Two high-profile criminal trials are poised to captivate the Western Cape High Court as alleged rival kingpins Nafiz Modack, Mark Lifman and Jerome ‘Donkie’ Booysen take centre stage simultaneously.
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According to IOL, the courtroom drama unveils a long-standing saga in Cape Town’s underworld, where clashes between the 27s gang and Modack vie for control over the city’s nightlife.
Modack, already embroiled in the murder trial of Anti-Gang Unit Detective Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear, resumes proceedings on April 16.
Meanwhile, Lifman and Booysen will face charges linked to the killing of steroid dealer Brian Wainstein on April 22.
Now, revelations from court documents have exposed shocking murder plots aimed at toppling key figures on both sides amid escalating tensions.
Modack and his associates confront over 100 charges, including the murders of Kinnear and Nicholaas Heerschap, among others. Allegedly, Modack orchestrated the surveillance of rivals, including Booysen and Lifman, through hired operatives like Zane Killian. The State contends that Modack allied with various gangs to orchestrate assassinations, including that of Andre Naude, a close associate of Lifman.
The origins of the feud trace back to 2016, when Lifman, Donkie, Colin Booysen and Naude formed a tight-knit group overseeing club security. Turmoil erupted when Colin accused his brother and Lifman of inviting 27s gang members to a club altercation. The ensuing split saw Colin align with Modack, leading to a bitter turf war over club control and years of violent confrontations.
The situation escalated on April 8, 2017, when Red, an alleged gang leader, mobilised forces to reclaim clubs, causing chaos and intimidation.
Subsequent events included a failed hit on alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, triggering further retaliation plans. Lifman’s feud with Wainstein over property and investments culminated in a deadly plot to eliminate Wainstein, allegedly hatched between Lifman and the 27s gang.
Both trials underscore allegations of police corruption aiding gang activities.
In Modack’s case, former AGU officer Ashley Tabisher faces accusations of leaking police plans to his affiliates.
In Lifman’s trial, Sergeant Wayne Henderson stands accused of attempting to destroy evidence implicating the Breet Brothers in alleged hits, revealing a web of corruption within law enforcement.
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