Was Brett killing a 'mafia' hit?

2005-09-29 08:33

Eduan Roos

Johannesburg - Brett Kebble's murder is strongly reminiscent of the murder nearly two years ago of socialite Hazel Crane, ex-wife of the suspected leader of the Israeli mafia in South Africa.

Kebble, 41, was shot dead in his car on Tuesday about 21:00 on Melrose Street extension between the Glenhove and Athol Oaklands off-ramp from the M1 in Johannesburg, while he was on his way to a dinner date.

He was shot less than 800m from the place where Crane, 56, was murdered in her car on November 10 2003.

Although the police investigation into Kebble's murder is continuing, many people said on Wednesday he had been assassinated.

Convicted diamond smuggler Crane was shot four times (in the head, chest, arm and leg) at a stop street on the corner of Scott and First streets in Abbotsford in the same area in what was, seemingly, also an assassination.

She was to have testified in Johannesburg High Court against Lior Saat, another suspected member of the Israeli mafia.

Had often received death threats

Saat was suspected at the time of murdering Shai Avissar, Crane's ex-husband.

She narrowly escaped another attempt on her life on May 21 2001 in a drive-by shooting in front of her house in Oakdale in the north of Johannesburg.

Controversial mining magnate Kebble, who had received death threats for the past six months, was shot repeatedly in the chest. Nothing was stolen in either his or Crane's murders.

Police spokesperson superintendent Chris Wilken said there was no clear motive yet for Kebble's murder.

"The similarities in the murders (of Kebble and Crane) are interesting, but merely coincidences at present," said Wilken.

"We are investigating the possibility that hijacking may have been the motive for Tuesday's murder."

He said no one had been arrested yet in connection with Crane's murder in 2003.

- Beeld