The father of murdered mining magnate Brett Kebble is suing the men accused of killing him, Glenn Agliotti and John Stratton, for R15-million, it emerged on Wednesday.
Roger Kebble says in court papers that the money is needed for the upkeep of Brett’s four minor children.
Brett was shot in his car in Johannesburg in 2005. Agliotti, a convicted drug trafficker, has already been charged with the murder and is out on bail.
South African authorities are seeking Stratton’s extradition from Australia to stand trial alongside Agliotti.
Stratton was a co-director with Brett of mining company JCI.
On Tuesday, in an application heard in camera, Cape High Court Judge Patricia Goliath granted Roger permission to sue Stratton, even though he is overseas.
The judge also gave Roger permission to attach all 50 of Stratton’s shares in a company named Portion 1 Erf 291 Saxonwold (Pty) Limited.
According to the court papers, this step is necessary to give the court jurisdiction for the R15-million claim.
The shares were worth R1 each in 2000.
Roger said in papers filed in the Cape High Court as part of the application that Brett’s estate is insolvent and therefore unable to contribute to maintaining the children, two boys and two girls, who range in age from seven to 17.
Their mother is unable to support them ”to the full extent of their needs”, which includes school and sport costs, allowances, medical costs, transport and clothing.
”Accordingly I, as the grandfather of the minor children, am obliged to maintain the minor children insofar as these aspects are concerned,” Roger said.
”I am entitled to recover these amounts from the persons responsible for the murder of the deceased.”
He said Agliotti and Stratton ”were accomplices, alternatively co-conspirators, in the wrongful and unlawful death of the deceased”.
According to papers drawn up by an actuary, current school fees for the oldest boy total R165 609 a year, and ”flight costs” R16 761,25.
The calculation of the R15-million total claim includes university fees for the four, projected at more than R874 500 a year for the youngest by 2023.
Roger’s attorney, Kim Warren, said he will launch the claim in the next few days. — Sapa