Convicted Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and his accused number two, businessman Desai Lupondo, were sentenced yesterday to a combined 110 years in prison.With some sentences running concurrently, Krejcir will spend an effective 35 years in jail.
Lawyers for some of the accused immediately noted to the Johannesburg High Court their intentions to file for leave to appeal and alternatively bail today.
In August, Judge Colin Lamont convicted Krejcir and Lupondo, taxi boss Siboniso Miya and former Hawks Warrant Officers Samuel “Saddam” Maruping, Jeff Nthoroane and Lefu Jan Mofokeng of crimes including kidnapping and attempted murder relating to a botched drug deal.
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan said the sentences that Krejcir and his co-accused received were appropriate.
He said it was just the beginning for Krejcir, who still faces several additional charges.
“That man will never see a day on the streets again,” he said.
When reading out the judgment, Lamont said the drug charge was the most serious – intent to export 25kg of tik (methamphetamine) to Australia.
Krejcir a received a 25-year term for that count as well as 15 years for kidnapping and attempted murder.
The other accused, who include three former Hawks warrant officers, were sentenced for kidnapping and attempted murder.
“These are the very people who abuse the trust the society has placed in them and the tools it has given them to combat crime,” said Lamont.
The judge said while evidence that the drugs belonged to Krejcir was inadmissible, he was nonetheless found to have planned to deal in drugs found in the possession of one of his co-accused and that evidence proved he was the mastermind behind the scheme.
Lamont said it was difficult to rehabilitate a person who did not want to accept that they had committed a crime.
The long period of imprisonment would give them an opportunity to change and be rehabilitated. A sentence of shorter imprisonment and longer periods of correctional supervision would not be appropriate.
He said some of the convicts were police officers who held ranks and were highly trained members of the police, with one involved in drug investigations.
Underworld boss Krejcir imprisoned for 35 years
With some sentences running concurrently, Krejcir will spend an effective 35 years in jail.
Lawyers for some of the accused immediately noted to the Johannesburg High Court their intentions to file for leave to appeal and alternatively bail today.
In August, Judge Colin Lamont convicted Krejcir and Lupondo, taxi boss Siboniso Miya and former Hawks Warrant Officers Samuel “Saddam” Maruping, Jeff Nthoroane and Lefu Jan Mofokeng of crimes including kidnapping and attempted murder relating to a botched drug deal.
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan said the sentences that Krejcir and his co-accused received were appropriate.
He said it was just the beginning for Krejcir, who still faces several additional charges.
“That man will never see a day on the streets again,” he said.
When reading out the judgment, Lamont said the drug charge was the most serious – intent to export 25kg of tik (methamphetamine) to Australia.
Krejcir a received a 25-year term for that count as well as 15 years for kidnapping and attempted murder.
The other accused, who include three former Hawks warrant officers, were sentenced for kidnapping and attempted murder.
“These are the very people who abuse the trust the society has placed in them and the tools it has given them to combat crime,” said Lamont.
The judge said while evidence that the drugs belonged to Krejcir was inadmissible, he was nonetheless found to have planned to deal in drugs found in the possession of one of his co-accused and that evidence proved he was the mastermind behind the scheme.
Lamont said it was difficult to rehabilitate a person who did not want to accept that they had committed a crime.
The long period of imprisonment would give them an opportunity to change and be rehabilitated. A sentence of shorter imprisonment and longer periods of correctional supervision would not be appropriate.
He said some of the convicts were police officers who held ranks and were highly trained members of the police, with one involved in drug investigations.
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