Officer to appeal decision over judge’s ‘unfair’ view

A Durban police officer who openly testified about his collusion with alleged underworld boss Nafiz Modack amid extortion accusations has been fired but said he would appeal the decision.

Warrant Officer Kelvin Shunmugan’s testimony in the Western Cape High Court set tongues wagging earlier this year when he was called to give evidence about the arrest of a prosecution witness who claimed he was extorted by the “Hells Angels” by Modack.

The witness, MC, was linked to lawyer William Booth and claimed Durban businessman Shanil Maharaj hired Modack to recover more than R500 000 from him following a failed deal investment.

Maharaj argued in court that he believed the recovery was a “lawful collection”.

However, the plot thickened when the State revealed that Modack’s co-defendant, Jacques Cronje, had extorted money from Mr. C and threatened to kill him and his family with a price on their heads. of R300,000.

According to Maharaj, Modack facilitated his introduction to Shunmugan to pursue a criminal case against MC.

Shunmugan’s testimony took a shocking turn when he admitted to being impressed by Modack’s bodyguards and was eager to meet Modack affiliate Anwar Gallie.

Shunmugan told the court: “In Durban we follow on Facebook what’s happening in Cape Town. He (Modack) was a little guy taking on the giants and was the Robin Hood of Cape Town.”

The officer admitted to hearing Gallie call Modack “Pablo” during video calls, a nod to notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Gallie, also known as “Gustavo,” had been arrested with Modack years earlier on gun-related charges.

Although Shunmugan maintained that he did not meet Modack in person, he confirmed the contact by cell phone. He admitted to having traced MC, but could not justify why he could not be arrested after his arrest.

Judge Robert Henney called his actions illegal and said he believed the cop appeared to be currying favor with Modack.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshuinda yesterday confirmed Shunmugan’s dismissal for bringing the state into disrepute.

Shunmugan told the Daily Voice that he plans to appeal the decision, believing that Judge Henney’s comments were unfair.

He said he only passed a case number to his Cape Town police colleagues and denies any connection with Modack.

He said: “I was dismissed on August 14 and will appeal. I think the judge’s comments were unfair as I was simply passing a case number to Saps in Cape Town.”

Additionally, he claimed ignorance of Modack’s involvement in the murder of Lt. Col. Charl Kinnear.

Shunmugan also said he was unaware of Maharaj’s false criminal case against the prosecution witness and noted that Maharaj later apologized for his actions.

He adds: “I didn’t know that Maharaj had apologized for setting up a false case and I didn’t know that Modack had been accused of murdering a police officer or if he was involved in drug trafficking or s ‘He was a gangster.’

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