Lifman trial: State witness was initiated into gang by alleged underworld figures, court hears

CAPE TOWN - The State’s first witness in the trial against alleged underworld figures Mark Lifman, Jerome ‘Donkie’ Booysen and their co-accused for the murder of ‘Steroid King’ Brian Wainstein has told the court how he was initiated into the 27s gang.

The witness who cannot be named faces a variety of charges, including the murder of Wainstein.

Alleged underworld figure Lifman and alleged Sexy Boys gang boss Booysen, with co-accused Andre Naude and eleven others are charged with 36 counts of murder, attempted murder and other criminal activities.

The State alleges Lifman used 27s gangsters from Kraaifontein to persuade nightclubs in Cape Town to switch security services from rival newcomer Nafiz Modack who is on trial in the same court building for another matter.

The witness told the court he worked for Wainstein as a security guard and knew many of the accused on trial as members of the 27s gang.

He says he later helped Wainstein manufacture and sell steroids making up to R600,000 a month.

He told the court he also knew Booysen was the leader of the Sexy Boys and the 26s numbers gang because he did some work for Booysen and other members of the gang had told him about Booysen.

The witness goes on to describe how he was recruited and initiated into the 27s gang by William Stevens also known as Red - who was the alleged leader of the 27s.

He says he also did some debt collection for Wainstein.

The trial continues Tuesday.