South Africa To Sell Homes Of Indian-born Gupta Brothers Amid Corruption Fallout

Gupta mansions in Saxonwold head to public auction with a combined municipal value of 3.4 million, though bids may fall short due to scandal stigma.

Homes once hosted secret meetings fueling state capture, central to the Zondo Commission's findings implicating the Guptas and former president Jacob Zuma.

Proceeds aim to repay creditors, but experts say the auction marks only a symbolic step in South Africas broader reckoning with corruption.

In Saxonwold, one of Johannesburgs oldest and most exclusive suburbs, three luxurious properties are about to go under the hammer. For years, these properties stood at the heart of a national scandal. Now, they may offer South Africa a rare, if symbolic, chance to close a painful chapter in its long fight against corruption.

The homes belonged to Indian-born businessmen Atul, Rajesh, and Ajay Gupta, who rose from modest beginnings to become central figures in whats widely known as state capture, a decade marked by political interference, backroom deals, and the erosion of state institutions like Eskom and Transnet. With public trust shaken and the economy battered, the sale of these properties is more than a matter of recovering lost funds its a step toward accountability.

Combined, the mansions carry a municipal value of R64 million 3.4 million and will be sold separately through public auction. The properties may go for far less as troubled history, combined with years of litigation and public scrutiny, is expected to weigh heavily on the bids.

The three homes are registered under Confident Concept Pty Ltd., a Gupta-linked company that entered South Africas version of bankruptcy protection, known locally as business rescue, in 2018. After lengthy court battles tied to financial distress and stalled development plans, creditors are now hoping the auction proceeds will finally bring some resolution.

But this sale isnt just about real estate. These homes were once at the center of the multi-year inquiry into state capture, led by former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Over 1,400 witnesses detailed how the Guptas used these residences to host discreet meetings with politicians and business leaders, offering inducements in exchange for government contracts and influence over key decisions. Both the Guptas and former president Jacob Zuma, under whose administration these ties flourished, have denied any wrongdoing.