In his last filmed interview, murdered mining magnate Brett Kebble laid bare a plot within the African National Congress to oust former deputy president Jacob Zuma. Independent producer Liesl Göttert interviewed Kebble for her four-part documentary The Zuma Media Trial, and describes him as "the only one with the guts to say what he thought on camera".
The series, which has never been broadcast, is purported on a promotional website to "uncover the reasons behind a politically orchestrated media campaign aimed at Zuma. The series exposes high-level political interference and unethical journalists who admit to having been compromised in covering the Zuma and arms-deal epic. The debate deepens when someone reveals who the different camps within the ANC might be, what their agendas are, and why it would be essential for them to keep Zuma from becoming the next president," said Göttert.
Asked on Thursday if this "someone" was Kebble, Göttert said: "Yes, that's right. He explains the dynamics, nature and structure of two factions within the ANC that are at each other's throats. He names the individuals in both camps and describes one camp as 'the progressive elitists' and says they have no interest in broad-based empowerment, and use and abuse state apparatus to further their own ends."
Göttert added that Kebble described the second faction as a group that aligned themselves with Zuma, came from a grassroots background and were seen by the progressive elitists as taking the ANC backwards. Göttert said the police had been in contact with her and she was expecting to be questioned more fully about her investigation.
Source: IoL
Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Kebble spoke to his killers, say police
Brett Kebble spoke to his assailants moments before they pumped him full of bullets, police said on Thursday. Police spokesperson Superintendent Chris Wilken told SAFM Morning Live on Thursday that, while not ruling out that Kebble was deliberately murdered, police were following leads that he was the victim of a botched hijacking.
Wilken said on Thursday: "The vehicle was stationary while he talked to his assailants. It's very clear to us. And then from there, he was shot and he drove further. So that's why we are actually piecing our facts on the fact that it might have been a hijacking that went wrong."
Wilken said a murder attempt would more likely have taken the form of a drive-by shooting and Kebble would have been shot while driving. He said the police had reconstructed the circumstances of the killing on Wednesday and found cartridges. "We have reason to believe that this might have been a hijacking. We are not saying it is, but we say we have reason to believe there is a possibility that it could have been a hijacking that went wrong."
Wilken said earlier that the Serious and Violent Crime Unit - with eight senior officers - had taken over the investigation. "We haven't identified any suspects as yet. We went back to the scene to search for clues. It's a high-profile case and there has been a lot of speculation."
Kebble, 41, known as the "new Barney Barnato" for the excitement he had injected into the mining industry, was on his way to the house of his partner, Sello Rasethaba, when he was gunned down at the steering wheel of his Mercedes-Benz around 9pm on Tuesday night. He was found in Melrose on a bridge over Johannesburg's M1 freeway less than a kilometre from his home in Illovo.
Despite the police's hijacking theory, friends and colleagues have said they are convinced Kebble was assassinated. Andile Nkuhlu, an ANC Youth League member and one of a group of people expecting Kebble for dinner, said on Wednesday: "This was pure assassination. There is no doubt about it. "I was at the scene. There was no attempt at a robbery. I saw it with my own eyes. The truth will come out about what happened to the life of this great South African. This was a callous, premeditated crime."
Kebble's advocate, Willem Heath, also said it appeared as though Kebble had been assassinated. "It appears that it was probably a malicious attempt to kill him and he was in fact killed," Heath told SAFM yesterday.
Kebble family spokesperson David Barrit said on Wednesday that Kebble had received threats in the past. Asked about this on Thursday, Wilken said: "I have an enormous problem with people making statements like that... without the police knowing about that." If these threats had been reported, this had not been brought to the attention of the Johannesburg police, Wilken said. "There are statements being made and it creates enormous confusion. If there are threats against people's lives, they must be reported so that they can investigated."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Kebble bled to death in less than five minutes after being pumped full of bullets. Four bullets were removed from his torso during an autopsy on Wednesday. A police source revealed that Kebble had tried to get away after being ambushed. He managed to drive about 400m before his car swerved across the road and smashed into a bridge railing over the M1 highway at Melrose Street in northern Johannesburg.
Police found his body slumped over the steering wheel at about 9.15pm. Had he not been bleeding profusely, Kebble might have lived until help arrived. But because he had lost so much blood, he died within minutes.
The police source said evidence gathered suggested that Kebble had been driving down Melrose Street, a narrow and deserted stretch of Joburg, when something or someone caused him to stop. At least one attacker was standing in front of the car's bonnet. It was not clear when exactly the assailant began shooting, but something caused Kebble to slam his foot down on the accelerator.
While not ruling out the possibility that the cold-blooded killing had been ordered by someone Kebble might have crossed in his controversial business dealings, the source also revealed that police were looking into a hijacking three weeks ago at the same spot. However, police remain puzzled why Kebble's driver window was wide open on a cold Johannesburg night.
Source: IoL
Wilken said on Thursday: "The vehicle was stationary while he talked to his assailants. It's very clear to us. And then from there, he was shot and he drove further. So that's why we are actually piecing our facts on the fact that it might have been a hijacking that went wrong."
Wilken said a murder attempt would more likely have taken the form of a drive-by shooting and Kebble would have been shot while driving. He said the police had reconstructed the circumstances of the killing on Wednesday and found cartridges. "We have reason to believe that this might have been a hijacking. We are not saying it is, but we say we have reason to believe there is a possibility that it could have been a hijacking that went wrong."
Wilken said earlier that the Serious and Violent Crime Unit - with eight senior officers - had taken over the investigation. "We haven't identified any suspects as yet. We went back to the scene to search for clues. It's a high-profile case and there has been a lot of speculation."
Kebble, 41, known as the "new Barney Barnato" for the excitement he had injected into the mining industry, was on his way to the house of his partner, Sello Rasethaba, when he was gunned down at the steering wheel of his Mercedes-Benz around 9pm on Tuesday night. He was found in Melrose on a bridge over Johannesburg's M1 freeway less than a kilometre from his home in Illovo.
Despite the police's hijacking theory, friends and colleagues have said they are convinced Kebble was assassinated. Andile Nkuhlu, an ANC Youth League member and one of a group of people expecting Kebble for dinner, said on Wednesday: "This was pure assassination. There is no doubt about it. "I was at the scene. There was no attempt at a robbery. I saw it with my own eyes. The truth will come out about what happened to the life of this great South African. This was a callous, premeditated crime."
Kebble's advocate, Willem Heath, also said it appeared as though Kebble had been assassinated. "It appears that it was probably a malicious attempt to kill him and he was in fact killed," Heath told SAFM yesterday.
Kebble family spokesperson David Barrit said on Wednesday that Kebble had received threats in the past. Asked about this on Thursday, Wilken said: "I have an enormous problem with people making statements like that... without the police knowing about that." If these threats had been reported, this had not been brought to the attention of the Johannesburg police, Wilken said. "There are statements being made and it creates enormous confusion. If there are threats against people's lives, they must be reported so that they can investigated."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Kebble bled to death in less than five minutes after being pumped full of bullets. Four bullets were removed from his torso during an autopsy on Wednesday. A police source revealed that Kebble had tried to get away after being ambushed. He managed to drive about 400m before his car swerved across the road and smashed into a bridge railing over the M1 highway at Melrose Street in northern Johannesburg.
Police found his body slumped over the steering wheel at about 9.15pm. Had he not been bleeding profusely, Kebble might have lived until help arrived. But because he had lost so much blood, he died within minutes.
The police source said evidence gathered suggested that Kebble had been driving down Melrose Street, a narrow and deserted stretch of Joburg, when something or someone caused him to stop. At least one attacker was standing in front of the car's bonnet. It was not clear when exactly the assailant began shooting, but something caused Kebble to slam his foot down on the accelerator.
While not ruling out the possibility that the cold-blooded killing had been ordered by someone Kebble might have crossed in his controversial business dealings, the source also revealed that police were looking into a hijacking three weeks ago at the same spot. However, police remain puzzled why Kebble's driver window was wide open on a cold Johannesburg night.
Source: IoL
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
ANCYL hails Kebble as a 'patriot'
Mining magnate Brett Kebble was a true patriot whose work and dedication should serve as a fundamental lesson for those in business, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) said on Wednesday.
The League said it was shocked and saddened by the "brutal and cold-blooded killing" of Kebble. "We send our condolences to the Kebble family and friends and we grieve with them at this hour of need," the league said. "South Africa has lost a true patriot whose selflessness and dedication to the emancipation of our people will remain a beacon and a legacy for generations to come. Such dedication and commitment demands us to count him among the true patriots of our nation whose work and dedication should serve as a fundamental lesson for those in business."
Kebble, who had become known as the "new Barney Barnato" for the excitement he had injected in Johannesburg's mining industry, was on his way to the house of his partner, Sello Rasethaba, when he was shot five times at around 9pm. He found by a passerby on a bridge over Johannesburg's M1 freeway less than a kilometre from his home in Illovo.
The ANCYL said Kebble had never hesitated to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of black economic empowerment. "His is an example that South African big business should emulate," the league said. "We condemn this senseless killing and blatant act of cowardice in the strongest possible terms, and call upon the law enforcement agencies to bring his killers to book. This is one death too many, and we must act in unison and lend a hand to the criminal justice system to throw the book at these perpetrators of this heinous crime."
Kebble, who was a member of the African National Congress, last year responded to a question about the financial support he had given to the party in the Western Cape by saying he was performing a public duty by giving financial assistance for the development of democracy. "I am a patriot and an ardent supporter of our new democracy," Kebble said at the time. "Whilst I am a member of the ANC and support its policies, I will also support any political party that upholds patriotic and democratic principles."
Kebble said it was up to those parties that he had supported if they wanted to make his donations public, but he had no wish for secrecy. "If they decide to publicly acknowledge my support, they have my blessing to do so," he said.
There have been reports that some senior ANCYL leaders served as "fronts" for some of the Kebble business interests. The former director of the National Prosecuting Authority, Bulelani Ngcuka, was said to have suggested to newspaper editors in 2003 that Kebble's alleged financial support for the ANCYL was for protection, political favours and manoeuvring in muddy business deals.
Kebble's advocate Willem Heath said after this that he had been instructed by Kebble's father and business partner Roger to investigate abuse of power by Ngcuka and former Justice Minister Penuell Maduna.
Source: IoL
The League said it was shocked and saddened by the "brutal and cold-blooded killing" of Kebble. "We send our condolences to the Kebble family and friends and we grieve with them at this hour of need," the league said. "South Africa has lost a true patriot whose selflessness and dedication to the emancipation of our people will remain a beacon and a legacy for generations to come. Such dedication and commitment demands us to count him among the true patriots of our nation whose work and dedication should serve as a fundamental lesson for those in business."
Kebble, who had become known as the "new Barney Barnato" for the excitement he had injected in Johannesburg's mining industry, was on his way to the house of his partner, Sello Rasethaba, when he was shot five times at around 9pm. He found by a passerby on a bridge over Johannesburg's M1 freeway less than a kilometre from his home in Illovo.
The ANCYL said Kebble had never hesitated to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of black economic empowerment. "His is an example that South African big business should emulate," the league said. "We condemn this senseless killing and blatant act of cowardice in the strongest possible terms, and call upon the law enforcement agencies to bring his killers to book. This is one death too many, and we must act in unison and lend a hand to the criminal justice system to throw the book at these perpetrators of this heinous crime."
Kebble, who was a member of the African National Congress, last year responded to a question about the financial support he had given to the party in the Western Cape by saying he was performing a public duty by giving financial assistance for the development of democracy. "I am a patriot and an ardent supporter of our new democracy," Kebble said at the time. "Whilst I am a member of the ANC and support its policies, I will also support any political party that upholds patriotic and democratic principles."
Kebble said it was up to those parties that he had supported if they wanted to make his donations public, but he had no wish for secrecy. "If they decide to publicly acknowledge my support, they have my blessing to do so," he said.
There have been reports that some senior ANCYL leaders served as "fronts" for some of the Kebble business interests. The former director of the National Prosecuting Authority, Bulelani Ngcuka, was said to have suggested to newspaper editors in 2003 that Kebble's alleged financial support for the ANCYL was for protection, political favours and manoeuvring in muddy business deals.
Kebble's advocate Willem Heath said after this that he had been instructed by Kebble's father and business partner Roger to investigate abuse of power by Ngcuka and former Justice Minister Penuell Maduna.
Source: IoL
Kebble killing: car was riddled with bullets
Brett Kebble's killers shot at him six times on a narrow, deserted stretch of Melrose Street in northern Johannesburg. The mining magnate was hit in the chest and sped away from the killers in his silver Mercedes-Benz. He was alive for a few moments but after driving for 400m he lost control, swerved across the road and smashed into the railing of a bridge over the M1 highway. This is where the police found the 41-year-old's body at about 9.30pm on Tuesday night.
At least one bullet missed him, and exited through the back left window. The car's windscreen had also been pierced by bullets. As Kebble's body was later taken out of the driver's seat and loaded into the mortuary van, police were carrying out investigations down the road, to try to piece together the sequence of events of the hit. A police officer had isolated 10 pieces of evidence with orange cones. Under six of them lay spent 9mm cartridges. 'We are looking at the possibility of this being an assassination'
A crime scene photographer was taking pictures of the long skid mark left by Kebble's car in his desperate attempt to flee. The tyre tracks show that he clipped the pavement on the left-hand side before he headed up the bridge. A lamppost had also been hit and had police tape around it, but it was unclear whether Kebble had driven into it. Kebble's driver's side window was rolled down when the shooting took place and mud was found on one of his wheels. These were signs that he could have stopped to meet someone but had fallen into a trap, an investigator at the scene said on Tuesday night.
The spot where Kebble was shot was at a narrow stretch of Melrose Street and was lit by one lamppost. It was a quiet spot, with a dusty patch and an entrance leading into a public park. It was unlikely there were any witnesses to the shooting. It was also discovered on Tuesday night that none of Kebble's possessions had been taken. On Wednesday morning police were not willing to confirm whether the murder was a professional hit.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Chris Wilken said he could not give any further details of the murder. "We are looking at the possibility of this being an assassination, but there is no evidence to suggest this so far," he said. "Further than that I can not say anything else."
Kebble had been on his way to a dinner engagement with colleague Sello Rasethaba when he was murdered. His father and business partner, Roger Kebble, who is overseas, has been informed of his son's death and is said to be "extremely shocked" at the news. "He was all alone in Paris and I am sure he had a very difficult night last night," Kebble's advocate, Willem Heath, said.
A man, who arrived on the scene before the police, found Kebble's blood-splattered body slumped over the steering wheel of his silver Mercedes-Benz. "There was blood everywhere. Someone wanted him dead. The car was riddled with bullet holes," said the man, who declined to be named.
Kebble's shocked spokesperson, David Barritt, said: "Brett was the most incredibly generous, kind and larger-than-life personality. His contribution to the mining industry will come to be recognised as very considerable."
A commentator said Kebble had had many enemies and his controversial business dealings had made him a target. "The list of people who had a problem with him was long. For some he was a crook whose empire had collapsed. "He had jumped into bed with the ANC Youth League, sponsored arts awards and was also believed to have been one of former deputy president Jacob Zuma's benefactors. "For others, he was a creative and quick-thinking businessman who dared to make deals that others shied away from. "To try to pick out his enemies would be difficult. Who did he cross in the past 10 years? Take your pick."
Kebble's company, RandGold & Exploration, was kicked off the Nasdaq in the US last week. He had to resign from his executive positions at JCI, RandGold & Exploration and Western Areas last month and he had frequently been investigated by the Scorpions. There were also criminal charges hanging over him over share manipulation. Despite the setbacks, he remained upbeat about life, said the commentator. "He was planning to lose weight and get back into shape - and take his first holiday in 14 years. "He also wanted to make a business comeback. "He had been involved in 40 empowerment deals in the past 18 months. "He had made many enemies along the way and any number of them who felt that they had been cheated could have been behind the killing."
Source: IoL
At least one bullet missed him, and exited through the back left window. The car's windscreen had also been pierced by bullets. As Kebble's body was later taken out of the driver's seat and loaded into the mortuary van, police were carrying out investigations down the road, to try to piece together the sequence of events of the hit. A police officer had isolated 10 pieces of evidence with orange cones. Under six of them lay spent 9mm cartridges. 'We are looking at the possibility of this being an assassination'
A crime scene photographer was taking pictures of the long skid mark left by Kebble's car in his desperate attempt to flee. The tyre tracks show that he clipped the pavement on the left-hand side before he headed up the bridge. A lamppost had also been hit and had police tape around it, but it was unclear whether Kebble had driven into it. Kebble's driver's side window was rolled down when the shooting took place and mud was found on one of his wheels. These were signs that he could have stopped to meet someone but had fallen into a trap, an investigator at the scene said on Tuesday night.
The spot where Kebble was shot was at a narrow stretch of Melrose Street and was lit by one lamppost. It was a quiet spot, with a dusty patch and an entrance leading into a public park. It was unlikely there were any witnesses to the shooting. It was also discovered on Tuesday night that none of Kebble's possessions had been taken. On Wednesday morning police were not willing to confirm whether the murder was a professional hit.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Chris Wilken said he could not give any further details of the murder. "We are looking at the possibility of this being an assassination, but there is no evidence to suggest this so far," he said. "Further than that I can not say anything else."
Kebble had been on his way to a dinner engagement with colleague Sello Rasethaba when he was murdered. His father and business partner, Roger Kebble, who is overseas, has been informed of his son's death and is said to be "extremely shocked" at the news. "He was all alone in Paris and I am sure he had a very difficult night last night," Kebble's advocate, Willem Heath, said.
A man, who arrived on the scene before the police, found Kebble's blood-splattered body slumped over the steering wheel of his silver Mercedes-Benz. "There was blood everywhere. Someone wanted him dead. The car was riddled with bullet holes," said the man, who declined to be named.
Kebble's shocked spokesperson, David Barritt, said: "Brett was the most incredibly generous, kind and larger-than-life personality. His contribution to the mining industry will come to be recognised as very considerable."
A commentator said Kebble had had many enemies and his controversial business dealings had made him a target. "The list of people who had a problem with him was long. For some he was a crook whose empire had collapsed. "He had jumped into bed with the ANC Youth League, sponsored arts awards and was also believed to have been one of former deputy president Jacob Zuma's benefactors. "For others, he was a creative and quick-thinking businessman who dared to make deals that others shied away from. "To try to pick out his enemies would be difficult. Who did he cross in the past 10 years? Take your pick."
Kebble's company, RandGold & Exploration, was kicked off the Nasdaq in the US last week. He had to resign from his executive positions at JCI, RandGold & Exploration and Western Areas last month and he had frequently been investigated by the Scorpions. There were also criminal charges hanging over him over share manipulation. Despite the setbacks, he remained upbeat about life, said the commentator. "He was planning to lose weight and get back into shape - and take his first holiday in 14 years. "He also wanted to make a business comeback. "He had been involved in 40 empowerment deals in the past 18 months. "He had made many enemies along the way and any number of them who felt that they had been cheated could have been behind the killing."
Source: IoL
Brett Kebble murdered
Police spokesperson Superintendent Chris Wilken added that Kebble was shot in Atholl-Oaklands road, on the bridge crossing the M1 to Pretoria. "We don't know if he was led into an ambush or if he was followed," he said.
Shortly after midnight Kebble's body was still inside the car on the road. "Police are busy with a forensic investigation outside the vehicle," Wilken said. "We will be here for some time. We all know this is going to be a very sensitive case to investigate."
Source: News 24.com
South Africa: factional warfare within ANC coalition
A serious political crisis has erupted in South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), culminating in the sacking of the country’s deputy president, Jacob Zuma.
Source: World Socialist Web
Source: World Socialist Web
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