Johannesburg -
Lolly Jackson’s alleged killer, George Louca, could be a free man in just three months, as his defence team continues its campaign to prove he is not a criminal.
On Monday, Louca was set to appear in the high court in Joburg sitting in Palm Ridge, but instead, his legal team revealed the case would have to be postponed after statements - including Louca’s version of the night of the killing - were handed over to the State as part of a potential plea deal.
The Star understands security issues were responsible for Louca’s failure to appear in the Palm Ridge court in person on Monday morning.
The Cypriot’s lawyer, Owen Blumberg, said the goal was to have the murder charges dropped against Louca because the statements indicated who was really responsible for the Teazers boss’s death.
At the weekend, reports emerged suggesting Louca was blaming Czech businessman and suspected underworld kingpin Radovan Krejcir for the 2010 shooting.
Blumberg declined naming the shooter, but said his client had been saying for years that he was not the murderer.
“This is now about absolute honesty… (Louca)’s got to be direct and forthright on every level to the State… and he intends to be,” he said.
It was also revealed that the statements would not be handed over to special investigating unit the Hawks, but rather another department within the SAPS.
Blumberg would not say why the Hawks would not be involved, despite their investigations into Louca and Krejcir.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Velekhaya Mgobhozi said the organisation would consider what Louca had to say regarding the killing, but said no deal was in place.
He said he hoped that by April 20, when the case returned to court, the Director of Public Prosecutions - and the National Director of Public Prosecutions if necessary - would have decided whether the charges needed to be dropped.
Louca’s safety has been a concern since he was extradited last year after he had fled to Cyprus shortly after Jackson’s death. Security officials have escorted him to and from the two court cases in which he is involved.
Louca told The Star in 2012 that he would be killed if he revealed all he knew about the Joburg underworld.
The Star understands that security issues were responsible for Louca’s failure to appear at the Palm Ridge court on Monday.
Louca’s other court case, involving a possession of stolen property charge, registered in the mid-2000s in Kempton Park, is also currently postponed for a possible deal with the State.
On Friday, it emerged that the State and Louca’s defence - also led by Blumberg - were in talks regarding a Section 105 plea agreement to avoid a custodial sentence for the Cypriot. The case was postponed to March 6 for the details to be ironed out.
The Star