By Johnathan Paoli
Convicted underworld figure Radovan Krejcir’s bid to have the courts investigate delays in his outstanding criminal cases was postponed in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after the State requested time to prepare its response.
Representing himself, Krejcir brought an application under Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act, arguing that lengthy delays in prosecuting his remaining criminal matters have infringed his constitutional rights and caused ongoing prejudice while he serves his prison sentence.
The court stood the matter down before postponing it to allow the State to finalise its response to the application.
Krejcir is serving a 35-year sentence at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria following his 2015 convictions for attempted murder, kidnapping, assault and related offences.
He argued that the unresolved cases have adversely affected his conditions of incarceration, including his access to healthcare and other prison amenities.
Among the matters he wants expedited is a case relating to his alleged attempted prison escape in 2015.
Addressing the court, Krejcir also complained about his treatment in custody, alleging that correctional authorities had failed to provide meals in accordance with prison regulations.
“The correctional facility is supposed to provide me with nutritious food according to their nutrition plan. In contrast, I received five dry slices of bread and some juice. When I checked the date on that bread, it had expired on the 2nd of July,” he told the court.
Krejcir contends that the State has failed to prosecute the outstanding matters within a reasonable time, amounting to a violation of his constitutional right to a fair trial.
Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act empowers courts to investigate unreasonable delays in criminal proceedings and determine whether they have prejudiced the accused, the prosecution or witnesses. Where delays are found to be unjustified, a court may issue directions to expedite proceedings or grant other appropriate relief.
Tuesday’s proceedings focused on the procedural application, with no arguments on the merits heard before the postponement.
Krejcir, a Czech fugitive who fled his home country in 2005 before settling in South Africa two years later, has remained incarcerated while several other criminal matters against him await finalisation.
The matter was postponed to a date yet to be confirmed, when the State is expected to file its response and the court will consider the merits of Krejcir’s application.
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