The long-awaited bail hearing for the suspects linked to the murder of Cape Town businessman Mark Lifman begins today in the Mossel Bay Magistrates’ Court. This marks the first of a two-day hearing, during which arguments will be made regarding whether the accused should be granted conditional release.
What to expect from Mark Lifman’s bail hearing
The most recent court appearance on 19 December 2024 saw proceedings postponed due to claims made by the suspects, Jacques Jacobs and Willem Bezuidenhout, regarding relocation and consultation difficulties.
Their defence argued that the delay was necessary to adequately prepare their case, particularly given concerns over their safety following relocation due to threats allegedly tied to the nature of their arrest.
This proceedings return on Thursday with heightened tensions surrounding the case, with Jerome “Donkie” Booysen and other figures associated with Cape Town’s gang underworld expected to make appearances at the courthouse.
The opening day of the bail hearing is expected to centre on the defence’s submission of “exceptional circumstances” as grounds for their release.
Jacobs and Bezuidenhout, who face allegations of orchestrating Lifman’s assassination in November 2024, will likely emphasise personal safety concerns and logistical barriers to mounting their defence while in custody.
The prosecution, however, is prepared to argue against bail, citing the suspects’ connections to organised crime and the possibility of witness intimidation.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 09:00. A live stream link is unavailable at this time.
