Corruption investigation
In September 2025, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) released an interim report into Tembisa Hospital, identifying three major syndicates responsible for looting more than R2 billion from the hospital’s procurement and service contracts. [7] The investigation revealed irregular procurement practices and investigators analysed more than 2 200 bundles of purchase orders, 207 service providers traded under 4 501 purchase orders, and that payments to officials of the Gauteng Department of Health and Tembisa Hospital reached over R122 million. [8] The Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, subsequently suspended the Head of Health Department, Lesiba Malotana, citing “wholesale looting” at the hospital. [9]
The hospital has faced repeated criticism for overcrowding, infrastructure deficiencies, and service delivery challenges. In 2022 the South African Human Rights Commission noted reports of a shortage of staff, dilapidated infrastructure and severe overcrowding at the facility. [1]
Corruption, whistle-blowing and arrests
In August 2021, Babita Deokaran, senior financial head in the Gauteng Department of Health, flagged irregular procurement transactions at Tembisa Hospital involving hundreds of millions of rand. [10] Her whistle-blowing is widely regarded as the catalyst for the uncovering of a major fraud investigation. Tragically, she was assassinated outside her Johannesburg home on 23 August 2021; the murder of Deokaran led to national scrutiny of the hospital’s procurement practices. [11]
Following the revelations, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) released an interim report that implicated three major syndicates in the looting of more than R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital through irregular tenders and fraudulent procurement. [12] Among those named were businessman Hangwani Maumela, identified as linked to over R800 million in tenders through his companies, and Rudolph Mazibuko, whose syndicate was alleged to have secured more than R283 million. [10]
In September 2025, Hangwani Maumela was arrested in connection with a R326 million corruption probe linked to Tembisa Hospital, and his assets, including luxury properties and vehicles, were subject to seizure orders by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit. [13] In the same month the Democratic Alliance (Gauteng) welcomed asset forfeiture actions against Maumela and others such as Mazibuko, including nearly R400 million in property seizures. [14]
In October 2025 the Gauteng Premier placed the head of the provincial health department, Lesiba Arnold Malotana, under immediate suspension, citing “wholesale looting” at Tembisa Hospital and the need to restore integrity to the health system. [9]
The case of Deokaran’s murder continues to draw attention: although six men were arrested and later convicted for her killing, investigators and her family maintain that the “mastermind(s)” behind the hit remain at large and linked to the procurement syndicates at Tembisa Hospital. [15]
