Prosecutor warns accused in Krejcir case to stay away from witnesses

The state prosecutor on Monday warned convicted Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir’s co-accused not to interfere with state witnesses.

Krejcir and his four co-accused are appearing in the Johannesburg High Court on a charge of murder.

The prosecutor‚ Lawrence Gcaba‚ said he was in possession of a document that implicated taxi boss Siboniso Miya in having made contact with one of the state witnesses in the case.

Krejcir‚ Miya‚ Nkanyiso Mafunda‚ Siphiwe Memela and Luybomir Borislavov Grigorov also face charges of conspiracy to commit robbery‚ conspiracy to commit murder and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

Judge Winston Msimeki told all five accused to heed the court’s warning about making any contact with witnesses involved in the case.

“It is not right‚ it is unlawful to be in touch with whatever witness will be testifying in court‚” said Msimeki.

Advocate SW van der Merwe‚ representing Miya‚ Memela‚ Grigorov and Mafunda‚ said he was unaware of these allegations‚ but would act on them.

Cliff Alexander‚ for Krejcir‚ said the state had not disclosed all the evidence it had in its possession.

Msimeki then postponed the matter to Tuesday to allow all parties to have a look at the new evidence and to allow Van der Merwe to consult with Miya.

Proceedings had to be postponed earlier to allow prison officials to deliver Miya to court‚ as the ongoing strike at the Johannesburg prison had prevented him being present in the morning.

Alexander had also put in a request to be allowed to consult with his client in the court’s holding cells. Due to security issues‚ consultation with Krejcir could only be done at Zonderwater prison where he is being kept. The request has since been granted.

The matter continues.