Markus Jooste

Disgraced former Steinhoff International CEO Markus Jooste reportedly committed suicide during an arrest on Thursday, 21 March. Image: AFP/RODGER BOSCH

JUST IN: Arrest warrant issued for former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste

A German court issued an arrest warrant for former CEO of scandal-ridden retailer Steinhoff International Holdings NV, Markus Jooste.

Markus Jooste

Disgraced former Steinhoff International CEO Markus Jooste reportedly committed suicide during an arrest on Thursday, 21 March. Image: AFP/RODGER BOSCH

A German court issued an arrest warrant for former chief executive officer (CEO) of scandal-ridden retailer Steinhoff International Holdings NV, Markus Jooste.

ALSO READ | SARS tax season: Self-assessments – everything you need to know

According to Bloomberg, this comes after he failed to show up for trial in the country.

DIARISE | When is the next long weekend in South Africa?

A warrant was issued a fortnight ago by the Regional Court of Oldenburg after Jooste failed to turn up for his trial on 18 April this year.

Jooste reportedly couldn’t travel as he didn’t have access to his passport under an arrangement with South African authorities.

HELPFUL | SASSA: The EIGHT payment grants South Africans can apply for

Who is Markus Jooste?

Jooste, now 62, was born in Pretoria on 22 January 1961.

His father was a postal worker and an avid horse race punter, instilling also in his son an interest in the races.

Jooste matriculated from Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool (Affies) in 1978.

VIRAL | ‘Where are they now?’: Springbok class of Rugby World Cup 1995

Prior to the 2017 fallout in his business empire, he donated R10 million to the school’s old boys trust in his personal capacity. The donation has since been ring-fenced pending possible claims.

He obtained a BAcc degree from Stellenbosch University in 1982 and subsequently obtained an honours degree at the University of Cape Town while completing his CA(SA) articles at a company then owned by Christo Wiese.

REMINDER | School calendar: Here’s when schools will break up in June 2023