Krejcir defence wants to see victim's injuries
Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir's lawyer on Tuesday brought an application to see the injuries of a man assaulted and doused with boiling water, allegedly by her client.
"I'm entitled to look at his injuries," said Annelene van den Heever, for Krejcir.
She told the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, that prosecutor Louis Mashiane had refused her permission to see State witness Bheki
Lukhele's injuries.
Van den Heever said she wanted to cross-examine him on something she had seen for herself.
Judge Collin Lamont pointed out that he had a right to refuse.
"You're a woman, he's a man," said Lamont, adding that he may not want to undress for her.
In response, Van den Heever said: "It won't be the first time I've seen the naked torso of a man," adding that a male counsel could conduct the examination.
Van den Heever said that in the same way she was allowed to conduct an inspection in loco of a crime scene, she should be allowed to see the injuries.
Following an order granted by the court on Monday, Lukhele went for an examination prior to court proceedings on Tuesday morning.
Van den Heever argued that the person who conducted the examination was a nurse and not a doctor.
Lamont allowed the defence team to take Lukhele to its own doctor.
"On condition that both doctors' reports be made available to this court," said Lamont.
Van den Heever pointed out that the initial J88 document which detailed Lukhele's injuries did not have his correct name. That document stated that Lukhele had sustained first degree burns.
Van den Heever said it was impossible to have sustained such burns from a kettle of boiling water.
Krejcir, Desai Luphondo, warrant officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng, and Siboniso Miya are on trial for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting, and attempting to murder Lukhele. They allegedly did so for him to reveal the whereabouts of his brother, Doctor.
Doctor, who worked for a cargo company at OR Tambo International Airport, allegedly disappeared with 25kg of tik which he had been tasked to transport to Australia, allegedly for Krejcir.
Krejcir and his co-accused have denied all the charges.
Lukhele returned to the stand on Tuesday for Van den Heever to continue cross-examination.
- Sapa