SAPS refuse to speculate on motive for Bedfordview ‘drive-by’ murder

Bedfordview SAPS remains adamant that they will not to speculate on the motive for the murder of George Mihaljevic, 43, until the investigation determines the motive, reports Bedfordview Edenvale News.

This comes after public speculation that the murder was an organised hit and possibly linked to former Bedfordview resident and convicted Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir.

ALSO READ: Bedfordview ‘drive-by’ mafia hit linked to Radovan Krejcir

Mihaljevic was gunned down on Heritage Day, September 24, at about 5.40pm at the corner of Van Buuren and Kloof roads.

Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson Captain André de Jager said Mihaljevic had lunch at a Bedfordview restaurant and it is believed he was on his way home in the north of Johannesburg when he was shot by two gunmen on a motorcycle.

“He drove for about a 100 metres after he was shot and ended up next to the Engen Garage, where he got out of his vehicle and died,” said de Jager.

De Jager told Bedfordview Edenvale News on September 28 there were no new details regarding the murder of Mihaljevic.

“We as SAPS do not speculate. We do not go with allegations or hearsay. We are investigating a murder and until we can prove otherwise, that is all we are prepared to publicly state,” said de Jager.

De Jager said the gunmen were on a superbike and were wearing helmets.

“They have not been identified.”

He said the SAPS is continuing the investigation and following up on all leads.

There have been many reactions online after the death of Mihaljevic.

Some have linked the murder to Krejcir, who made headline news prior to his sentencing by Judge Colin Lamont at the Gauteng High Court in Palm Ridge in February 2016.

He was sentenced to 25 years on drug-related charges, 15 years for kidnapping and a further 15 years for attempted murder.

Bedfordview Edenvale News reported in 2013, in an article titled ‘Gangland body count rises’, about several murders in the area.

These included German supercar conversion specialist Uwe Gemballa, who was kidnapped on arrival at OR Tambo International Airport and was later murdered at a property on First Avenue in Edenvale in February 2010.

In May 2010, Bedfordview resident Lolly Jackson was murder in Kempton Park.

In 2013, Sam Issa was gunned down outside Bedford Centre and a month later, Serbian national Veselin Laganin was murdered in his apartment at the Wedgewood Green complex on Smith Street, Bedfordview.

Two people were killed and three injured when a bomb exploded at Radovan Krejcir’s Money Point gold and diamond exchange business on the corner of Bradford and Nicol roads in November 2013.

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