/ 14 January 2011

Fugitive extradited back to SA

A convicted rapist who has been on the run for 11 years was found in New Zealand and extradited back to South Africa on Friday, police said.

Swiss national Hans Joachim Klaar (47) arrived at OR Tambo International Airport aboard a Qantas flight on Friday afternoon, police Deputy National Commissioner Godfrey Lebeya said in Johannesburg.

“The extradition is proof that the world is getting smaller for fugitives and criminals.

“We hope it will send a strong message to those who opt for a life on the run instead of facing the consequences of their actions — that no matter how long it takes, the tentacles of justice eventually catch up with them.”

Klaar was sentenced to six years imprisonment for rape in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on December 11, 1998.

He appealed the sentence in the Pietermaritzburg High Court but was unsuccessful. Klaar fled South Africa on his yacht and international police were contacted.

On December 14, 2009 he was apprehended by New Zealand authorities.

South African police then requested his extradition back into the country to serve his sentence.

On September 8, 2010 the district court of Auckland found Klaar could be surrendered to South Africa. He appealed the judgment but later abandoned it.

Lebeya said two officials from the Fugitive Unit travelled to New Zealand to collect Klaar. — Sapa