Controversial businessman Mark Lifman has claimed the head of a security company involved in the Clifton beach saga once worked for him and was the “ultimate yes man”.
Charges against Professional Protection Alternatives (PPA) are piling up with the police investigating three assault cases, the City of Cape Town filing charges with the private security regulator, and the ANC laying further complaints with the police.
PPA is accused of removing patrons from 4th Beach on 23 December, an incident which has sparked several protests - one in which a sheep was ritually slaughtered to “cleanse” the beach of racism.
The City insists that PPA is not authorised to enforce by-laws.
Mayor Dan Plato said: “We are laying the complaint so the matter can be fully investigated by the appropriate structure, so any wrongdoing can be identified and addressed accordingly by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority.”
Plato said charges of animal cruelty would be laid against the organiser of the sheep slaughter protest on Friday.
ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs had laid a complaint with the police after he and family members were told to leave the beach on 23 December.
Meanwhile, Lifman claims he employed PPA chief executive Alwyn Landman in 2011 when Lifman was preparing to open Shimmy Beach Club at the Waterfront.
Lifman told News24: “Shimmy opened in December 2011. Alwyn fitted into his role perfectly. He was the ultimate ‘yes’ guy.”
A month before Shimmy opened, Lifman opened nightclub security company, Specialised Protection Services (SPS), with directors including brothers Colin and Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, the alleged boss of the Sexy Boys gang.
However, SPS was shut down soon afterwards as it was not registered.
Lifman said Landman worked for him for six months before he went on to create PPA.
Landman had reportedly said that he would never work with the likes of Lifman, as he had a reputation to uphold.
dailyvoice@inl.co.za