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Mail & Guardian

First Strut

latest news & developments
Veri-Com’s chief executive, Deon Oberholzer, says his company did not issue a BEE certificate to First Strut. (Supplied)
FIRST STRUT

First Strut: How to fake BEE credentials

The firm’s empowerment certificates were plainly fraudulent – and evidence suggests it wasn’t alone.

  • Phillip De Wet
6 min read
Many of his co-workers describe Wiggill as shy and retiring, though generous to a fault. (Supplied)
FIRST STRUT

Who was Jeff Wiggill?

Jeff Wiggill, the billionaire founder of one of SA’s largest business empires, was killed on a dusty road outside Soweto. But who was he really?

  • Phillip De Wet
3 min read
Truck drivers doing their jobs face the risk of violence from striking colleagues.
FIRST STRUT

Suspect: Jeff Wiggill was being stalked

The man suspected in First Strut boss’s death swears he’s innocent, hints at contract killing.

  • Phillip De Wet
  • Sally Evans
9 min read
First Strut’s Andy Bertulis has denied any wrongdoing. (Clarissa Sosin, M&G)
FIRST STRUT

First Strut: ’20 years of mega fraud’

A clearer picture has emerged of what might be one of South Africa’s largest business frauds, following the implosion of industrial group First Strut.

  • Phillip De Wet
11 min read
FIRST STRUT

Medupi, the murder and the mega fraud

Allegations of fraud related to Eskom’s ill-starred Medupi and Kusile power station projects have begun to emerge from the collapse of First Strut.

  • Sam Sole
  • Sally Evans
7 min read
Funny figure: President Jacob Zuma
FIRST STRUT

First Strut’s Wiggill may have planned own death

But some think First Strut boss’s "suicide" sparked an opportunistic plot to cover up massive fraud.

  • Phillip De Wet
  • Sam Sole
5 min read