Krejcir’s pal back in court

File photo

File photo

Published Aug 4, 2014

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Johannesburg - The driver of a BMW X5 Owen Serero allegedly hijacked was followed to a filling station before he was confronted, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court heard on Monday.

“I noticed a silver Chevrolet following me. When I accelerated it also accelerated,” said Willem Coetzee.

He was testifying in the trial of Serero.

He told the court the car was delivered to a dealer in Clearwater, Roodepoort, a day before it was hijacked on November 7, 2012.

“It is a standard procedure to fill up a new car with petrol before it was handed over to customers.”

Coetzee said on his way back from the filling station he stopped for about 10 seconds at an intersection to check whether the cigarette lighter was working, when the silver Chevrolet stopped in front of him. A passenger got out of the car pointed a firearm at him and ordered him to get out of the car.

“I tried to reverse but it was too late. He told me he was going to shoot me if I moved or did anything. I was scared,” he said.

He told the court Serero also demanded his cellphone and threatened to shoot him when he resisted.

“I let go off the phone. I was fearing for my life.”

Serero faces three charges of robbery, two of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, three of motor vehicle theft, one of contravening traffic laws, one of interfering with an investigation, and one of escaping from custody.

In a separate matter he is accused, along with Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir, of plotting to kill investigators probing Krejcir.

Serero, Krejcir, Siboniso Miya, Zoduma Biyela, Jacob Nare, Nkanyiso Mafunda, and police sergeant Nandi Nkosi are accused of conspiring to kill Colonel Nkosana “Killer” Ximba and forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan.

Sapa

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