The death of mining personality Brett Kebble's, which is shrouded in as much controversy as his life, is likely to delay the finalisation of the restructuring of three companies he previously headed, two of which, Randgold & Exploration (R&E) and JCI, remain suspended from the JSE pending the publication of audited financial statements.

Speaking on Radio 702, spokesperson for the Kebble family, David Barritt, said that restructuring will go ahead as planned, with Peter Gray leading the process.

But he indicated that the process could be further delayed as a result of Kebble's untimely death, as he was assisting with key information and had intimate knowledge of some of the complex deals that have made the publication challenging.

He also indicated that the lifting of the stock-exchange suspensions might, therefore, also be delayed.

Last week Thursday, Randgold & Exploration, which Kebble used to lead before his resignation and the subsequent installation of Peter Gray as CEO, indicated that it had also been suspended from Nasdaq following an inability to meet deadlines set by that bourse.

In addition, the company's auditors, Charles Orbach & Company, resigned effective December 31, leading to the audits being taken over by KPMG. As a result, the long-awaited results were further delayed.

Gray, who replaced Kebble at the helm of the embattled companies on August 30, said that the delay was regrettable, but accurate figures were first priority for the firm. He said it was imperative to publish “precise and accurate numbers”.

Randgold was initially suspended for failing to comply with the JSE's listing requirements of providing annual financial results on time.

In addition, the firm recalled preliminary results, conceding that these may reflect material differences to final results and opening up speculation that Kebble may be charged with fraud.

To add to the dilemma, some R1,2-billion-worth of shares in Randgold Resources, apparently owned by Randgold but lent to Bookmark Holdings as security for a transaction involving a third party, are still unaccounted for.

Randgold has previously said that these shares are in the possession of various institutions, which cannot be named due to confidentiality agreements.

Ruling party the African National Congress - of which Kebble was a member - has urged for a speedy investigation, while Noseweek has pointed to a slew of businesspeople who may have wanted to see him dead and the DA is insisting that his murder was politically motivated.

Following reports yesterday that the attack on Kebble while he was travelling in his Mercedes Benz was an attempted assassination attempt, a press conference held late yesterday at 702 indicated that it was likely to be a botched hijacking attempt.

Barritt said that, after speaking to the investigating officer at Alexander Police Station, the focus is now on a botched hi-jacking attempt, but that assassination had not been ruled out. The area in which Kebble was shot is apparently a hi-jack 'hot-spot'.

Barritt stressed that the SAPS should not attempt to 'sweep under the carpet' a possible assassination, admitting that Kebble had received death threats in the past - but not the recent past.

Advocate Willem Heath, who worked for Kebble, has been quoted as saying that, on the surface, the incident did not appear to be a hijacking, but the case must be allowed to run its course.

Kebble was killed late on Tuesday night in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Melrose while travelling in his vehicle.

Apparently, shots were fired at the back of the vehicle to cause him to stop, which prompted Heath to speculate that the attack could have been an assassination attempt.

South African Police Services Johannesburg spokesperson Chris Wilken has indicated that Kebble was driving when another vehicle closed in on him and opened fire.

Police were speculating that the incident was either a botched hijacking or an assassination, but would not divulge further details.

SAFM yesterday morning indicated that none of Kebble's possessions had been taken.

According to Heath, the family is not currently planning to hire a private investigator.

He added that Kebble had not said that he was fearful of being in any danger during any of there recent conversations.

Kebble, who was shot five times, had been planning to meet with Barritt yesterday afternoon to discuss a business deal he was involved in conceptualising.

After having recently controversially stepping down as CEO from Randgold & Exploration, JCI and Western Areas, Kebble had indicated to Barritt that he did not intend ever holding such a position in a publicly listed company ever again.

Instead, he wished to focus on black economic-empowerment deals.

Kebble's father, Roger, is understood to be on his way back from France, while brother Guy has come up to Johannesburg to pay his respects.