The alleged murderer of strip club king Lolly Jackson, George Louca (Smith), is expected to appear in a Cypriot court on Monday for an extradition hearing.
But those who had been close to Jackson are not holding their breath for an immediate outcome.
Louca was arrested in March after being on the run from SA police since May 2010.
In addition to the 2010 murder of Jackson, Louca was also wanted for theft, possession of suspected stolen property, and fraud.
Jackson, the owner of the Teazers franchise of strip clubs, was shot dead at a house in Edenglen near OR Tambo International Airport on May 3, 2010.
Former Teazers spokesman and author Sean Newman said this week it was “premature to get excited about George being extradited”.
“Look at the (Shrien) Dewani case. Authorities took action immediately with that, and he is still not here. So I’m not holding my breath that there will be an outcome soon,” said Newman.
Forensic consultant Paul O’ Sullivan said he hoped Louca would be extradited to SA, where he could assist the police.
“Not only into the murder of Lolly Jackson, but also into the transnational organised crime syndicates surrounding (alleged Czech mob boss) Radovan Krejcir, as well as the involvement of generals from the police’s crime intelligence service, in receiving kick-backs from the underworld, for either looking the other way, or deliberately assisting such underworld characters with their criminal activities,” O’Sullivan said.
Another source, who did not want to be named, said police had not told anyone how the investigation was proceeding.
“I have been told not to speak to the media because the investigation was at a sensitive stage. But we all want (Louca) to come to SA and tell us what happened. We will have to see what happens on Monday,” the source said.
In March, Louca’s lawyer requested that he be released, but the judge refused based on the seriousness of the allegations against him.
Later, he abandoned his bail application without giving a reason.
At the time National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said: “We are confident that having complied with all the legislative aspects, we will have him extradited to South Africa.”
However, this week Mhaga could not say what was expected during the extradition hearing on Monday.
The last cellphone call Jackson made lasted 27 seconds and was to the man wanted for his killing. According to reports, leaked cellphone records showed Louca had been in regular contact with Jackson and Krejcir on the day of the murder and had communicated with two police crime intelligence officers at about the time of the shooting.
Jackson’s bullet-riddled body was found in the garage of a house on Joan Hunter Avenue in Edenglen, hours after his killing. Louca was renting the house at the time. Louka allegedly phoned Gauteng crime intelligence boss Joey Mabasa after the murder and confessed to killing Jackson.
Saturday Star