Socialite dies after shooting

2003-11-10 12:53

Johannesburg - Johannesburg socialite Hazel Crane, a close friend of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and wife of deceased Israeli diamond dealer Shai Avissar, was shot dead on Monday while on her way to give testimony in the Johannesburg High Court, police said.

Superintendent Chris Wilken told Sapa Crane was shot in her car on Monday while standing stationary on the corner of 1st Street and Athol Oaklands Drive, Johannesburg. Apparently a man appeared from behind a bin and fired six shots at Crane through the passenger window.

Crane, who was shot in the head, chest, leg and arm, was on her way to attend the trial of Lior Saat, 33, accused of battering to death her estranged husband near Sunninghill in 1999.

A friend of Crane's, who was in the car with her at the time of the attack, was shot in the hand. Her other more prominent friend, Madikizela-Mandela, was often seen at the Johannesburg High Court during the Saat proceedings, lending support to Crane.

Madikizela-Mandela was not present at the time of the attack.

Saat, who apparently appeared in court on Monday, is currently facing 13 charges, including intimidating Crane. He allegedly held a gun to her head. However, he is challenging the jurisdiction of the South African courts to try him.

An Israeli citizen and alleged member of the Israeli mafia, Saat was captured at the border with Mozambique and brought to South Africa to face trial.

On June 14, 2001, Saat himself was wounded in a drive-by shooting while being transported to the Johannesburg magistrate's court from the old Brixton police cells.

- SAPA