Underworld attack

25 July 2013 - 12:30 By GRAEME HOSKEN
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THE attempted hit on underworld fugitive Radovan Krejcir yesterday, using military-style remote-controlled machine guns, was made just days before murder accused George Louka is due to arrive in South Africa.

Louka, who is to be extradited from Cyprus, is the key in the murder of strip club king and Teazers owner Lolly Jackson. Louka - who will be brought to South Africa by Interpol under tight security next week - is expected to provide information that will blow open South Africa's criminal underworld networks.

His knowledge - of murders; money-laundering; drugs, weapons and diamond smuggling; and human trafficking - is believed to have led to a hit being placed on him, too.

Louka is alleged to have killed Jackson. Krejcir vehemently denies any involvement. A Czech national, Krejcir is currently battling an attempt by the South African authorities to have him extradited to the Czech Republic, where he is wanted for tax fraud and other offences.

The attempt on his life yesterday was made with a heavy-calibre machine-gun system fitted in the rear bumper of a red VW Polo parked at Krejcir's business in Bedfordview.

As he got out of his car, the weapons were activated, the bullets striking his vehicle and narrowly missing him. The Polo caught alight moments later.

A shaken Krejcir refused to speak about any possible link between the apparent attempt on his life and Louka's extradition.

"I have not got time for that. Somebody just tried to blow me away.

"It was a hit . the way it was designed and how it was carried out . the explosion, the heavy calibre, shows this was the plan."

Krejcir said he had just stepped away from his car outside his office at Money Point Gold Coin Diamond Exchange, opposite the Eastgate shopping centre, when he had heard a series of explosions.

"It was bang. Bang, bang, bang. Over and over again very quickly. There was no time to think . it was incredibly scary," he said.

A police source with knowledge of investigations into Krejcir said the "attempted hit" was a clear warning to the Czech national.

"This was a message . steps will be taken to silence people . especially those who are about to talk."

A team of detectives, including members of the police counter-terrorism unit, were involved in the case, he said.

A military arms expert said the weapons system used was intriguing. "The way it was fired . the way ammunition was fed into the barrels and the fire afterwards, indicate the designer knew exactly what he was doing. This device was built with a knowledge not everyone has . it takes years of design and practice . it was fired using a specialised electronic system possibly run through a radio frequency.

"It will keep our forensics teams busy, especially as the fire is likely to have destroyed whatever evidence was left behind."

Justice Department spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said it would know soon when exactly Louka would arrive in South Africa.

He declined to discuss arrangements to ensure Louka's safety should a hit be out on him as suspected , except to say: "They are extensive and detailed. They will guarantee his life and that he makes it to court.

"The prosecution and police have a formidable case [against Louka] . it is solid, watertight."

Police spokesman Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said an attempted murder case would be investigated after yesterday's shooting.

"The car was stolen in April in Brixton. It was allegedly parked at [Krejcir's] premises by an unknown person. No arrests have been made and the motive is unknown," he said.

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