Two men arrested in connection with murder of alleged Cape underworld figure Mark Lifman

Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Mark Lifman, an alleged figure in the Cape Town underworld and businessman. The arrests occurred on Sunday afternoon near Uniondale, shortly after the men allegedly fled the scene of the crime. They are expected to appear in George Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

According to Western Cape police, the two suspects, aged 37 and 53, have been charged with the murder of a 57-year-old man who was shot outside the Garden Route Mall in George on Sunday morning. The incident has drawn significant attention due to Lifman’s notorious background and his involvement in a contentious turf war in Cape Town.

After the shooting, local police, along with law enforcement officials, security companies, and crime watch groups, were mobilized to locate the suspects. The police stated, “After the suspects fled the crime scene, the search efforts were intensified, leading to their arrest a few hours later.”

Reports indicate that the Farm Watch security WhatsApp group in George played a crucial role in the investigation, using surveillance cameras to track the Volkswagen Polo that the suspects allegedly used as their getaway vehicle.

Lifman was reportedly embroiled in a violent turf war with rival Nafiz Modack over control of Cape Town’s security and entertainment sectors. Both men are believed to have connections to various gangs in the region and are suspected of orchestrating public acts of violence and intimidation. Allegations suggest they may also have ties to high-ranking police officials, raising concerns about corruption within law enforcement.

In addition to his involvement in the ongoing turf war, Lifman was facing serious legal issues himself. He had been charged with the murder of steroid dealer Brian Wainstein, who was killed in 2017. Lifman was on trial alongside alleged gang boss Jerome “Donkie” Booysen. Testimony from a key witness, referred to as Mr. X, indicated that Lifman believed Wainstein was becoming “greedy,” which contributed to the tensions that led to Wainstein’s murder.

Lifman’s murder marks a significant development in a case that has already seen considerable violence. He was the fourth individual connected to the Wainstein murder trial to be killed, a chilling statistic that underscores the dangerous environment surrounding these figures.

The trial was scheduled to take place in the Western Cape High Court on Monday, with Lifman set to appear alongside Booysen, Egan Norman, and Andre Naude. However, in light of Lifman’s murder, the court decided to postpone the proceedings. The State expressed concerns about the potential for heightened anxiety among those involved and opted not to oppose the postponement.

As the investigation continues, the community remains on high alert, aware of the violent dynamics at play in the underworld of Cape Town. The authorities are working diligently to unravel the web of connections between the suspects, Lifman, and the various criminal enterprises that operate within the city.

The recent events have raised questions about safety and security in the region, especially given the allegations of police corruption and the involvement of organized crime. With the arrests made, many hope that this will lead to further developments in addressing the ongoing violence and instability in Cape Town’s underbelly.

As the legal proceedings unfold and more details emerge, the case against the arrested suspects will be closely monitored by both law enforcement and the public. The situation remains fluid, with many anticipating further revelations about the individuals involved and the broader implications for crime in the area.