When champagne and cognac turn into debt repayment
It wasn’t vintage wine or a collector’s stash that sold for R528 471 last week. The lots under the hammer belonged to Shauwn Mkhize, better known as MaMkhize. What once might’ve been toasts to flash living in Joburg and Durban now stands as collateral in her ongoing showdown with the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
A long list of seized assets
MaMkhize’s luxury liquor was just the latest in a string of auctions this year. Earlier sacks included supercars, designer handbags, and even her football club’s branded vehicles. These disposal efforts stem from a tax debt reportedly approaching R40 million.
This time around, the auction involved 363 bottles of premium alcohol—champagne, cognac, top-shelf whiskey, and more. For many bidders, it was a chance to own a piece of celebrity excess at cut-price rates. For SARS, it was a fraction of the recovery plan.
R528 471 is a little more than a drop in the ocean
Sure, the half-million rand raised may sound substantial—but against the backdrop of multimillion-rand liabilities, the sum seems more symbolic than substantive. For context, this comes after previous sales of high-end vehicles and bags that fetched several millions.
In effect, this liquidation underscores just how deep the hole is. It highlights the stark contrast between the lifestyle typically associated with MaMkhize’s social media persona and the legal and financial reality she now faces.
What South Africans are watching
At a time when many South Africans struggle with everyday bills, the spectacle of a public figure’s lavish assets being auctioned provokes strong reactions. Some social media users have expressed schadenfreude, while others are concerned.
One recurring sentiment is that the booze auction reflects a broader reckoning with accountability and wealth display in our society. Others argue it shows that no one is above the taxman—even if you once prided yourself on glamour.
Beyond the bottles—a cautionary tale
This is more than a tale of lost champagne and seized assets. It is a reminder that wealth shown through cars, designer bags, bottles of pricey alcohol, and flashy parties does not exempt one from fiscal responsibility.
For younger business(wo)men and public figures watching the fallout, the message is clear: lifestyle must be backed by clean books. Flash without substance is fragile—and historic wealth doesn’t immunise you from consequences.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: Nehanda Radio
