Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2005-10-11 Reporter: Angela Quintal Reporter: Moshoeshoe Monare Reporter:

Heath, Forensic Expert Out of Kebble Murder Probe

 

Publication 

The Star
Date 2005-10-11

Reporter

 Angela Quintal, Moshoeshoe Monare

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

Top forensic expert Dr David Klatzow and former judge Willem Heath have been pulled off the Brett Kebble murder investigation.

This was confirmed by Klatzow yesterday.

The request was apparently made by Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi during a meeting last week with Roger Kebble, Brett's father.

Selebi, however, denied he had asked the Kebble family to remove Heath and Klatzow.

"There is no such thing; I don't even know those people you are talking about," he said last night.

Asked whether he had ever met the family or discussed the case, he said: "No".

Klatzow, who has been involved in several high-profile cases and often clashed with authorities, confirmed that he had been informed yesterday of the development.

He would not comment or speculate on the reasons for the move.

"This is one of the most appalling police investigations I have had the misfortune to be involved in," he said. *1

He declined to elaborate.

Meanwhile, Heath, who is out of the country, could not be reached for comment.

His son Marius declined to comment and referred queries to the Kebble family, who could not be reached for comment.

Speaking ahead of Kebble's funeral last week, Klatzow said he had been appointed by the Kebble family to examine all the evidence.

"So far I have had excellent co-operation from the police," Klatzow was reported as saying at the time.

In addition to Klatzow, the family had also hired an independent pathologist, Jan Botha, who conducted a second postmortem.

No arrests have been made and the motive for the murder remains unclear.

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal, Moshoeshoe Monare and The Star.


*1  When it suits, SAPS is good, viz. Leigh Matthews case, when it doesn't, indifference seems to characterise.

That's why we need the DSO - long live the DSO - warts and all.

If Khampepe J finds against the existence of the DSO, which will not be surprising that even, but inexplicably, the Minister of Justice testified against its continued existence, it will be the greatest setback for crime-fighting in the Republic since a giant tapeworm whispered in the ear of a Greek messenger in 1966.