Radovan Krejcir, a Czech businessman fighting extradition from South Africa, may have been the apparent target of an explosion that killed at least two people.
The blast hit near the Eastgate mall in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, reported BDLive. Those who were killed were reportedly Krejcir’s associates.
“There is a confirmed explosion. As to what caused the explosion, it is unconfirmed for now,” spokesman William Ntladi told the website. “It is confirmed now two people died on scene and three are critically injured. They have been taken to Bedford Gardens hospital, and the other two (have) minor injuries.”
Eyewitness News reported that the blast took place near the shop owned by Krejcir, who South African prosecutors have accused of being connected to organized crime. He survived an assassination attempt months ago that involved remote-controlled shotguns.
“It is alleged that he [Krejcir] arrived at the premises and parked his vehicle,” police spokesman Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini told The New Age at the time.
Three other people were injured in the blast. News24 reported that it was a bomb blast.
Krejcir was apparently not at the business when the explosion took place.
Officials are refusing to confirm whether it was a targeted bomb detonation.
Brig. Neville Malila said no arrests have been made. He declined to specify the type of criminal activity police suspected, but ruled out terrorism.
“We can confirm two people are dead and three people are injured,” he said. “We don’t have nationalities. We don’t have names.”
Forensic and bomb disposal experts were checking the scene, as were sniffer dogs, firefighters and police, he said. The building has a large gate in front of it and police kept the public and media at a distance.
Police did not know how many people were inside the shop at the time of the explosion.
Clyde Alley, who was driving nearby, said the blast was loud.
“I sped off, not knowing what it was,” he said. “I went straight home, then came back here” to learn what had happened.
In a statement, police appealed to anyone with information to contact them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
