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The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recently raided the luxurious Sandton home of businessman Hangwani Maumela, seizing high-end vehicles and artwork as part of an asset recovery operation linked to the widespread looting at Tembisa Hospital.

Here’s a breakdown of the events and seized items:

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The Raid and Allegations

 

The raid was part of an ongoing investigation into corruption at Tembisa Hospital, where over 2 billion rands, intended for healthcare, were allegedly siphoned off through fraudulent contracts and a complex web of fraud. Maumela is linked to one of three major syndicates, the “Maumela Syndicate,” which is under review for over 816 million rands in irregular dealings. These investigations were initiated following a report by the late Babita Deokaran, a whistleblower who was assassinated after exposing suspicious transactions at the hospital.

The scandal centers on procurement fraud and corruption at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng, South Africa, spanning January 2019 to August 2022. A criminal syndicate allegedly defrauded the state of over R326 million by securing inflated tenders for medical supplies and services that were never delivered, using the funds for bribes, personal enrichment, and luxury lifestyles.
The investigation was ignited by the late Babita Deokaran, a senior Gauteng Department of Health official, who flagged suspicious deals in a 2021 report. Deokaran was assassinated in August 2021 shortly after submitting her findings, prompting a deeper audit by the National Treasury’s Specialised Audit Services. Forensic probes later revealed that a Maumela family trust received over R2.3 billion between 2018 and 2023—far exceeding the frozen assets—suggesting broader financial flows from the graft.
Hangwani Morgan Maumela, a prominent businessman, is at the heart of the “Maumela syndicate,” with his companies implicated in the fraudulent tenders. He is reportedly connected to President Cyril Ramaphosa through a previous marriage, though Ramaphosa has publicly denied any knowledge of Maumela or involvement in the scandal. A parallel “Mazibuko syndicate” has also been targeted, with R47 million in assets frozen, including luxury homes and vehicles.
The September 12 preservation order alone targeted R326 million in Maumela-linked assets, with a second order on August 27 freezing R47 million from the Mazibuko group. Today’s raid in Sandton focused on executing these orders, with SIU teams towing vehicles and removing art from the three-storey mansion.

 

Seized Assets

 

The SIU, with assistance from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), has preserved and seized numerous assets linked to Maumela. These assets, valued at approximately 520 million rands, include luxury vehicles and properties.

Properties seized include:

  • A property in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, valued at 75 million rands.
  • A property in Hartbeestpoort, North West.
  • Two properties in Sandton, Gauteng.
  • A property in Zimbali Estate, Ballito, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Two Twin Towers properties in Cape Town.

Luxury vehicles seized include:

  • Lamborghini Urus Aventador SVJ
  • Lamborghini Huracan STO
  • Lamborghini Aventador Ultimate Coupe
  • Lamborghini Urus
  • Bentley Continental GT V8
  • Isuzu D Max
  • A multipurpose trailer Badger Fibreglass CC
  • Regency 250 LE boat

The raid also included the seizure of pricey art and designer furniture. These assets are believed to have been purchased with the proceeds of corrupt hospital contracts. Further legal proceedings related to these seizures are pending at the Special Tribunal.

 

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