The unexpected suicide of Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste on Thursday, 21 March, has left many people shocked and drawing comparisons to the death of fellow South African businessman Gavin Watson in 2019.
Social media users are now speculating and spreading conspiracy theories that both individuals may have faked their deaths. According to reports, Jooste allegedly shot himself in the head near his luxury home in Hermanus, Western Cape, and passed away shortly after being taken to the Hermanus Medi-Clinic.
Just one day before his suicide, Jooste was hit with a massive fine of R475 million for accounting irregularities at his international firm.
This fine came as a result of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) issuing penalties to Jooste and former European financial director Dirk Schreiber for their involvement in “false and misleading” financial statements related to Steinhoff International between 2014 and 2017.
It is worth noting that Schreiber is currently serving a prison sentence in Germany for credit fraud.
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The Western Cape police have opened a death inquest case docket at the Hermanus police station to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jooste’s death.
Colonel André Traut, speaking to various media outlets, stated that no foul play is suspected at this stage. The investigation is ongoing, and more information will likely be revealed as the case progresses.
The shocking nature of Jooste’s suicide, combined with the similarities to Gavin Watson’s death, has fueled speculation and conspiracy theories on social media.
Some individuals believe that both Jooste and Watson may still be alive and have faked their deaths to escape legal consequences. It is important to note that these theories are purely speculative and lack any substantial evidence to support them.
Markus Jooste was widely regarded as the mastermind behind one of South Africa’s biggest corporate fraud cases. The collapse of Steinhoff International, once a global retail giant, sent shockwaves through the business world and caused significant financial losses for investors.
Jooste’s suicide marks a tragic end to a career that was once celebrated but ultimately tarnished by allegations of fraud and deceit.
Markus Jooste just Gavin Watson (ed) himself. This is how stuff works in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/XZDbPpZS9w
— TSOGANG (@Tsogang3) March 22, 2024
Marcus Jooste running into Gavin Watson in The Canary Islandspic.twitter.com/2yJMnXIUDf
— Biko (@Bikomfident) March 22, 2024
Gavin Watson & Markus Jooste on their private island pic.twitter.com/kaCHdXfRiA
— Miv (@M1VUYO) March 21, 2024
Gavin Watson on his way to fetch Markus Jooste from an unknown airport in the world: https://t.co/7oJE1PhJhc pic.twitter.com/oNzVMuUG2r
— Timothéss of Chalamendeley (@NeoMasoeu) March 21, 2024
Gavin Watson and Markus Jooste bumping into each other on a private island with no extradition pic.twitter.com/v4P04LAzVO
— Erwin Smith (@MrImJustSayin) March 21, 2024
Gavin Watson to Markus Jooste ko Greece!
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) March 21, 2024
