The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured assets valued at approximately R133.5 million in two operations linked to the Tembisa Hospital looting scandal.
The operations were carried out in Sandton, Gauteng, and Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.
According to the SIU, the recovered assets belong to the Maumela Syndicate, and mop-up operations are still underway.
ASSETS RECOVERED
The asset preservation process was initiated by the SIU and a Curator appointed by the Special Tribunal.
In Gauteng, the team secured:
• A Sandhurst property valued at an estimated R70 million.
• Three Lamborghinis worth about R25 million.
• Household contents valued at around R3 million.
• Security in respect of household contents estimated at R500,000.
In Emalahleni, the assets included:
• Two Aston Martin luxury cars.
• One Ferrari.
• One Rolls-Royce.
According to the unit, this marks the first phase of a larger asset preservation operation. The SIU said the operation will extend to other locations across the country. The order represents one of the most comprehensive asset preservation actions in recent years and aims to prevent the dissipation of assets allegedly acquired through unlawful means, pending the outcome of civil recovery proceedings.
The preservation order covers a range of assets, including ultra-luxury vehicles, jewellery, artwork, cash, electronic devices, and financial instruments such as bank accounts, shares, cryptocurrency, loan accounts, and members’ interests in companies.
SIU COMMITTED TO RECOVERING PUBLIC FUNDS
SIU Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, describes the raid as a critical step in the commitment to “claw back every cent stolen from the public purse”, specifically, Tembisa Hospital.
He said, “This is not merely a preservation, but a proactive and intensive effort to trace, secure, and ultimately recover assets that we allege are the proceeds of corruption. We will not allow individuals to hide behind complex corporate and trust structures.”
The preserved assets will remain under the control of the Curator until the final determination of civil recovery proceedings to be instituted. The SIU is mandated to institute these within 60 court days. Once civil proceedings are concluded, the assets will be forfeited to the state.
