Witness’s relationship with cops queried

Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir. File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir. File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Published May 13, 2014

Share

 

Johannesburg - Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir's lawyer Annelene van den Heever on Tuesday questioned the State's first witness Peter Vusi Msimango's relationship with police.

Testifying in the trial of Krejcir and five others in the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, Msimango, a Boksburg businessman, said he knew SA Police Service officer known as Colonel “Killer” Ximba as the two of them had previously dated sisters.

Krejcir, Desai Luphondo, Warrant Officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Jess Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng, and Siboniso Miya face charges of dealing in drugs, attempted murder, and kidnapping. They have all pleaded not guilty.

Msimango had been recruited to help find “Doctor”, who worked at a cargo company at OR Tambo International Airport. Doctor apparently disappeared with 25kg of tik that he was tasked to help transport to Australia in June last year.

On Tuesday, Van den Heever questioned Msimango about whether he contacted Ximba around the same time when Doctor's brother Bheki Lukhele was kidnapped and assaulted in a bid to have him reveal his brother's whereabouts.

Msimango said he could have contacted Ximba, but he would not have discussed the matter with him.

“I wouldn't dare phone him and tell him about those things,” Msimango said through an interpreter.

“He is well known for arrests so even if I called him, I wouldn't let him know I'm involved. I could have made contact to find out if he was aware of these incidents,” Msimango said. He was dressed in a black shirt and a black and silver blazer.

The court heard earlier that Lukhele was bound, assaulted and had boiling water poured over his head by Krejcir.

Msimango told the court that after assaulting Lukhele, Krejcir suggested they murder him so Doctor could be picked up when he attended the funeral. Krejcir later suggested they abort that plan.

“He said he doesn't want to have a reputation of a drug dealer,” Msimango said.

They dropped Lukhele off near a stadium in Katlehong.

The trial continues. - Sapa

Related Topics: