Black Coffee moves to seize Maserati SA assets over R7.7m court judgment

A Johannesburg High Court has ordered Maserati SA to repay R7 million to Black Coffee’s company, Soulistic Music, with interest and legal costs, and a sheriff has been authorised to seize movable assets to recover a total debt of R7.725 million.

Judgment, writ and enforcement

The court granted summary judgment against Casa Vehicle Holdings, trading as Maserati SA, on 3 August, ordering repayment of R7 million plus legal costs to Soulistic Music. A writ of execution issued on 17 August now permits a sheriff to attach and sell the company’s movable property at public auction to recover the judgment debt.

How the dispute began

The dispute traces back to November 2024, when Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, known professionally as Black Coffee, entered a R16 million deal to buy two luxury vehicles. The first vehicle was delivered, but the second described as a custom-built car with bespoke exterior modifications, custom interior finishes, tailored seat belts and specialised brake calipers was not delivered within the agreed timeframe.

According to court filings, Maserati SA had promised to deliver the second vehicle by June 2025. Correspondence before litigation included an assurance from a Maserati employee that a production slot had been secured as the factory had made a “special exception” for the internationally recognised artist. When the car failed to materialise, Maphumulo demanded the return of his R7 million trade-in amount.

Amount owed and current status

The full debt the writ seeks to recover totals R7.725 million, comprising the R7 million judgment plus R735,000 in interest calculated at 10.5% per annum. While the writ authorises seizure and auction of movable assets to cover the debt, no specific vehicles or property have been physically seized yet.

Assets mentioned in filings

The reporting of the case lists vehicles in Black Coffee’s garage, naming a range of high-performance and luxury cars, including a Lamborghini Urus, Ferrari 458 Speciale, McLaren GT, Bentley Flying Spur, Mercedes-AMG SLS, Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, custom Rolls-Royce models, a classic 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL and a Maserati MC20.

Next steps

With enforcement now authorised by the writ, the sheriff may proceed to attach and sell movable property to satisfy the debt ordered by the Johannesburg High Court. The writ allows auction of assets but does not bind the sheriff to seize particular items unless they are identified and available.

“special exception”

This dispute follows the summary judgment and the subsequent writ, marking a significant legal win for Soulistic Music in its long-running case against Maserati SA.