Almost a month after the alleged suicide, police have yet to provide any information about the whereabouts of Markus Jooste's body or funeral plans. In fact, they haven't been able to confirm his death either.
Last month, Jooste died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on a beach in Hermanus.
The 63-year-old's mysterious death came a day after he was fined R475 million for accounting fraud at multinational holding company Steinhoff.
The National Prosecuting Authority said he had a notice of arrest warrant in his name.
However, authorities insist they are currently investigating the details of the shooting death of a wanted white-collar criminal.
Where is Markus Jooste? Police have little information
according to Sunday Independent, Police do not yet have information about Markus Jooste's death or the whereabouts of his body.
The businessman is believed to have committed suicide by shooting himself in the head on a rock on Quiwater Beach in Hermanus, near his holiday home.
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut insisted that inquiries regarding the whereabouts of bodies in relation to pathology and morgues should be directed to the Department of Health.
He said: “On the other hand, the number of police officers responding to emergencies is certainly a relevant issue for SAPS…For operational reasons, the deployment numbers are not disclosed to the media.
“In conclusion, please note that the inquest record into the death of Markus Jooste is still under investigation and there are no new developments to report at this stage.”
Hours after the shooting allegedly occurred, police released the following statement: “Following the death of a 63-year-old man earlier today, we can confirm that Hermanus SAPS has opened a coroner's report for further investigation.
“At approximately 2:40 p.m., police were called to a shooting incident at Quiwater Beach in Hermanus. The deceased succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound to the head shortly after arriving at a private hospital.”
When is Markus Jooste's funeral? Roger Bosch (AFP)
The end of the wanted man
According to Biz News' Alec Hogg, Markus Jooste has taken his final steps on the famous Hermanus Cliff Path Walk. He reportedly shot himself in the head at the end of a rock-protected path at Quiwater Beach.
The location is a stone's throw from his mansion in a coastal town.
A local vehicle guard said the businessman was using a silencer to muffle the sound of the gunshots. He died shortly after arriving at the Hermanus clinic. Citizen.
No body, no funeral?
There is no news of his body, and the authorities have remained silent about Markus Jooste's funeral.
On social media, South Africans expressed surprise at the news, comparing Mr Jooste to Thabo Bester, a convicted fraudster who faked his death to thwart his escape from prison.
They also compared him to fellow white-collar criminals Gavin Watson and Brett Kebble.
