Former Steinhoff legal head granted R150 000 bail

THE Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday granted bail of R150 000 to former Steinhoff legal head, Stephanus Johannes Grobler.

Grobler appeared in court yesterday after spending the weekend in jail.

“He appeared in court on Friday and the case was postponed to Monday for bail judgment where he was granted R150 000 bail with conditions.

“Grobler will appear again in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on June 26,” said Colonel Katlego Mogale, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks).

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, in terms of his bail conditions, Grobler is to report to Brooklyn police station twice a week, on Monday and Friday.

“He must hand over his two passports to the investigating officer and is not allowed to apply for a new one. He must hand over his two firearms to the police. He is not allowed to leave Gauteng province without informing the investigation officer and he must not interfere with state witnesses,” the NPA said.

Grobler was arrested on charges of fraud, racketeering activities and contravention of the Financial Markets Act in connection with activities at Steinhoff International Holdings.

He was scheduled to appear alongside former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste. However, Jooste died by suicide near his Hermanus home last week.

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed that an inquest docket was under investigation.

Jooste’s death follows a penalty of R475 million imposed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) after finding that he contributed to the publication of misleading or deceptive financial statements about the company.

On Friday, the FSCA said Jooste’s death had no impact on their investigation.

“The investigation will continue as there are not other investigated parties involved. The Authority will also continue to assist the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) with any investigations that they may have under way,” the authority said.