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Killing Kebble by Mandy Wiener (Macmillan)
2005 saw the death of the mining magnate, in what was eventually declared as an "assisted suicide". The years of investigation that followed exposed the corrupt relationship between SA's former Chief of Police, Jackie Selebi and businessman, Glenn Agliotti.
In exchange for their freedom, killers Mikey Schultz, Nigel McGurk and Fiazal Smith, disclose the chilling events that led to the night of Kebble’s murder. Agliotti, in turn, provides his own version of how the events unfolded.
In this book, journalist Mandy Wieners recounts the startling details of the business tycoon's demise and what ensued thereafter.
I'm neither a fan of non-fiction or current affairs, but I was intrigued and I somehow knew this book would offer some important facts and answers about the Kebble case that has had many people scratching their heads in confusion. And I was right.
This book is no quick read. In fact, I believe that it shouldn't be read in one sitting. The info is actually so overwhelming that one really needs to take a step back to absorb everything that's being laid before you.
It's also a rather convoluted story which shines a spotlight on just how little we, as readers and South Africans, know of the strings being pulled behind the scenes.
One of the biggest surprises is the realisation of this murky underworld that dates back to the early '90s, when the club scene in and around SA began flourishing. This is essentially where Mikey Schultz starts his tale.
Mandy paints a violently realistic portrayal of the squalid and shady ganglands. She is an incredibly gifted writer and her ability to tell the story, without passing any judgement, is one of the reasons that I think this book is such a phenomenal success.
She relates Mikey, Nigel McGurk and Kappie Smith's stories in such an undeniably riveting manner that one can't help but feel a bit of empathy for them - even while you are aware of all the horrible crimes that they've committed. (I got the opportunity to chat to Mandy about this – see her response here.)
We’re essentially treated to the story behind the story, but of course my review would be incomplete if I overlooked Brett himself. Because, let's face it, if Brett Kebble had not been killed in the manner he was, there would be no story to tell.
It's an absorbing read that casts a sobering look at how unhinged the corruption within our very own justice system has become and how, the people who are supposed to protect us, have failed - not only in this book, but us as South African citizens too.
I highly recommend this book and believe that every South African should read it.
Go out and get a copy - you won't regret it. I promise.
Keen on reading this book? Click here to either review the book or purchase your own copy.
2005 saw the death of the mining magnate, in what was eventually declared as an "assisted suicide". The years of investigation that followed exposed the corrupt relationship between SA's former Chief of Police, Jackie Selebi and businessman, Glenn Agliotti.
In exchange for their freedom, killers Mikey Schultz, Nigel McGurk and Fiazal Smith, disclose the chilling events that led to the night of Kebble’s murder. Agliotti, in turn, provides his own version of how the events unfolded.
In this book, journalist Mandy Wieners recounts the startling details of the business tycoon's demise and what ensued thereafter.
I'm neither a fan of non-fiction or current affairs, but I was intrigued and I somehow knew this book would offer some important facts and answers about the Kebble case that has had many people scratching their heads in confusion. And I was right.
This book is no quick read. In fact, I believe that it shouldn't be read in one sitting. The info is actually so overwhelming that one really needs to take a step back to absorb everything that's being laid before you.
It's also a rather convoluted story which shines a spotlight on just how little we, as readers and South Africans, know of the strings being pulled behind the scenes.
One of the biggest surprises is the realisation of this murky underworld that dates back to the early '90s, when the club scene in and around SA began flourishing. This is essentially where Mikey Schultz starts his tale.
Mandy paints a violently realistic portrayal of the squalid and shady ganglands. She is an incredibly gifted writer and her ability to tell the story, without passing any judgement, is one of the reasons that I think this book is such a phenomenal success.
She relates Mikey, Nigel McGurk and Kappie Smith's stories in such an undeniably riveting manner that one can't help but feel a bit of empathy for them - even while you are aware of all the horrible crimes that they've committed. (I got the opportunity to chat to Mandy about this – see her response here.)
We’re essentially treated to the story behind the story, but of course my review would be incomplete if I overlooked Brett himself. Because, let's face it, if Brett Kebble had not been killed in the manner he was, there would be no story to tell.
It's an absorbing read that casts a sobering look at how unhinged the corruption within our very own justice system has become and how, the people who are supposed to protect us, have failed - not only in this book, but us as South African citizens too.
I highly recommend this book and believe that every South African should read it.
Go out and get a copy - you won't regret it. I promise.
Keen on reading this book? Click here to either review the book or purchase your own copy.
