Bags, bids and big names: MaMkhize’s Louis Vuitton and Dior collection up for grabs

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a luxury designer handbag or piece of high-end luggage, now might be your chance.

Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize’s designer goods are currently up for auction.Luxury brands including Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Goyard, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, and Burberry are among the items listed on the Bidders Choice website.

But interested buyers will have to act fast — bidding closes today, Wednesday, October 15.

And just to be sure that you are getting the real deal, remember that many high-end bags come with receipts, authenticity cards, dust bags, or original packaging. While the absence of these doesn’t always mean it’s fake, having them increases confidence in authenticity - given the murmurs on social media that Mkhize's goods could be fake.

Since bidding opened on Friday, October 10, the highest offers so far have reached R6,500, placed on two Louis Vuitton Zephyr suitcases and a Louis Vuitton Boîte Pharmacie vanity case. In total, 18 designer pieces are available, with starting bids beginning at R1,000.

The auction follows a major asset seizure by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) last month. Goods and vehicles were confiscated from Mkhize’s training facility on a farm outside Pietermaritzburg, as well as from her Sandton residence in Johannesburg.

Around 10 trucks were used to remove assets, including furniture, with additional tow trucks brought in to transport vehicles such as heavy construction equipment and metal shipping containers.

The luxury handbags and luggage are just part of a larger haul. During coordinated raids on Mkhize’s properties in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Johannesburg since last year, police and SARS seized more than 40 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and several high-end vehicles.

Authorities discovered discovered rifles, shotguns, and handguns along with 2,000 rounds of ammunition at her home in La Lucia, Durban.

Among the confiscated vehicles were a Lamborghini and a Rolls-Royce registered to the Shandi Trust and Royal AM, as well as a Mercedes-Benz Maybach, BMW X6, Mercedes-AMG G63, Toyota Hilux Legend 50, and a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE