Publication: Sunday Times Issued: Date: 2006-08-27 Reporter: Buddy Naidu Reporter: Nashira Davids

Kebble Probe to Focus on Car Gifts

 

Publication 

Sunday Times

Date

2006-08-27

Reporter

 Buddy Naidu, Nashira Davids

Web Link

www.sundaytimes.co.za

 

Investigators probing Brett Kebble’s estate are focusing their attention on seizing a string of luxury cars doled out to his associates.

Among these cars is a R300 000 Chevrolet Suburban owned by the former talk-show host Dali Tambo’s company, Koketso Holdings.

The investigators have compiled a list of all the cars that the murdered businessman gave away.

They will question a number of recipients, including the jailed former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni and Education Minister Naledi Pandor’s husband, Sharif.

The Sunday Times can reveal that Kebble and his father, Roger, bought cars worth at least R12-million from just one dealership in Johannesburg between November 2002 and July 2005.

The 13 vehicles included a Bentley Arnage for R2.3-million, a vintage Rolls-Royce for R401 900, an Aston Martin for R2.8-million and a Mercedes SL65 AMG for R1.9-million.

Documents show that the car Tambo received was bought for R302500 in March last year.

Tambo yesterday confirmed that his company was in possession of the car. He said it had been given to the company by JCI, of which Kebble was the chief executive, as part of a business deal.

“The company received the car. It was a business relationship.”

Tambo said Koketso had had discussions with the trustees of Kebble’s estate and the matter had been settled. He said he and many others were the “unfortunate victims in an extremely messy saga”.

Pandor yesterday confirmed that he had been questioned by investigators. He denied getting a free car, saying he had merely financed his vehicle through Kebble’s JCI. “I did not receive a free car from Mr Kebble. I bought a car.”

On Friday Kebble’s creditors, including the SA Revenue Service and his former companies JCI and Randgold and Exploration, met at the Master of the High Court in Cape Town.

They are claiming more than R400-million from Kebble’s estate.

SARS is demanding R180-million and will, by law, receive preference over the other creditors.

The Sunday Times has previously reported that SARS targeted several prominent people who received money from Kebble. Documents show that between February 2004 and September last year ANC Youth League member Lunga Ncwana received R6.5-million and his fellow member Songezo Mjongile also received millions.

Almost R27-million was paid out of Kebble’s accounts during this period to, among others, Thuthukile Skweyiya ­ the wife of Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya ­ Yengeni and Tambo, who received R300 000. Yesterday Tambo confirmed the payment, saying the money had been paid to Koketso as part of a business deal.

With acknowledgements to Buddy Naidu, Nashira Davids and the Sunday Times.


It shows that, like in the Arms Deal where at least 33 cars and car discounts were splodged about by Mickey Woerful on behalf of DACA to smooth the way for the overall approval of the deal, simple things like motors vehicles tickle the fancy of the new elite.

So for a few million Rands for the party and a few dozen fancy motor vehicles for the party faithful, the country gets sold down the river for a few hundred billion Rand.