POLICE were last night searching for a man known as "George Smith" in connection with the killing of Teazers' boss Lolly Jackson.

Jackson, 53, was shot dead in Edleen, Edenvale in Ekurhuleni, on Monday night at a house registered in the name of businessman Georgios Toumbis.

Ekurhuleni police spokes-person Sergeant Tsholofelo Madumo said Jackson sustained 15 gunshot wounds.

The gunman reportedly fled in Jackson's Jeep Grand Cherokee. Last night police could not confirm if the car had a tracking device or not.

Madumo said Smith was believed to be connected to both the stolen vehicle and phone call made to the police. She said Smith was believed to have a South African passport.

Jackson's death has hit his family and friends hard. Teazers' venues across the country were closed for the day "out of respect" for Jackson.

As condolences continued to pour in for the slain Jackson, his rivals still had no kind words for him.

"Jackson got away with a lot but this time he met his match," said rival strip club owner of The Grand, Andrew Phillips.

"The man who killed Jackson deserves a medal. Even hell is not good enough for him."

Phillips said he knew Jackson personally and there was nothing good about that "piece of trash".

"I was close to him. I knew all of his shady dealings. He was abusive, desperate and resorted to extortion.

"I don't feel sorry for his family because they chose to know and be with him. They were all living large from the money he extorted from the poor.

"He was a pathological liar. He had the face of a mamba. He was deceiving, corrupt. He was an evil animal," Phillips said.

It is believed Jackson had gone to the house to demand money owed to him by his killer.

After shooting Jackson in cold blood, the killer phoned the police to confess but drove away before they got there.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Opperman said police were following leads and expected to make an arrest soon.

Family spokesperson Sean Newman appealed to those saying negative things about Jackson to think about his devastated family.

"Lolly is dead. Whatever they say will not harm him anymore."

He said a meeting to discuss the club's future was held at the Rivonia branch.

"The biggest tribute we can pay to him is by continuing the operation of Teazers countrywide. He would have wanted us to.

"The clubs were closed today to allow staff to mourn. All clubs will be operational tomorrow (today)."

When Sowetan arrived at the club in Rivonia yesterday a bodyguard allowed only staff, family and friends into the building.