Johannesburg - Radovan Krejcir’s defence lawyer, Annelene van den Heever, has accused investigators of manipulating evidence and the State of relying on only witness testimony, as part of a conspiracy to keep her client behind bars.
The Czech fugitive, Sandton businessman Desai Luphondo, and East Rand Organised Crime Unit police officers Samuel “Saddam” Maropeng, George Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng and Jeff Nthoroane are all on trial at the high court in Joburg.
They are believed to have been involved in the kidnapping of Bhekithemba Lukhele, whose brother, Bhekisizwe Doctor Nkosi, had allegedly stolen a large supply of crystal meth from Krejcir that was originally set to be sold in Australia.
The men face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and drug dealing.
For the past two days, both the State and the defence have provided the court with their closing arguments.
While State prosecutor Louis Mashiane claims that eyewitnesses and their claims against the group warranted a conviction, Van den Heever had insistent there was no hard evidence against her clients, Krejcir and Luphondo.
In the defence’s extensive heads of argument, Van den Heever stated that the State relied on single witnesses for key aspects of the case, such as the drug deal where Nkosi was allegedly given the bag containing the drugs. She added that Lukhele’s own testimony was “of such poor quality that it cannot be relied upon”.
Van den Heever also noted contradictions between the State’s doctors who examined Lukhele’s injuries, and that the first doctor’s testimony did not corroborate Lukhele’s version, where he claims he was tortured by the group using boiling water.
Two other witnesses, Peter Msimango and Paul Mathabela, who allegedly witnessed the torture and kidnapping, were also credible because they were accomplices, said the defence.
Captain Freddy Ramuhala was also attacked. During earlier proceedings, the court found he had given false testimony and was deemed to be devious in his conduct during the investigation and arrests.
Throughout the proceedings, Van den Heever claimed that Krejcir’s arrest was part of an overall conspiracy by top police officials to remove her client from society, as they believe he is a local underworld kingpin.
Presiding Judge Colin Lamont warned Van den Heever that her argument could open her up to a series of defamation suits if her claims were not backed up by factual evidence.
The trial continues.
The Star