Two Krejcir linked Hawks arrested

Two Hawks members linked to Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir were arrested on Tuesday morning, an official said.

"The officers are linked with Krejcir's kidnapping case only," said Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko.

According to Eye Witness News, one of them was a warrant officer, who was arrested in the East Rand just after 8am this morning.

"The 41-year-old officer was involved in the kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm that Krejcir has been arrested for," National police spokesman Lt-Gen Solomon Makgale said, confirming the report.

Makgale said the investigations were ongoing and the possibility of more arrests could not be ruled out.

The New Age reports that several top police officers are expected to be arrested today, as they are alleged to have shielded Krecjir from investigation and supplied him with sensitive information.

According to the New Age report the officers also tipped off Desai Lupondo, Krecjir's alleged accomplice about his impending arrest but were too late as officers were already at his gate when he was trying to escape.

Krejcir was arrested on Friday in connection with an alleged kidnapping and assault that happened in June. Krejcir's lawyers claim he was assaulted and tasered following his arrest.

On Monday, the High Court in Johannesburg granted an urgent application for Krejcir to be moved from jail to a medical facility.

Also on Monday, Krejcir and Desai Lupondo appeared briefly in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court but proceedings were held in camera due to security concerns.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate said earlier it was investigating Krejcir's assault claims.

The Czech fugitive arrived in South Africa in 2007 and was detained for a month after allegedly using a forged passport.

Krejcir's associates Uwe Gemballa and Teazers owner Lolly Jackson, with whom Krejcir was allegedly involved in a money-laundering operation, were both killed in 2010.

In March 2011, Krejcir's security consultant Cyril Beeka was killed in a drive-by shooting. A hit list allegedly found in Krejcir's home contained names including Beeka and security consultant Paul O'Sullivan.

In October this year, Bassam Issa, reportedly an associate of Krejcir's, was shot dead. In November a Serbian man, Veselin Langanin, who was arrested with Krejcir for armed robbery, was also shot dead.

In October 2012 the armed robbery charges against Krejcir were withdrawn.

In his home country in December last year, Krejcir was sentenced in absentia to 11 years in jail for money-laundering.

Also last year, Krejcir was to have been tried for fraud related to a R4.5 million insurance claim, allegedly made using medical papers stating he had bladder cancer. The charges were withdrawn.

This year Krejcir survived a number of alleged attempts on his life. In July his car was shot at and his former employee Brendan Harrison was arrested for plotting to kill him.

On November 12, two people were killed in a bomb blast at Krejcir's pawn broking business in Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

Krejcir's extradition hearing was set to resume on December 6.