In the Western Cape High Court the long running saga surrounding the death of Brian Wainstein continues to unfold with Jerome Donkie Booysen and 11 co accused facing a slate of serious charges as cross examination reveals a web of violence and shifting loyalties within the nightclub security industry. The courtroom has become a stage for tense exchanges that trace a decade of rivalry and power plays among security firms and gang linked networks. As the State presses its case the testimony of the lead witness known as Mr X has become a central thread in a case that many say is about more than a single murder.
Courtroom Spotlight On The Wainstein Case
The trial resumed with the State calling its key witness Mr X who previously ran Wainstein security before being allegedly recruited by Booysen to murder the kingpin, a move that has drawn intense scrutiny from both prosecutors and defence. The testimony is aimed at showing how the protective arrangements around Wainstein were structured and how the alleged plot began to take shape years ago as tensions in the club scene escalated. Court records describe a chain of events that stretches back to 2016 and beyond, revealing how alliances formed and fractured in ways that made violence a recurring factor in the industry.
In the course of cross examination the court heard how the collision of interests within the Western Cape security world produced a brutal backdrop to the alleged crime. The evidence points to a sequence of takeovers and re alignments that drew in a number of players from different factions and creating a complex web of loyalties that beggared belief for some observers. The narrative presented through Mr X shows a pattern of disruption and control that officials argue culminated in the high profile murder of Wainstein and the violent clashes that followed in the nightclub sector.
Witness Testimony And The Split That Shattered Alliances
Court documents recount a pivotal split that changed the balance of power within the security networks surrounding Parow and beyond. Colin Booysen left with the Sexy Boys muscle and this move set off a domino effect that saw Jerome Booysen Lifman and Naude approach Kamaal Kishor Naidoo, who then recruited others including the late William Red Stevens and Marwaan Dinky Desai to provide the needed muscle at a price. This early fracture was described as a turning point that reshaped how protection was sourced and who controlled it, with consequences that extended well into the following years.
Advocate Amanda Nel, who represents Booysen, pressed on the implications of earlier statements given to police before the 204 statement, focusing on how the domestic fallout between Colin and Naidoo contributed to the broader conflict within the club world. Nel argued that the root of the huge takeover on the night of 29 March 2017 lay in the clash between Nafiz Modack and Lifman, not in Booysen’s direct involvement, a point Mr X reportedly accepted. The testimony conveyed a sense that the battle for dominance in the Western Cape security scene was less about individuals and more about networks and disciplined force.
Club Security Wars In The Western Cape
The testimony has painted a picture of a divided sector where rival groups competed for influence over clubs and events that drew large crowds and lucrative contracts. The reference to the 27s gang leadership and figures like Desai and Stevens underscores how organised elements were drawn into the security framework that protected nightlife venues. The state contends that these dynamics created an environment where violent responses and intimidation were part of the operating landscape for years, complicating efforts to keep order and accountability within the industry.
The record also highlights the turning point in March 2017 when Colin broke away from the original security group and aligned with Modack, signaling a shift in strategy and loyalties that would reverberate through subsequent clashes and court cases. The parallel narratives of business competition and gang affiliated muscle showcase a context in which theft, assault and murder could be framed as part of a larger power struggle rather than isolated incidents. The ongoing trial continues to tease apart these connections and their implications for accountability.
Ongoing Trial And The Road Ahead
As the proceedings press forward the court remains focused on the cross examination of Mr X and the evolving testimony that seeks to map the chain of command and responsibility within the alleged conspiracy. The State has sought to demonstrate that the collision of personal ambitions, financial incentives and organised protection created a dangerous mix that culminated in violence and homicide, a pattern that stretches back nearly a decade. The defence maintains that some claims reflect broader disputes over money and control rather than direct involvement in the murder plot.
Observers note that the trial has already exposed a series of interconnected feuds that shaped the actions of those accused, and that further testimony is expected to clarify the extent of involvement across different groups. The case remains active and the courtroom continues to piece together the intricacies of a security industry under intense pressure, with the aim of delivering clarity and accountability for a complicated and troubled chapter in Cape Town nightlife.
