LIFMAN 'KILLERS' DENIED BAIL

THE men accused of murdering alleged underworld kingpin Mark Lifman have lost their bail appeal in the Western Cape High Court.

Johannes Hendrik Jacobs and Gert Johannes Bezuidenhout face charges of premeditated murder after the gunning down of the controversial business in the parking lot off the Garden Route Mall in George on 3 November 2024

Investigating officer, Lieutenant Colonel Christiaan van Reenen, yesterday opposed their bail and provided a timeline that showed that on October 29, 2024, Bezuidenhout obtained permits for several firearms from Professional Protection Alternative (PPA) Security, which were valid until 3 November 2024. 

Two days later, on 31 October 2024, the accused booked in at the African Sun Guest House, Geelhoutboom in George.

On 3 November 2024, Lifman was assassinated at about 11am in the parking lot of Garden Route Mall. 

CCTV footage implicated a hatchback which was later, now with a broken window, seen on CCTV travelling from the mall towards Redberry Farm, Geelhoutboom, where the number plates were changed.

The same vehicle with changed number plates is seen in the direction of Sedgefield and the duo was later busted near De Vlugt in the direction towards Uniondale. 

On 4 December 2024, police seized all firearms, including those that were booked out to Bezuidenhout, at the premises of PPA in Cape Town. 

The State argued that circumstantial evidence was overwhelming against the accused. 

On May 6, 2025, the legal representatives for the accused brought a bail appeal to the high court where they stated several instances where they believed the magistrate who made denied their bail made errors. 

Senior State Prosecutor, Evadne Kortje, argued that their release would undermine or jeopardise the objectives or the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, including the relevant bail system.  

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazlila, she said if the pair were released on bail, they would attempt to influence or intimidate witnesses or to conceal or destroy evidence. 

He adds: “Kortje said they are aware of the identity of a crucial state witness. They know the crucial state witness's whereabouts, and the likelihood of intimidation exists. 

“They have access to evidentiary material, whereby the firearm used in the commission of this crime has not been found or seized.”

“The court agreed and ruled that the accused failed to discharge their onus on a balance of probabilities.”