Who is Andre Naude? Inside the Life of the Cape Town Security Figure Murdered in 2025

Andre Naude was a Cape Town-based figure linked to organised crime and the nightclub security industry. He was notably involved in high-profile criminal cases, including the murder trial of Brian Wainstein, an international steroid smuggler known as the “Steroid King.” Naude was a longtime associate and friend of Mark Lifman, another key figure in Cape Town’s security and crime circles.

Background and Crime Involvement

• Occupation: Naude worked in private security, particularly as a bouncer since the early 1990s. He was described as a “family man” and had a history of working in personal protection, including for international celebrities.

• Criminal Charges: He faced charges related to the 2017 murder of Brian Wainstein. Naude and Lifman were part of a group involved in nightclub security operations that were linked to criminal violence and turf wars.

• Gang Conflicts: Naude was involved in clashes between rival groups — the “Lifman group” and the “Modack group,” which resulted in ongoing violence in Cape Town from 2017 onward.

Violent Incidents and Threats

• Naude had survived previous shooting attempts, including a 2014 attack where he was wounded in the legs during an altercation at a Cape Town entertainment venue.

• He frequently expressed concern about his safety, avoiding risky situations such as exposing himself at parking boom gates.

• His life was marked by continued threats and violence linked to his work and criminal associations.

Recent Events and Murder

• On June 12, 2025, Naude was fatally shot in the Goodwood area of Cape Town. The attack involved a vehicle pulling up next to him and firing several shots, killing him and injuring another man believed to be his bodyguard.

• No arrests had been made immediately after the shooting.

• Naude’s murder came just seven months after his close associate Mark Lifman was also assassinated in the Western Cape town of George in November 2024.

Connections and Impact

• Naude and Lifman were close friends and co-accused in multiple criminal cases.

• Their deaths are part of a string of killings involving accused persons in the Wainstein murder trial — five accused have now been killed.

• Another prominent accused linked to these cases is Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, a suspected gang boss and long-time associate of Naude and Lifman.

• The murders have contributed to ongoing violence and power shifts in Cape Town’s underworld, especially related to nightclub security and organised crime.

Public and Legal Context

• Naude, Lifman, and others operated in a murky intersection of private security, organised crime, and gang violence.

• Investigations have uncovered attempts by rival crime figures to seize control of security operations in Cape Town.

• Police and anti-gang units remain involved in investigating the killings and associated criminal networks.

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Andre Naude, a known figure in Cape Town’s private security and organised crime circles, was shot dead in the Goodwood area of Cape Town. This killing comes just seven months after his close associate Mark Lifman was also murdered.

Naude, 55, was attacked around 2:40 pm on Voortrekker Road. Police said a vehicle stopped near him and opened fire. Naude was with three other men at the time. He died at the scene. Another man, believed to be Naude’s bodyguard, was injured and taken to the hospital. Two others escaped unharmed.

The Western Cape Police Anti-Gang Unit is investigating. No arrests have been made yet. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown.

Andre Naude was deeply involved in Cape Town’s nightclub security business. He was also linked to organised crime and was a co-accused in the murder trial of Brian Wainstein, known internationally as the “Steroid King.” Wainstein was shot dead in his home in 2017. Naude and Lifman, along with others, were on trial for his murder. Five accused in this case have now been killed.

Naude was no stranger to danger. He survived previous shootings in 2014 and 2019. He often spoke about his concerns for personal safety. He was cautious, avoiding risky situations in public.

His friend Mark Lifman was killed in November 2024 in the town of George. Lifman’s murder led to arrests connected to private security networks.

Both Naude and Lifman were part of a group known as the “Lifman group,” which was involved in violent clashes with a rival group called the “Modack group.” These gang conflicts have caused ongoing violence in Cape Town for years.

Another notable figure in this circle is Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, a suspected gang boss and co-accused in the Wainstein case. Booysen was at the scene after Naude’s murder and expressed shock.

The killing of Andre Naude is expected to cause further shifts and possible violence in Cape Town’s underworld.