Former Steinhoff Legal Head Stephanus Grobler Granted R150K Bail With Conditions

• Stephanus Grobler, Steinhoff's former legal head, spent the weekend of 24 March 2024 behind bars
• This was after he was arrested on 22 March in Pretoria and was given R150K bail
• The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court also imposed strict bail conditions on him

With nine years' experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.

PRETORIA – Steinhoff's former legal head, Stephanus Grobler, was released on R150,000 bail on Monday, 25 March, after he spent the previous weekend behind bars. He was arrested on 22 March on various charges.

Read also

Joslin Smith: Lourentia Lombaard abandons bail, South Africans anxious

Grobler granted R150,000 bail

According to IOL, Grobler was released by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after appearing last Friday, 22 March. He was charged with multiple fraud charges, a pattern of racketeering activities and contravening the Financial Markets Act for his part in the Steinhoff saga.

What bail conditions are imposed on Grobler?

Grobler has been instructed to report to the Brooklyn Police Station twice weekly. He was also ordered to hand over his passport and is prevented from applying for a new one. Two firearms are to be confiscated and he may not leave Gauteng without informing the investigating officer attached to his case.

South Africans not happy

Netizens commenting on @insightfactor's tweet are displeased with the amount of money he was charged after he was granted bail.

Read also

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng apologises for remarks about black lawyers

Trevor Miltonhof said:

“Matshela Koko was given R300,000 bail. This crook Stephanus is accused of at least 100% more than what Matshela Koko was in corruption but gets 50% less bail.”

Clips asked:

“Where is the CFO, Ben la Grange?”

Monna wa Motswana said:

“I overheard him talking about hanging himself.”

Msu Kan asked:

“Why? So he can also go and 'commit suicide'?”

Markus Jooste takes his own life

In a Steinhoff-related article, Briefly News reported that Steinhoff's former CEO, Markus Jooste, committed suicide.

Jooste allegedly shot himself at his home in Hermanus, Western Cape, when the police arrived to arrest him. His death came a day after he was ordered to pay R475 million for misrepresenting the company's financial statements.

Source: Briefly News