South African gold mining magnate murdered say police

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is in shock after the apparent contract killing of one of the country's most prominent gold mining magnates and political figures, who was shot dead at the wheel of his car.

Brett Kebble, a member of President Thabo Mbeki's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and a key supporter of the recently sacked deputy president Jacob Zuma, was killed on Tuesday evening as he drove his silver Mercedes through northern Johannesburg's plush Melrose suburb on his way to dinner at a friend's house.

The blood-spattered body of the heavy-set businessman was found slumped over the steering wheel of his bullet-riddled car after it smashed into the railing of a bridge.

Police said Mr Kebble was shot five times. The murder attracted particular attention because of Mr Kebble's business and political connections.

"This chilling attack in our financial capital can only harm the reputation of South Africa as a place in which to do business," said Neal Froneman, the chief executive of mining giant Aflease Gold and Uranium Resources.

South Africa, the world's largest gold and platinum producer, already suffers from a high violent crime rate which has earned Johannesburg the reputation of the world's murder capital.

Police hinted that it was unlikely Mr Kebble would have been a victim of an ordinary car hijacking. Police spokesman Chris Wilken said in most hijackings, the attackers would take the vehicle or some of their victim's personal belongings with them.

"In this case, they didn't take anything."

"The motive for the murder of Mr. Kebble is uncertain. There are two possibilities: Either it was a direct attempt on his life or it was a hijack attempt," Wilken said.

"We don't know if he was led into an ambush or if he was followed," he said.

The controversial white businessman, a lawyer by training, had recently experienced business troubles.

Last month, he was ousted as chief executive officer of three major mining companies he founded, Western Areas, Randgold and Exploration (R & E) and JCI, amid allegations of multi-million dollar fraudulent dealings.

Mr Kebble was accused of having irregularly sold 14.4 million shares worth US$225 million held by R & E in another mining giant, Randgold Resources, without the permission of either his board of directors or shareholders in R&E.

The money realised from the shares has not been accounted for and still subject of police investigation.

In politics, Mr Kebble had bankrolled the ANC's powerful youth league, which is fighting a running public battle with Mr Mbeki over Mr Zuma's sacking over corruption charges, and other policy differences.

He reportedly was among the key benefactors of former deputy president Zuma, who was sacked by President Mbeki after a court ruled that Mr Zuma had received bribes from a convicted Durban businessman.

Mr Zuma has since been charged with corruption and Mr Kebble had been helping in raising Mr Zuma's hefty legal bills.

Former attorney-general Bulelani Ngcuka once accused the business magnate of giving financial support to the ANC youth league for protection and political favours.

South Africa's corruption-busting unit, the Scorpions, arrested and charged Mr Kebble and his father and business partner, Roger, with various counts of fraud when Mr Ngcuka was still in office.

The charges were later dropped after a key witness refused to testify, but Mr Kebble had long declared that he would ask authorities to investigate Mr Ngcuka and former Justice Minister Penuell Maduna for abuse of their public offices.

South Africa's respected Business Day newspaper said because of the "wealth that Mr Kebble was able to put at the disposal of key people" in Mr Mbeki's ruling ANC, his death would have a huge political impact.

Condolences poured in for Mr Kebble yesterday, with the ANC youth league saying he was a true patriot whose work and dedication should serve as a fundamental lesson for those in business.

Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan said that through his Brett Kebble Art Awards, he had 'set an example of how corporate sector support can give impetus to the development and collection of indigenous fine arts, craft and sculpture."

- INDEPENDENT