Johannesburg - Security was tight at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Monday ahead of the appearance of Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and his four co-accused.
Krejcir was due to appear on charges of kidnapping, assault and attempted murder alongside Siboniso Miya, Sandton businessman Desai Luphondo, and two members of the Hawks, warrant officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Jeff Nthoroane.
As in their previous appearances, the road leading to the court was blocked off with only officials allowed to pass through.
Outside the courtroom, scores of police officers lined the benches.
People entering the court were searched.
Inside court, more officers filled the gallery.
Krejcir's wife and son arrived before court proceedings began.
They sat in the front row of the court gallery and moved out a short while later.
Four of the men were arrested in November. Miya was arrested in January.
In June last year, they allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a man whose brother, known only as “Doctor”, disappeared with a 25kg shipment of tik he had been recruited to help smuggle through OR Tambo International Airport.
They are accused of keeping the man at Krejcir's Money Point business in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, for four days, and assaulting him.
On January 10, the High Court in Johannesburg denied Krejcir leave to appeal the dismissal of his application for bail by the Palm Ridge Regional Court on December 13.
At their last court appearance on January 24, the court heard that Miya was assaulted and not fed while in police custody.
Miya's lawyer handed in an application for him to be moved from the Krugersdorp police station to the Johannesburg prison. The case was postponed to allow for investigations to be concluded. - Sapa