Johannesburg - Why is Czech fugitive and convicted criminal Radovan Krejcir being kept out of sight at one of the most secure prisons in the country?
That’s the question his lawyers – and even some of his foes – are asking.
But the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is saying nothing, other than that he was moved because of his “high-risk status” – presumably as a potential escaper.
Krejcir and his legal team have been trying to get him transferred back to Gauteng after he was whisked off to the Kokstad C-Max Prison last month.
No reason was given at the time for transferring him to the high-security facility, which is, in South African terms, an isolated institution, on the border between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The moves to isolate him include, his legal team alleges, preventing him from speaking to his lawyers.
Attorney Cliff Alexander said on Friday: “On Thursday we asked a local lawyer from Goolam and Associates in Kokstad to attend to our client and he was completely precluded.
“He was not allowed to talk to Krejcir or even greet him. All he could do was sign an affidavit which we only received in the late afternoon via courier.”
Alexander said they were yet to file an application to have their client returned to the province. They argue that it is impractical to have consultations with Krejcir while he is so far away.
Read: R2.9m spent on security for Krejcir case
Krejcir’s lawyer, Nardus Grové, said that consultations were limited to an hour and their client could not consult in confidence and was compelled to discuss his business through a panel.
He further said consultations were recorded. “He is facing serious trials. Even the criminologist could not have ample time with him as the time was limited,” Grové said.
Alexander said he suspected the department was trying to sneak Krejcir back to Joburg this week to avoid the application and the costs associated with it.
Even Krejcir’s nemesis, private investigator Paul O’Sullivan, has jumped into the fray, labelling the DCS as unfair.
“While it is in the interest of the public that he (Krejcir) be kept under lock and key, his constitutional rights to consult with his lawyers need to be upheld. To have his lawyers travel eight hours to a remote area is irrational. If you move him to Kokstad you might as well move him to the moon,” he said.
But the DCS is not budging.
“The department will defend its position and decisions taken to advance public safety,” DCS spokesman Manelisi Wolela said.
He refuted claims that Krejcir’s rights were infringed. ”The DCS does not bar legal visits. Legal visits are a constitutional right. Any limitation imposed is based on operational or security reasons.
“The DCS has requested Krejcir’s attorneys to provide a comprehensive list of necessary consultations to facilitate such as is reasonable and feasible given the inmate’s unique security risk.”
Wolela also dismissed suggestions Krejcir was due to return to Gauteng by February 15. “There is no such undertaking. However DCS, together with SAPS, will always ensure Krejcir attends court whenever necessary. Krejcir was moved on the basis of his high-risk status.
“An additional concern was the period of Operation Vala in which security is heightened nationally due to increased risks of escape.”
O’Sullivan, who hinted that additional charges would be levelled against Krejcir for his conspiracy to murder him on several occasions, said he couldn’t understand why the DCS could not have prisons such as Kokstad all over the country. “If they had maximum security in all prisons, the trial would go smoothly,” he said.
* The Danish man accused of mutilating the private parts of 21 women and storing them in the freezer at his Bloemfontein home also lodged an application against the DCS on Friday.
Peter Frederiksen said he wanted to be transferred back to the Grootvlei Prison in the Free State. He is being held at the Joburg Prison and is expected to go on trial next month.
Saturday Star
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