Kebble killers re-enact murder

Published Sep 16, 2014

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Angelique Serrao

MIKEY Schultz’s blue eyes are cold. He lifts his gun, focuses, and shoots, red sparks flying from the barrel.

He has just re-enacted the night he pulled the trigger and killed businessman Brett Kebble.

This shot can be seen in a trailer on YouTube for a documentary that portrays one of the most high-profile killings in South African history.

The trailer of 204: Getting Away With Murder was released on Friday. The film opens at cinemas on October 24.

Director Warren Batchelor has described the story of Kebble’s murder as “so bizarre it should be fiction” and has promised audiences that Kebble’s killers – Mikey Schultz, Nigel McGurk and Faizel “Kappie” Smith – will reveal all.

As far as he knew, the documentary was the first time that self-confessed gunmen had re-enacted their crime on film, Batchelor said yesterday.

The documentary features Kebble’s brother, Guy, and father, Roger, disgraced former national police chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi, convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti, lawyer Vusi Pikoli and investigator Piet Byleveld, among others.

The title refers to Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act, under which Schultz, McGurk and Smith received full indemnity in exchange for testifying for the State.

Batchelor said he had exclusive rights to the story of the triggermen. “It took a lot of time to earn their trust.

“These men simply wanted their side of the story out there. They were vilified in the press. This isn’t about their wanting fame – it’s just them being brave enough to give their side of what happened.”

Batchelor said although everything in the documentary had come out publicly, it would be a revelation for most of the public.

“I am not regurgitating a court case.”

The film-maker said he had interviewed Selebi two years ago, after the police chief had been convicted of corruption in 2010, but before his appeal was heard and dismissed.

He plans to include full interviews among extras when the docudrama is released on DVD.

Batchelor says he is aware he will be questioned about the ethics of re-enacting a murder scene, but he sees nothing wrong with showing people what happened, particularly if this allows the public to question why Section 204 notices were given.

“Everyone literally got away with murder. These men were pawns in a bigger story, but they got off scot-free.

“In the end, a man lost his life there. He was shot at close range with eight bullets.”

Batchelor said the murder scene had been replicated as accurately as possible. It was filmed at the same time of night, at the same spot, using the same model of car and firearm.

The film may put the justice system in the hot seat.

Brett’s brother, Guy, hopes it will make people angry.

“I think, to be honest, we are sick and tired of it because justice has never been served,” he said.

He said the family could not go back and change what happened, but he hoped that by showing people what happened to his brother nearly nine years ago, they would start to question the legal system. “We have criminals walking our streets as heroes. Look at the Oscar case. How is that justice?

“It’s all wrong. In my brother’s case, nobody went on trial. It was wrong.”

Two years ago there were reports that the triggermen had been paid R1 million to take part in the documentary.

Batchelor denies any payment was made.

He says the trio just want to give their version of events.

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