Krejcir sentencing postponed to November

Krejcir and five others were found guilty of kidnapping, attempted murder and attempted possession of drugs in August.

On Wednesday defence lawyers told the court that Krejcir, and the other accused, needed “correctional supervision reports” prior to sentencing. The reports had not yet been ordered by the court, the lawyers said.

Krejcir sat in the dock with his co-accused in a black jacket and white t-shirt.

Instructing Attorney Piet Du Plessis also told the court that Krejcir’s defence lawyer Anneline Van Der Heever was being replaced, but he gave no explanation.

Visibly irritated, Judge Collin Lemont said that his was the last time he would postpone sentencing.

“I’ve been trying to sentence them for long now and yet again there are issues, the accused should know that there comes an end to applications of postponements,” Lemont said.

Since being found guilty and while awaiting sentencing, at least one Krejcir escape plot has been uncovered by prison authorities. A gun and cellphones were among the items recovered from his cell.

This week an estate agent was arrested and later bailed after she was caught trying to smuggle a cellphone for Krejcir. She is out on R3 000 bail.

In the court armed police in numbers made sure there was no chance Krejcir would escape.

Apparently concerned about the securing of the convicted Czech, Lemont asked State Prosecutor Lithabo Mashiyane whether the accused were still treated as prisoners awaiting trial.

“They still fall under awaiting trial prisoners and still have all the privileges,” Mashiyane said.

Lemont warned that such privileges allow the accused to have access to the outside world and possibly give them time to make nefarious plans.

The judge said the postponements were a huge security issue and impinged on everyone’s rights.

Earlier the NDPP’s Prashika Jagnath launched an application for the Prevention of Organised Crime Act to the court for the assets attained by accused Desai Luphondo to be seized.

The application meant that the Luphondo shouldn’t be allowed to have contact with the outside world, in case he attempts to get rid of the assets that acquired from dealing in drugs.

Their defence team said necessary reports from social workers would only be ready on 17 November. The judge said sentencing would commence on that day. - ANA

(File photo: Gallo Images)