Johannesburg - Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir has been sent back to the maximum security prison in Kokstad, and after finally finding a lawyer to represent him, is trying to be transferred back to a more forgiving Joburg facility.
The eBongweni C-Max Prison in KwaZulu-Natal has become known for housing some of South Africa’s most notorious prisoners, including serial escape artist Ananias Mathe.
On Wednesday at the high court in Joburg, it was revealed during Krejcir’s appearance that after a lengthy stay at Zonderwater Prison in Cullinan, he had been transferred to Kokstad, making it difficult for his new representative, advocate James Grant, to consult with him.
Krejcir, Siboniso Miya, Nkanyiso Mafunda, Siphiwe Memela and Borislavov Grigorov are on trial for the 2013 murder of Sam Issa, an alleged Bedfordview drug kingpin who was shot in his car in that suburb.
There have been numerous postponements after Krejcir, Mafunda and Memela struggled to get lawyers to take on their cases because of financial constraints. Memela and Mafunda finally agreed to apply for legal aid lawyers last week. Two were assigned yesterday.
However, in mid-August, Krejcir told the court he had approached 12 law firms, and no one had agreed to represent him, but yesterday, Grant arrived and confirmed he would be taking on Krejcir as a client.
Grant had initially worked with Krejcir earlier this year on a Supreme Court of Appeal bid to have the Czech’s first 35-year-sentence for a kidnapping conviction overturned.
Because of the three new lawyers, presiding Judge Winston Mihloti Msimeki agreed to a week-long postponement to allow them to familiarise themselves with the case.
The five defence lawyers have also requested further particulars to ensure they are ready to begin arguing on Wednesday, with an out-of-court meeting at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions set down for Friday to ensure the handover. However, Grant also asked that the court make an order that Krejcir be transferred from Kokstad to a Joburg prison to allow him to consult with his client without the difficulties that come with visitors entering the KwaZulu-Natal prison.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba argued that the court did not have the discretion to make such an order, and that an entirely new application to the Department of Correctional Services would be required.
Judge Msimeki agreed, asking that Grant work with Gcaba outside court proceedings to ready such an application if necessary.
The Star