admin
JOHANNESBURG — Murder-accused George Luca will be extradited back to South Africa to face charges relating to the murder of Teazers boss Lolly Jackson, the justice department said yesterday. “Now that he has lost his appeal [against the extradition order] Interpol are currently working around the clock to finalise logistics of ensuring his return to South Africa to face charges that he had run away from,” spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said.
“However, we cannot commit to time frames, but authorities are treating the matter with urgency.”
Jackson, the owner of the Teazers franchise of strip clubs, was shot dead at a house in Edleen, near the OR Tambo International Airport, on 3 May 2010.
Luca, also known as Luca Smith, allegedly phoned Gauteng crime intelligence boss Joey Mabasa and confessed to killing Jackson shortly after the murder.
Luca previously told the Sunday Times he did not believe he would be granted a fair trial in South Africa.
Mhaga said the department and government were pleased that the “wheels of justice will be in motion”.
“We are also encouraged that our legal system is getting more recognition internationally. We also applaud all those that were involved in facilitating the extradition application, including our Cypriot counterparts, especially the police,” he said. — Sapa
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo