/ 13 January 2014

Krejcir-linked murder plot suspects in court

Krejcir Linked Murder Plot Suspects In Court

Three men and a woman linked to Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Monday for allegedly plotting to kill officers investigating Krejcir.

The case was postponed to January 20 to allow both sides time to "iron out a few issues".

"By agreement by both parties it has been postponed … it's not for bail application," National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Nathi Mcube told reporters outside court.

He did not say what the issues were.

"At this stage I don't want to divulge the merits of the case. " However, Mcube said the state would oppose bail.

"We will oppose bail as this is a serious case. Two of them [charges] are schedule six offences," he said.

The court was guarded by police carrying rifles.

Murder plot
Two men and a woman were arrested in Sandton on Thursday for allegedly plotting to kill forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan and crime intelligence officer Colonel Nkosana "Killer" Ximba.

They appeared in court on Monday with another man.

It was not clear when the third man was arrested and charged.

Two of the accused, who may not be named as they have not yet pleaded, claimed they were assaulted into making statements.

One of the lawyers representing them claimed his client was "hung from a rod to compel him to make a statement".

Another accused claimed he was forced into making a statement without his attorney present.

Magistrate Renier Boshoff said he could not see injuries on any of the accused.

All four accused face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, armed robbery, and two counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Kidnapper
One of the men was also linked to the kidnapping and attempted murder case for which Krejcir is being investigated.

He was to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of kidnapping and attempted murder, national police spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale said on Friday.

The kidnapping case allegedly involves Krejcir, Sandton businessman Desai Luphondo, and two members of the Hawks, Warrant Officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Jeff Nthoroane.

They were arrested in November and face charges of kidnapping, assault and attempted murder.

In June, they allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a man whose brother, known only as doctor, disappeared with a 25kg shipment of tik (a form of methamphetamine) he had been recruited to help smuggle through OR Tambo International Airport.

They allegedly kept the man at Krejcir's Money Point business in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, for four days, and assaulted him. – Sapa