Law enforcement officials direct removal trucks as they execute a raid on the residence of Hangwani Maumela amid ongoing investigations into significant corruption related to Tembisa Hospital. Picture Credit IOL
By Thulane Madalane
JOHANNESBURG: The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) executed a significant raid on the Sandton residence of businessman Hangwani Maumela on Thursday, as part of an expansive investigation into alleged corruption at Tembisa Hospital. This operation follows the release of a troubling interim report that revealed over R2 billion intended for healthcare provision was embezzled through complex fraudulent procurement schemes.
A usually sedate street in upmarket Sandton was bustling with activity on Thursday when the SIU raided Maumela’s lavish home. A convoy of removal trucks was parked in the street while SIU teams entered Maumela’s three-storey mansion and removed his fleet of luxury vehicles, including three Lamborghinis, each worth several million rands.
The SIU’s findings highlight the existence of three coordinated syndicates implicated in this substantial financial loss, all of which have reportedly undermined public trust and jeopardized care for vulnerable communities.
SIU spokesperson Ngwako Motsieng confirmed the operations, stating, “We can confirm that there was an operation involving the search and seizure of assets suspected to be linked to fraudulent activities at Tembisa Hospital. This investigation is part of a broader effort to combat corruption in the procurement processes and hold individuals accountable.”
In a concurrent operation, another SIU team launched a search at a car dealership in Witbank, although details regarding its relevance to Maumela’s case remain undisclosed. “While we were unable to recover assets from the Witbank operation, we are following every lead to ensure that all aspects related to this investigation are thoroughly examined,” Motsieng added.
Assets linked to the Maumela Syndicate alone are valued at approximately R520 million, encompassing extravagant properties and luxury vehicles. The SIU is collaborating with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure the preservation of these assets amid ongoing legal proceedings.
The scrutiny of Tembisa Hospital emerged after whistleblower Babita Deokaran exposed irregularities in August 2021. Following her revelations, the Gauteng Office of the Premier referred the case to the SIU in September 2022, initiating a thorough examination of procurement processes dating back to 2019.
To date, the investigation has scrutinized dealings involving 207 service providers, exposing systematic corruption and fraudulent practices that allowed these providers to bypass essential tender regulations. Approximately R122 million in corrupt payments have been traced to various officials within the Gauteng Department of Health and Tembisa Hospital, and that figure is expected to rise as more evidence is uncovered.
The SIU has already referred 60 cases for disciplinary action against implicated officials, ranging from low-level employees to higher management, revealing deep-seated corruption within the healthcare system. As the investigation progresses, the SIU remains dedicated to ensuring accountability and restoring integrity in South Africa’s procurement systems, emphasizing that the mismanagement of healthcare funds has left the nation’s most vulnerable populations exposed.
