Tembisa Hospital Operations manager Zacharia Chisele and Hawks sergeant Papi Tsie walk free on modest bail after being caught allegedly offering a R100 000 bribe to a senior investigator. Picture Credits: Sowetan
By Duncan Mnisi
Pretoria – In a courtroom that felt more like the set of a crime drama, Tembisa Hospital operations manager Zacharia Chisele and Sergeant Papi Tsie from the Hawks appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing serious bribery allegations linked to the hospital’s multibillion-rand corruption scandal.
Magistrate Aubrey Mphahlele granted each of them R5 000 bail, noting that “the likelihood of you evading trial is minimal.”
The pair were arrested on 23 November in a sting operation near Menlyn, Pretoria, where they allegedly attempted to bribe a Hawks officer with R100 000 in exchange for derailing an investigation into the staggering R2 billion looting at Tembisa Hospital.
During the hearing, Chisele — a married father of six — broke down, telling the court he could only afford R5 000. Tsie claimed he could manage just R3 000. The state did not oppose bail but asked that both accused report all travel plans and maintain regular contact with the investigating officer.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has already recovered R13.5 million from Chisele — a fraction of the R122 million in corrupt payments uncovered in the broader investigation into the hospital’s procurement fraud.
“The investigation has implicated at least 15 current and former officials in a scheme that siphoned off more than R2 billion earmarked for healthcare,” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana added:
“The Hawks officer was allegedly offered a gratification of R100 000 to help the accused avoid prosecution.”
Kganyago emphasised that the SIU will continue “following the money” until every cent is traced and recovered.
Both men remain in custody pending their next court appearance. The matter has been postponed to 27 February 2026 for further investigation and a formal bail application.
