Steinhoff, the international holdings company, is at the centre of a property dispute in Stellenbosch its former headquarters before its unravelling in 2017 when the group’s share prices plunged 98% on the JSE after irregular accounting transactions came to the fore.
The property, Sawmill, is a remnant of Steinhoff’s presence in Stellenbosch now holding only two properties and a small corporate office as the corporate group has been closely associated with the town for years.
Besides the group’s headquarters being situated in the town before the scandal, Steinhoff had also started sponsoring student rugby in Stellenbosch before becoming the sponsor for national rugby. Some of the key role players in the group’s downfall, including former CEO Markus Jooste, hail from the town.