Reality television star and businesswoman Shauwn “Mamkhize” Mkhize, faces the potential loss of luxury vehicles valued at millions of rand due to a substantial tax debt, this is according to ZiMoja. On May 9, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) applied for an execution order at the Pietermaritzburg High Court to seize 13 high-end cars held in a trust owned by Mkhize’s brother, Melusi Sphelele Hugh Mkhize, and her two nieces. This move is part of a broader legal strategy to recover nearly R38 million in unpaid taxes by her football club, Royal AM, owned by Shandi Trust.
Appointed curator Jaco Venter inspected Mkhize’s lavish La Lucia residence in KwaZulu-Natal, targeting vehicles such as a Rolls Royce Cullinan, a Porsche Urus, a Mercedes-Maybach, and several BMWs. Neither Shauwn nor her son Andile Mpisane, Royal AM’s chairman, were present when Venter and SARS security personnel arrived unexpectedly. Legal documents reviewed by ZiMoja indicate that similar actions were taken at her Johannesburg mansion, signalling a coordinated effort by SARS to reclaim assets from both properties.
An insider revealed that Mkhize’s private security force initially blocked the curator’s entry at her Sandton home, leading to a tense standoff that required police intervention. Allegedly forewarned about the impending seizure, Mkhize reportedly covered her garage windows with newspapers to obscure the view, showing a blatant disregard for the court order.
Further complicating the legal landscape, Shauwn and her estranged husband, Sbu Mpisane, remain entangled in an unresolved divorce. Sbu Mpisane expressed his surprise at the asset seizures, claiming ignorance of the trust’s name change from Mkhimpi Family Trust to Shandi Trust. He suggested the alteration might have been conducted without his consent, raising questions of potential fraud.
The High Court has decreed that the preservation order will stand until August, granting the Shandi Trust applicants time to challenge it. The court authorised curators to secure shares in Royal AM Football Club and DPA Project Managers and Facilitators, effectively stripping Andile Mpisane of his shareholder status in these entities.
Shauwn Mkhize’s tax troubles date back to 2005, as revealed in a recent investigative interview on Carte Blanche, which ended abruptly when presented with her prior conviction. Amidst these legal battles, neither Mkhize nor her PR team have commented publicly.
The unfolding saga highlights the intense scrutiny on high-profile figures in South Africa, illustrating the serious consequences of tax evasion and the lengths to which authorities will go to enforce compliance. With the next court date set for August, the outcome could significantly impact Mkhize’s business empire and public image.
