Two former members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force, Johannes Hendrik Jacobs and Gert Bezuidenhout, have been arrested in connection with the murder of Cape Town businessman Mark Lifman. The two men, who are now employed by PPA Security, are accused of playing a role in Lifman’s death.
PPA Security, a well-known security company in Cape Town, has established a reputation for recruiting ex-SAPS Special Task Force personnel. The company has garnered attention due to its association with South African boxer Kevin Lerena, who reportedly serves as a brand ambassador. Lerena is also believed to be involved in training the company’s Special Task Force recruits in combat techniques, as suggested by recent social media posts.
Since its founding, PPA Security has been involved in several controversies. In 2019, the company faced public backlash after reports surfaced that its guards forcibly removed Black beachgoers from Clifton’s Fourth Beach, sparking accusations of racial profiling. Additionally, the company was criticized for allegedly blocking roads and limiting access to certain areas in Fresnaye.
PPA Security was reportedly contracted by several business owners in Cape Town’s affluent Camps Bay area in 2018 to patrol outside popular clubs and restaurants, aiming to reduce informal trading and busking. This move followed complaints from some property owners, who cited concerns about safety, with allegations of threats, intimidation, and criminal activity by groups in the area.
The arrests of Jacobs and Bezuidenhout in connection with Lifman’s murder have intensified scrutiny of PPA Security, particularly its recruitment and operational practices in high-profile and often contentious areas. As the investigation unfolds, further details are expected to shed light on the motives and circumstances surrounding this case.
