Controversial mining executive Brett Kebble is in a tussle with the law again — this time for allegedly entering South Africa illegally.
Although this could not be confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority before going to press, the Western Cape director of public prosecutions, Rodney de Kock, is said to have resolved to charge Kebble, business partner John Stratton and an employee of Kebble’s.
The three men allegedly entered the country through Cape Town International airport without reporting to an immigration officer, as required by law.
Kebble has, in turn, written a letter to the Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to complain about the actions of the immigration service, which falls under her department.
According to their lawyer, William Booth, Kebble and his associates returned from Luanda, Angola, by -private jet on July 1, arriving at Cape Town International at about -midnight.
The aviation company, he said, had informed the authorities that there would be a late arrival, although there had been further delays.
When they had taxied in, no immigration official was on duty. The immigration service was called, but after promises that the officer on duty would arrive he did not do so and, the men left 45 minutes to an hour later.
Booth said that they left because Stratton, who is elderly, was not feeling well, and that they had left their passports with representatives of the aviation company to be presented to the immigration officer when he arrived.
The Mail & Guardian understands that Kebble had directed a letter to Mapisa-Nqakula complaining inter alia of the allegedly “intoxicated” behaviour of an immigration official who subsequently arrived at the airport.
Booth said that De Kock had told him he wanted to pursue the charges in spite of the representations that had been made, but that he would be amenable to an -admission-of-guilt fine. “[But] the concern is that they’re insisting on finger prints being taken and that would lead to a criminal record.”
Booth added: “It is an absolutely petty situation — how would a reasonably minded person arriving in full sight of everybody know to wait for how long? … It is ridiculous prosecuting this as my clients had no intention of committing any form of crime.”
The prosecuting authority said it could not comment as De Kock was not available.