The Saxonwold properties once owned by the infamous Gupta family are set to go under the hammer on 24 July 2025, with Park Village Auctions officially opening the doors to media for public viewing, Eyewitness News (EWN) reports. The properties, tied to one of South Africa’s most high-profile corruption scandals, are expected to draw significant public interest—though not necessarily from serious buyers.
Located in one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious suburbs, the properties include an opulent eight-bedroom mansion believed to have served as the family’s main residence. Also on the auction list is a modest three-bedroom home thought to have been used as staff quarters, and a 17-bedroom structure resembling a guest house—possibly used to host the family’s many business and political associates during their peak years of influence.
Auctioneer Graham van Niekerk told the media that the history attached to these properties is expected to generate substantial attention. “While we expect a lot of foot traffic, we’re under no illusions—many people will come out of curiosity, not to buy,” he said. The controversial past of the properties, long associated with the state capture inquiry, adds a layer of notoriety that has intrigued both the public and potential investors.
Van Niekerk acknowledged that the properties are not in perfect condition. “They’ve seen better days,” he admitted, noting that sections of the homes show signs of disrepair and neglect. However, he remained optimistic about their marketability, calling them “fixer-uppers” with solid potential for buyers willing to invest in restoration.
The three properties vary widely in municipal valuation. The modest home is valued at around R5.5 million, while the grand main house is tagged at approximately R36 million. The 17-bedroom building falls somewhere in between. Their collective value, however, extends beyond price tags—these were once symbols of wealth and unchecked political access.
The Saxonwold compound gained national infamy during the peak of the state capture revelations, where the Guptas were accused of using their proximity to political leaders—including former President Jacob Zuma—to influence appointments and state contracts. Their properties became synonymous with allegations of corruption, undue influence, and the erosion of public trust in government institutions.
With the Guptas no longer in South Africa and currently facing international legal proceedings, these properties have become one of the last remaining visible remnants of their controversial empire. Legal processes and asset forfeiture efforts led to the seizure of several Gupta-owned assets, with this auction being part of broader recovery efforts.
Despite the glamour once associated with these homes, experts say that the buyer pool might be limited. “You’re looking at people with deep pockets who are either not deterred by the property’s history—or perhaps even intrigued by it,” said a local real estate analyst. “It’s a rare opportunity, not just for property investment, but for owning a piece of modern South African political history.”
Park Village Auctions has not disclosed reserve prices, but interested bidders are expected to pre-register and conduct their due diligence before the sale. The company is encouraging serious buyers to view the properties in advance, noting that all buildings will be sold as-is.
As the countdown to the auction begins, public attention is again drawn to the saga of the Guptas—a family once at the heart of national discourse, now reduced to empty rooms and decaying walls.
