Czech businessman survives James Bond-style 'assassination attempt' in South Africa

Police in South Africa are investigating a 007-style attempted hit on a notorious Czech businessman involving a Volkswagen car fitted with a dozen remote-controlled shotguns hidden in its bumper. The high-calibre guns reportedly popped out from behind a licence plate and riddled Radovan Krejcir’s Mercedes with bullets moments after he got out of it on his arrival at the Johannesburg gold and diamond exchange where he works. As Mr Krejcir was pulled to safety by colleagues, the red Volkswagen burst in to flames, making it difficult for police to identify who assembled the sophisticated weapons system.



Ballistics experts said someone with considerable experience had to be behind the attack, which Mr Krejcir believes was carried out by remote control. Police have confirmed that no one was in the Volkswagen during the shooting, and have opened a case of attempted murder. “All my life is like James Bond stuff,” he said. “It’s usual stuff for me. It’s how I live my life.” A team of detectives, including members of the police counter-terrorism unit, have been drafted in to investigate the case, which has gripped South Africa and prompted speculation as to the motive behind the attack.



Radovan Krejcir, dubbed “the man no law enforcement­official appears able to catch” by local media, arrived in South Africa in 2008 on a passport bearing the name Egbert Jules Savy. He was arrested after an Interpol red notice was issued because he was wanted for crimes including tax evasion in his home country. In recent years, he has faced charges of armed robbery and insurance fraud, but both were later withdrawn. Mr Krejcir said he had arrived at work at 11.30am on Wednesday and parked in his usual space. As he got out of his car while talking on his mobile phone, he said he heard “firecrackers” and a loud explosion.


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“It was bang, bang, bang. Over and over again very quickly. There was no time to think. it was incredibly scary,” he said. “It was a hit, the way it was designed and how it was carried out. The explosion, the heavy calibre, shows this was the plan.” Police spokesman Colonel Lungelo Dlamini confirmed that an attempted murder case would be opened. He said that no one was in the car at the time of the attack, and police had no suspects, nor anyone in custody yet. The Volkswagen was reported stolen from another area of Johannesburg some weeks ago, he added. “Given that this is an attempted murder case, we would encourage Mr Krejcir to take more precautions,” he said.