Drama unfolded at the home of President Jacob Zuma's son, Edward, when the sheriff of the court attached his BMW X5 and furniture on Friday.
Only after Edward's lawyer had intervened were the goods returned.
Celebrity wedding planner Paul Mann was granted permission in the High Court in Durban last week to attach Edward's assets after he failed to pay his R1.5-million wedding bill.
Edward married Phumelele Shange at KwaZulu-Natal's Tala Game Reserve in October last year.
On Friday, the sheriff, accompanied by police officers, swooped on Edward's Durban North home in Kentucky Street.
They seized his vehicle, which retails at between R599900 and R700000.
They also removed sofas, a fridge, entertainment system, camp chairs and bar stools.
Edward's lawyer, Siphiwe Mncwango, was summoned from his own wedding preparations in Ladysmith, about 187km west of Durban, to intervene.
He arrived at Edward's home at about 11am and began negotiations with the sheriff.
The furniture and vehicle had already been removed from the property, which, according to deeds records, is owned by Roy Moodley, a close friend of the president.
Mncwango told the Sunday Times that arrangements had been finalised to pay Mann the outstanding bill.
"It was just a technicality ... the assets that were seized will be returned," he said.
About three hours later, a truck returned the goods.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times this week also established that Edward's business partner, Waseem Haider Agha, 45, a Pakistani immigrant, has owed the owner of a multistorey parkade in Durban's city centre more than R6.8-million in rent since 2010.
Agha, who owned a company, Nippon Import Export cc, that imported and exported used Japanese cars, was ordered by the High Court in Durban two years ago to pay Paladin Properties.
On Thursday, Paladin Properties' legal adviser, Christo van Wyk, said: "Agha and his company owe Paladin Properties a substantial amount of money. That is part of the court records."
He added that the matter was "immensely complicated".
According to company records, Nippon Import Export cc, which was registered in October 2001, has been deregistered.
However, in 2009, Nippon Import Export SA was registered and lists Edward and a relative, Sikhumbuzo Zuma, as directors.
On Thursday, Agha lashed out: "I'm no longer involved with Nippon ... the company closed down ... I've got nothing to do with it."
He added that he owed Paladin Properties "nothing".
Edward and Agha are also shareholders in Al Fallah Holdings, which is developing Africa's largest car-storage facility in Durban.
Once completed, the R400-million development, known as Car City, will feature a 1500m² of secure prefab showrooms that will be used by about 300 car-import dealers and a 40-room hotel.
