
Steinheist
From the creators of Devilsdorp, Steinheist is a five-part documentary series about the biggest corporate scam in South African history.
On 6 December 2017, after CEO Markus Jooste resigned amid an investigation into accounting irregularities, Steinhoff’s share price plunged by 90% in a week, wiping over R200 billion off Johannesburg’s stock exchange, the JSE – and off ordinary South Africans’ pensions and investments. It was the biggest corporate scandal in South African history.
Five years later, the first three episodes of Steinheist set a new Showmax record for the most first-day views of any documentary. They were met with rave reviews and a public outcry about why Jooste was still a free man.
Steinheist went on to become the most-nominated documentary going into the SAFTAs, with director Richard Gregory and producer Elle Oosthuizen named the Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year for 2022 – the first TV journalists to win the prize in nearly a decade. The duo also won the Broadcast: TV and Video category award.
Now two new episodes pick up the story a month after the documentary’s 2022 release, when the Reserve Bank seized R1.4bn of Jooste’s assets. From his pursuit by German authorities to his record R475m fine from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, to his police summons to stand trial, the new episodes trace how the net tightened around Jooste in the build-up to his suicide on a rocky beach in Hermanus on 21 March 2024.
Steinheist is made by multi-award-winning true crime pioneers IdeaCandy (Devilsdorp, Tracking Thabo Bester, Rosemary’s Hitlist, School Ties).
More like this

Flight 149: Hostage of War (2025)
When Flight 149 landed in Kuwait, its passengers became pawns in Saddam's invasion, held as human shields. Decades later, survivors seek justice and the truth.

Tracking Thabo Bester
A documentary about the convicted murderer and rapist who faked his own death. All episodes are on Showmax.

5 reasons to pick up HBO’s Telemarketers
Scam caller alert! Five reasons to find out who’s really cashing in on a job that everyone hates, in the HBO documentary series The Telemarketers.

Telemarketers
Two former telemarketers team up to investigate the dark side of American capitalism, uncovering widespread abuse of customer trust.

10 game-changing shows to celebrate Showmax turning 10
Stream these original titles to celebrate Showmax turning 10. A decade later, streaming service has since expanded to 44 African countries.

Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we're living in today.

The Weeknd Live at Sofi Stadium
In front of an adoring sold-out crowd in Los Angeles, The Weeknd brings fans up close with this intimate and epic special concert event.

My Mom Jayne (2025)
Mariska Hargitay assembles a new portrait of her mother, Hollywood legend Jayne Mansfield, showing what an extraordinary and complex woman she was.
Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax
Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax
Looking for Afrikaans gems to stream?

Behind the crime tape with Dog Man
Dav Pilkey and the Dog Man movie team open their case files to talk about how kittens and friendship could cure the World’s Most Evilest Cat.

17 medical dramas to stream in an entertainment emergency
From New Amsterdam to The Good Doctor to House, these compelling medical shows are all streaming on Showmax.

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival
Finding Optel, co-directed by 20-something Mikayla and Jesse Brown, will make its international premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in October.

Chicago Med S6-10
Another compelling instalment of the pulse-pounding medical drama about the courageous team of doctors at a trauma centre in Chicago.
Latest Stories

Alexander Isak a great option for LFC's attack, say former Liverpool striker David Ngog

What to watch on Showmax in September 2025

Kate and Annie take charge in Ten Pound Poms Season 2

Vilakazi's verdict: Sundowns to "edge it" in high-stakes MTN8 semi-final

Rivalries reignite in thrilling Premier League games on Showmax

5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1

Palesa Mphaki on being Married at First Sight, her husband and more

5 new reality shows on Showmax in August

The Big 6ix on new Premier League season and their SA adventure

Will anyone stop the champs? Booth on Downs' quest for a 9th title

The curtain rises: Wembley Showdown - LFC vs Crystal Palace

Showmax Premier League weekly watchlist: 4-9 September 2025

Showmax PL kicks off football fiesta with MTN8 quarter-finals

Melissa Kape Saili tips Morocco to win WAFCON final

Must-watch trailer: upcoming Showmax reality show Vaal Riviera

Showmax PL kicks off new football season with unmatched action

Shaka iLembe's Dawn Thandeka King on Untied

Giants: Buccaneers' untold story streams live on Showmax PL

Ugochi Oparanozie backs Nigeria to overcome Banyana Banyana

Director Jasyn Howes on true-crime documentary The ABC Killer

Get Ready for the PL Summer Series – live on Showmax

Nthabeleng Modiko backs reigning champions for WAFCON glory

Felix Hlophe on his comedy special, fat jokes, sex and cheating

Everyone Else Burns and 8 more cult classics