Luxury yacht linked to tobacco businessman goes under hammer in SARS dispute

Ask AI 3minAn 82-foot luxury catamaran named Salty linked to tobacco businessman Paul de Robillard, is going up for auction on Friday, 20 November 2026 following a long-running tax dispute with the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

An 82-foot luxury catamaran that has been moored at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront for about three years is set to be auctioned as part of efforts to recover outstanding tax debts linked to tobacco businessman Paul de Robillard.

The vessel, named Salty, will go under the hammer next Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Cape Grace Hotel. The auction follows years of litigation between de Robillard and the South African Revenue Service (SARS), with the vessel forming part of proceedings involving his insolvent estate and the liquidation of PFC Properties.

The custom-built power catamaran was built in 2020 and delivered in 2021.

According to the auction listing by Bidders Choice, the yacht is currently berthed at Cape Grace Marina at the V&A Waterfront and has a certified capacity for eight guests and four crew members.

The vessel’s condition, however, could present challenges for prospective buyers, with the auction listing stating that it is currently not seaworthy and does not have valid safety certificates.

It has reportedly not been used for the past three years, while a full dry-dock inspection is required and its services and safety equipment need to be re-certified.

The listing also notes that no machinery or equipment testing or underwater survey was conducted, advising prospective bidders to undertake their own due diligence before making an offer.

Cape Town yacht services director Erik Bjerring said the vessel had been at the marina for approximately three years.

“We’ve been looking after it for about that amount of time. It arrived here, and the crew was doing a bit of maintenance work on the boat, and then from what I understand, SARS or SAPS came down and asked the crew to leave the vessel, and they haven’t returned since,” he said.

SARS has been engaged in litigation with De Robillard since 2012 over customs and excise-related tax liabilities.

In July 2023, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed two appeals relating to PFC Properties’ liquidation and an attempt by the De Robillard Family Trust’s trustees to place the company in business rescue.

The court found that the business rescue application was an abuse of court process and an attempt to avoid liquidation.

The judgment detailed the disposal of several company assets at prices substantially below their stated valuations.

These included a yacht valued at R45 million that was sold for R12m, another yacht valued at R13m that fetched R570 000, and a property valued at R50m that was sold for R11.5m.

The court also found that PFC Properties was factually and commercially insolvent.

SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko said the current auction formed part of the revenue service’s efforts to recover outstanding tax and customs liabilities.

“The matter of auction is directly related to the recovery of outstanding tax and customs-related liabilities arising from a number of investigations conducted under Honey Bagder over nearly two decades ago. This matter is on public record following the Supreme Court of Appeal decisions delivered on 21 July 2023,” he said.

Sibeko said the process of sequestration and liquidation was also finally confirmed by the High Court on 24 May 2021.

“All these processes form part of the National Disruptions Programme announced by the President to deal with the illicit economy. The current process of auction is the logical continuation of that process. Like all creditors, SARS will be allocated its share based on what is available after the completion of the process. SARS will continue its work by focusing on high-risk sectors in the economy,” he said. 

De Robillard could not be reached for comment.