One of the most bizarre stories of 2022 so far involves a couple who seemingly abandoned their multi-million rand home in Gqeberha. If that’s not enough, their garage was left full of luxury cars. The Weekend Post newspaper reported in October that the couple, left three Rolls Royce cars and one Lotus vehicle, ten years ago. The exact address of the property has not yet been revealed to the public given that if it were released, criminal elements may rob the property and it could attract squatters. The house belonged to Werner Braun and Mariana Potgieter, a couple who emigrated. The couple owed nearly half a million rand to the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality for rates and taxes.
The house is in a state with broken windows and doors. There are also pornographic magazines and videos across the house.
Braun and Potgieter formerly ran Elli’s pub and restaurant in Walmer. Braun was a director of Eissman Automotive SA and Eissman Holding, both based in Gqeberha.