Johannesburg - Security was tight on Thursday ahead of the start of the trial of Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir and five others charged with kidnapping and attempted murder.
Heavily armed police officers closed the street leading to the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on the East Rand, where the High Court in Johannesburg is sitting for the case.
People entering the courtroom were thoroughly searched and members of the media were asked for identification. There were three armed police officers inside and two outside.
Krejcir's wife Katerina Krejcirova smoked cigarettes with a man and a woman outside the court.
Krejcir is charged with dealing in drugs, attempted murder, and kidnapping, together with Desai Luphondo, Samuel Modise Maropeng, George Jeff Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng, and Siboniso Miya.
Luphondo, Maropeng, Nthoroane, and Mofokeng were all released on R5 000 bail each in December.
In their last appearance the case was postponed due to the unavailability of a judge.
Sapa