JOHANNESBURG - The hawks have confirmed that it is not in the possession of the passport of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jootse.
Jooste did not attend his criminal trial in Germany on Tuesday with his defense team saying he had passport problems and that he ran the risk of being arrested if he tried to leave South Africa.
German prosecutors have been scathing and say Jooste's defence team did not do enough to get the alleged fraudster to Germany.
The judges will decide Jooste's fate behind closed doors, and we will know their decision within a few weeks.
Jooste is reportedly only facing two charges, as the other four have lapsed.
Markus Jooste's co-accused, George Alan Evans, is however present in the Oldenburg court.
He was named by Steinhoff CEO, Louis du Preez, as one of eight suspects uncovered in PwC's forensic fraud investigation.