A German billionaire businessman who is believed to have faked his death and is living with his mistress in another country has been compared to South Africa's Markus Jooste.
Like the former CEO of Steinhoff, Karl Elivan Haub led a multinational holding company in the retail industry. It is also said that both men have mistresses who support them financially.
According to the latest reports, police have not been able to confirm the death of Jooste, who reportedly died by suicide last month.
German businessman fakes death, found with mistress
In 2018, Tengelmann CEO Karl Erivan Haub mysteriously disappeared while on a ski trip to Switzerland.
As an experienced skier, he was planning to participate in the world's largest ski touring race, the Patrouil des Glaciers, and had been participating for several years.
A week after he went missing, Haub's family presumed him dead and gave up the search. He was declared legally dead three years later in 2021. The search was officially called off by authorities several months later.
During this time, his brother Christian was appointed CEO in his absence, according to the Associated Press.
Fast forward to the present day, the Express reported that an investigation revealed that Haub was allegedly living a false life in Moscow with his Russian spy mistress Veronika Yermilova.
On social media, many are comparing the German businessman's actions to SA's Markus Jooste, who also appears to have disappeared without a trace.
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.
Like Haub, Jooste is also believed to have been in a relationship with his younger lover Berdin Odendaal. Daily Maverick.
Reply to user X's tweet about Haub @German tank_BW posted: “I know some billionaires who have passed away but are living well elsewhere.”
This is an exclusive millionaire/billionaire club
This club is good at disappearing 🤦♂️
Gavin Watson Marcus Jooste pic.twitter.com/Rj5BJZzc4x
— Maki Marish (@MakiMarish) April 18, 2024
@sweerie_ “It's been 6 years since Markus Jooste,'' he tweeted. @SaraMahomed1 “Marcus will also surface… it's just a matter of time.”
Radio and television personality Anele Mdoda agreed, tweeting: “Markus Jooste's neighbor.”
Is Markus Jooste really dead?
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.”
There is no news of his body, and the authorities have remained silent about Markus Jooste's funeral.
