Johannesburg - The appearance of Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir disrupted proceedings at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Monday as security cleared courtrooms on the ground floor.
Heavily armed police guarded the courtroom where Krejcir and another man appeared to face charges of attempted murder and kidnapping in the Alberton court.
The media were ordered to stand well back from the door of the courtroom where the men's appearance was being held in camera.
Police ordered the media to leave the court building but many disobeyed the instruction.
Earlier, senior prosecutor Kenny Ramavhoya said the decision to hold proceedings in camera was taken for security reasons.
“It happens most of the time when there are security concerns.”
He denied there was secrecy surrounding the matter and said only the men's first appearance was expected to be held behind closed doors.
In agreement with the defence, the matter was expected to be postponed to December 2 for a bail application, he said.
It was not immediately clear which section of the Criminal Procedure Act the decision was based on.
The charges of kidnapping and attempted murder related to an alleged incident in June. Initially, he was facing a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm but police said it would be changed to attempted murder. - Sapa