An Israeli jeweller was killed near the South Africa Diamond Centre in downtown Johannesburg on Monday, police said on Wednesday.

Superintendent Eugene Opperman said Michel Rubinek was assaulted near the South African Diamond Centre, a hub of more than 100 diamond dealing companies, in the early evening.

He died of his injuries on the scene.

Opperman said the motive for the killing was not known and that details were sketchy.

He denied a radio report that Rubinek had been shot dead by a gang of armed men and that three men had been arrested in connection with the murder.

"There have been no arrests related to this incident," said Opperman.

Sapa