Krejcir in yet another escape bid

THE security around Radovan Krejcir’s court cases has massively increased, after police discovered the Czech businessman had multiple plots in play to escape from prison.

It was revealed that another escape attempt that was planned for yesterday morning had been foiled.

The sentencing proceedings for Krejcir and his five coaccused were set to start at the high court in Johannesburg yesterday, but the usual SAPS team monitoring the court had more than doubled in number.

Late last month, Krejcir’s cell at Zonderwater Correctional Centre was raided and several illegal items were discovered hidden inside, including a 9mm pistol, a knife, ammunition, a taser and 10 cellphones.

It’s understood that these items were meant to be used as part of an escape bid from the facility, with Krejcir allegedly planning to flee to Swaziland, and then to Mozambique and eventually to Argentina.

However, national police spokesman Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale said yesterday that this was not the only escape attempt Krejcir had been planning.

This, he said, was the reason that security had been increased.

It is also understood, from another police source, that the reason the security had to be upped so quickly was because of an alleged plan by Krejcir to escape yesterday morning. The police apparently became aware of this at the weekend.

Sources

Makgale said intelligence sources had revealed that Krejcir had constantly been requesting medical attention from a specific doctor at a specific time and date, which police believed was part of another plan for the Czech businessman to make his escape.

“We know that he wants to escape… He realises the court proceedings have come to a certain point, and he believes his only option is to escape,” said Makgale.

While police have several leads on those who were, and are, set to assist Krejcir in his escape plots, Makgale said no arrests had been made.

However, numerous witnesses and possible suspects were being interviewed.

“He is getting help from fellow inmates and correctional services (officials)… There will be arrests in the near future.”

Meanwhile, Krejcir’s legal team has also lodged a formal request at the high court in Pretoria to have him transferred to another prison.

The application is set to be heard today.

Makgale said the police were aware of this transfer application, but that if it was successful, it would be up to the Department of Correctional Services to ensure that he did not try to make any escape attempts while being moved.

Krejcir was convicted earlier this year on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and drug dealing for abducting the brother of one of his business contacts who had fled with a shipment of drugs worth millions of rand.

Yesterday, the sentencing proceedings in the matter had to be postponed, after it was revealed that the pre-sentencing reports had not yet been received by the state or defence.

Department officials assured the legal teams they would be prepared by October 28.

Three days have been set down for arguing mitigating and aggravating circumstances for the six convicts, although it is unclear if the sentencing will be completed by the end of the year.