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Modack associate grilled in court over bank deposits of R213,000

Daily Maverick · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 1203 words · By Vincent Cruywagen
Criminal Justice Proceedings Organized Crime and Money Laundering
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What to know about Criminal Justice Proceedings

Alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack’s close associate Ziyaad Poole took the stand on Monday, 25 May, denying all allegations and distancing himself from the charges against him.

Claims checked 22
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack’s close associate Ziyaad Poole took the stand on Monday, 25 May, denying all allegations and distancing himself from the charges against him.

Why it matters

Despite his denials, his testimony provided a glimpse into the State’s core argument: the existence of a sophisticated money-laundering network central to an alleged criminal syndicate.

Common ground

The Western Cape High Court heard that Poole, who earned roughly R7,000 a month as a security guard for Modack between May 2019 and March 2021, could not explain substantial payments channelled to him through the account of Empire Investment Cars.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-26-modack-associate-grilled-in-c…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Name Calling / Labeling 70% confidence
Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 22 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 12
check_circle Corroborated 6
info Single Source 3
verified Verified By Reference 1
schedule
Claim 1: “Poole testified that he was later appointed in May 2019 as a security guard for APS Security and stationed at Modack’s residence in Plattekloof, Cape Town”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 2: “co-accused Amaal Jantjies allegedly received R64,000 from the Empire account across five transactions between November 2019 and October 2020”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 3: “In April 2022, confessed Junky Funky Kids (JFK) gang member Fareez Smith entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the State”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 4: “Failed attempts between October and November 2019 to murder Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence confirms Charl Kinnear was murdered and that there was police corruption, but it does not specifically mention failed murder attempts occurring between October and November 2019.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Bosasa was a South African company specialising in providing services to government, most notably correctional services. It consisted of Bosasa Group, Bosasa Youth Development Centres, and African Glo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosasa
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Eike Moriz (born May 14, 1972), better known as Ike Moriz, is a German-South African singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. He has released 20 albums in the indie rock, pop, Latin, e…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ike_Moriz
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Beerhouse was a speciality beer hall which opened in Cape Town's Upper Long Street on International Beer Day, Friday 2 August 2013, and closed 11 years later, on 3 August, 2024. Occupying a two-…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beerhouse
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 5: “Poole was in the vehicle with Modack during a high-speed chase preceding Modack’s arrest on 29 April 2021”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 6: “The murder of tow truck driver Richard Joseph on 20 September 2019”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for 'Richard Joseph' returned generic obituaries and a serial killer (Richard Ramirez), but no evidence of a tow truck driver murdered on 20 September 2019.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Richard Ramirez was an American serial killer, sex offender and burglar whose killing spree occurred in Greater Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ramirez
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Legacy's online obit database has obituaries, death notices, and funeral services for 102 people named Richard Joseph from thousands of the largest funeral ...
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/joseph/richard
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Richard Joseph "Rick" Brodowski, 52, of 135 Jones Street Lakewood, died Saturday September 14, 2019, in UPMC, following a courageous battle with cancer.
https://www.lindfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Richard-J-Brodows…
check_circle
Claim 7: “The failed attempt in April 2020 to murder lawyer William Booth”
CORROBORATED
Cross-references from Daily Maverick confirm a failed attempt to murder lawyer William Booth on 9 April 2020.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — The State contends that they also conspired in a failed attempt to murder lawyer William Booth on 9 April 2020.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-20-charl-kin…
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — The State contends that they also conspired in a failed attempt to murder lawyer William Booth on 9 April 2020
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-18-state-acc…
schedule
Claim 8: “R23.5-million was laundered through the account in under three years”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 9: “Members of the Terrible West Siders (TWS) were allegedly behind these incidents”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 10: “The attack on the home of alleged underworld figure Andre Naude on the night of 6 September 2019”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence discusses an Andre Naude being shot in June 2025, but does not confirm an attack on his home on 6 September 2019.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — André — sometimes transliterated as Andre — is the French and Portuguese form corresponding to the English name Andrew and is now also used in the English-speaking world.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/André
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jun 25, 2025 · He was shot 23 times in a coordinated attack that took place around 7 a.m., allegedly for exposing inflated Transnet tender markups. The brutal ...
https://www.facebook.com/dailymaverick/posts/on-june-12-2025…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jun 24, 2025 · André Naudé, an alleged associate of Mark Lifman, was gunned down this afternoon in Parow. Naudé was shot along Voortrekker Road shortly after ...
https://www.facebook.com/CapeTownEtc/posts/alleged-underworl…
check_circle
Claim 11: “The murder of Kinnear in September 2020”
CORROBORATED
Cross-references from Daily Maverick confirm Charl Kinnear was murdered on 18 September 2020.
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — Kinnear’s murder on 18 September 2020 in Bishop Lavis, outside his home
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-18-state-acc…
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — Modack and debt collector Zane Kilian are the two main accused in Kinnear’s assassination on 18 September 2020
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-18-state-acc…
schedule
Claim 12: “Modack and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to the charges in January 2024”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 13: “Modack and Kilian are the two main accused in the murder of Kinnear on 18 September 2020”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 14: “former rugby player and murder accused Zane Kilian was allegedly paid R96,500 by Empire Investment Cars”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 15: “Poole, who earned roughly R7,000 a month as a security guard for Modack between May 2019 and March 2021”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Ziyaad Poole earned roughly R7,000 a month as a security guard for Modack between May 2019 and March 2021.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Ziyaad Poole, an associate of alleged crime boss Nafiz Modack, testifies in court on R213,000 payments linked to an alleged money-laundering scheme tied to a criminal syndicate.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202605270013.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 26, 2026 ... The Western Cape High Court heard that Poole, who earned roughly R7,000 a month as a security guard for Modack between May 2019 and March 2021, ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-26-modack-as…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 15, 2025 ... WATCH: Scenes from Molepolole Customary Court following the finalization of the divorce proceedings between Mothibedi Mogale and Kgakgamatso ...
https://www.facebook.com/TheVoiceBW/posts/watch-scenes-from-…
schedule
Claim 16: “Judge Henney utilised Section 342A(3)(d) of the Criminal Procedure Act to officially order the closure of Modack’s defence”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 17: “Modack and Kilian, with the other accused, are collectively facing 124 charges”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 18: “The July 2019 murder of Nicolaas Heerschap, father of former Hawks warrant officer Nico Heerschap”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm Nicolaas Heerschap was murdered on 9 July 2019 and that he was the father of Nico Heerschap.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nicolaas Heerschap, who was mistakenly murdered after a hit was ordered on his son Nico, a former Hawks officer.Police and forensic investigators at the crime scene where Nicolaas Heerschap was shot a…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-22-main-witn…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 2019 and the attempt on the life of Cape Town lawyer William Booth in April 2020. Mr A, also a member of the TWS gang, who the judge ruled cannot be named to protect his identity, has admitted to mist…
https://allafrica.com/stories/202501270593.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nicolaas Heerschap was shot and killed on 9 July 2019 while reversing his Toyota Land Cruiser out of his driveway in Melkbosstrand, outside of Cape Town. He was taking his grandchild to school. At the…
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/court-told-that-nafiz-modac…
check_circle
Claim 19: “R213,000 paid to Poole via transactions with various false references was part of a much broader money-laundering scheme”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm the State's allegation that R213,000 paid to Poole was part of a broader money-laundering scheme.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 7 days ago · Ziyaad Poole denies all charges in court, but his testimony sheds light on the State's claims of a major money-laundering network.
https://www.facebook.com/dailymaverick/posts/ziyaad-poole-de…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 26, 2026 · The State contends that R213,000 paid to Poole via transactions with various false references was part of a much broader money-laundering scheme ...
https://allafrica.com/stories/202605270013.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 6 days ago · Ziyaad Poole denies all charges in court, but his testimony sheds light on the State's claims of a major money-laundering network. May be an ...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538481856273334/posts/26873…
schedule
Claim 20: “a failed hand grenade attack at his Bishop Lavis home in November [2019]”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 21: “Ziyaad Poole took the stand on Monday, 25 May”
SINGLE SOURCE
While web results confirm Ziyaad Poole testified in court, none of the provided evidence specifically confirms the date as Monday, 25 May. One source mentions May 26, 2026 (likely a typo in the source), but the specific date of May 25 is not corroborated.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The prosecution claims Ziyaad Poole played a key role in Nafiz Modack’s criminal enterprise, describing him as the co-manager of the operation. Poole faces more than twenty charges, including murder, …
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/05/26/court-hears-alleged-modack-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Notice with regard to Mentioning/ Urgent Mentioning - Functioning of High Court, Allahabad and Lucknow Bench during COVID-19: Modalities & Arrangement. Digital Courts Vision & Roadmap (Draft) Phase II…
https://allahabadhighcourt.in/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bEq5p_2BbY
check_circle
Claim 22: “Poole faces more than 20 charges, including murder, fraud, and money laundering.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm Poole faces more than twenty charges, including murder, fraud, and money laundering.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Poole faces more than twenty charges, including murder, fraud, and money laundering.The court has heard evidence that Poole received forty payments amounting to R 213 000 from Empire Investment Cars, …
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/05/26/court-hears-alleged-modack-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Modack and his co-accused, Ziyaad Poole, who are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The pair are alleged to have conspire…
https://africannewsagency.com/nafiz-modack-and-co-accused-in…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 26, 2026 · Prosecutors allege Ziyaad Poole was a key figure in Nafiz Modack's criminal enterprise, helping to organise various gang hits in Cape Town.
https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessNews/posts/prosecutors-al…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.