Nafiz Modack has a new nickname: The Boeber Kingpin.
This was one of the comments made following the alleged underworld boss’ court appearance this week.
Modack is in a lot of trouble.
He faces multiple charges at several courts including conspiracy to murder an officer, attempted murder of a lawyer, intimidation, kidnapping, extortion, money laundering and contravention of the Electronic Communications Act.
Minister Bheki Cele, top cops including Jeremy Vearey and the Hawks were present, watching him like... hawks at court.
Outside court, it was a different story. A group of aunties had gathered to rally behind Modack.
They believe he is innocent, and a charitable man who looks after their community.
Zulfa Coetzee from Mitchells Plain – wearing a Modack-branded face mask nogal – told the Daily Voice: “What they are doing here is wasting money, spending so many millions on getting police to escort a man that has never been a flight risk and only been doing good for our communities.
“He has been giving food and there are not even words (to thank him). He does everything for our community.
“You can send him a Facebook message and tell him you have nothing in your house and he will send groceries to your house. That is the type of person he is, when the government can’t even do that.
"They tell you 'apply', you wait years, you still get nothing.
“I feel angry. It was just a day before he gave 50 pots of boeber to the less privileged.”
And that's where the Boeber Kingpin name came from.
Now, this is of course nothing new.
In fact, it seems to be the standard operating procedure of gang bosses and alleged gang bosses (and politicians!) alike.
We’ve seen main ouens like Ralph Stanfield and Jerome Booysen publicly donate food to Cape Flats communities and hand out cash to residents in the street.
This often happens around religious holidays.
Times are harder than ever and every bit of help counts.
People are grateful for it.
Like the lady above pointed out, people feel let down by the state.
You can't count on government to put food on the table.
So the dik dinge look after mense in exchange for their loyalty.
It’s a win-win situation. Or is it?
What does that support entail and where does it end?
Does it mean turning a blind eye to criminal activity?
Does it mean allowing our sons to “do jobs” for gangs and become skollies to support themselves and the family?
Does it mean allowing our communities to be overrun by gangs?
Think about that cash, that cup of boeber, for a minute.
Where does it come from? Is it funded by blood money?
Is it given with good intentions?
Or are you selling your community's soul to the devil?