2005-10-03,+Theories+abound+in+the+wake+of+roadside+murder,+Sindy

= **Theories abound in the wake of roadside murder** =


 * Sunday Independent, October 2, 2005**


 * By Chiara Carter and Christelle Terreblanche**

Mining magnate Brett Kebble's death has spawned a myriad conspiracy theories, with the motive for his murder becoming the subject of speculation: was the shooting related to his business interests, was it a politically motivated assassination or was it a botched hijacking?

Earlier this week, police, while not discounting that the murder might turn out to be a contract killing, leaned towards the hijacking theory. This was partly because of the contradictory nature of evidence found at the scene of the crime: the location of spent cartridges and, on one side, clues suggesting that Kebble stopped and spoke to his assailants (his car's driver's side window had been rolled down despite the icy weather).

Balanced against this, it seems unlikely that hijackers would wilfully have damaged the goods, shooting up a car they were hoping to steal and sell.

In the fever of speculation fuelled by the lack of hard evidence, a host of other theories jostle for prominence. One is that Kebble was the victim of a professional hit linked to the diamond trade and motivated either by revenge or a need to silence him.

This scenario evokes the earlier murder of Johannesburg socialite Hazel Crane in the same upmarket Johannesburg suburb. It also takes into account that towards the end of 2004, Kebble acquired substantial diamond mining interests in Angola. He reputedly entered partnerships with a military elite.

Kebble was also in the news earlier this year when a clutch of diamonds the size of pigeons' eggs was found at his Letseng mine in Lesotho. The mine had been judged uneconomical by its former owner, De Beers. Kebble and his partners in Matodzi (the holding entity in Letseng) credited new mining methods for the mine's sudden reversal of fortune. Not everyone was convinced, despite insistent denials that Kebble was in any way linked to the illicit diamond trade.

Another theory says business ill-feeling led to his death, although it is not clear exactly how. This theory rests heavily on Kebble's recent and well-publicised business woes, which led to his resignation last month from chief executive positions in the flagship companies of the Kebble business empire.

Investec moved in to bail out the group from a disaster connected to allegations of fraud in the "disappearance" or redirection of R1,5 billion in Randgold Resources/Randgold & Exploration shares.

Although the redirection of shares apparently led to the failure of the entities in question to publish financial results, Kebble defended the move as promoting empowerment.

Like many of Kebble's often colourful and swashbuckling business moves, this was calculated to make him a host of enemies, but proponents of the theory that his business dealings led to his death are yet to convincingly sketch a scenario in which disgruntled business partners had him gunned down.

Identified antagonists in the cut and thrust of business include Warren Goldblatt of Associated Intelligence Network, who fell foul of Kebble in investigating alleged share manipulations and other shenanigans on behalf of the new management of Durban Roodepoort Deep, formerly a Kebble mining operation.

The conflict led to a series of suits and counter-suits and threats delivered by Kebble against Goldblatt on the basis that Goldblatt was pursuing unethical vendettas.

Further fuelling the business conspiracy theory, claims have come to light that Kebble failed to make good on often extravagant promises of rewards for services rendered, and also to pay up on contracts entered into around business interests acquired. Little evidence has been produced, however.

There is not much substance to support any of the rampant rumours or speculations, although the political assassination theory was highlighted this week by Kebble's friend and close associate, columnist David Gleason, whose website says most South Africans are likely to think Kebble was assassinated.

Gleason elaborated on how Kebble had been increasingly anxious about the rise of "new elitists" who would become anathema to grassroots supporters of the ANC.

Gleason added two names to this alleged faction: that of SAA chief executive Khaya Ngqula and Kebble's former business partner, Mzi Khumalo.

And, according to Gleason, Kebble's espousal of former deputy president Jacob Zuma's cause annoyed President Thabo Mbeki.

Some in Cosatu, the Communist Party and the alliance partners' youth leagues claim that the criminal justice system - particularly the Scorpions - was used to prevent Zuma becoming president.

Kebble himself was prosecuted by the Scorpions in relation to a dispute he had with Durban Roodepoort Deep, now DRDGold, before a magistrate threw the case out of court in January.

In June, the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions finally admitted it had no case against him, leading him to again question the objectivity of the Scorpions, as he did when he was arrested in 2003. He alleged that state apparatus had been "hijacked" to attack him and his father.

Shortly after charges were brought, Kebble lashed out in particular against Bulelani Ngcuka, the then director of public prosecutions, who was accused by the Zuma camp of being an apartheid spy in the wake of Ngcuka first stating publicly that Zuma had a prima facie case to answer.

Although the Zuma conspiracy theories in the alliance have gone quiet since a deal was struck allowing Mbeki and Zuma to come up with a political solution, Kebble's death has already reignited some speculation in alliance circles over how far the state apparatus allegedly would go in being used to settle political scores, pointing the finger at the top echelons of government.

Gleason added another rider: that recently Kebble had expressed concern about the role of "old-order functionaries" of the apartheid security apparatus who continued to play a part in events. Gleason said this was borne out by a discovery he had made - that an "international agency" was providing "training" in the country.

Kebble reportedly discussed factions in the ANC in a documentary - yet to be screened - that examines the media in relation to the Zuma saga. The ANC, which expressed condolences to the Kebble family, has not commented on any of these claims.

David Barritt, the spokesperson for the Kebble family, declined to comment on Gleason's article or on any of the conspiracy theories.

Barritt said the family had decided not to comment until the investigation had been completed.

Even outside politics, Kebble was controversial and the subject of probes by the South African Revenue Service and the National Prosecuting Authority.

He was criticised for flying close to the edge in business deals and for conducting some deals - notably with members of the ANC Youth League - that verged on fronting. Yet, he was also hailed for taking on the establishment and pushing for the reorganisation of the gold-mining industry.

Kebble was a hero to the many people he assisted - from black entrepreneurs to artists and needy children - and tributes have poured in since news of his murder broke.

From: http://www.sundayindependent.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=1042&fArticleId=2899968