Buyanga scrambles to block auctioning his $320,000 Rolls-Royce in SA

ZIMBABWEAN property tycoon Frank Buyanga rushed to the courts last week to stop the South African Revenue Service (SARS) auctioning his US$320,000 Rolls-Royce.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost was part of a collection of luxury cars and pricey assets set to have been auctioned by SARS last Wednesday.

According to City Press, Buyanga launched an urgent court interdict seeking to stop the sale of his Roller.

The vehicle had been locked up at the Sunnyside Police Station in Pretoria since it was impounded in December 2010 on its way to Zimbabwe.

Buyanga says in court documents his car was "hijacked" by police.

South African police, at the time, claimed the vehicle was part of an ongoing investigation. They suspected it was stolen, but it was later proved that Buyanga indeed owned the vehicle.

Police in Hampshire in the UK, where Buyanga bought it, said in documents submitted in court that the vehicle was never part of any of their investigations, nor was it suspected to be stolen.

Buyanga submitted ownership papers, but the South Gauteng High Court dismissed his application.

Nardus Grove Attorneys, the law firm representing Buyanga, wasted no time in filing a notice of leave to appeal the ruling.

"Despite allegations of fraud and syndicates, no charges were officially levelled against the applicant or Mr Frank Buyanga - despite all these years," Grove said in court documents.

Still, Buyanga's car was still for sale and attracted a bid of R1.2 million

Sars spokesperson Marika Muller could not confirm who had bought any of the cars.