The suspects in the high-profile murder of Mark Lifman, a prominent figure in Cape Town’s underworld, were captured on CCTV footage shortly after the shooting.
Story Summary:
- Leaked CCTV footage shows the suspects changing license plates after the alleged killing of Mark Lifman, suggesting meticulous planning and potential links to former SAPS training.
- Suspects Johannes Jacobs and Gert Bezuidenhout were denied solitary confinement at their first court appearance, with the case postponed to 13 November for further proceedings.
- Lifman’s death has stalled the Brian Wainstein murder trial, raising security concerns for key figures in Cape Town’s criminal cases.
Watch: Mark Lifman suspects caught changing number plates after shooting
The video, first shared by IOL News, shows the men calmly changing the license plates on their white VW Polo, reportedly moments after allegedly shooting Lifman in the parking lot of the Garden Route Mall in George on Sunday.
The footage has further fuelled speculation about the professionalism of the hit, with some sources close to AmaBhungane investigators indicating the suspects may have links to specialised training, potentially from previous roles within law enforcement.
Both suspects, identified as Johannes Jacobs (53) and Gert Bezuidenhout (37), work for a Cape Town-based security company and were arrested later on Sunday afternoon in Uniondale.
Police have continued to gather evidence from the vehicle and weapons recovered from the suspects.
Among the items seized was an unlicensed firearm, which has been sent for ballistic testing to determine if it is connected to other unsolved crimes.
Jacobs and Bezuidenhout appeared briefly in the George Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday, where they requested to be held in solitary confinement for safety reasons, a request the magistrate denied.
The court has postponed the case to Wednesday, 13 November 2024, allowing prosecutors time to compile information for a potential bail hearing.
Due to the heightened media and public interest in the case, police maintained a strong presence at the courthouse, with thorough security checks conducted on all attendees.
This development has deepened concerns over security in the Brian Wainstein murder trial, in which Lifman was a primary defendant.
Known as the “steroid king,” Wainstein was killed in 2017 at his Constantia home, allegedly at the direction of Lifman and other figures in Cape Town’s organised crime circles.
The trial, which began in April 2024, has been temporarily delayed as a result of Lifman’s killing, with proceedings expected to resume on Monday, 11 November 2024
