The impact of the killing of slain underworld kingpin Mark Lifman on the state’s star witness was questioned in the Western Cape High Court on Monday as the attempted murder of Brian Wainstein resumed.

The trial was once again stalled when it was revealed that this witness was now deemed medically unfit to testify.

The medical condition of the witness, who may not be named, was an issue before Lifman was killed.

Lifman, along with Jerome ‘Donkie’ Booysen, Andre Naude and others, stood trial for the murder of Wainstein, who was shot and killed at his home in Constantia in 2017.

Defense attorney Attorney Amanda Nel informed Judge Vincent Saldanha that Naude has been hospitalized and would return to court today.

At the same time, the state’s prosecutor, attorney Mervyn Menigo, informed the court that the state’s star witness, Wainstein’s former bodyguard, after a series of medical consultations, was deemed medically unfit to continue with the trial until December 2.

He explained that while a psychologist had deemed him fit, a psychiatrist deemed the man unfit for the occasion and could only return to court on December 2.

However, Nel shared his intentions to call for a special inquiry where these doctors will be expected to testify about the witness’s mental state and what triggered him.

“The death of Accused 1 (Lifman) had a clear impact on the witness and we were all affected but we need to know what the triggers are,” Nel said.

The witness had apparently become ill and suffered from nightmares when he recounted the details leading up to Wainstein’s death in court.

He has admitted that he betrayed Wainstein and helped plan his murder, and that he took over the illegal steroid trade but failed.