“Krejcir a flight risk”
In the affidavit, Krejcir alleges that a plastic bag was placed on his head. After at least 90 minutes of the alleged torture, he was driven around Johannesburg and Sandton. Only six hours after his arrest, Krejcir was detained in a police cell.
The bail application by Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir, and his three co-accused, has been postponed until Monday, December 9.
The decision was made by the Palm Ridge Regional Court on the grounds of needing further evidence.
Magistrate Reginald Dama said proceedings would resume with investigating officer Mashudu Freddy Ramuhala testifying against Krecjir’s bail application.
Krejcir and his three co-accused, Desai Luphondo and two Hawks officers, Jeff Nthoroane and Samuel ‘Saddam’ Maropeng, have been applying for bail after they were charged with kidnapping and assault in connection with a R24-million crystal meth deal gone wrong. Prosecutor Louis Mashiane, who was testifying against Krejcir and his co-accused, said the Czech fugitive had previously escaped a possible jail term in his home country and nothing could stop him from doing the same in South Africa.
The prosecution against Krejcir insists he is capable of securing a false passport and fleeing the country’s porous borders if released on bail, and also warned of how Krejcir has a history of fleeing countries on false passports. The prosecution said it could happen again. Mr Mashiane also contended that Krejcir’s three co-accused should not be granted bail as they were accused of threatening several witnesses.
In Monday’s December 2 court appearance, Krejcir provided a detailed affidavit read by a representative of how controversial Crime Intelligence Colonel, Nkosana Ximba, allegedly tortured him with a tazer and plastic bag following his arrest.
In the affidavit, Krejcir alleges that a plastic bag was placed on his head. After at least 90 minutes of the alleged torture, he was driven around Johannesburg and Sandton. Only six hours after his arrest, Krejcir was detained in a police cell.
The Czech has also laid the blame for the case against him with forensic consultant Paul O’Sullivan, calling him an “unstable, white knight vigilante”, who has whipped up a media frenzy against him. Krejcir offered to pay bail and cooperate with the police, insisting he is not a flight risk and that he wants to remain in the country.
Mr Mashiane responded to Krejcir’s affidavit, arguing it took six hours to have Krejcir detained because the police were still searching for his co-accused.
At the time of going to print, the outcome of Monday’s hearing was unknown.
