Markus Jooste and Gavin Watson: ‘Suspicious’ death comparison
South Africans are convinced that disgraced businessman, Markus Jooste is sipping cocktails on a private island with Gavin Watson.
The shock suicide by Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste on Thursday, 21 March, has drawn shocking similarities to fellow South African businessman Gavin Watson’s demise in 2019.
And many social media users are running wild with conspiracy theories that both are likely alive and well after “faking” their deaths.
According to Sowetan, Jooste allegedly shot himself in the head near his luxury home in Hermanus in the Western Cape. He died shortly after arriving at the Hermanus Medi-Clinic.
Just one day earlier, the 63-year-old had been slapped with a R475 million fine over accounting irregularities at his international firm.
Jooste was widely hailed as the mastermind behind SA’s biggest corporate fraud cases.
MARKUS JOOSTE SHOCK SUICIDE BEFORE HANDING HIMSELF IN
On Thursday, 21 March – Human Rights Day – South Africans were hit with the news that disgraced former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste had taken his own life.
Western Cape police confirmed that a death inquest case docket has been opened at the Hermanus police station.
Colonel Andrè Traut told several media outlets: “It is alleged that the victim sustained a gunshot wound at around 14h40 at Kwaaiwater and succumbed to death on his way to hospital. No foul play is suspected at this stage. The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated”.
On Wednesday, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) issued a whopping R475 million fine to Markus Jooste and former European financial director Dirk Schreiber over their “false and misleading” financial statements relating to Steinhoff International from 2014 to 2017.
Schrieber is currently serving a prison sentence in Germany over credit fraud.
According to Mail & Guardian, FSCA handed over the investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks) for a criminal investigation.
The publication cites that Jooste was planning to hand himself over to the Hawks.
GAVIN WATSON, EDWIN SODI TREND AMID NEWS
With a cloud of suspicion over Markus Jooste’s death, many South Africans on social media have revisited the mysterious fatal car crash of fellow controversial businessman, Gavin Watson.
Watson was the former CEO of African Global Operations, previously known as Bosasa, which was implicated in a state capture report just months before his 2019 death.
Despite reports indicating he had died in the crash, social media users have remained adamant that Watson “faked” his death, reportedly en route to the OR Tambo International airport.
On the X platform, Saffas have accused Jooste of “faking” his deaths, similar to his financial records…
@ThisIsMduh: “Markus will be cremated. His funeral will be a private family affair. No one will see his dead body. Off to an island to retire…happily ever after. Straight from Gavin Watson’s rule book”
@ChristoThurston: “Markus Jooste shot himself? It is possible to buy your own death certificate and a new identity if you are wealthy enough”
@SiyaMiti_the1st: “If Markus Jooste can fake accounting records worth 100s of billions, he sure can fake his own death. Just saying”
Others, have posted countless memes comparing Jooste and Watson’s “escape plan.”
Take a look…
Gavin Watson to Markus Jooste ko Greece!
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) 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
Others have advised fellow high-profile businessman Edwin Sodi to take notes. The ANC “tenderpreneur” is known for his many controversial business dealings.
Like Markus Jooste, Sodi was also in the hot seat, thanks to a R250 million tender probe, ordered by government. He is currently facing charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
To make matters worse, he was also recently slapped with a R400 million tax bill.
Abuti Edwin Sodi do you see the trend here? 🤔….. Markus Jooste …. Gavin Watson. pic.twitter.com/7EHdao5W5o
— Sechaba Mokholela (@Sechabz) March 21, 2024