Alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack received a belated birthday surprise when his supporters released balloons into the air at Blue Downs Regional Court on Thursday.
The group, who gathers at each court appearance, said they were hartseer after hearing that Modack spent his 40th birthday in the mang on 25 June.
Modack along with Zane Kilian, Jacques Cronje, Ricardo Morgan and Sergeant Ashley Tabisher returned to court yesterday for the continuation of their bail hearing.
The group is accused of being part of the “Nafiz Modack Enterprise” and the state alleges they are guilty of various offences including racketeering, extortion and responsible for the plot to murder Anti-Gang Unit commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear.
The defence team lodged an application last week calling for the charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act to be scrapped after it was revealed that the National Prosecuting Authority had not obtained the necessary certificate to charge them, but Magistrate Deon van der Spuy dismissed the application and each of the five men submitted affidavits motivating why their bail should be approved.
Van der Spuy yesterday approved the postponement of the hearings to 13 and 20 July when the state is set to respond to the affidavits.
Outside court, a group of about 20 men and women gathered where they shared a cake and sang Happy Birthday as Modack was transported back to prison.
Modack upporters at Blue Downs Court. Video: Monique Duval
“We feel very sad because it was his 40th birthday and 40 only comes once.
“We are very sad that he is in prison and may God open the doors for him because his family needs him and everyone wants him to come out,” said a woman.