The Baron and Baroness Von bad debt...

It's pathetic, really, how wide-eyed and weak-kneed some South Africans become when meeting titled Europeans. The latest example? The Baron and Baroness von Maltzahn, who have been putting the con into Constantia.

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Titled and wealthy, the Von Maltzahns appeared — at least to their neighbours in the posh Cape Town suburb of Constantia — to have it all.

Victor and Alexandra von Maltzahn lived the high life since moving to South Africa 10 years ago.

Descended from wealthy European families, the couple assumed the titles baron and baroness and hosted lavish parties at their antique-filled home, Constantia Heights, in Cape Town, hobnobbing with neighbour Mark Thatcher and his mom, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

UK-based clairvoyant Sally Morgan, once Princess Diana’s spiritual guide, was flown into the country to advise the baroness on her life.

But things do not look so rosy anymore.

The baroness appears to have “gone to ground”, according to Standard Bank, which is pursuing an application in the Western Cape High Court to extract about R45-million from the couple, excluding interest.

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