CAPE TOWN – The Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula on Friday vowed to go after corrupt police officers who work with Cape Town’s underworld kingpins.

The minister made the comments after claims surfaced that top ranking police officers are linked to five alleged criminal masterminds, who are currently in court on intimidation and extortion charges.

Nafiz Modack, Colin Booysen, Ashley Fields, Jacques Cronje and Carl Lakay face charges of intimidation and eight counts of extortion. 

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They are allegedly part of a new group, TSG security, that has been forcefully taking over Cape Town’s nightclub and restaurant security scene, extorting money.

Modack claims his rival and controversial businessman, Mark Lifman, arranged a R20-million hit on him. They are seemingly at loggerheads over control of Cape Town’s underworld operations.

The naming of top politicians and high-ranking police officers has also drawn a lot of attention to this case. 

“These allegations have been there for quite some time and police have been working very hard in terms of bringing these people to book,” said Mbalula. 

“It’s not an easy task because you’ve got to work it deep in the belly. And I salute those police officer who have remained loyal to the cause. As for those who are implicated or their names are being mentioned, it is not for us to theorise about it. We need to bring them to book.”

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Modack, who is seemingly the mastermind of the takeover, reportedly has links with President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma. 

Other familiar names that have emerged as having had dealings with these men include convicted drug dealer Radovan Krejcir, and former MK operative and underworld boss Cyril Beeka, who was gunned down in 2012. 

Demoted senior police officer, Major-General Veary, has been present in court a few times. Veary and Major-General Peter Jacobs have been instrumental in the arrest of the men.

Modack has accused Veary of working with Jerome Donkie Booysen, brother of Colin Booysen, as well as Lifman, for some time. 

In addition, three Gauteng police officers – Warrant Officer Vincent Saunders, and Sergeants Peet Van Der Linde and Johan Marais – are in Cape Town to testify about similar charges against the men in Johannesburg.

The accused are expected back in the dock again next week, with or without the testimony of investigating officer, Charl Kinnear, who has been ill for the past few days.

eNCA