The Wolf Of Stellenbosch: Markus Jooste And The Making Of A Financial Scandal

When I first read Rob Roses bombshell book Steinheist in 2018, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor a few times. The dreadful revelations of blatant corporate corruption are even more astonishing when viewed on screen.

Carrying the same title as the book, the Showmax original docuseries Steinheist explores South Africas biggest corporate fraud, involving retail giant Steinhoff.

Its a story reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster, filled with fraudulent accounting, fast living, race horses, a mistress and a cabal of oligarchs the Stellenbosch mafia. In real life, former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste played the lead, with an award-winning performance of denial and deflection.

The first instalment of Steinheist left many viewers in shock and disbelief. The three episodes aired in 2022 give context to the genesis of the accounting irregularities which led to R1.4 billion of Joostes assets being frozen by the Reserve Bank.

This was followed by a 20-year ban and a R15 million fine from the JSE his record R475 million fine from The Financial Sector Conduct Authority his police summons to stand trial and the seizure of R60 million of assets from Berdine Odendaal, his alleged mistress.