Police minister Senzo Mchunu has announced the closing of the culpable homicide case concerning the late former boss of Bosasa, Gavin Watson, following an inquest by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court three months ago.

Mchunu made the announcement in a response to parliamentary questions from DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach regarding the release of autopsy reports for both Watson and the late former CEO of Steinhoff International.

Watson died when the car he was driving, a company Toyota Corolla, hit a bridge pillar near the OR Tambo International Airport on August 26, 2019, near the OR Tambo International Airport while Jooste committed suicide last year in Hermanus on March 21.

Mchunu said the investigation into Watson’s culpable homicide case was completed after autopsy and toxicology reports were received, following a significant delay by the Department of Health.

“The finalised case docket was forwarded to the office of the Senior Public Prosecutor on 2024/09/24, for a decision regarding prosecution,” he said.

Mchunu also said an inquest was held earlier this year at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on May 30, resulting in the closure of the case.

“The findings of the Inquest Court, in terms of Section 16 of the Inquest Act, 1959 (Act No. 58 of 1959), resulted in the closing of the case of culpable homicide that had been registered,” he said.

Turning to Jooste’s case, Mchunu said an inquest was conducted in the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court after the death of Jooste, due to his apparent suicide on March 21, 2024.

“The post-mortem report was received on 25 April 2024. The blood/alcohol report was received on 2024/08/08 and the ballistic report was received on 16 October.”

In March, Mchunu indicated in a parliamentary reply to Breytenbach that Jooste’s ballistic and blood alcohol reports were still outstanding.

At the time of his death, Jooste had been under investigation for his actions linked to the collapse of Steinhoff International, where he faced charges of fraud and racketeering.

Jooste and former Steinhoff company secretary and head of legal, Stephanus Grobler, were told through their legal representatives on March 20, 2024, to hand themselves over to the Hawks two days later.

Mchunu said at the time Jooste and his legal representatives were aware of the investigation since its inception in 2018 and that there was no evidence that he intended to flee from South Africa.

When the Randburg Magistrate’s Court last year issued the warrant of his arrest on March 20, the investigators had circulated the warrant of arrest on the electronic system of the Department of Home Affairs to alert all ports of entry and exit of the existence of the arrest warrant.

“This step was taken to prevent Jooste from leaving the Republic of South Africa,” Mchunu said.

He also said the investigators had then informed Jooste’s legal representatives that he should report to the Pretoria Central police station on March 22, 2024.

 “The SAPS investigators circulated the arrest warrant timeously to prevent Jooste from leaving the Republic of South Africa.”

He also said his legal representatives were advised because of their previous commitment that he would hand himself over.

“Neither the prosecutors and or the SAPS investigators could not have contemplated that Jooste would commit suicide,” he said.

“The SAPS had taken necessary measures to ensure he does not evade arrest by skipping the country. Therefore, the outcome remains unfortunate and there is no further consequence management considered to be necessary in this matter.”

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

Source link