Bedfordview turned into the 'Wild West'

13 November 2013 - 02:41 By GRAEME HOSKEN
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A policeman takes a statement from a Money Point employee who escaped injury in the bomb blast that rocked Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir's shop in Bedfordview. Two people were killed and five others injured in the explosion. File photo.
A policeman takes a statement from a Money Point employee who escaped injury in the bomb blast that rocked Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir's shop in Bedfordview. Two people were killed and five others injured in the explosion. File photo.
Image: ALON SKUY

''Blood will flow. I can tell you now, blood will flow.''

It is a warning - issued last night by a heavily armed man outside the Life Bedfordview Gardens Hospital - that police are taking seriously after a bomb blast killed two people and critically injured three others at a business belonging to controversial Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir. Two other people suffered minor injuries.

The hospital was chaotic last night as doctors, many of whom were off-duty, frantically rushed to help the injured, most of whom had suffered shrapnel wounds to their upper bodies.

The blast occurred as staff at Krejcir's Money Point gold dealership in Bedfordview were preparing to knock off.

It occurred moments after an unknown man walked into the shop and warned staff there was a bomb in a bag. It is not known if the man was injured in the blast or if he planted the bomb.

The attack is one of several to have occurred in the last couple of months against Krejcir, who was near the shop when the bomb exploded.

The attacks include a mysterious machinegun-rigged car that burst into flames moments after it was fired at Krejcir as he entered his business five months ago.

Krejcir last night refused to speak. ''Ï cannot talk now my brother . It is really bad . there are big problems.''

At least 10 people associated with Krejcir - including former Teazers strip club boss Lolly Jackson and underworld figure Cyril Beeka - have been killed in mysterious circumstances over the past few years.

Krejcir - who is 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 - has denied any links to the killings.

As forensic and bomb squad specialists last night cordoned off the scene, shutting down various streets around the Eastgate shopping mall, police, under the direction of national detective head, Lieutenant-General Vineshkumar Moonoo, were establishing a specialised team of detectives and crime intelligence agents.

Kate Lindsay, who lives near the mall, described how the blast shook her home. ''I thought lightning had hit a tree in our garden. Everything shook," she said.

Lindsay, who was visiting her grandmother at the hospital, said the situation there was chaotic.

"People were screaming. There were women crying. You could hear the people in pain. There was so much blood."

She said the injuries were horrific. "Doctors were saying how people were cut up by the shrapnel; how pieces of metal were embedded in bodies."

She said the violence had turned Bedfordview into the "Wild West".

"It's crazy. It is either people being shot in drive-by attacks, mysterious cars exploding or bombs going off."

When The Times arrived at the hospital, it was in security lockdown, with only relatives of the injured and patients allowed in.

Security personnel kept the entrance doors shut.

''It is dangerous. We found a gun on one of the injured. We don't know who is who here and are afraid for our patients," said a hospital official.

Outside, women were crying, begging hospital staff for information.

"We just want to know. Please tell me if he is alive. Please tell me. Can I see him. Please can I see him," cried a woman as she was counselled by a hospital chaplain.

A heavily armed man, standing with grieving relatives, was overheard telling family members that the attack on their loved ones would be avenged.

"Blood will flow. I tell you, now blood will flow."

A police crime intelligence officer said the attack was just the beginning.

"It has been building up and now the storm is coming," he warned.

Police spokesman Brigadier Neville Malila said two cases of murder and five cases of attempted murder were being investigated. He said the motive for the attack was unknown.

"What we know is that someone walked into the shop and warned staff of a bomb in the bag. The bomb then exploded. We don't know who this person is or whether he was injured or if he planted the bomb.

"We cannot at this stage link it to anything or anyone. All angles are being investigated . all leads followed up. A special team is working on the case," he said.

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