The long-awaited Tembisa Hospital Corruption Report has taken centre stage this week as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) released its interim findings. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi joined the SIU in a high-profile media briefing at Tembisa Hospital on Monday, 29 September 2025.
This investigation, rooted in the whistleblowing efforts of the late Babita Deokaran, sheds light on deep-rooted corruption in one of Gauteng’s busiest public hospitals.
SIU Reveals Scope of Graft at Tembisa Hospital
The SIU interim report uncovered alarming levels of maladministration and procurement fraud at Tembisa Hospital, implicating more than 111 officials. These individuals allegedly operated in coordination with four major corruption syndicates that siphoned off hundreds of millions in state funds.
Read more on how the Tembisa Hospital fraud investigation exposed links between a corruption syndicate and President Ramaphosa’s nephew.
“We are talking billions of rands that have been stolen,” said SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi. “We will make sure those assets are recovered.”
The investigation covers the period between January 2020 and September 2023. It revealed that R415 million in irregular contracts were awarded to 14 companies linked to Hangwani Maumela, a businessman revealed to be President Cyril Ramaphosa’s nephew.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) have since seized Maumela’s assets, confirming the SIU’s findings.
Honouring Babita Deokaran’s Legacy
The Tembisa Hospital Corruption Report originates from a critical internal investigation by Babita Deokaran, former Chief Director of Financial Accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health.
Deokaran flagged suspicious payments and procurement practices at the hospital just weeks before she was tragically assassinated in August 2021.
Her report prompted a deeper investigation by National Treasury’s Specialised Audit Services, which confirmed widespread fraud.
“We are doing this to honour Babita’s legacy,” said Premier Lesufi. “She remains a symbol of whistleblowing and accountability.”
High-Profile Links: Ramaphosa’s Nephew Implicated
One of the most shocking revelations in the Tembisa Hospital corruption report is the involvement of Hangwani Maumela, who benefited from contracts totalling R415 million.
Maumela is reportedly the President’s nephew from a previous marriage. However, President Ramaphosa told Parliament he did not know Maumela and had no relationship with him.
Another businessman, Rudolph Mazibuko, was linked to R300 million in irregular contracts through 18 entities. These findings support Deokaran’s original suspicions.
SIU to Prosecute and Recover State Funds
The SIU has committed to holding all implicated parties accountable. The investigation will now enter a new phase, which includes:
- Referring criminal cases to the NPA
- Freezing pension payouts of implicated officials
- Blacklisting corrupt suppliers
- Recovering stolen funds through civil litigation
“This media briefing is a significant step,” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago. “It shows our commitment to transparency.”
Six officials have already been suspended by the Gauteng Department of Health. More disciplinary hearings are expected in the coming weeks.
Find out how the Hawks raided City Power over a suspicious contract deal and what investigators uncovered here.
Public and Political Pressure Builds
The scale of the corruption at Tembisa Hospital has sparked public outrage and raised concerns over the protection of whistleblowers in South Africa.
Civil society groups, including Corruption Watch and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, have called for urgent reforms. They stress the need to strengthen internal controls and whistleblower protection laws.
Additionally, the Tembisa scandal has intensified scrutiny on provincial procurement processes, especially in public healthcare.
“Tembisa is not an isolated case. It’s part of a systemic failure,” said the Institute for Security Studies in a recent policy brief.
What Happens Next?
The SIU’s interim report is not the final word. More findings are expected as investigations continue. The next phase will likely include:
- Final disciplinary action against implicated officials
- Civil claims to recover misused public funds
- Potential criminal charges and court trials
The presence of top government officials at the briefing sends a clear signal that the state is taking this matter seriously.
A Turning Point for Gauteng Healthcare?
The Tembisa Hospital Corruption Report may serve as a turning point for healthcare governance in Gauteng and across South Africa. With billions at stake and public trust eroding, decisive action is essential.
The involvement of Dr Motsoaledi and Premier Lesufi reflects a broader political commitment to clean governance. However, accountability must follow, not just promises.
Catch up on the Madlanga Commission highlights and the key moments shaping South Africa’s anti-corruption drive here.
Tembisa Hospital, once a site of care, has become a symbol of both betrayal and hope, hope that systemic reform may finally take root.
