The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) raided businessman Hangwani Maumela’s home for his alleged connection to the looting scandal at Tembisa Hospital.
The raid comes after the release of the SIU’s preliminary report, with more crackdowns expected as the investigation continues
The unit confirmed that Maumela’s seized assets, including Lamborghinis, Bentleys, artwork, and his home in Sandhurst, will be preserved and eventually sold.
THE SANDHURST HOME
The Sandhurst home, designed by Wanda Michelle Interiors and featured on an episode of Top Billing, was described as a beautiful home with an edgy design and custom sculptures. It even includes an elevator leading to a bar and a cinema area, and a 300-square metre parking area.
The SIU found that Maumela’s assets amounted to R520 million, including funds in a Trust account, two companies, luxury vehicles, and properties valued at about R293 million. Aside from his Sandhurst home, Maumela is linked to properties in Port Zimbali, Bantry Bay, and several others across Gauteng.
In its preliminary report, the SIU said three syndicates siphoned off over R2 billion from the hospital through fraudulent procurement schemes. The Maumela Syndicate is alleged to have pocketed about R820 million, the largest share of the stolen funds, which were meant for healthcare services.
The report also states that the Maumela Syndicate enjoyed the biggest slice of the pie, having the highest number of purchase orders and assets. The three syndicates are linked to money laundering, fronting, collusion, fraud, corruption, and racketeering, and made use of conduit companies and accounts for their benefit.
“It would appear that Tembisa Hospital contributed to lavish lifestyles and the acquisition of phenomenal assets,” the report stated.
TEMBISA HOSPITAL CORRUPTION
The SIU has identified at least 15 current and former officials involved in the looting at Tembisa Hospital. The officials range from entry-level clerks to management-level officials.
Whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was the chief director of financial accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, was killed on August 23, 2021. She had sounded alarm bells on fraud and corruption at the hospital.
