'Krejcir smuggles drugs worldwide'

03 December 2013 - 02:18 By GRAEME HOSKEN
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Radovan Krejcir, right, and Desai Luphondo in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Katlehong yesterday, applying for bail. They and two policemen are accused of kidnap and assault
Radovan Krejcir, right, and Desai Luphondo in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Katlehong yesterday, applying for bail. They and two policemen are accused of kidnap and assault
Image: MOELETSI MABE

Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir is allegedly the kingpin of a multimillion-rand international drug-smuggling syndicate stretching from Europe to Australia.

During Krejcir's bail application yesterday - in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg - the state gave a glimpse of his alleged involvement in drug smuggling and intricate murder plots.

It revealed that those due to testify against him have been placed in witness protection after they had received death threats and their dogs had been poisoned.

Krejcir and co-accused Sandton property businessman Desai Luphondo, are charged with kidnapping and assaulting an associate's brother in June.

Germiston organised crime warrant officers Samuel "Saddam" Maropeng and Macheche Nthoroane, who are believed to be part of Krejcir's personal police army, face the same charges.

In a detailed affidavit, investigating officer Captain Freddy Ramuhala alleges that the kidnapping was triggered by the apparent theft of a R24-million consignment of crystal meth (tik) from Krejcir by an associate named Doctor.

The 25kg consignment, destined for Australia, was to be flown out of OR Tambo International Airport.

Ramuhala gives details of what is believed to be a small part of Krejcir's sordid criminal underworld.

The Czech fugitive allegedly uses Luphondo as a drug pusher and the man known as Doctor, who works at OR Tambo airport's clearance agency, to smuggle drugs into and out of South Africa.

Ramuhala alleges the events that led to Krejcir and his three co-accused facing the two charges are as follows:

  • Luphondo gave Doctor a consignment of drugs to ship to Australia. Doctor gave him a receipt and serial number as proof of shipment. Luphondo gave the receipt to Krejcir;
  • Doctor disappeared. On inquiring about the drugs, Krejcir and Luphondo established they had not been shipped to Australia as arranged;
  • Doctor could not be traced and Krejcir allegedly threatened Luphondo, telling him to find Doctor or give him R24-million for the drugs;
  • Luphondo enlisted the services of Maropeng, Nthoroane and others to track down Doctor;
  • On June 25, Krejcir allegedly instructed Luphondo, Maropeng and Nthoroane to find Doctor, failing which they must kidnap any member of his immediate family. They could not find Doctor and kidnapped his younger brother. They took him to Krejcir's business Money Point in Bedfordview, east of Johannesburg;
  • The brother was allegedly kept captive for four days and repeatedly assaulted in an attempt to reveal Doctor's whereabouts. Krejcir allegedly poured boiling water over his head. He made him phone Doctor to persuade him to hand himself over as the brother's life depended on it.
  • He was driven to the family's home in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, but Doctor was not there;
  • They drove back to Bedfordview where the victim was handed back to Krejcir. He was allegedly assaulted further;
  • Krejcir allegedly suggested the victim be killed so Doctor would attend the funeral and they could kidnap him. There was a disagreement over this and Luphondo agreed to repay the R24-million. The victim was taken to Krejcir's "safe house" for the night and then to Money Point; and
  • On June 29, he was dumped in Katlehong.

Based on Ramuhala's affidavit, prosecutor Louis Mashiane opposed bail, saying the state had a "strong" case, would call eye-witnesses and had a confession by Luphondo implicating Krejcir, the policemen and others yet to be arrested.

Mashiane said Krejcir, who had travelled to South Africa on a false passport, which he is still allegedly in possession of, was a flight risk and that witnesses had received death threats.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale confirmed that witnesses had been placed under protection after being threatened and that their dogs had been poisoned.

Krejcir's lawyer, Willie Vermeulen, rubbished the state's claims, saying serious allegations were made, "attributing murderous intention".

"But on what basis? Where is the factual evidence?" he asked.

Luphondo's lawyer, Advocate André Steenkamp, said his client had been coerced into making his confession and it would be contested. The bail hearing continues tomorrow.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now