'Brett Kebble was a true patriot'

2005-09-28 15:33

Johannesburg - 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".

"We send our condolences to the Kebble family and friends and we grieve with them in 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 21:00.

He was 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 Africa's 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 the perpetrators of this heinous crime."

Kebble, who was a member of the ANC, 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.

"If they decide to publicly acknowledge my support, they have my blessing to do so," he said.

There have been reports some senior ANCYL leaders served as "fronts" for some of the Kebble business interests.

The former director of the NPA, Bulelani Ngcuka, was said to have suggested to newspaper editors in 2003 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.

- SAPA