Johannesburg: The Kebble family has appointed David Klatzow, one of South Africa's leading forensic experts, to help with the investigation into the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble.

"I have been appointed by the family to examine all the evidence. So far I have had excellent co-operation from the police," Klatzow said yesterday.

Over the past few years, Klatzow has often been in the media because his involvement in high-profile cases.

The family's legal adviser, former judge Willem Heath, said yesterday that pathologist Jan Botha, whom the family had hired last week to work with the police, had concluded a second postmortem, the results of which would be known on Thursday.

Heath scoffed at weekend media reports suggesting that Kebble was the victim of a Russian mafia hit, saying there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.

He also said it was not unusual that Kebble had been selling off prime property in Cape Town to raise money.

"Brett had so many properties it was a normal thing for him to sell and buy property," said Heath.

Johannesburg police spokesman Chris Wilken said there was "nothing new" to report on the investigation.

Kebble's funeral service is to take place at St George's Cathedral, Cape Town, at 2pm tomorrow.

Hundreds of members of the public and leading figures in the business and political arenas are expected to attend.

Party spokesman Smuts Ngonyama said the ANC had not taken any "official position" on who would attend Kebble's funeral, but that senior officials were likely to be there.

He could not confirm whether Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka would attend or make a speech.

The public was welcome to attend as long as there was space in the cathedral, a family spokesman said.

With acknowledgements to Babalo Ndenze and the Cape Times.