reacted with agitation upon seeing Cronje at the GTA meeting, leading to a heated exchange between them. However, Cronje’s account, relayed by his counsel, suggested that Booysen mistakenly believed Cronje was there on behalf of Modack, whereas Cronje was actually working for GDR Security, a client of Modack’s.
At the meeting in Mike’s Kitchen, Cronje was present to provide security for Sash’s wife, not for Modack. Mr B stated that Modack was not seen at the meeting, which concluded without any resolution.
Several weeks later, Joseph, who had scoped out the meeting venue, was fatally shot in his truck. Another witness, Mr A, testified that he committed the murder, claiming it was on behalf of Modack to send a message of intimidation. However, Modack vehemently denied any involvement in the incident, stating through his lawyer that he had no knowledge of the meeting, no connection to Sash, and no interest in the towing industry.
Following Mr B’s testimony, tow truck driver Rodney Petersen took the stand and recounted being dispatched to tow a Mercedes-Benz parked near an Engen station in Bothasig to Khayelitsha. During the tow, one of the non-staff individuals accompanying him set the luxury vehicle ablaze.
Mr A had previously testified that this Mercedes-Benz was intended for him to use in the assassination of Hawks officer Nico Heerschap. However, he mistakenly targeted Heerschap’s father, Nicholaas, leading to a panicked disposal of the car.
Recently, the State disclosed that ownership details of the luxury vehicle were found on a key fob confiscated during a stop and search of Mr A and an associate shortly after the murder. The vehicle was last registered to Modack’s brother, Yaseen. However, it was reported the night before Heerschap’s murder that the Mercedes had been stolen.
According to News24, both trials are set to resume on Monday.
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Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo Images