Johannesburg - Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir is allegedly planning to have the high court judge who convicted him taken out, as well as the investigation team and his nemesis, Paul O’Sullivan.
Judge Colin Lamont had found Krejcir guilty of kidnapping, attempted murder and attempted possession of drugs in August.
Several sources close to the investigation said Krejcir has apparently hired a European hitman to come to the country to finish the job.
Impeccable sources told The Star that the alleged hitman was in December prevented by officials from visiting Krejcir in Kokstad C-Max, where a plan to execute the hit was going to be hatched.
The alleged hitman had pretended to be Krejcir’s brother and was accompanied by a police official.
“Krejcir is an only child. He doesn’t have a brother. This shows that there are ulterior motives. Why did that man have to lie about his identity?” asked a source.
The Star understands that a top cop had rushed to the Kokstad maximum security facility the following day and demanded all the video footage showing the faces of visitors, claiming he was going to investigate the matter. The name of the police officer is known to The Star.
When The Star contacted Correctional Services spokesman Manelisi Wolela about the matter, he said the department would not be engaging the media in relation to anything about Krejcir. “We have considered all these factors to be a security matter,” he said.
However, acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane’s spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said: “We’ve noted these disturbing allegations, and all necessary security measures will be put in place.”
Mulaudzi added: “We are not at liberty to divulge any information regarding our security plans. However, this matter is receiving the necessary attention it deserves.”
Several intelligence operatives, who wanted to remain anonymous, confirmed they had received information about the alleged plot.
“We have beefed up the security measures. We are also keeping a watchful eye on the alleged hitman and watching all the movements to make sure there is no loss of lives.
“Krejcir believes that if Lamont is killed, it will delay the process for his sentencing. He also thinks that the next judge who will be appointed will be too scared to give him a harsher sentence,” said a source.
On Wednesday, O’Sullivan said he was aware of Krejcir’s alleged plot. “I’m not scared. That person who is hired to kill me must bring a body bag. They will go back in a body bag.”
Read: O’Sullivan: I will hunt Krejcir and kill him
Krejcir and his five co-accused were involved in the kidnapping and torture of Bhekithemba Lukhele, whose brother, Bhekisizwe Doctor Nkosi, had stolen and fled with a large supply of crystal meth from Krejcir that was originally set to be sold in Australia.
Judge Lamont found Krejcir and his co-accused guilty of kidnapping. Krejcir and four others were also convicted of attempted murder. In addition, he and Siboniso Miya were convicted of attempted drug possession.
They are due to be sentenced on Monday.
In September, Correctional Services officials foiled Krejcir’s plot to escape from Zonderwater Prison.
During the dramatic raid in his cell, a firearm, ammunition, cellphones, SIM cards, a screwdriver as well as a diary containing detailed information about his escape plan were confiscated. In the diary, Krejcir wrote that he wanted to “swear at Lamont and throw a bottle of water at him” in court.
Read: Krejcir’s escape plan revealed
Also read: R246m for Krejcir jailbreak
“When can I stand up and approach Lamont? How far can I go? Can I throw a bottle of water at him? Can I say that this stone on his windscreen was just a start? Can I swear at him?”
In 2014, the State had to beef up Judge Lamont’s security following an alleged incident while he was driving home.
At the time, police said Judge Lamont heard a loud bang and realised his windscreen had cracked. The judge has been given 24-hour protection since then.
@SollyMaphumulo
The Star