Take a rare glimpse inside the opulent yet abandoned Gupta family homes in Saxonwold, Johannesburg — going under the hammer this July.
Gupta Property Auction: Once a symbol of elite power, opulence, and political intrigue, the Gupta family’s properties in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, are now frozen in time — eerily abandoned yet hauntingly preserved. On July 24, 2025, these three iconic homes will be individually auctioned, drawing public curiosity, real estate interest, and a touch of poetic justice.
A Glimpse into Power: The Gupta Saxonwold Estate
The three homes — nestled in the leafy, historically affluent suburb of Saxonwold — were once central to the Guptas’ influence over South African politics during the Zuma presidency. From these halls, ministers were wined, dined, and allegedly recruited, as the family secured major contracts and solidified their grip on state power before fleeing South Africa in 2018 under state capture allegations.
But now, auction posters flutter where power once stood tall.
Property No.5: The “White House” of Saxonwold
Dubbed “the white house” by staff and auctioneers, this three-storey mansion is the most infamous of the trio. While once grand, it now stands in quiet decline — peeling paint, mould in the corners, and corridors heavy with stale air and silence.
- Bedrooms: 8, each en suite
- Notable Features:
- Private prayer room, untouched and almost sacred
- Indoor swimming pool — stagnant and green
- Forgotten relics: old-school telephones, unopened toiletries, dusty candles, even a cornflakes dispenser still half full
- Portraits by renowned SA artist June Tuckett
From unopened wardrobes to locked safes and heavy curtains filtering in lonely beams of light — the house feels like a ghost of its own past.
Property No.3: The Forgotten Worker’s House
This single-storey house, likely used by household staff or chefs, is a stark contrast. It’s modest, quiet, and unadorned — more servant’s quarters than showpiece. It features:
- Bedrooms: 3
- Other: Storeroom, small garage, staff quarters
- Vibe: Unloved and untouched, with brittle grass out back and outdated kitchen finishes
Van Niekerk of Park Village Auctions described it as the “most overlooked” of the three.
Property No.7: The Entertainment Fortress
If House No.5 was about power, and No.3 about function, then No.7 was about spectacle. The 17-bedroom luxury mansion spans three levels of sheer indulgence — once used for entertaining high-profile guests.
- Bedrooms: 17, all en suite
- Features:
- Grand triple-volume entrance foyer with atrium-style skylight
- Private cinema, still furnished
- In-house salon with waxing equipment and Johnson’s baby powder still on shelves
- Lavish lounges with mirrored panels and thin carpets
- Notably, no garden — only brick paving
It’s a house built not to live in, but to impress and control. Designed for grand gestures and possibly secretive meetings, the house is still.
WATCH: A WALK THROUGH THE GUPTA PROPERTIES
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What Buyers Should Know
- Auction Date: July 24, 2025
- Venue: Park Village Auctions (Blue Park Village)
- Zoning: Residential 1 — these properties cannot be turned into guesthouses or hotels
- Deposit Requirements:
- House No.5 and No.7: R500,000
- House No.3: R250,000
- Registration fee: R50,000 (refundable)
- Remaining Furniture: To be sold as a single lot
Interested bidders must be serious. According to the auctioneers, the high deposits are meant to “deter people who want to mess around.”
A Time Capsule of Influence
Walking through the Gupta compounds is like flipping through a state capture scrapbook. Each room holds whispers of unchecked power, rushed departure, and a silence that speaks volumes. The Gupta legacy may be contested in court, but in Saxonwold, their abandoned empire is about to be sold, one brick at a time.
Also read: Gupta Mansions Up For Sale in South Africa: Saxonwold Luxury Estates Head to Auction
