Cape underworld trial continues after Lifman’s murder
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed they will continue prosecuting the men accused alongside Mark Lifman, despite his recent death.
The major underworld trial is set to resume at the Western Cape High Court on Monday, where Lifman’s death certificate is expected to be presented to Judge Vincent Saldanha.
This was confirmed by NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, who addressed questions surrounding the trial of the late “Steroid King,” Brian Wainstein.
Lifman was shot and killed outside the Garden Route Mall on Sunday. His absence from the trial was noticed the next day, and Judge Saldanha informed the court that the State was requesting a postponement to obtain Lifman’s death certificate and address other administrative matters.
Lifman had been on trial alongside Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, Andre Naude, Sam Farquharson, Egan Norman, Wayne Henderson, Ricardo Maarman, Typhene Jantjies, Bevan Ezaus, Bradley De Bula, Kashief Hanslo, Rowendel Stevens, Ismail Cupido, and Igor Russol.
The group face numerous charges related to the murder of Wainstein and violent incidents at nightclubs in Cape Town’s CBD. According to the indictment, Lifman was the main suspect in Wainstein’s murder and the conspiracy to kill several other individuals, including Nafiz Modack, Colin Booysen, Carl Lakay, Ashley Fields, Emile Goodley, and James Dalton. He was also charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit public violence, and offences under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (NPA).
Ntabazalila said: “The State will hand over a death certificate to the court and will continue with the prosecution of the remaining accused. The State will not stop prosecution or withdraw charges against any of the remaining accused.”
Lifman is the fourth accused in this trial to be killed in recent years.
After their arrests, Lifman, Booysen, and alleged 27s gang leader William Stevens were granted bail of R100,000. But in February 2021, Stevens was gunned down outside his home in Rembrandt Street, Kraaifontein. Stevens, known for his ties to other underworld figures, was declared dead at the scene. Later, two alleged henchmen of 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield were charged with his murder.
A month later, another accused, Jason Maits, was shot and killed while leaving his home in Westridge.
More than a year later, another accused, Anthony Ameer van der Watt, was shot and killed on the M5 highway. The incident, which took place on October 6, 2022, led to the road being blocked off while police questioned Van der Watt’s driver. His death was confirmed during the pretrial hearings.
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