Update
GEORGE NEWS - Fresh forensic reports, new witness statements, and updated crime scene photo albums dominated proceedings on Friday 12 September in the trial of Johan (Jakes) Jacobs and Gert (Johnny) Bezuidenhout, accused of murdering Mark Lifman (57).
The defence, led by Adv. Michael Hellens SC argued that the state had failed to comply with a magistrate’s directive issued on Monday 25 August, which required all additional particulars to be provided to the defence by 29 August.
Hellens claimed that the investigation had not been concluded as previously stated in court, citing a recent visit by investigators to a Cape Town firm to obtain another statement as evidence that work was still ongoing.
According to the defence, two new witness statements were only received on 11 September.
The forensic report, reportedly ready on 1 September and stored on a memory stick, was only handed to them on Thursday 4 September, despite arrangements made by their instructing attorney.
Another photo album, delivered on Wednesday 10 September, included new images such as fingerprints taken from exhibits. The case was postponed until Tuesday 11 November.
Lifman, a controversial Cape businessman, was shot dead on 3 November 2024 in the parking lot of the Garden Route Shopping Centre.
Bezuidenhout and Jacobs were arrested hours later at the T-junction of the N9 and N12 near Uniondale.
Previous articles:
- Lifman murder case delayed due to incomplete report
- Mark Lifman murder: Accused back in the dock in August
- Sparks fly as Lifman murder case gets ready for Regional Court
- Mark Lifman murder: Accused to appeal bail refusal
- Lifman murder case: Court warns against delays
- Mark Lifman murder: Legal expert impressed with investigation
- Lifman murder: fake number plates, wigs and a missing firearm
- Mark Lifman murder: Bail denied
- Mark Lifman murder: Bail application continues
- Mark Lifman murder: Accused intend to plead not guilty
- Two Lifman murder accused back in court
- Mark Lifman murder: Bail application next year
- Mark Lifman murder: bail application postponed, Donkie Booysen visits court
- Lifman murder: bail application next month
- Live by the sword...
- Mark Lifman murder: Suspects identified in court
- Mark Lifman shooting: Police confirm arrests
- Who was Mark Lifman
- Mark Lifman shooting: suspects arrested
- Underworld figure Mark Lifman shot and killed at Garden Route Mall
- Shooting at Garden Route Mall
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