Chaos erupted in the trial of alleged underworld crime boss, Nafiz Modack, when accused number four, Toufeek Brown and other accused walked out of the courtroom, hurling profanities in the presence of Judge Robert Henney.
Brown is aggrieved by the evidence presented using his wife’s name during Monday’s proceedings.
He is among the 14 co-accused on trial with Modack, facing more than 100 charges, including money laundering, racketeering, extortion and the 2020 murder of anti-Gang Unit detective, Charl Kinnear.
Hostilities played out in court when Brown threatened the media for filming him. Brown is furious over the use of his wife’s name, linking her to the planning and assassination hit on Cape Town lawyer, William Booth, in 2020.
Brown had a heated argument with the presiding Judge, as he requested that his wife’s name should be concealed. He hurled insults as he walked down to the holding cells with three other accused.
Judge Robert Henney lashed out at Brown, telling him that he will not condone his behaviour and disregard the evidence that is relevant and admissible.
He ordered officers to fetch them.
“The accused removed themselves in the proceedings. The accused don’t have a right to leave proceedings. Whatever grievances you have, you have no right to walk out of the proceedings,” said Judge Henney.
State Prosecutor, Greg Wolmarans, told the court that the identity of Brown’s wife has not been used gratuitously.
“Her name was mentioned because she is and was a criminal participant in the plotting and planning to attempt to kill Mr Booth, and she pleaded guilty to that. And with respect of Mr Brown’s sensitivities and my heart certainly goes out if there are children being embarrassed or humiliated out there, his children. But at the end of the day, Mr Brown must separate the identity of his wife from the identity of a criminal participant because that is what she is, and it is not reasonable to ask for identity concealment. It’s a slippery slope.”
VIDEO | Testimony on Brown’s wife in the Modack case:
Brown’s lawyer has requested that the state refrain from using his wife’s name.
” I believe the simple way is to refer to Brown’s wife as the wife of Mr Brown,” Judge Henney ruled.
The case continues.
