Publication: Sunday Times Issued: Date: 2005-10-30 Reporter: Rowan Philip Reporter:

Kebble Insured Life for R30m Before Murder

 

Publication 

Sunday Times

Date

2005-10-30

Reporter

Rowan Philip

Web Link

www.sundaytimes.co.za

 

Slain mining magnate Brett Kebble took out three insurance policies on his life worth R30-million in the two years before his murder.

Now Ingrid Kebble - the widow of a businessman crippled by debt, criminal charges and effective bankruptcy - stands to inherit a fortune.

Herschel Mayers, the managing director of Discovery Life, confirmed this week that Kebble had taken out a new "standard" Discovery life policy for R20-million "within the past two years".

Alf Koch, an executive claims manager for Liberty Life, told the Sunday Times that - in addition to "various" existing life-insurance policies - Kebble took out two policies with Liberty for R5-million each in August, less than two months before he was killed.

Kebble's father and family spokesman, Roger Kebble, said yesterday: "I've got no comment to make."

Mayers and Koch both confirmed that "routine" investigations had been opened into Kebble's policies because he had died within a short period of signing up.

Koch said Kebble's wife, Ingrid, was the sole beneficiary listed on both Liberty policies. He said the policies were structured to pay out for all causes of death, except suicide or assisted suicide *1. "They were standard policies for life cover, with a suicide exception clause," said Koch.

Kebble's body was found riddled with at least six pistol shot wounds while still seated in his Mercedes- Benz on a road in Melrose, Johannesburg, on September 27.

David Klatzow, a former investigator into the Kebble killing, said he believed the existence of the insurance policies "could prove to be highly significant in solving this case".

"It may mean that Mr Kebble had some foreknowledge of his death, whether from threats or from a resolution to end his own life. Or it may mean nothing," said Klatzow. "But when large policies are taken out before a death, it has to be an avenue to be investigated. "

With acknowledgements to Rowan Philip and the Sunday Times.


*1  "It's my theory and I'm sticking to it."