Heavy police presence at Kejcir trial

Czech fugitive Radovan krejcir and five others still need to sort out their legal representation at the Palm Ridge Court in the East Rand. The six are on trial for attempted murder, kidnapping, and dealing in drugs. 090614. Picture: Chris Collingridge 287

Czech fugitive Radovan krejcir and five others still need to sort out their legal representation at the Palm Ridge Court in the East Rand. The six are on trial for attempted murder, kidnapping, and dealing in drugs. 090614. Picture: Chris Collingridge 287

Published Jul 21, 2014

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Johannesburg - There was a heavy police presence at the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Monday where the trial of Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and five others was being held.

The trial was expected to start at 11.30am.

The case was postponed in June because some of the accused still needed to sort out their legal representation, and some papers still had to be filed.

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega, detective Colonel Nkosana “Killer” Ximba, crime intelligence boss Chris Ngcobo, as well as forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan had until June 23 to file papers on why they were challenging subpoenas served on them by Krejcir's lawyers.

Arguments on the subpoenas were expected to be heard on Monday.

Phiyega was required to produce all documentation which led to her reportedly ordering the arrest of Krejcir and one of his co-accused, Desai Luphondo, in November last year.

The subpoena served on O'Sullivan, who was alleged to have assisted police in their investigation, required him to produce all documentation linked to his investigation.

His cellphone provider was subpoenaed to provide all his call and text records from June last year to February 2014 and it had done so.

Krejcir, Luphondo, Warrant Officers Samuel “Saddam” Maropeng and George Nthoroane, and Jan Lefu Mofokeng and Siboniso Miya face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and dealing in drugs.

They allegedly kidnapped Bheki Lukhele from his Katlehong home in June last year.

He testified about how he was bound, blindfolded, assaulted and had boiling water poured over him - allegedly by Krejcir - in a bid for him to reveal the whereabouts of his brother Doctor.

Doctor had allegedly disappeared with 25kg of tik (methamphetamine) which he had been tasked to transport to Australia, allegedly for Krejcir.

All the accused have denied involvement in the matter.

Ximba's name has repeatedly come up in the trial, with two State witness admitting to being friends with him.

He was also issued a subpoena, ordering him to produce cellphone records, as well his vehicle tracking records and those of his driver.

Ngcobo had to produce records taken from tracking devices of the East Rand organised crime unit's fleet of cars.

He would need to provide information on which of his officers were using them in June last year, when Lukhele was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted. - Sapa

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