Sunday Times

Krejcir jigsaw puzzle takes shape

- WERNER SWART

THE network of enforcers, “creative” accountant­s and crooked cops surroundin­g Radovan Krejcir is fast unravellin­g.

The mobster, who has been sentenced in absentia in his homeland, the Czech Republic, returns to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, near Johannesbu­rg, tomorrow, where he is expected to apply for bail.

Unlike his co-accused, who include two members of the Hawks, Krejcir has spent the past week in a private hospital after claiming he was assaulted and tortured by the police.

Krejcir and Desai Lupondo will appear with Hawks warrant-officers Samuel “Saddam” Maropeng and Machache Nthoroane on a charge of attempted murder and kidnapping.

The four are accused of assaulting an East Rand businessma­n in June this year.

A police detective close to the investigat­ion said an investigat­ion into Maropeng’s possible involvemen­t in the murder of slain drug dealer Sam Issa, who was gunned down in Bedfordvie­w in October, was also almost complete.

On the day of Issa’s murder, witnesses said they saw a white double-cab bakkie with police lights leaving the scene. This led to rumours that the police were seeking Maropeng.

The detective said: “Issa was shot with an R5 assault rifle, the type used by the police. The pieces of the puzzle are fitting together.”

Other people who had close relations with Krejcir and who have fallen foul of the law include:

Krejcir’s so-called business manager, Ivan Savov, who will spend Christmas behind bars after he was refused bail. Savov is facing charges of fraud and money laundering;

Notorious mafioso Glenn Agliotti, who was this week provisiona­lly sequestrat­ed because of a massive outstandin­g tax bill. It emerged that he took a R400 000 loan from a Krejcircon­trolled company; and

Colonel Francois Steyn, head of the police’s organised crime unit on the East Rand, who is on “leave” after also admitting to having accepted a loan from Krejcir’s company.

Steyn claimed he did not know Groep Twee Beleggings was owned by Krejcir’s wife.

 ?? Picture:GALLO IMAGES ?? CROOKED CONNECTION­S: Radovan Krejcir will be back in court this week alongside three co-accused
Picture:GALLO IMAGES CROOKED CONNECTION­S: Radovan Krejcir will be back in court this week alongside three co-accused

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