Markus Jooste reportedly commits suicide shortly after fine

I guess I would be accused of misplaced sympathy, but I question whether a regulatory body should be allowed to impose a fine of that magnitude. At the least there should be an enquiry as to ability to pay the fine and the personal circumstances of the accused. I also wonder whether a formal charge sheet was drawn up and to what extent the accused had the rights afforded in a criminal case. Is proof beyond reasonable doubt, is there an appeal process and are the "judges" qualified to evaluate cases like this. Are the proceedings accessible to the public and is the evidence recorded? Similarly, is there a formal judgement replete with reasons for the decision?


Despite the man's alleged crimes  (none of which were ever proved in a court of law), he was still a human being with at least a wife (or former wife perhaps), a "mistress" (shorn of her income) and three children. As far as I can gather, the authorities are still grappling with the complexities of the case and it may well be asked to what extent they actually have a grip on the case.

I have also raised the question earlier why he was seemingly singled out, where the other people involved are and whether they were simply used to gang up on him? At the very least (one of my earlier comments) where were the auditors and armies of accountants to draw the statements and check the information. To say that he was the masterbrain, under the circumstances, seems a gross simplification given the scope of the enterprise and a resort to exaggerated  metaphor.  

Edited to add: Some of the points I raise here is made in the US context as well by Turley in relation to the massive fine Trump has to pay

Whatever he may have done, I'm glad that he deprived this particular 'system' of the satisfaction to see him in court or in jail.

I have the same sentiment to, for example, Göring: Whatever monstrous criminal he may have been, I'm delighted that he showed a big fúckyou to the sanctimonious sods who presumed to sit in judgement on him. I mostly think: "Well. good on you."