Markus Jooste’s shock suicide has left many South Africans reeling, particularly the community of Hermanus, where he spent his last few days. The former Steinhoff CEO lived in a mega-mansion previously owned by Johann Rupert.
The holiday home was one of many properties owned by Jooste, who reportedly shot and killed himself on Thursday, 21 March.
The 63-year-old’s death comes a day after he had been slapped with a R475 million fine for accounting fraud at the multinational holding company.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, a warrant of arrest had been issued for Jooste.
MARKUS JOOSTE FINAL MOMENTS DOCUMENTED
According to Biz News’s Alec Hogg, Markus Jooste took his final steps down the famous Hermanus Cliff Path Walk. At the end of a trail, shielded by rocks on the Kwaaiwater Beach, he reportedly shot himself in the head.
In a clip posted on YouTube, the blood splatters were still visible on the morning after the shooting.
Hogg said in the clip: “The blood is still evident. As you can see, there is still evidence of what happened and where it happened”.
Blood was also visible along the pathway where medical personnel had carried Jooste.
According to a local car guard, the businessman had used a silencer to reduce the sound of his gunshot. He died shortly after arriving at the Hermanus Mediclinic, reported the Citizen.
HERMANUS HOLIDAY HOME WHERE HE SPENT HIS LAST DAYS
As documented through the years, Markus Jooste owned multiple assets, including flashy cars and million-rand mansions.
This included the Lanzerac wine estate in Stellenbosch and the Klawervlei stud farm in Langebaan. According to the Huffington Post, Jooste began the construction of a waterfront home in Hermanus in 2017.
A plot of land near Poole’s Bay had been excavated, and the house was expected to be the “most expensive” in the seaside town, according to the publication.
However, construction was halted for unknown reasons shortly after.
According to TimesLive, Jooste was embroiled in a community dispute in 2019 as a fence surrounding the stalled property had partially blocked access to the famous cliff footpath.
Meanwhile, Markus Jooste owned another Hermanus property, which was also a stone’s throw away from the Hermanus Cliff Path Walk.
The mansion – or “compound” – bought from Johann Rupert, spans two plots and has two entrances, and is valued at over R80 million, claims Daily Maverick.
Jooste lived in the home with his wife and their three children.
Take a look at the home where he spent his last days…
#Steinhoff: Holiday compound: Markus Jooste’s other house in Hermanus, which he bought from the Rupert family. (Picture: Edrea du Toit) pic.twitter.com/ftmoi19liq
— News24 Business (@News24_Business) December 11, 2017