Krejcir's family back in South Africa: state

Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir's family returned to South Africa at the weekend, the Palm Ridge Regional Court heard.

"The wife and son returned on December 1 on a flight from Mauritius. They left the country on November 21 via OR Tambo International Airport on a flight to Nigeria," said prosecutor Louis Mashiane.

He said the family had several passports with them.

Krejcir and his co-accused Desai Luphondo, and warrant officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Jeff Nthoroane were applying for bail.

They were arrested last month and face charges of assault, kidnapping and attempted murder.

Mashiane said Krejcir's assets in the country were not known.

"The house he lives in in Bedfordview is registered in his wife's name."

Krejcir fled his home country, the Czech Republic, before he could serve a sentence there, and was therefore a flight risk, Mashiane said.

He said all four accused knew all the witnesses and posed a threat to them.

"They could interfere with witnesses as they know where they stay and their relatives as well."

Mashiane said Maropeng owned four houses and several luxury cars, including a Maserati, a Mercedes-Benz and a Range Rover.

Maropeng said in his affidavit that he had only two properties -- in Vosloorus and Germiston -- and a Nissan Navara. He said he earned a salary of R12,000 a month.

The bail hearing continues.