When The Underworld Turns on Their Defence: The Story of Pete Mihalik

Cat Matlala, Pete Mihalik, Jerome Booysen: What happens when criminal defence lawyers represent some of South Africa's most notorious alleged underworld figures — and the relationship turns deadly? This week, the courtroom of Judge Cassim Ismail Moosa was filled with drama in the ongoing Cat Matlala attempted-murder trial. The court heard allegations that accused number one Musa Kekana made a call while handcuffed to a hospital bed, prompting hospital staff to fear that someone might come to remove him. The trial also saw tensions between accused persons, police and the defence. But behind the latest courtroom drama is a much bigger and darker question: What happens to lawyers who defend the underworld? In this episode of True Crime Julia, we go back to the story of prominent Cape Town criminal defence advocate Pete Mihalik — a lawyer who represented several high-profile alleged underworld figures and became deeply connected to the legal battles surrounding Cape Town's rival criminal factions. We look at Pete Mihalik's career, his prominent clients, his relationship with fellow advocate Noorudien Hassan, the guns-to-gangs investigation, the Booysen and Modack conflict, Mark Lifman, Ralph Stanfield and the circumstances surrounding Mihalik's assassination. Pete Mihalik was shot and killed in October 2018 while taking his children to school. Three men — Sizwe Biyela, Nkosinathi Khumalo and Vuyile Maliti — were later convicted of his murder. The court heard that 11 Krugerrands worth approximately R200,000 were exchanged shortly after the killing. But the question of who ordered the assassination remains one of the most intriguing parts of the story. We also look at criminal defence lawyer William Booth, who survived an alleged assassination attempt, and later evidence recorded by the Western Cape High Court concerning what Nafiz Modack allegedly believed about the people behind Mihalik's murder. Importantly, these allegations have not resulted in a court finding that Mark Lifman or Jerome “Donkie” Booysen ordered Mihalik's murder. This video is based on publicly available news reports, court proceedings and court documents. Allegations are presented as allegations and should not be interpreted as findings of guilt unless specifically stated. Welcome to True Crime Julia — where we look into true crime cases that have happened in South Africa. #PeteMihalik #CatMatlala #MusaKekana #TrueCrimeJulia #SouthAfricanTrueCrime #SouthAfricaTrueCrime #PeteMihalikMurder #CapeTownUnderworld #CapeTownGangsters #NafizModack #JeromeBooysen #MarkLifman #WilliamBooth #TrueCrimeSouthAfrica #SouthAfricanCrime