/ 26 November 2013

Krejcir: The Hawks deny top cop’s resignation

Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir.
Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir.

The Hawks denied on Tuesday that a Germiston police officer who reportedly took a loan from a company associated with Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir had resigned.

The Mail & Guardian on Friday reported that Colonel Francois Steyn received a R408 000 loan from a company allegedly controlled by Krejcir.

Evidence seen by amaBhungane showed that Steyn, the head of Germiston's organised crime unit, received the loan from a Krejcir-linked company, Groep Twee Beleggings, in January 2010.

According to the Hawk's Captain Paul Ramaloko on Tuesday, Steyn was on annual leave.

"Steyn never offered to resign," Ramaloko said.

Beeld newspaper reported on Tuesday that Steyn had resigned but that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega refused to accept his resignation pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

"He is also not suspended. We can't suspend a member based on media reports."

Krejcir's wife
"We have a team looking into the allegations [against Steyn]," he said.

"I never took possession of the money. I never saw the money," Steyn was quoted as saying by the M&G.

The company was reportedly registered to Krejcir's wife Katerina Krejcirova.

Steyn said the loan was organised by security consultant Cyril Beeka, who was shot dead in March 2011, so that Steyn could be a part of a start-up security company.

According to Steyn at the time, Beeka agreed to service the loan until the company was up and running.

After Beeka's death, Steyn received a summons for the R400 000 loan. A businessperson friend of Steyn's said he was owed nearly this much by Krejcir and a deal was struck for these debts to cancel each other out.

Assaulted and tasered
On Monday, the high court in Johannesburg granted an urgent application for Krejcir to be moved from jail to a medical facility.

Krejcir was arrested on Friday in connection with an alleged kidnapping and assault that happened in June. Krejcir's lawyers claim he was assaulted and tasered following his arrest.

Also on Monday, Krejcir and Desai Lupondo appeared briefly in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court but proceedings were held in camera due to security concerns. – Sapa