Notorious businessman and convicted fraudster Joseph ‘Joe’ Safra, also known as Aeghatidis Andreas Socrate and later as Dr Jonathan Rothschild, has passed away.
A close friend confirmed the news to ZiMoja, though the cause of death has not yet been disclosed by his family. Safra, who was once romantically linked to South African musician Vusi Nova, leaves behind a legacy of scandal, deception, and a life shrouded in controversy.
A Life of Deception
Safra, who recently changed his name to Dr Jonathan Rothschild, was a master of creating fake personas. He famously masqueraded as the son of Brazilian banking billionaire Joseph Safra, claiming to run the global brand Safra Group. This elaborate ruse allowed him to con top celebrities and executives, offering fake employment packages of up to R65,000 per month.
His fraudulent activities eventually caught up with him. In 2015, Safra and Vusi Nova were arrested and charged with defrauding the late Leon Kruger and his wife, Catharina Johanna Kruger, of almost R1 million between 2011 and 2014. Safra had convinced the Krugers that he was the chairperson of Safrasa Investments, with Vusi Nova as the managing director. He allegedly received R830,000 from the couple and borrowed an additional R55,000, claiming it was to assist Vusi with family problems.
While Vusi Nova was released due to a lack of evidence, Safra faced the full force of the law. He was recently released from prison in March 2023, only to adopt yet another alias – Dr Jonathan Rothschild – and allegedly continue his fraudulent activities, this time involving property, identity theft, and “helping” asylum seekers enter South Africa.
A Lavish Lifestyle and a Tumultuous Relationship
Vusi Nova, whose real name is Vusi Nongxa, has remained tight-lipped about his love life over the years, sparking rumours about his sexuality. These rumours were further fuelled by Idols SA judge and socialite Somizi Mhlongo, who claimed on his reality cooking show Diner At Somizi’s that he and Vusi Nova were “kissing partners.” Vusi later dismissed the claims, stating it was a slip of the tongue on Somizi’s part.
A New Persona and Continued Controversy
Upon his release from prison, Safra adopted the name Dr Jonathan Rothschild, another powerful surname associated with wealth and influence. He allegedly continued his fraudulent activities, targeting vulnerable individuals seeking asylum in South Africa. Despite his criminal past, Safra remained active on social media, posting TikTok videos and seemingly unbothered by his notorious reputation.
A close friend of Safra told ZiMoja that they are no longer concerned about him getting into trouble again. “He is resting, he had a good run,” the friend said, reflecting on Safra’s tumultuous life.
A Legacy of Scandal
Joseph ‘Joe’ Safra’s life was marked by deception, fraud, and a relentless pursuit of wealth and status. From his fake personas as the son of a Brazilian billionaire to his alleged involvement in asylum scams, Safra’s story is a cautionary tale of how far some will go to maintain a facade of success.
While his passing marks the end of a controversial chapter, the impact of his actions will undoubtedly linger for those he deceived and the lives he affected. For Vusi Nova, Safra’s death may bring closure to a tumultuous period in his life, allowing him to move forward without the shadow of his ex-lover’s scandals.
