Parow, Cape Town – In a dramatic and deadly daylight shooting, André Naudé, an alleged associate of underworld figure Mark Lifman, was shot and killed on Voortrekker Road shortly after 3 p.m. this afternoon. Naudé, a known figure in Cape Town’s criminal underworld, was pronounced dead at the scene as law enforcement cordoned off the busy street and began collecting evidence.
Naudé, who had long been linked to organized crime in the Western Cape, was one of the co-accused in the 2017 murder case of Brian Wainstein, the so-called “steroid king.” Wainstein was assassinated in his Constantia home, a killing that sent shockwaves through Cape Town’s criminal networks.
Naudé, along with Mark Lifman and others, had been under investigation and charged in connection with that high-profile murder. Although legal proceedings had stalled in recent years, tensions surrounding the case and its players had not disappeared.
The Assassination
According to eyewitnesses, Naudé was traveling in a white luxury vehicle along Voortrekker Road when unknown gunmen opened fire. Multiple shots rang out, creating panic among pedestrians and motorists in the area.
Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes but could do nothing to save him. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.
Police have since cordoned off the area, and forensic teams were seen scouring the scene for shell casings and CCTV footage. At this time, no arrests have been made, and authorities have yet to publicly confirm a motive, though early speculation suggests the killing was a targeted hit likely related to ongoing turf wars or unresolved criminal disputes.
A Life in the Shadows
André Naudé was no stranger to controversy. For years, he had been on the radar of law enforcement, not only for his alleged involvement in Wainstein’s murder but also for suspected links to drug trafficking, extortion, and other racketeering activities. His association with Mark Lifman, one of Cape Town’s most notorious alleged crime bosses, placed him at the center of some of the city’s most violent underworld disputes.
Naudé’s death marks the latest in a series of killings believed to be part of a broader power struggle among criminal syndicates operating in the Cape Metropole. Several figures with ties to the nightclub security industry, drug trade, and illegal steroids market have been killed over the past few years, and police believe many of these incidents are interlinked.
Public Concern and Police Response
Today’s assassination occurred in a public, heavily trafficked area, raising significant concern among residents and local business owners. Community leaders in Parow have voiced their frustration at the continued violence in the streets, calling on authorities to take stronger action against organized crime in the area.
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel André Traut confirmed that a murder investigation is underway. “We have reason to believe this was a planned hit. All leads are being followed,” he stated. Police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in identifying the shooters or their motives.
A City on Edge
With yet another high-profile underworld figure gunned down in broad daylight, Cape Town’s long-running battle with organized crime has once again erupted into public view. As investigations continue, residents are left grappling with the reality that Cape Town’s gangland feuds remain very much alive—and deadly.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111
