Johannesburg - Two new criminal cases were lodged this week against convicted Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir - allegedly in connection with raids conducted in his prison cell, the Sunday Times reported.
“There was a high-level investigation into Krejcir’s extensive network of police contacts,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Solomon Magkale told the newspaper.
The newly-opened cases apparently include charges of interfering with a police investigation and defeating the ends of justice.
The Sunday Times reported that according to sources, the raids conducted in June this year came about after the interception of phone calls between Krejcir and an alleged associate.
While correctional services spokesperson Manelisi Wolela denied that the raids had taken place, the newspaper reported that six memory sticks, a memory card, three sim cards and five cellphones were confiscated at the time.
Makgale said that it was believed that Krejcir had “infiltrated the entire criminal justice system, particularly the Hawks and crime intelligence”.
Information “that ordinary policemen won’t have” was allegedly found on Krejcir’s memory stick, according to Makgale.
However, Krejcir’s lawyer, Piet du Plessis, from BDK Attorneys, said that he was unaware of the new cases opened against his client.
“Mr Krejcir… will have access to the information in order to prepare for his case. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Pistorius’s cell raided
According to the newspaper, convicted Paralympian Oscar Pistorius – who allegedly struck up a friendship with Krejcir when they were both in Kgosi Mampuru II prison at the same time - also had his cell raided – although apparently nothing incriminating has been found to date.
Earlier this week, Krejcir said that lies and hatred against him won when he was found guilty of attempted murder – in connection with a botched drug smuggling operation.
"The lies and the hate won over the truth and the love," Krejcir told News24 at the High Court in Johannesburg after his conviction.
This was the first conviction against Krejcir, who is on trial in four separate matters in South African courts, along with a number of associates.