National
Krejcir back in court─── 13:35 Wed, 23 Jul 2014
Palm Ridge - State witness Bhekizitha Khumalo continued to give evidence on Wednesday in the trial of Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and five others in the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge.
Annelene van den Heever, for Krejcir, continued to cross-examine Khumalo on his working relationship with Doctor, a man who allegedly disappeared with drugs.
Annelene van den Heever, for Krejcir, continued to cross-examine Khumalo on his working relationship with Doctor, a man who allegedly disappeared with drugs.
Doctor had allegedly disappeared with 25kg of tik (methamphetamine) which he had been tasked to transport to Australia, allegedly for Krejcir.
Court proceedings started shortly after noon and Krejcir entered the court with two blue files in hand and took his seat.
Krejcir, Desai Luphondo, Warrant Officers Samuel "Saddam" Maropeng and George Nthoroane, and Jan Lefu Mofokeng and Siboniso Miya face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and dealing in drugs.
They allegedly kidnapped Doctor's brother Bheki Lukhele from his Katlehong home in June last year.
Lukhele has testified about how he was bound, blindfolded, assaulted and had boiling water poured over him -- allegedly by Krejcir -- in a bid to force him to reveal the whereabouts of Doctor.
All the accused have denied involvement in the matter.
On Tuesday, Khumalo was called as the new State witness. He worked with Doctor and testified about their dealings.
Khumalo told the court Doctor had asked him to accompany him to Kempton Park where they collected a black bag from Luphondo.
The court heard during cross-examination by prosecutor Louis Masheane, that along the way the bag was handed to a man driving a white Navara after Doctor had said it contained drugs.
"We then drove behind the Navara until I saw a place with nice houses for rich people."
The bag, containing 25 small parcels wrapped in silver-grey plastic, was opened at one of the houses. Khumalo demonstrated the size of the parcels with his hands.
The court heard that Khumalo received a call from Luphondo that night telling him he could not get hold of Doctor and he wanted the bag.
Khumalo said later that day they met Luphondo who told them he wanted the bag because "Krejcir was fighting with him".
On Wednesday, Van den Heever questioned Khumalo on what happened on June 22 last year, when they went to fetch the black bag.
As Khumalo answered questions he occasionally looked at Krecjir and his co-accused who all sat looking at him.
The trial continues.
Sapa
