SAPS’ Warrant Officer Kelvin Shunmugan – who brazenly testified in court about colluding with alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack during extortion charges, has been dismissed for bringing the state into disrepute, but says he will appeal the decision.

A Cape Argus report says Shunmugan was called to testify in the Western Cape High Court earlier this year about an arrest of a state witness who claimed he was being extorted my Modack’s ‘Hells Angels’.

The state witness was linked to attorney William Booth and alleged that Durban businessman, Shanil Maharaj, had hired Modack to recover over R500 000 from him following a failed investment deal.

Maharaj argued in court that he believed the recovery was a ‘legal collection’.

However, the plot thickened when the state revealed that Modack's co-accused, Jacques Cronje, had extorted the money from Mr C, the witness, and threatened to kill him and his family, placing a bounty of R300 000 on their heads.

According to Maharaj, Modack facilitated his introduction to Shunmugan to pursue a criminal case against Mr C.

Shunmugan's testimony took a turn when he admitted to being impressed by Modack’s security detail and showed eagerness to meet Modack’s affiliate, Anwar Gallie.

Though Shunmugan maintained he did not meet Modack in person, he confirmed contact via cellphone.

According to the Cape Argus, he admitted to tracing Mr C but could not justify why Mr C could not be detained following his arrest.

Judge Robert Henney labelled his actions as unlawful and said he believed the policeman appeared to be seeking favour with Modack.

Police spokesperson, Robert Netshuinda, confirmed Shunmugan's dismissal. Despite this, Shunmugan plans to appeal the decision, asserting that Henney's comments were unfair.

He maintains he only passed a case number to police colleagues in Cape Town and denies any connections with Modack.

Furthermore, he claims to be unaware of Modack's involvement in the murder of Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear.

Full Cape Argus report