State uses testimony of Hawks colonel to implicate Modack co-accused in attempted murder of Booth

The prosecution team in the high-profile trial of alleged underworld gang boss Nafiz Modack on Tuesday aligned evidence to show how Modack and four of his co-accused were allegedly involved in the attempted murder of attorney William Booth.

Cellphone evidence collected by the Hawks revealed constant communication among three of Modack's co-accused before the attempt on Booth's life five years ago.

One of the accused, Zane Kilian, has admitted that Modack instructed him to "ping" (track) Booth before the incident.

State prosecutor Greg Wolmarans on Tuesday used the testimony of Hawks Colonel Edward Clarke to implicate accused number four, Toufeek Brown, in the attempted murder of attorney William Booth.

READ: Judge urges prosecution team to conclude Modack’s cross-examination

Colonel Clarke's evidence showed that Brown communicated with co-accused Riyaad Gesant, who previously admitted he was a shooter inthe incident, and other role players, including accused number three, Ziyaad Poole.

Modack previously told the court he employed Poole as a bodyguard, though he denies instructing him to orchestrate the attack on Booth.

Wolmarans also showed the court records of communication between Poole and Brown's wife, Kauthar Brown, who also admitted her involvement in the shooting.

"Eighty-four calls between these two numbers. Kauthar and the disputed number of Mr Poole. And it goes from October 24, 2019, and it ends, and this is hardly surprising, nine days after the Booth attack."

Wolmarans told the court the evidence shows the accused's actions were aligned because they were all allegedly working for odack.