Steinhoff: Former head of legal appears in court
Former company secretary and head of legal at Steinhoff, Stephanus Johannes Grobler appeared in Court in Pretoria on Friday.
The former company secretary and head of legal at Steinhoff, Stephanus Johannes Grobler, appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday.
FORMER STEINHOFF HEAD OF LEGAL WAS IN COURT ON FRIDAY
Before its liquidation in October last year, Steinhoff reportedly demanded that Grobler pay back close to R300 million in salaries, bonuses and incentives.
This comes a day after former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste fatally shot himself.
Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, the Hawks spokesperson, stated that they issued arrest warrants against Jooste and Grobler on 20 March.
AUTHORITIES ISSUED WARRANTS OF ARREST FOR JOOSTE AND GROBLER ON WEDNESDAY
“The allegations include, amongst others, fraud, a pattern of racketeering activities, and contravention of Financial Markets Act against Steinhoff International Holdings.”
Mbambo furthermore secured exit routes before informing the defense about the requirement for the suspects to attend court, ensuring that none of them left the borders.
“The suspects were expected to hand themselves over at Pretoria Central Police Station and, after that, appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today.”Thandi Mbambo said.
HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE DEATH OF STEINHOFF’S MARKUS JOOSTE
The 63-year-old Jooste shot himself at his home in Hermanus. Hermanus is a seaside community about 120km south of Cape Town.
Western Cape police confirmed his death after social media speculation and conspiracy theories on Thursday.
“We can confirm that Hermanus SAPS opened an inquest docket for further investigation following the death of a 63-year-old man earlier today.
“Police were activated to attend to a shooting incident at about 14:40 at Kwaaiwater Beach in Hermanus.
“The deceased succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound to the head shortly after arrival at a private hospital. The investigation is ongoing,”police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said.
HE LEAVES BEHIND HIS WIFE, SON, AND TWO DAUGHTERS
Jooste’s death comes just one day after the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) fined him R475 million. The fines are for making and publishing false, misleading, or deceptive statements about the company.
That was in addition to a R20 million penalty previously levied by the regulator for insider trading.
With his wife, Ingrid, Jooste had a son and two daughters.
Significant achievements in the South African corporate sector marked his early career, propelling him to the pinnacle of his profession as the CEO of Steinhoff International. Steinhoff International is global retail conglomerate with operations across Europe, Africa, and Australia.