The story unfolds on a busy street in Parow, a suburb of Cape Town, in South Africa, on a seemingly ordinary afternoon. But beneath the surface of everyday life, a deadly drama was about to play out, one that would expose the ruthless nature of Cape Town's underworld and leave a trail of unanswered questions.
On 12 June 2025, Andre Naudé, a man whose name was synonymous with Cape Town's criminal underbelly, was gunned down in a hail of bullets. Naudé's death was not a random act of street crime; it was a calculated hit, meticulously planned and executed, leaving no doubt that this was a professional job. The assassination sent ripples of fear and speculation through Cape Town's criminal networks, raising the stakes in an already dangerous game.
But who was Andre Naudé, and what events led to his untimely demise? To understand the circumstances surrounding his death, it's necessary to delve into his complex history and the intricate web of relationships that defined his life.
Naudé's story is intertwined with the murder of Brian Wainstein, an international steroid smuggler whose own killing in August 2017 set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to Naudé's assassination. Wainstein, known as the "Steroid King," was believed to have been aligned with the 28s gang, a powerful criminal organization with international connections.
Naudé, along with Jerome "Donkie" Booysen and Mark Lifman, was accused of Wainstein's murder, a charge they vehemently denied. However, the case was plagued by a series of killings, with Naudé becoming the fifth accused to meet a premature end.
Farquharson's account of the events leading up to the shooting paints a picture of a seemingly innocuous afternoon that quickly turned deadly. According to Farquharson, they had been at a building on Voortrekker Road, checking on construction work they were involved in. The building, he said, had been hijacked, and they were in the process of renovating the units after the illegal tenants had been evicted.
As they exited the building and approached Naudé's double-cab bakkie, a grey BMW pulled up alongside them. A man wearing a hoodie and a beanie emerged from the vehicle, armed with an AK-47. Without warning, the gunman opened fire, unleashing a hail of bullets that ripped through the air.
Farquharson described diving for cover behind the bakkie, desperately trying to reach Naudé. He managed to pull out his own firearm, but by the time he rounded the corner, the attackers had already fled the scene.
Naudé lay bleeding on the roadside, mortally wounded. Farquharson, despite his own injuries, tried to stop passing cars from running over his friend's body. He tearfully recounted how he stood guard over Naudé, helpless to save him.
Another man who had been with them, described by Farquharson as a "client" for the building project, was also wounded in the attack. The client, who had been waiting in Naudé's bakkie, was shot in the back and rushed to Tygerberg Hospital for treatment.
The scene on Voortrekker Road was chaotic, with bystanders crowding behind the yellow crime scene tape, speculating about the motive behind the hit. One woman remarked on the brazenness of the shooters, opening fire on such a busy road in broad daylight.
Jerome "Donkie" Booysen, Naudé's co-accused in the Wainstein murder case, also arrived at the scene. Booysen, a well-known figure in Cape Town's underworld, described Naudé as a "friend" whom he knew "very well." He declined to comment on what Naudé's death meant for the Wainstein trial, stating that they would "see what happens in court." However, he said he is not afraid of death because he is not a fearful person.
Farquharson vehemently denied that they had been at the building for any "gangster shit." He insisted that they were simply checking on the progress of the construction work. "Andre likes construction work; he builds," Farquharson said. "People are talking about coke. There was no coke. We were just doing our work."
However, Farquharson hinted that he knew the motive behind the attack, but declined to elaborate, stating that he wasn't going to comment on it at that time. He did express his belief that the attackers had come to kill all of them, spraying the car with bullets.
The police investigation into Naudé's murder was taken over by the Anti-Gang Unit, suggesting that authorities believed the assassination was linked to gang activity. Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk appealed to the public for any information or footage that could assist in the investigation.
Naudé's death was not the first time he had been targeted. In 2019, his son, Juandre, testified in court that their family home had been raked with bullets. Naudé had also survived previous shooting attempts, including one at a club in Tygervalley in 2014.
Sam Farquharson, the man who stood by Naudé's side as he lay dying, also has a history intertwined with Cape Town's underworld. He described himself as a self-employed investigator and "mediator," but his connections to Naudé and the Wainstein case suggest a deeper involvement in the city's criminal networks.
The story of Andre Naudé is a complex one, filled with allegations of underworld power struggles, nightclub security contract feuds, and a cast of characters who operated in the shadows of Cape Town's criminal landscape. His assassination raises serious questions about the safety of those involved in the Wainstein case and the potential for further bloodshed in Cape Town's underworld.
But what was the motive behind Naudé's murder? Was it a settling of old scores? A power play within the criminal networks? Or was it something more sinister?
To understand the potential motives, it's necessary to delve into Naudé's past and his connections to other figures in Cape Town's underworld. Naudé had been involved in the nightclub security industry for many years, a business that was often associated with criminality and extortion. He had also been linked to various gangs, including the 27s gang, although he denied any involvement in gang activity.
The battle for control of Cape Town's nightclub security industry had been a source of conflict and for years, with various factions vying for dominance. Naudé and his associates, including Mark Lifman and Jerome Booysen, had been key players in this struggle.
The murder of Brian Wainstein, the "Steroid King," added another layer of complexity to the situation. Wainstein was believed to have been aligned with the 28s gang, a rival of the 27s gang, which Naudé had been linked to.
The charges against Wainstein revealed a network of international steroid smuggling and other criminal activities. His murder was believed to be linked to his involvement in these illicit operations.
With so many potential motives and so many enemies, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for Naudé's assassination. However, one thing is clear: his death was a calculated act, designed to send a message to those who remained.
The investigation into Naudé's murder is ongoing, and authorities are working to piece together the events that led to his death. The case is a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling organized crime and the dangers faced by those involved in the criminal underworld.
The narrative is far from over, and the story of Andre Naudé's assassination is likely to have lasting repercussions on the Cape Town criminal landscape. The investigation into his death will undoubtedly uncover new details and shed further light on the individuals and events that have shaped this complex and dangerous world. The city watches, waits, and wonders who will be next.
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