Police promoted despite Krejcir bungle
POLICE Commissioner Riah Phiyega has announced she is promoting all police officers involved in the multi-pronged investigation against Czech underworld figure Radovan Krejcir.
This is despite the judge slamming police in the case for nearly botching the probe that led to his first conviction in South Africa.
The Krejcir special task team members will all be moved one rank up in recognition of their hard work‚ the SAPS said via their Twitter feed.
Krejcir‚ who arrived in the country on a false passport seven years ago‚ was convicted of kidnapping and attempted murder in August in a case linked to a failed drug deal.
His conviction was no thanks to the police‚ whose investigation of the alleged underworld boss almost jeopardised the state’s case.
Judge Colin Lamont in the Johannesburg High Court berated the police for a shoddy investigation.
Lamont said it was the testimony of state witness Peter Msimang that saved the state’s case, saying he was credible as he had been in constant contact with Krejcir.
Krejcir previously said he believed that there was a conspiracy against him and implicated National Prosecuting Authority prosecutor Gerrie Nel‚ police Colonel Nkosana “Killer” Ximba‚ private investigator Paul O’Sullivan and Phiyega.
But Lamont said: “There is no evidence that suggests that the police incorrectly arrested the accused.”
Krejcir is also accused‚ with seven others‚ of conspiring to murder Ximba and O’Sullivan. That case has been postponed.
With three others
he
is
also charged with murdering Lebanese businessman Sam Issa‚ gunned down in his car in 2013. And Krejcir is fighting extradition to his home country on charges of fraud and conspiracy to murder.
Weekend news reports said Gauteng police had foiled an attempted escape by Krejcir from the Kgosi Mamphuru Prison in Pretoria.
A raid on his prison cell uncovered several items including a 9mm pistol‚ several rounds of ammunition‚ a pepper spray gun‚ a knife‚ 10 cellphones and a memory stick. — RDM News Wire