Two luxury mansions linked to the controversial Gupta brothers are back on the property market in Johannesburg, with asking prices totalling R22 million, as the properties continue to carry the weight of South Africa’s notorious state capture scandal.
The seven-bedroom home, reportedly used as the family’s residence, and a neighbouring 11-bedroom mansion in Saxonwold are advertised for R10 million and R12 million respectively. The properties feature lavish amenities, including an indoor swimming pool, entertainment areas, a cinema lounge and a rooftop terrace. However, their deteriorating condition and association with the corruption scandal have made them difficult to sell.
The properties were previously owned by Confident Concept, a company linked to brothers Atul, Rajesh and Ajay Gupta, who became central figures in allegations of state capture during former president Jacob Zuma’s administration. The company entered business rescue in 2018, and the sale proceeds are expected to help settle outstanding claims from creditors.
The Guptas built a powerful business empire in South Africa, including through Sahara Computers, but their political connections attracted intense scrutiny. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by former chief justice Raymond Zondo, heard allegations that the brothers used their relationships with influential politicians and government officials to influence appointments, secure lucrative state contracts and benefit their business interests.
The Saxonwold compound was identified as an important setting for meetings involving people implicated in the scandal. Allegations heard during the state capture inquiry included claims that inducements were offered to influence government decisions and secure contracts for Gupta-linked interests.
The scandal contributed to the political crisis surrounding Zuma, who resigned as president in February 2018 amid mounting pressure, including over his relationship with the Gupta family. The brothers subsequently left South Africa and have been associated with Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Atul and Rajesh Gupta faced charges including fraud and money laundering. In 2023, a UAE court rejected South Africa’s extradition request for the brothers, and their arrest warrants were cancelled. The Guptas and Zuma have denied wrongdoing.
The mansions were previously offered for sale in 2025, when the wider property package attracted limited interest at auction. A subsequent private sale was reported at approximately R34.5 million for three properties combined, but the latest listings indicate that the two larger homes are back on the market.
According to the latest reports, the properties’ troubled history and poor condition continue to deter potential buyers. Their renewed sale offers another reminder of the Gupta family’s controversial legacy and the lasting impact of the state capture scandal on South Africa’s political and economic landscape.
