It seems as if the truth behind the Radovan Krejcir case is slowly beginning to unravel. He appeared along with his three co-accused at a bail hearing in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Katlehong yesterday, when the state accused Krejcir of involvement in a worldwide drug-ring.

It was heard that the Czech fugitive and his cronies were involved in the kidnapping and assault of a man whose brother was their drug pusher at OR Tambo International Airport. That’s right, a drug pusher. Inside customs.

Krejcir’s cronies, of course, were the two Hawks members, officers Samuel “Saddam” Maropeng and Macheche Nthoroane, as well as Sandton property businessman Desai Luphondo.

But Krejcir also had a guy called ‘Doctor’ on his payroll, who worked at OR Tambo International. It was Doctor’s job to make sure that the various shipments of drugs made it through customs without a hitch.

Luphondo allegedly gave Doctor a consignment of drugs, worth about R24 million, to ship to Australia. Doctor then supplied him with a receipt and serial number as proof of shipment – which Luphondo handed to Krejcir.

After some time though, it became clear that Doctor had disappeared, and the shipment never made it to Australia. This is when Krejcir panicked. He threatened Luphondo, who soon enlisted the help of Maropeng and Nthoroane to track down Doctor.

On 25 June, Krejcir instructed his team to either find Doctor, or a member of his immediate family. When they weren’t able to find Doctor, they kidnapped his brother, and took him to Krejcir’s place of business, “Money Point” in Bedfordview.

Like any good Czech fugitive, Krejcir held him captive for four days, occasionally pouring hot water on his head in an attempt to find out where Doctor was hiding. But the truth was not forthcoming.

Krejcir suggested that they kill the brother so that Doctor would attend the funeral and be kidnapped there, but Luphondo disagreed. Instead, Luphondo offered to pay the R24 million back to Krejcir.

Doctor’s brother was then dumped in Katlehong on 29 June.

Krejcir’s lawyer, Willie Vermeulen, rubbished the state’s claims, saying serious allegations were made, “attributing murderous intention”.

[Source : Times Live, News 24]