The Deadly Matrix: Mark Lifman and Gang Activity in South Africa’s Capital
The private security sector is experiencing significant growth in the country.
In the period leading up to his murder on 3 November 2024, Mark Lifman’s name frequently emerged in discussions about this industry due to his connections.
According to reports from Daily Maverick, the number of active private security personnel in South Africa is more than three times that of police service staff.
As of 2024, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) recorded over 2.8 million registered security officers.
Out of these, more than half a million – specifically 577,444 – were actively employed.
To illustrate, the South African Police Service’s most recent annual report indicated it has a workforce of 184,106.
A Psira report delivered to Parliament in September 2024 highlighted challenges in regulating the sector.
It stated: “The Authority noted that regular inspections are carried out but are hindered by insufficient capacity.
“Currently, Psira has one inspector for every 200 security companies (1:200) when the optimal ratio should be 1:110 companies.”
When Lifman was murdered in George in November 2024, he was closely associated with private security operations in Cape Town.
The two individuals arrested in connection to his death, Johannes Jacobs and Gert Bezuidenhout, also have ties to the security industry.
Both had provided services for Professional Protection Alternatives, commonly known as PPA Security or PPA.
This company is well-established in Cape Town’s affluent Atlantic Seaboard neighborhoods and had prior dealings with Lifman.
On Thursday, 5 December 2024, law enforcement conducted a raid on PPA’s headquarters in Cape Town, with attorney Martin Hood stating that the raid was connected to the investigation into Lifman’s murder.
He confirmed that firearms were confiscated for ballistic analysis.
Hood emphasized that PPA was cooperating fully with the authorities and that their operations remained unaffected.