Controversial businessman and Cape-Town underworld figure, Mark Lifman was shot dead in a parking lot of a shopping mall in George on Sunday morning - a day before was set to testify in a murder trial.
Gunmen allegedly travelling a VW Polo opened fire killing the 57-year-old.
Pictures of his body laying in the parking lot of the Garden Route Mall have gone viral.
Western Cape police confirmed the shooting incident, adding that the circumstances of the incident is now the subject of a police investigation, and more information cannot be disclosed at this stage.
The alleged underworld kingpin has been charged in connection with the murder of slain steroid king Brian Wainstein.
Wainstein was gunned down at his Constantia home in August 2017.
The State alleges that Wainstein and Lifman had allegedly clashed over property deals and a plan was hatched to have Wainstein murdered along with the help of 27s gang members.
The trial is currently being heard in the Western Cape High Court.
It is understood that Lifman was set to testify on Monday where he faces nine charges, that include murder, conspiracy to commit murder as well as contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
Lifman was arrested on December 22, 2020 after he handed himself over to Cape Town police.
This, after a warrant of arrest that was issued against Lifman a few days earlier on December 15, 2020.
Lifman was released on R100,000 bail.
In November 2021 Lifman requested the court return his passport to enable him to travel to Turkey and other countries for work purposes.
He was denied this and even tried to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Two years later in 2023 Lifman launched a fresh application to have his bail conditions relaxed so that he could travel for work.
He offered to pay an additional R150,000 to have his passport returned so that he could travel to Turkey and Hong Kong for work.
In his affidavit Lifman said he believes that he will be able to challenge the State's evidential material and show that he is not guilty of the offence preferred against him.
He said he was eager to stand trial and for a verdict to end the matter.
On November 27, 2023, Western Cape High Court Judge JD Lekhuleni dismissed the application saying that it was not in the interest of justice to release Lifman.
In April 2024, Lifman and his co-accused Jerome “Donkie” Booysen denied they conspired or paid for the assassination of Wainstein.
They both submitted plea explanations, stating that they deny ever meeting with members of the 27s gang to plot attacks on nightclubs as well as planning and funding the assassination of Wainstein.
According to the State indictments between April to November 2017, the group aided and encouraged and instigated criminal activity in areas such as Sea Point, Cape Town, Camps Bay, Kraaifontein, Plattekloof, Belhar, Mitchells Plain and Constantia.
The State further alleges that at various times and places, such as Cubana, Coco bar, Club 31, The Grand Africa Cafe and Mavericks, the accused intimidated or threatened club personnel and disturbed public peace.
In another matter, earlier this week the Cape Argus reported that Lifman obtained a draft court order from the Western Cape High Court to attach a Green Point property owned by former Beerhouse owner Randolf Jorberg amid an ongoing R1 million defamation claim.
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