Krejcir and co-accused get combined 110 years in prison

24 February 2016 - 08:25 By Mzwandile Faniso, Sduduzo Dludla and Nomahlubi Jordaan

Convicted Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and his co-accused, Desai Lupondo, have been sentenced to a combined 110 years in prison. Some of the sentences will run concurrently, which means they will each spend 35 years in jail.Taxi boss Siboniso Miya and former Hawks warrant officers Samuel "Saddam" Maruping, Jeff Nthoroane and Lefu Jan Mofokeng will each serve 15 years in prison as parts of their sentences will also run concurrently. Lawyers for Lupondo, Miya, Maruping, Nthoroane and Mofokeng today intend applying for leave to appeal or, alternatively, bail.In August, Judge Colin Lamont convicted Krejcir, Lupondo, Miya, Maruping, Nthoroane and Mofokeng of crimes including kidnapping and attempted murder relating to a botched drug deal.Forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan said the sentences were appropriate and would "restore public confidence in the justice system". He said it was the beginning of the end for Krejcir because he was facing other prosecutions."That man will never see a day on the streets again," he said.Lamont said he would consider the time the accused had already spent in prison when sentencing them.He said the drug-related charge - intent to export 25kg of tik to Australia - was the most serious.Krejcir and Lupondo each received 25 years on that count, and 15 years for kidnapping and attempted murder.The other accused were sentenced for kidnapping and attempted murder.Commenting on the involvement of the Hawks officers, Lamont said: "They are employed by society to prevent crime; these are the very people who abuse the trust that society has placed in them."Lamont said although evidence that the drugs belonged to Krejcir was inadmissible in court, he was found to have planned to deal in drugs found in the possession of one of his co-accused. Evidence proved that he was the mastermind.Lamont said it was difficult to rehabilitate a person who did not accept that he had committed a crime."The imprisonment will give them an opportunity to be rehabilitated.''..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.