Nafiz Modack supporters call for his release, believe he is 'a man for the people'

Supporters called for Nafiz Modack to be released on bail in order for him to continue helping others. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/African News Agency (ANA)

Supporters called for Nafiz Modack to be released on bail in order for him to continue helping others. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/African News Agency (ANA)

Published May 10, 2021

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Cape Town - Supporters stood firm outside the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Monday, calling for the release of alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack.

A group of supporters wearing masks which read “Modack Group” carried placards calling for his release. They claim that Modack’s arrest is a plot against him for all the good he does.

Modack appeared alongside Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) member Sergeant Ashley Tabisher on corruption charges on Monday.

Modack is separately charged with conspiracy to commit murder after a hand grenade was thrown at the Bishop Lavis home of former Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear months before his assassination last year.

Supporters are calling for Nafiz Modack to be released on bail. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/African News Agency (ANA)

Modack faces these charges alongside two co-accused, Amaal Jantjies and Janick Adonis, who were not present at court.

Modack’s supporters said it was “useless” having him behind bars as they called him a philanthropist who has been feeding the nation and who stepped up where the government had failed to step in.

Modack is known for feeding people from all walks of life, from the Cape Flats to Eldorado Park and Reiger Park in Gauteng.

Supporters call for the released of Nafiz Modack. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/African News Agency (ANA)

He is also known for assisting masjids and madressas (Muslim schools) with funding and food, as well as for running soup kitchens across the country.

Standing directly opposite the court, supporters said it was unfair that after almost two weeks of detention, Modack was yet to bring forth a bail application.

A heavy police guard could be seen at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate's Court on Monday, where alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack appeared. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/African News Agency (ANA)

One of the supporters outside court, Safia Mohamed Allie, from Pretoria, said she and everyone else had come out to support Modack and to seek clarification as to why he has not received bail yet.

“It doesn’t make sense. You find others getting bail on the same day. Yet, Nafiz doesn’t get bail. The law should be equal to all and not just to certain people and not those just pulled out from a group,” she said.

Safia Mohamed Allie said Modack’s supporters want to know why he has not been granted bail. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/ANA

A Facebook page called “Free Nafiz Modack” has been gaining traction and has more than 200 members.

Allie said people need Modack.

“There’s people out here that need Nafiz. If the government can’t see that… It’s very unfair, there are not only 50 or 500 people that depend on Nafiz but there is a complete nation.

Supporters try catching a glimpse of Nafiz Modack as he is transported from the Bishop Lavis Magistrate's Court. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/ANA

“We are asking the government to listen to us. They need to understand that people depend on this man. It's not as if he is only doing it from now, he has been doing it for years,” Allie said.

Supporters and anyone who was hungry were given warm akni, while children received food and party packets. Photo: Robin-Lee Francke/African News Agency (ANA)

She said it was of no use detaining Modack as he could not help people in that position.

Other supporters could also be heard pleading, stating that the holy month of Ramadaan was coming to an end and Eid ul-Fitr was on their doorstep and families had nothing to eat. They claimed Modack would also be assisting in that regard. Eid ul-Fitr is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadaan.

Supporters and anyone who was hungry were given warm akni, while children received food and party packets. Picture: Robin-Lee Francke/African News Agency (ANA)

As Modack was being taken away in a police Nyala amid a heavy police presence, supporters could be heard calling out to him while onlookers peered through the fencing to catch a glimpse of him.

As he was escorted away from the court, a vehicle pulled up with two 100-litre pots of akni that was dished up for the crowd, while party packets were distributed to children in the area.

African News Agency (ANA)