Johannesburg - A man linked to the assassination plot against security specialist Paul O’Sullivan has confessed to the murder of an alleged associate of O’Sullivan’s nemesis, Radovan Krejcir.
This seems to link yet another crime directly to Czech fugitive Krejcir, who is believed to have been working with the slain Sam Issa, an alleged drug trafficker.
Issa was killed in October last year while driving through Bedfordview, after 33 bullets were fired at his Audi Q7.
While Krejcir has denied any links to Issa – besides simply knowing him as a fellow Bedfordview resident – sources close to the case have confirmed that the shooting was connected to their “business relationship”.
Siphiwe Memela was arrested as the eighth suspect in the assassination plot of members of a team investigating Krejcir, O’Sullivan and Colonel Nkosana “Killer” Ximba.
But a source on the multi-disciplinary investigation team looking into the O’Sullivan and Issa cases told The Star investigators already have a signed confession from Memela about his involvement in Issa’s killing. He was also allegedly able to point out several key spots relating to the shooting.
While not commenting on the written confession, national police spokesman Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale said Memela was arrested last Thursday after he was shot in a leg during an alleged armed robbery in KwaZulu-Natal.
“At the time of the shooting, this suspect was also found in possession of a vehicle which had been reported stolen from the Bayview area in Chatsworth, just outside Durban,” said Makgale.
According to Makgale, Memela is believed to have been linked to Issa’s killing, and police have identified others who helped orchestrate the murder. He said several of these other suspects were already in custody for other crimes.
“Detectives are waiting for an opportune moment to bring these accused together to answer for the murder of Issa,” said Makgale.
On Monday, Memela limped into the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on crutches. He almost fell over, and magistrate Renier Boshoff told him to “keep his balance”.
Memela requested a Legal Aid lawyer to represent him.
While alone in the dock on Monday, Memela will be appearing on June 13 alongside the seven others – including a police sergeant – accused of plotting to kill O’Sullivan and Ximba.
Police are set to conduct an ID parade involving Memela next week.
It’s still unclear when he will be charged with Issa’s murder.
Meanwhile, Krejcir is on trial for attempted murder and kidnapping involving a missing drug shipment. Police have allegedly linked him, too, to the killing of German supercar specialist Uwe Gemballa.
Krejcir is also facing a case instigated by the SA Revenue Service for allegedly using a network of companies to channel money and evade income tax payments.
The Czech’s kidnapping and attempted murder trial had to be postponed on Monday because his advocate was sick.
Piet du Plessis, on behalf of advocate Annelene van den Heever, said she was expected to be well enough to resume the trial on Tuesday.
The Star