Now a cellphone found under Krejcir's pillow

07 February 2016 - 02:00 By PREGA GOVENDER

While correctional services officials were secretly moving Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir from C-Max in Kokstad to Zonderwater prison, outside Pretoria, on Friday, police confiscated a cellphone they found in his new cell.The Sunday Times understands police were searching the cell specially prepared for the convicted mobster when they discovered the phone under a pillow. Krejcir arrived at Zonderwater late on Friday night.He was convicted of kidnapping, attempted murder and a drug-related offence on August 24 last year and is scheduled to return to the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court, Ekurhuleni, on February 22 for sentencing after this was postponed for the fifth time in November last year.Krejcir was initially held at Zonderwater and transferred to the C-Max prison in December as part of the Department of Correctional Services' Operation Vala, a 50-day festive season security campaign largely aimed at reducing escapes.His police escort from Zonderwater to Kokstad reportedly included a helicopter. Krejcir is apparently the first non-sentenced prisoner to have been incarcerated in C-Max, where notorious escapee Ananias Mathe is serving time.This is not the first attempt to smuggle Krejcir a cellphone at Zonderwater prison.In October last year, Amanda Papoutsis, 45, was granted bail of R3000 in the Cullinan Magistrate's Court after being accused of trying to smuggle a cellphone to him.She was apprehended when a cellphone, allegedly hidden in the soles of shoes she had brought for Krejcir, rang.The Times reported last month that while at C-Max, Krejcir spent 23 hours a day in solitary confinement with access to nothing but a Bible. The cell doors do not have bars, but are solid steel with a shoebox-size window that can be opened and shut only by warders from the outside.Krejcir's lawyer, Cliff Alexander, could not be reached for comment.Correctional services spokesman Manelisi Wolela said the department would from now on neither confirm nor deny Krejcir's security and travel arrangements. "We will reconsider this position only after his appearance in court on February 22 and finalisation of his case."Pressed about the discovery of a cellphone at the Zonderwater cell meant for Krejcir, Wolela said: "It is equally covered by our position."..

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