In the opinion pages today, former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste still has one man he can call on during his time of need after the SA Reserve Bank raided his property this week. Meanwhile, Tony Leon writes about the fight for survival for British prime minister Liz Truss.
The man still backing Markus Jooste
Former Steinhoff chief executive Markus Jooste is surely a lonely man with few friends to call on following the stunning collapse of Steinhoff’s share price in 2017 and subsequent allegations of financial irregularities committed by Jooste.
This week the SA Reserve Bank moved against the former CEO and raided his properties, but FM editor Rob Rose writes that Jooste can still count on at least one business associate as a friend. Braam van Huyssteen, founder of Tekkie Town and Mr Tekkie, took out a R75.4 million mortgage on Jooste’s Hermanus home in December last year. (Financial Mail, for subscribers)
With the ‘shelf life of a lettuce’, there’s little doubt Liz will soon be trussed
Former SA opposition leader Tony Leon opines that British PM Liz Truss may soon be out of a job as the stunning backlash over her proposed economic plan continues to backfire spectacularly on the Tory leader. Truss only assumed the premiership on September 6 and is already facing the prospect of being ousted from the post following an economic meltdown and upheaval among Tory MPs in parliament.
Speaking with a Conservative MP, Leon writes that his British colleague and friend thinks the chaos currently engulfing the British government and Truss’s stay at 10 Downing Street makes South African politics look “dull and stable” by comparison. (Times LIVE, for subscribers)
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
- EDITORIAL: Raid on Jooste’s assets highlights lame-duck NPA – Business Day (for subscribers)
- Pieter du Toit | Ramaphosa, Mantashe, Sisulu: Expectations are so low, ‘mediocrity would be a triumph’ – News24 (for subscribers)
- FIRST TAKE | Stellenbosch won’t shed any tears for Markus Jooste, as Rupert’s premonition comes true – News24 (for subscribers)
- ANC’s way of being a government of reaction is disheartening – The Citizen (for subscribers)
- Phala Phala allegations spark non-stop online campaign to stoke dissent against Ramaphosa – Daily Maverick
