Krejcir: Bid to appeal conviction, sentence dismissed

After two days of submissions from Krejcir's lawyer and the legal representatives of his five co-accused, Judge Colin Lamont said the group had not given enough grounds for an appeal.

"In my view, there's no reasonable prospect that another court will reach a different conclusion," said Lamont.

Krejcir, a Czech fugitive from justice, and his co-accused, three of them former police officers, orchestrated the kidnapping of Lukhele in June 2013. They wanted him to reveal the whereabouts of his brother, Doctor, who worked for a cargo company at OR Tambo International Airport.

BREAKING: Krejcir, co-accused get 35-year sentence

Krejcir had wanted his help to smuggle 25kg of tik to Australia.

In February, Lamont sentenced Krejcir, Desai Luphondo, Siboniso Miya and former police officers Samuel Maropeng, Jan Mofokeng and George Nthoroane to lengthy jail terms

Krejcir was jailed for 35 years for kidnapping and attempted murder and 25 years for attempted drug dealing, to run concurrently.

Sandton businessman Desai Luphondo was handed 25 years for dealing in drugs and 15 years each for kidnapping and attempted murder. He would serve a total of 35 years.

Taxi boss Siboniso Miya was sentenced to 15 years each for attempted murder‚ kidnapping, and attempted drug dealing. He would serve an effective 15 years.

Former East Rand organised crime unit member, Warrant Officer Samuel "Saddam" Modise Maropeng, received 15 years each for attempted murder and kidnapping, and would serve 15 years.

His two former colleagues, Warrant Officers Jeff Nthoroane and Jan Mofokeng‚ were sentenced to 15 years each for kidnapping. Nthoroane got an additional year for assault.

The State had opposed the application, stating that there was nothing new in the submissions that the defence lawyers had presented.

(File photo: Gallo Images)