Shauwn Mkhize, the renowned South African businesswoman and socialite, finds herself once again in the spotlight as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and other law enforcement agencies raided her La Lucia mansion. This raid is the latest chapter in a prolonged and tumultuous saga between Mkhize and the taxman, which has seen her tangled in numerous legal disputes over the years. The raid, which also targeted several of her business properties—including the Royal AM Football Club’s headquarters—has raised questions about the future of her vast empire.
Mkhize, who gained fame through her lucrative construction company Zikhulise and her reality TV show Kwa Mam’ Mkhize, has long been embroiled in legal battles over tax evasion. Over the past two decades, the taxman has accused her and her businesses of concealing assets and evading taxes amounting to millions of rands. Her company, which rose to prominence in the early 2000s by securing massive government tenders, has been at the center of these disputes. In fact, Mkhize’s company was once ordered to pay back R122 million in unpaid taxes, though she disputed a portion of the debt. Despite the controversies, she has continued to thrive in the public eye, amassing a fortune, luxury assets, and a well-established social media presence.
The recent raid on her mansion followed a Durban High Court ruling that allowed SARS and the Hawks to execute a search-and-seizure operation. Authorities reportedly seized several of Mkhize’s prized assets, including her fleet of supercars and properties linked to her businesses and family trust, all in an effort to recover R37 million in outstanding taxes. This latest operation, which saw a large convoy of law enforcement vehicles descend on her La Lucia estate, signals the mounting pressure on Mkhize to settle her tax matters. Notably, her ex-husband, S’bu Mpisane, was said to have observed the proceedings from a balcony, as the couple, despite their divorce, still share the massive property.
Mkhize’s history with SARS is not new. Her construction company, Zikhulise, was ordered into liquidation in 2020 after failing to resolve tax issues with the agency. At the time, SARS claimed the company was factually and commercially insolvent, further highlighting Mkhize’s ongoing financial troubles. In addition to the tax disputes, Mkhize’s personal and business dealings have attracted significant public attention, including the purchase of multiple high-end properties and her lavish lifestyle. She is known for flaunting her wealth, often seen driving Ferraris, Rolls Royces, and other luxury vehicles, a display that has made her a figure of both admiration and controversy.
Despite the ongoing financial and legal challenges, Mkhize remains a prominent figure in South Africa’s celebrity and business circles. Her reality TV show and her family’s involvement in football—through the ownership of Royal AM—have helped to shape her public image as a glamorous and influential entrepreneur. However, the persistent legal battles, particularly with SARS, suggest that her empire may be at risk. With the taxman closing in and her assets being targeted for recovery, the question remains: will Mkhize’s carefully curated public persona withstand the mounting legal pressures, or is this the beginning of the end for her business empire? As SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter warned, no one is above the law, and the taxman’s commitment to enforcing tax compliance appears to be unwavering, regardless of the person’s status in society.
