Modack latest: Charges against cop who ‘tipped-off gang boss’ revealed

One of the many bombshells revealed during the appearance of alleged Cape Town gang leader Nafiz Modack on Friday was the State’s outlining of charges levelled against one of his six co-accused – a South African Police Service (SAPS) member named as Sergeant Ashley Tabisher. 

Tabisher, who was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2018 and assigned to the newly formed Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), was arrested shortly after Modack and charged with corruption and money laundering related to the dissemination of confidential information to alleged gang members. 

State outline charges against ‘corrupt’ AGU member  

The State’s submission to the Cape Town court outlined how Tabisher had established a relationship with Jenick Adonis and Amaal Jantjies, who are understood to have been working with the AGU to supply them with information related to illegal firearms. 

“Adonis and Jantjies co-operated with the AGU hoping that they would assist them in obtaining bail for Accused 5 in a matter that he was being tried for at Khayelitsha Regional Court, or in the alternative to assist him (Accused 5) in obtaining a reduced sentence in Khayelitsha Regional Court upon conviction in that case.”

The State allege that during that time, Tabisher and other members from the AGU were responsible for the transportation of the two women to and from a Khayelitsha Court.

“Tabisher was also directly in contact with them and facilitated the information that he had received from them,” the State claimed.

In the weeks that followed, Tabisher allegedly made contact with Adonis and Jantjies, with Modack alleged to have demanded that the pair ascertain information from the SAPS member relating to a series of raids on his private residences at the time.

“Modack wanted to be prepared for the AGU beforehand,” they claim.

Modack ‘demanded tip-off’ from Tabisher  

Tabisher is then accused of having done what was asked of him and tipped-off Modack to the imminent raids, with the officer then handed RI0 000 and a cell phone, which was valued at approximately R3 500.

On Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said in a statement after Modack was charged with Kinnear’s murder that the officer had exchanged confidential police information with a suspected gang leader. 

“Modack faces a charge of corruption along with AGU Sergeant Ashley Tabisher for allegedly offering him R10 000 in exchange for information on police operations against him (Modack). They further worked in concert with Amaal Jantjies to infiltrate the AGU, whilst Jantjies was also charged for the failed hand grenade incident,” he said. 

The State claimed that Tabisher’s actions amounts to the “illegal, dishonest, unauthorised, incomplete carrying out or performance of any powers, duties or functions” and said that he had without doubt abused his power as a representative of South African law Enforcement.