Johannesburg - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) will probe allegations by Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir that he has been assaulted, an official said on Monday.
Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini said Krejcir was arrested for attempted murder and kidnapping at his home by a group of police officers.
“They took the complainant to a veld in the direction of Katlehong, where he was allegedly shocked with a Tazer and a plastic bag was placed over his head to suffocate him,” Dlamini said in a statement.
“The complainant allegedly lost consciousness.”
This was reported to the Ipid after a case of assault was opened at the Protea Glen police station.
“The Ipid took over the docket on 24 November. The investigation continues. No arrests have been made,” said Dlamini.
Krejcir was sentenced in the Czech Republic last year after being convicted in absentia for money-laundering. He would face an 11-year sentence if extradited.
On Monday, the Johannesburg High Court was expected to rule on whether Krejcir would be moved from jail to hospital.
His lawyers filed an urgent application with the court on Sunday, requesting that Krejcir be moved from jail to hospital.
They claimed Krejcir was assaulted following his arrest.
The verdict was expected to be delivered at 11.30am on Monday.
Krejcir's doctor, who the court said cannot be named for security reasons, recommended that he be hospitalised. He said Krejcir could face renal failure if he did not receive medical attention.
The doctor said the injuries suffered by Krejcir were consistent with those of someone who had been assaulted.
The State also called its own doctor, who claimed he had observed injuries on Krejcir’s wrists. He claimed these could have been caused by the handcuffs.
The State argued that Krejcir could receive medical attention in jail.
Meanwhile, Krejcir and a co-accused were expected to appear in the Alberton Magistrate's Court for kidnapping and attempted murder charges.
It was not known how the latest developments would affect that appearance. - Sapa