Jooste refuses to appear in parliament

DISGRACED former Steinhoff International chief executive Markus Jooste has refused to appear before four parliamentary committees probing the accounting irregularities scandal, saying his appearance would undermine his right to a fair trial.

Jooste was supposed to appear before the standing committee on finance, the standing committee on public accounts, the portfolio committee on public administration, and the portfolio committee on trade and industry this week to explain his role in the accounting scandal.

The accounting scandal crashed the Stellenboschbased furniture and household goods retailer’s share price last year, leading to billions of pensioners’ money lost. In a letter from his lawyers, De Klerk and Van Gend Attorneys, Jooste said he had “decided to respectfully decline the invitation to appear before the three committees”.

“In addition, the Financial Services Board (FSB) is currently in the process of investigating the Steinhoff matter.

“The FSB has summonsed our client in terms of the Financial Markets Act, No 19 of 2012, to be interrogated on a wide range of issues pertaining to Steinhoff.”

Jooste’s lawyers also said that since various criminal complaints have been lodged, as well as the fact that the Hawks have indicated they are investigating criminal complaints against Jooste, all indications were that he would probably be prosecuted. “Appearing before the committees to be questioned on Steinhoff will, in these circumstances, undermine our client’s right to a fair trial guaranteed in section 35(3) of the constitution.”

The committees said they would, in consultation with Parliament’s legal service unit, decide today whether to subpoena Jooste and would inform the Speaker’s Office. – African News Agency (ANA)