Several properties belonging to the fugitive Gupta family, including their sprawling mansion in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, are set to go under the hammer next month, after a multiyear fight to avoid their auction.
The family, acknowledged friends of former president Jacob Zuma, won billions of rand worth of contracts from the government using their political connections. According to state capture commission hearings, they were also involved in the making of some top government appointments.
Auction house Park Village Auctions on Thursday posted the listings of the properties belonging to a Gupta outfit called Confident Concept, which is in business rescue. This is after a seven year legal battle to avoid the sale of the multimillion-rand properties seemingly comes to an end.
The properties that will be auctioned off include a three-storey residence in Saxonwold, which according to the auction house features eight bedrooms, extensive living and entertainment areas, an indoor swimming pool, an expansive rooftop patio, staff accommodation and “ample” garaging.
The mansion measures 4,207m2. Another of the Gupta’s mansions in Saxonwold, which boasts three storeys and 17 en suite bedrooms and a beauty salon will also be sold off. So is the family’s land in Saxonwold which has the potential to be converted into three or more residential units, according to the auction house.
The final property to be sold is single-storey, three-bedroom home with a single garage, storeroom and staff accommodation.
Park Village Auctions’ Clive Lazarus is confident the auction will go ahead on July 24, saying the imminent sale of the properties signals the “beginning of the end” of the seven-year legal battle.
He said the company welcomed the confidence shown to it by authorities to dispose of assets of “political significance once again, recouping millions for the corruption-afflicted creditors” in the process.
“Park Village Auctions has taken the lead on several high-profile auctions, including the infamous Bosasa campus and equipment, as well as tenderpreneur Hamilton Ndlovu’s fleet of luxury vehicles,” he said, adding they have been involved in the sale of other Gupta assets.
“From VR Laser Services back in 2018, to Optimum Coal Mine, Optimum Coal Terminal and Koornfontein Mines, Shiva Uranium, The New Age Media, Islandsite Investments 180, and now the remaining Confident Concept properties, Park Village Auctions has remained committed to achieving the best possible results on behalf of the business rescue practitioners, and so play our part in justice being served.”
The Guptas’ Saxonwold property took centre stage at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture. It is at this property the Gupta family is said to have captured the state. Several people fingered in the state capture project, including Jacob Zuma, Matshela Koko, Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, were among those testifying to having visited the property.
SA is still trying to get Atul and Rajesh Gupta back to the country to answer to charges levelled against them. The United Arab Emirates ratified an extradition treaty with SA in April 2021, a move the government hoped would lead to the return of the Guptas to face charges.
Last year, a different auction house sold Gupta family owned land near the Sandton Gautrain station. The land was earmarked for the development of a 65-floor tower with hotel, luxury apartments, art gallery, a retail and restaurant component, and the new owner will be expected to submit amended redevelopment plans due to changes the area has undergone over the years.
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