Radovan Krejcir's trial postponed

Rodavan Krejcir appears at the Palm Ridge magistrates court for a fresh application for bail. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 24/02/2014

Rodavan Krejcir appears at the Palm Ridge magistrates court for a fresh application for bail. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 24/02/2014

Published Aug 14, 2014

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Johannesburg - The trial of Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and five others was postponed in the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Thursday.

The matter was postponed to Friday after the court heard that State witness Captain Mashudu Freddy Ramuhala was unwell.

Krejcir also needed to consult a doctor as he was suffering from bronchitis.

Judge Colin Lamont has indicated the case needs to be concluded within four weeks as he has other cases to hear next month.

The matter has undergone numerous delays and is currently in a trial-within-a-trial.

It is aimed at establishing whether one of the accused, Desai Luphondo, was pressured into a confession by the police.

Ramuhala began testifying on Wednesday.

He is the investigating officer behind the arrest of Krejcir and five others charged with kidnapping, attempted murder and dealing in drugs.

Luphondo's lawyer has told the court her client was kicked, slapped and suffocated when he was arrested by Ramuhala and other police officers last November.

Ramuhala has dismissed the alleged assault.

Luphondo, Krejcir, Warrant Officers Samuel “Saddam” Maropeng and George Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng and Siboniso Miya were charged following allegations that they recruited a man known as Doctor Nkosi to help smuggle 25kg of tik (methamphetamine) to Australia, allegedly for Krejcir.

He worked for a cargo company at OR Tambo International Airport, when he disappeared with the shipment.

Krejcir and his co-accused allegedly then kidnapped and tortured his brother, Bheki Lukhele, in a bid to have him reveal his sibling's whereabouts.

Nkosi has also testified in the trial, where he confessed to stealing the drugs.

Sapa

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