Johannesburg - Murder accused George Louca was asked in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on the East Rand on Wednesday to clarify whether he went under the surname of Louca or Smith.
After receiving an enquiry from the prosecution, magistrate Eric Mhlari requested that Louca explain why he was charged in a separate case under the name of “George Smith” in 2007.
In the current matter, he was being referred to as Louca.
Louca's newly appointed lawyer Owen Blumberg approached his client, seeking clarity on the matter.
“We are dealing with one and the same person,” Blumberg told the court after engaging with Louca.
He could not immediately explain why he had presented himself under a different name in another court case.
Dressed in a white shirt, black jacket, and blue jeans, Louca appeared composed during the proceedings.
At one point, he turned to look around the secured court room.
Heavily armed members of the special task force wearing camouflage uniforms were present in court.
Louca, a Cypriot national, is accused of killing Teazers strip club boss Lolly Jackson.
He faces additional charges of money laundering and being in possession of stolen goods.
Louca returned to South Africa several weeks ago after losing his final appeal in the Supreme Court of Cyprus, the last of several attempts to evade extradition.
He left South Africa after Jackson was murdered at a house in Edenglen, east of Johannesburg, on May 3, 2010.
Louca reportedly phoned Gauteng crime intelligence boss Joey Mabasa and admitted to being present when Jackson was murdered.
Lt-Gen Solomon Makgale said at the time the Hawks were investigating a number of other cases to which Louca could possibly be linked.
Louca's case was postponed to May 12 as the forensic expert who was expected to present evidence at the case had been occupied with the trial of another murder-accused, paralympian Oscar Pistorius.
Mhlari said Louca would remain in police custody at an undisclosed location. He warned those who might be aware of the location not to disclose it. - Sapa