/ 24 November 2013

Krejcir opens assault, attempted murder case against police

Radovan Krejcir was the target of an apparent bid to kill him outside his Bedfordview office in July this year.
Radovan Krejcir was the target of an apparent bid to kill him outside his Bedfordview office in July this year.

EyeWitness News on Sunday reported that Czech businessperson Radovan Krejcir, who was arrested on Friday on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, has opened a case of assault and attempted murder against the police.

Krejcir claims he was tortured by police, who placed a plastic bag over his head and used a taser gun on him.

Meanwhile, national police commissioner Riah Phiyega said on Saturday that the arrest of Krejcir was a major breakthrough for the South African Police Service (SAPS).

"There are many investigations that are taking place, even on the charges that the suspects have been arrested for. We hope to arrest more suspects as the investigations unfold," she told reporters in Pretoria.

"It took us a long time to work on this matter … I thank the SAPS multi-disciplinary teams."

Phiyega said Krejcir and an associate would appear in the Alberton Magistrate's Court on Monday.

State would oppose bail
The police chief repeatedly stated that the state would oppose bail, should Krejcir apply for it.

"We will be in court on Monday, and should there be an application for bail, we shall oppose it," she said.

"We will also be looking at any involvement of our own members."

The name of Krejcir's associate, who was arrested with him on Friday, would only be disclosed in court.

"I would not like to say in public about the name of the associate. On Monday, when we put our case [in court], the name of the associate will be made public."

Phiyega on Saturday said an initial charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was reported against Krejcir in the East Rand.

However, given the severity of the assault, the charge would be changed attempted murder.

Details of the complainant
"Regarding the issue around attempted murder, indeed when you talk about cause [to do] grievous bodily harm we would say there is a case for attempted murder. We probably will look into those when we deal with this matter in court," said Phiyega.

She would not mention the details of the complainant, other than saying "it's a South African male from the East Rand".

Phiyega said the assault happened in June. – Additional reporting by Sapa