South Africa’s queen of bling and controversy, Shauwn Mkhize, stepped into this week with “fresh vibes” and “happiness”.
“Here’s to a new week and all the fresh vibes it brings! Let’s carry forward the lessons learned and the happiness shared from last week. We can make this week amazing, one positive thought at a time!”
But it didn’t last long.
While her social media post may have been a subtle reference to her ex — her divorce from policeman turned politician Sbu Mpisane was finalised last Monday — MamMhkize found herself stepping aside when the taxman came knocking on Tuesday.
South African Revenue Service (Sars) officials and armed police conducted simultaneous raids at her La Lucia mansion and the Royal AM FC clubhouse, Royal Ranch, near Maqongqo in Pietermaritzburg.
The wealthy tenderpreneur owns Durban Royal AM Football Club.
The raids — there have been several since her financial troubles started in 2011 — is linked to an inquiry into Shandi Trust’s R37m tax debt. The trust is Mkhize’s family entity, which sources told the Sunday Times could be a front to evade the tax man.
Sars issued an assessment for the trust about five months ago and subsequently initiated an inquiry after uncovering discrepancies in its declarations.
The Durban high court granted a preservation order and a search-and-seizure warrant last week, leading to the raid.
This is not Mkhize’s first dalliance with the tax man.
Since tying the knot in 1991, Mkhize, 47, and Mpisane, 53, have positioned themselves as Durban’s power couple — living the high life in their La Lucia mansion, driving flashy cars, sipping French champagne and flaunting their designer shoes and flamboyant outfits.
Government tenders worth millions funded their opulent lifestyle. Among them were contracts awarded to her company Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport by the eThekwini municipality.
The company was founded in 1997 by her late mother, Dumazile Flora Mkhize, an eThekwini ANC councillor.
Mpisane, a former Durban metro police constable, was investigated and cleared after the DA questioned how he could afford to drive a Lamborghini on a salary of R15,000 a month. He subsequently resigned from the force and joined Zikhulise.
Mired in controversy over their questionable business dealings and always at the centre of a legal battle over millions in outstanding tax bills, the marriage took strain and Mkhize turned to the divorce courts in 2018.
Since their split, MamMkhize has embarked on an endless parade of extravagance featuring high-end vacations in exotic locations, piles of Louis Vuitton luggage, helicopters, superyachts, haute couture and designer jewellery — all captured in high definition on her curated Instagram account.
On the soccer field, she doles out wads of cash to her players under the watchful eyes of armed bodyguards.
Mkhize has dodged jail time despite prolonged legal battles with Sars since 2011.
In 2019, the receiver swooped on the couple’s home as part of its investigation into Zikhulise Group. In 2016, Sars made two successful court applications to preserve the couple’s assets over an alleged debt of R141m.
During those raids, fleets of luxury vehicles including a Porsche, a Ferrari, a Rolls-Royce, and a Maserati — worth about R22m at the time — were seized.
In May this year, Sars sought to seize 13 luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini and a Rolls-Royce, linked to Mkhize’s Royal AM Football Club and the trust.
Sars was mum on what was seized on Tuesday but investigators were seen carrying out piles of documents as Mpisane watched from the east wing balcony of his side of the mansion, nursing a drink and under the watchful eye of rifle-toting policemen.
After the raid, Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter said it was part of a broader strategy to combat the tax evasion and criminality that undermines the country’s economy.
“This is a significant step in ensuring that taxpayers who wilfully engage in criminal activity are held accountable,” Kieswetter said.
He emphasised that Sars, in collaboration with the Hawks and the police, would continue to act against tax law violations.
“Sars will not waver in executing its mandate without fear, favour, or prejudice, regardless of any person’s standing in society,” said Kieswetter.
Mkhize did not respond to queries.
Mpisane — who has joined the ranks of the newly established political party Gap Fixers of South Africa — reportedly said a liquidator would assess their joint assets to determine a fair share for both parties.
He told the Sunday Times he could not discuss the divorce matter since it is still in court.
“However, I am hoping and praying for justice to be done in that regard. With regards to my life, I’m surviving under storms of life.”
In 2019, he threatened to stop his then estranged wife’s reality TV show, Mzansi Magic’s Kwa Mam’Mkhize, starring Mkhize and their social media celebrity children, Sbahle and Andile.
But when it finally aired, he pretended to know nothing about it, even when the first episode, in which she said he was in love with himself — trended on social media.
Meanwhile, an advocate who was working for Sars on the case against Mkhize, was shot and seriously injured in an apparent assassination attempt in July when she was in Durban for the inquiry.
The inquiry was being held at the offices of Cox Yeats Attorneys in Umhlanga. Adv Coreth Naude was ambushed by two gunmen when she entered the parking garage of a hotel in Umhlanga.
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