Latest news with #R475
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How can we expect senior citizens to survive on such a paltry pension
High-stakes living does have its price Death or disappearance by design? Assassination or assisted suicide? It is my suspicion that Markus Jooste, the former CEO of Steinhoff International, never committed suicide. It was a grand scheme orchestrated to simply disappear and escape accountability, with the assistance of corrupt police and high-powered politicians. Your sister newspaper in Johannesburg, The Star, corroborates that by reporting on a recent police-source disclosure that there has not been a post-mortem or morgue number. Jooste was fined R475 million by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for accounting fraud whereby he manipulated and systematically siphoned millions from the government's pension fund. A day before a warrant for his arrest was issued, he was said to have committed suicide by gunshot at Hermanus on March 21, 2024. Gavin Watson, the former CEO of African Global Operations (Bosasa), apparently died in a car accident in Johannesburg on August 20, 2019. The same modus operandi could have played out here. The accident happened when Watson's car collided with a concrete pillar. A case of culpable homicide was opened by SAPS. Watson's death was shrouded in controversy with some speculating about the circumstances surrounding the accident. A private pathology report hinted that Watson may have been dead before the accident. Former president Jacob Zuma, who delivered the eulogy at his funeral, hinted at the possibility of an assassination. A big-league benefactor of the ANC and Cyril Ramaphosa's presidential campaign, Watson was fingered in state-capture allegations, including bribery and money laundering, during judicial hearings in January 2019. Between 2003 and 2018, his company notched up government tenders worth R12 billion. Poised on the brink of unpredictability and careful to conceal whatever troubled thoughts lurk behind their public façade, how does one accommodate his self-concept to the reality of imminent death? You've had so many victories in life until you met someone or something you can't beat. Convicted murderer and a rape fugitive, Thabo Bester staged his own death in a jail-cell fire before escaping from prison in 2022. He was recaptured in Tanzania and currently is languishing in prison.A classic case of assisted-suicide was that of Brett Kebble, the mining magnate who was shot seven times on the night of September 27, 2005. The circumstances surrounding his death are complex and shrouded in controversy. Investigations revealed that Kebble's death was an assisted-suicide orchestrated by himself. His security chief, Clinton Nassif, reportedly hired hitmen Micky Schultz, Nigel McGurk and Faizel Smith to put Kebble in an early flight. The reasons behind Kebble's death were linked to his financial troubles and alleged corporate fraud, including the misappropriation of R2bn worth of shares from one of his companies. As a nation, we need to believe in the necessity for truth. Whether it was a 'mares nest' or not, only time will tell. For now innuendo and conjecture will continue to fan the flames of scuttlebutt around the fire, while we warm ourselves to paranoid perceptions. From the above brief accounts, we can deduce that these were individuals whose modus vivendi (way of living)was the pursuit of power and pelf, and that they were politically connected and ruthlessly embraced the lure of greed and self-aggrandisement by engaging in graft, bribery, corruption, racketeering and money laundering. | KEVIN GOVENDER uMhlatazana Our senior citizens really deserve better The more our country's people read, think and understand our so-called Government of National Unity's (GNU) support for our pensioners the more the government's insensitivity and care-not-a-damn attitude are revealed. In a survey of 90 countries where elderly people can live comfortably South Africa ranks 84th. Because of the poor support and care of government ministers, the life expectancy among our pensioners is 64, contrasting with Switzerland's 84. Even with their tested glasses and cataracts removed these ministers cannot see that they are making our senior citizens suffer. A disgraceful set of ministers who are showing no mercy are destroying the life of our poor, old age citizens. In South Africa pensioners receive a piddling R2 200 per month. Zambia provides a pension equivalent to R3 830 per month. What has gone wrong in this country? How can these old people live when they face innumerable challenges almost daily in their twilight years? They have to look for money to pay rent, pay for services, buy food, pay for medical expenses, pay school fees, and take care of university education, attend to different kinds of sickness and have a whole lot of other worries. Yet the 'kings' of this country, that is ministers and parliamentarians, are living in the lap of luxury at the expense of the taxpayer. You and I are being robbed. Ministers earn in excess of R300 000 per month, pensioners get R2 200. How do these ministers sleep at night? Knowing how corrupt some of these so-called 'leaders' sitting in Cape Town are, is it possible that they are taking heavy drugs?These drugs have an effect on their thinking capacity because some come to parliament to sleep. Incidentally many sleep with their eyes open. I want to offer two pieces of advice to our lawmakers: ■ Increase old-age pension to a minimum of R3 830 per month. ■ Give every pensioner a bonus cheque during Christmas – that is give them a double payment in December. However, if these so-called 'leaders' feel guilty, they could ask treasury to pay all parliamentarians and ministers only 10% of what they get. Since I am still an IFP member, I would ask all ministers and the deputy ministers of the IFP to move a motion in parliament according to my proposal. If Dr Mangosutho Buthelezi were alive were alive today, he would fire all of them. | KAMAL PANDAY Reservoir Hills Great idea. Let's roll back climate change Last Thursday's image of high-rise buildings towering into the sky is very significant. It was like trees in a jungle competing with one another for sunlight. But only here it seems the high-rise buildings in China's Chongqing municipality were reaching up into the sky for fresh air! It looks so dense it could be suffocating. How dreary the picture looks! All over the world there's an influx of people from rural villages into the cities because they are seeking the comforts of the modern world. As this trend gains momentum, there's a proliferation of man- made concrete jungles, like the one in Chongqing. Modern man does not plant trees, instead he builds concrete jungles, but they come at a heavy price. The globe's population explosion has seen the rapid spread of urban life with disastrous consequences for the environment, ecosystems and wild life. If you want to know why so many natural disasters – from droughts to wildfires to floods, among other – are occurring around the world, look no further than our smog-filled cities. It is unchecked human activity that's at the root of climate change. Temperatures in Europe are soaring because it is heavily urbanised. There were record-breaking temperatures in June. Of course, there are others who will dispute this, but how blind could they be? Concern is mounting worldwide about the ever-increasing temperatures. Our country has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for measures to halt climate change and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has an ambitious plan to plant a million trees on Heritage Day. Wonderful idea! I hope this initiative gains ground and we can roll back climate change. | T Markandan Kloof DAILY NEWS
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Lingering questions over the mysterious death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste
There is still no vital information regarding the death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers More than a year after the mysterious death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste, vital information regarding his death remains unaccounted for, said a police source. Jooste, who was ordered to pay a R475 million fine for accounting fraud by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). However, he allegedly shot himself after police notified him that an arrest warrant had been issued against him. It was reported that he succumbed to a gunshot wound at his Cape Town residence in Hermanus, but questions surrounding the circumstances of his death remain a mystery Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The source said there was still no post-mortem and morgue number in the inquest docket and there was no proof of the weapon he allegedly used. The Western Cape police said in a statement yesterday that the allegations were unfounded, as a post-mortem had been conducted and the report had been filed in the docket for court purposes. 'The investigation into the death of the late Mr Jooste had been concluded and the docket was submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority to be placed on the court role where a formal inquest will be conducted. "The firearm used during the incident was subjected to ballistic tests. Thereafter, returned to the executor as the weapon was registered in the name of the deceased. A report of the ballistic test is filed in the docket for court purposes. The result of both reports will only be disclosed during the formal inquest hearing in court. The date is yet to be determined,' read the statement The FCSA said Jooste had played a role in the publishing of misleading financial statements about Steinhoff International Holdings. Fake transactions worth $6.5bn were made by Steinhoff executives in order to inflate profits, an audit by PwC found. Close to 98% of Steinhoff's share value was wiped out in 2017 when the accounting scandal first broke. Jooste resigned as chief executive but denied any knowledge of accounting fraud. He was also later fined for insider trading in 2020. Last week, a social justice movement, the Progressive Civics Congress (PCC) told IOL that the public deserves transparency and accountability over the scandal, adding that the silence from authorities raises suspicion. 'Jooste was involved in compromising the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds, amounting to R200 billion, belonging to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF)." "The Steinhoff scandal was a national issue, yet we have no answers about what happened to those pension funds. The public deserves transparency and accountability—and the silence from authorities raises suspicion.' The organisation further criticised the silence of labor unions, which traditionally advocated for workers' rights and oversight in such matters, saying their inaction may have contributed to the ongoing economic crisis, asserting that the loss of investment confidence and subsequent budget deficits have directly impacted ordinary citizens. Crime expert and violence monitor, Mary de Haas, also pointed out the broader issues of accountability and the integrity of investigations. She told IOL that provincial police commissioners have the authority to expedite inquiries but have seemingly done little to resolve the case or uncover the truth. 'Questions about whether Jooste truly died by suicide or was murdered remain unanswered,' de Haas said. 'The only way to find out is through the post-mortem report, but access to such crucial documents is often denied or delayed. Without it, we are left to speculate.' De Haas also highlighted the broader pattern of disappearances and unexplained deaths linked to political and financial scandals in South Africa, raising fears that some cases might be deliberately obscured to protect powerful interests.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The enigma of Markus Jooste's death
There is still no vital information regarding the death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste. Image: Aemand Hough More than a year has passed since the mysterious death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste, yet crucial details surrounding the incident remain elusive. A police source has revealed that vital information regarding his death is unaccounted for. Jooste, who was ordered to pay a R475 million fine for accounting fraud by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), allegedly shot himself after police notified him that an arrest warrant had been issued against him. It was reported that he succumbed to a gunshot wound at his Cape Town residence in Hermanus. However, questions surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unanswered. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The source said there is still no post-mortem and morgue number in the inquest docket and there is no proof of the weapon he allegedly used. The Western Cape police on Tuesday said these allegations were unfounded as a post-mortem had been conducted and the post-mortem report had been filed in the docket for court purposes. 'The investigation into the death of the late Mr Jooste had been concluded and the docket was submitted to the NPA to be placed on the court role where a formal inquest will be conducted. "The firearm used during the incident was subjected to ballistic tests and thereafter returned to the executor as the weapon was registered in the name of the deceased. A report of the ballistic test is filed in the docket for court purposes. The result of both reports will only be disclosed during the formal inquest hearing in court. The date is yet to be determined.' The FCSA said Jooste had played a role in the publishing of misleading financial statements about Steinhoff International Holdings. Fake transactions worth $6.5bn were made by Steinhoff executives in order to inflate profits, an audit by PwC found. Close to 98% of Steinhoff's share value was wiped out in 2017 when the accounting scandal first broke. Jooste resigned as chief executive but denied any knowledge of accounting fraud. He was also later fined for insider trading in 2020. Last week, a social justice movement, the Progressive Civics Congress (PCC) told IOL that the public deserves transparency and accountability over the scandal, adding that the silence from authorities raises suspicion. 'Jooste was involved in compromising the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds, amounting to R200 billion belonging to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF)." "The Steinhoff scandal was a national issue, yet we have no answers about what happened to those pension funds. The public deserves transparency and accountability—and the silence from authorities raises suspicion.' The organisation further criticised the silence of labor unions, which traditionally advocate for workers' rights and oversight in such matters, saying their inaction may have contributed to the ongoing economic crisis, asserting that the loss of investment confidence and subsequent budget deficits have directly impacted ordinary citizens. Crime expert and violence monitor, Mary de Haas, also pointed out the broader issues of accountability and the integrity of investigations. She told IOL that provincial police commissioners have the authority to expedite inquiries but have seemingly done little to resolve the case or uncover the truth. 'Questions about whether Jooste truly died by suicide or was murdered remain unanswered,' de Haas said. 'The only way to find out is through the post-mortem report, but access to such crucial documents is often denied or delayed. Without it, we are left to speculate.' De Haas also highlighted the broader pattern of disappearances and unexplained deaths linked to political and financial scandals in South Africa, raising fears that some cases might be deliberately obscured to protect powerful interests. Cape Argus
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Markus Jooste's death remains wrapped in mystery
There is still no vital information regarding the death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers More than a year after the mysterious death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste, vital information regarding his death is unaccounted for, a police source has said. Jooste, who was ordered to pay a R475 million fine for accounting fraud by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), allegedly shot himself after police notified him that an arrest warrant had been issued against him. It was reported that he succumbed to a gunshot wound at his Cape Town residence in Hermanus. However, questions surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unanswered. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The source said there is still no post-mortem and morgue number in the inquest docket and there is no proof of the weapon he allegedly used. The Western Cape police on Tuesday said these allegations were unfounded as a post-mortem had been conducted and the post-mortem report had been filed in the docket for court purposes. 'The investigation into the death of the late Mr Jooste had been concluded and the docket was submitted to the NPA to be placed on the court role where a formal inquest will be conducted. "The firearm used during the incident was subjected to ballistic tests and thereafter returned to the executor as the weapon was registered in the name of the deceased. A report of the ballistic test is filed in the docket for court purposes. The result of both reports will only be disclosed during the formal inquest hearing in court. The date is yet to be determined.' The FCSA said Jooste had played a role in the publishing of misleading financial statements about Steinhoff International Holdings. Fake transactions worth $6.5bn were made by Steinhoff executives in order to inflate profits, an audit by PwC found. Close to 98% of Steinhoff's share value was wiped out in 2017 when the accounting scandal first broke. Jooste resigned as chief executive but denied any knowledge of accounting fraud. He was also later fined for insider trading in 2020. Last week, a social justice movement, the Progressive Civics Congress (PCC) told IOL that the public deserves transparency and accountability over the scandal, adding that the silence from authorities raises suspicion. 'Jooste was involved in compromising the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds, amounting to R200 billion belonging to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF)." "The Steinhoff scandal was a national issue, yet we have no answers about what happened to those pension funds. The public deserves transparency and accountability—and the silence from authorities raises suspicion.' The organisation further criticised the silence of labor unions, which traditionally advocate for workers' rights and oversight in such matters, saying their inaction may have contributed to the ongoing economic crisis, asserting that the loss of investment confidence and subsequent budget deficits have directly impacted ordinary citizens. Crime expert and violence monitor, Mary de Haas, also pointed out the broader issues of accountability and the integrity of investigations. She told IOL that provincial police commissioners have the authority to expedite inquiries but have seemingly done little to resolve the case or uncover the truth. 'Questions about whether Jooste truly died by suicide or was murdered remain unanswered,' de Haas said. 'The only way to find out is through the post-mortem report, but access to such crucial documents is often denied or delayed. Without it, we are left to speculate.' De Haas also highlighted the broader pattern of disappearances and unexplained deaths linked to political and financial scandals in South Africa, raising fears that some cases might be deliberately obscured to protect powerful interests.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Smoke, mirrors, and a dead CEO: Who's hiding what in the Markus Jooste death mystery?
Former Steinhoff chief executive Markus Jooste. Steinhoff's Asian business has secured new funding and rebranded under the name Greenlit. Photo: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA) The Silence of Authorities: Investigating the Death of former Steinhof CEO Markus Jooste Image: Aemand Hough It has been over a year since the mysterious death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste. Yet, questions surrounding the circumstances of his demise remain unanswered, sparking concerns about the authorities' lack of transparency. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has maintained silence on the investigation, offering no updates or explanations about the case. Officially, Jooste was said to have died by suicide last year, but details remain scarce. Reports indicate that Jooste succumbed to a gunshot wound at his Cape Town residence in Hermanus, but crucial questions linger: Were witnesses present? Was a proper investigation conducted? And what do the post-mortem reports reveal? A day before his death, Jooste was under intense scrutiny from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), which had imposed a R475 million administrative fine on him for accounting irregularities linked to his former company, Steinhoff. The fallout from the scandal had already shaken South Africa's financial sector, with allegations that Jooste's actions had jeopardised billions of rand in public funds. The Progressive Civics Congress (PCC), a social justice organization, has expressed frustration over the lack of progress. Deputy Secretary Sipho Shange expressed concern over 'the unresolved questions surrounding Jooste's death' and the broader implications for public accountability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Jooste was involved in compromising the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds, amounting to R200 billion belonging to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF),' Shange stated. 'The Steinhoff scandal was a national issue, yet we have no answers about what happened to those pension funds. 'The public deserves transparency and accountability—and the silence from authorities raises suspicion.' Shange further criticized the silence of labor unions, which traditionally advocate for workers' rights and oversight in such matters. He argued that their inaction may have contributed to the ongoing economic crisis, asserting that the loss of investment confidence and subsequent budget deficits have directly impacted ordinary citizens. Adding to the concerns, Mary de Haas, a renowned crime expert and violence monitor, pointed out the broader issues of accountability and the integrity of investigations. She said provincial police commissioners have the authority to expedite inquiries but have seemingly done little to resolve the case or uncover the truth. 'Questions about whether Jooste truly died by suicide or was murdered remain unanswered,' de Haas said. 'The only way to find out is through the post-mortem report, but access to such crucial documents is often denied or delayed. Without it, we are left to speculate.' De Haas also highlighted the broader pattern of disappearances and unexplained deaths linked to political and financial scandals in South Africa, raising fears that some cases might be deliberately obscured to protect powerful interests. As of the last official update to IOL early this year, Western Cape then acting police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut confirmed that the case remains under investigation, with no new developments reported. 'The docket concerning Markus Jooste's death is still open, and we are awaiting further findings,' Traut stated. Once a prominent business mogul, Jooste's career was marred by scandal, culminating in the exposure of fraudulent activities that cost the South African economy nearly R200 billion. His death has left many questions about the stewardship of public funds and the accountability of those entrusted with South Africa's economic stability. As the 13-month mark passes, the public, civil society, and victims of financial misconduct continue to demand answers. However, the silence from authorities only deepens suspicion, highlighting the urgent need for transparency in uncovering the truth behind Markus Jooste's death and safeguarding public trust. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe and the Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novelwa Potane did not respond to IOL. IOL Politics
