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Johannesburg - Police have stepped up security for Judge Colin Lamont, who is presiding over Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir's trial, following an incident while he was driving home.
"He had heard a bang and realised his window had cracked. We are investigating to determine what caused the windscreen to crack," said police spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale.
"As a precaution, given the matter he is presiding over, we decided to step up his security."
No police case had yet been registered. The incident happened on Monday.
Drive-by shooting
The Times reported that it was a suspected drive-by shooting but Makgale dismissed this allegation.
"No bullet was found. We need to establish what could have happened. One cannot at this stage establish if it was a shooting or not," he said.
"If it was a gunshot, the windscreen would have shattered. So let us investigate to establish the facts."
Makgale declined to say which area the incident happened in for security reasons.
Safety concerns
The Star on Wednesday reported that Lamont had expressed safety concerns during Tuesday's proceedings.
"There's an additional matter that concerns my security, which is under investigation, as a result of an incident which occurred yesterday [Monday]," he was quoted as saying.
"[It] either constitutes a serious attack on me personally or it's an accident, but we don't know which it is."
Knife
On Monday, a knife was also discovered in the presence of Krejcir and his lawyers in a consultation room. The matter is being investigated.
Krejcir's lawyer Annelene van den Heever said she had brought cake from her birthday celebrations and the knife was in the box.
Lamont asked: "What would've happened if that knife had been used by somebody? It's a dangerous weapon."
Lamont had also been told a kettle heating element was found previously in a parcel given to Krejcir at court.
Krejcir, Desai Luphondo, Warrant Officers Samuel "Saddam" Maropeng and George Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng, and Siboniso Miya face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and dealing in drugs. Boiling water was allegedly poured on one victim. All have denied guilt.
Lamont said he would tighten security on all packages in court.
