Krejcir trains with Oscar
CZECH FUGITIVE: BEMOANS REMOVAL OF GEAR
Paralympian offered use of training equipment by prison authorities ‘without owner’s knowledge’
Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and paralympian Oscar Pistorius have trained together at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria. The development came to light, in a letter of complaint Krejcir wrote he made a request in July for a bicycle and treadmill so he could exercise, and the request was approved.
The equipment was installed in the passage next to his cell at the prison.
“My equipment was offered to Mr Oscar Pistorius, to train on, on his arrival at this facility … without my knowledge,” Krejcir complained in the letter, of which
has a copy. “I did not object to Mr Pistorius utilising my equipment after he arrived at this facility. In fact, Mr Pistorius and I started training together. However, on Sunday the equipment was moved to the visiting area and then again to a single cell on the ground floor of the prison,” he said.
There was no space in Krejcir’s single cell for the equipment.
“I have been deprived of my training since November 9 as a result of this unfounded and unexplainable change, which I submit has been directed directly at me, as just another form of mental and emotional torture,” Krejcir said.
He addressed the letter to the prison’s management, and forwarded it to Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha, national Correctional Services Commissioner Zach Modise, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, Amnesty International SA and the Human Rights Commission of SA, among others.
Krejcir also complained about the removal of his television set after media reports he had access to DStv. At the time, Correctional Services denied he had DStv.
Krejcir further complained his memory sticks containing entertainment and news, reading material and trial notes had been removed. “I was informed today [Thursday] my memory sticks will be confiscated and not handed back to me,” he said.
He also bemoaned the fact he was no longer allowed to interact with other inmates, as he had been since his arrival. He said reasons given to him were health risks, because some inmates had tuberculosis or chicken pox.
“I experience these actions as a personal attack and believe this to be an infringement on my human and constitutional rights, not to mention these actions are unfounded, unfair and psychological and emotional torture,” he wrote.
“This complaint should not be construed as an attitude of disrespect and or aimed as a personal attack on the members of this facility. However, I trust you would appreciate the inhumane manner in which I am treated.”
The prison’s area commissioner Zebulon Monama declined to comment. –