Steinhoff throws partners under the bus

[Click here for the web version of this email]( [Daily Maverick] Wednesday, 5 September 2018 While You Were Working [Steinhoff's Jooste's head firmly in sand]( Former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste has joined the chorus of executives who were blissfully ignorant of any irregularities at the firm. Speaking today at a joint parliamentary committee meeting, Jooste was quick to throw the firm's partners under the bus, conceding no blame on himself. This despite an SMS sent out to colleagues mentioning "big mistakes". If there was a spine somewhere in Jooste's designer suit this morning, it was well-hidden. [Russia bats no eyelids on Novichok suspects]( Russia has stated that the individuals suspected of the Salisbury Novichok poisonings "mean nothing" to them. British police identified Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov as the two suspects believed to have carried out the attack; an attack which Prime Minister Theresa May accused Russian intelligence of orchestrating. [Fire fighter killed in Joburg CBD fire]( A fire fighter has fallen to his death while battling a blaze in the upper floors of the Gauteng Department of Health in Johannesburg's CBD. Emergency services had responded to the fire this afternoon, believed to have been on the 23rd floor. At the time of writing, two other fire fighters remained trapped inside the inferno. [US trade deficit soars]( In case you're tired of watching the rand tank to record levels, be comforted in knowing we're not alone. The United States has recored a 9.5% increase in its trade deficit, bringing it to $50.1-billion. The Donald Trump-induced trade war has resulted in retaliatory measures driving down American exports and increasing import requirements. The opposite of what Trump promised, in other words. [Become an Insider]( Maverick Insider is more than just about financially supporting quality, independent journalism and keeping it accessible for all readers. It’s also about building a community with our loyal readers who want to share in unique experiences and help us write this new chapter of Daily Maverick. [Click here]( to get a closer look at the Truth. Featured Articles [Markus Jooste joins growing list of Steinhoff senior managers who claim they ‘did not know’ of accounting irregularities]( [Markus Jooste joins growing list of Steinhoff senior managers who claim they ‘did not know’ of accounting irregularities]( BY Marianne Merten [Human rights – We should not only target the state, our gaze needs to fall on private actors too]( [Human rights – We should not only target the state, our gaze needs to fall on private actors too]( BY Mbuyiseli Madlanga [Minnesota Orchestra — an unprecedented multi-city tour to commemorate the meaning and memory of Nelson Mandela]( [Minnesota Orchestra — an unprecedented multi-city tour to commemorate the meaning and memory of Nelson Mandela]( BY J Brooks Spector Opinionistas [Call the Guptas’ bluff – let them testify by video link]( BY Professor Balthazar [The fibre of State Capture South Africa — note the Zuma imprint]( BY Susan Booysen [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND]( Copyright © 2018 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. You are receiving this mail because you are awesome and on the Daily Maverick Afternoon Thing subscriber list. Want to advertise in this mail? [Talk to us.](mailto:advertise@dailymaverick.co.za?subject=Advertising%20query%3A%20Afternoon%20Thing) [Getting too many emails from us? Manage your preferences]( | [Unsubscribe](