NPA 'hugely disappointed' Markus Jooste won't get his day in court
Jooste took his own life on a beach in Hermanus last month on the eve of his pending arrest - leaving former Steinhoff executive Stephanus Grobler to face the music alone.
National Prosecuting Authority deputy head of prosecutions, Anton du Plessis (foreground), and the National Director of Prosecutions Shamila Batohi address the Cape Town Press Club on 25 April 2024. Picture: Lindsay Dentlinger/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s top brass say they are “hugely disappointed” that disgraced former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste will not get his day in court.
But the NPA believes after a case that’s taken more than six years to build – it will still get to the heart of Jooste’s alleged crimes.
Jooste took his own life on a beach in Hermanus last month on the eve of his pending arrest - leaving former Steinhoff executive Stephanus Grobler to face the music alone.
The NPA’s deputy head of prosecutions, Anton du Plessis, says investigating the complexity of Steinhoff’s corporate fraud came at a great risk to the prosecutor - who worked 14 hours a day to build a solid case.
However - speaking to the Cape Town Press Club on Thursday, Du Plessis said Jooste’s death won’t impact the ongoing investigation.
“So - it’s been hugely disappointing but for sure the NPA is totally committed to making sure the case proceeds and to make sure the country knows what happens.”
NPA’s national director Shamila Batohi says she’s confident her prosecutors have mounted a watertight case.
“Towards the end of the matter we brought on board three private sector counsel in order to support the prosecution team, to make sure we have a really strong case.”
This week, the South African Reserve Bank succeeded in seizing over R60 million in assets believed to be linked to Steinhoff fraud.