Johannesburg - The State prosecuting Radovan Krejcir and two alleged accomplices for a prison escape plot may have a stronger case against the trio than previously indicated, with video footage allegedly catching some of the accused in the act.
Earlier this month, Department of Correctional Services officer Solly Metlae and parolee Sandile Mdumbe were arrested and charged along with Krejcir for a plot to break the Czech businessman out of prison.
Krejcir was convicted last year for the kidnapping of Bhekithemba Lukhele, whose brother Bhekisizwe Nkosi had stolen and fled with crystal meth set to be sold by Krejcir.
While police have stated on the record that Krejcir had constructed numerous plots to escape from prison since his conviction, it was only this month that the Czech was finally charged in relation to one of these alleged attempts.
On Friday, Metlae and Mdumbe appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court. Metlae’s lawyer Andre Swanepoel lodged an application to have the State hand over the key evidence against his client.
He argued that that was to fully prepare for the upcoming bail application, with Swanepoel hinting at video footage and recordings that could potentially incriminate all three accused.
But State prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba insisted that legally he was under no obligation to hand over the evidence that early in court proceedings, citing section 60 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
He said full disclosure of the evidence could be prejudicial to the prosecution of Krejcir, and that the State’s charge sheet, when completed, would be sufficient for the defence to argue the bail application.
Gcaba said the State had not completed gathering the cellphone data, video and other information, thus he could not disclose the information even if he wanted to.
The court agreed with Gcaba’s argument, and Swanepoel’s application was dismissed. The bail application for Mdumbe and Metlae will continue on May 6.
Krejcir’s trial for the murderof alleged Bedfordview drug kingpin Sam Issa is expected to begin on Thursday.
The Star