Johannesburg – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has seized several high-end motor vehicles after swooping on a multi-million-rand property in Sandhurst, Sandton, belonging to a suspect in the looting of Tembisa Hospital.
Earlier this month, the SIU published an interim report on the Tembisa Hospital investigation.
The SIU discovered that three main syndicates have siphoned off funds from the hospital.
At least R2 billion has been looted from the hospital.
The raid today of the luxury Sandton property of businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela was part of an R820 million asset recovery effort by the SIU.
Commenting on the matter, the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) said the raid represents a significant step in the right direction for a country whose public purse has been ruthlessly plundered by syndicates.
“We view this raid not merely as an operation to seize luxury cars and properties, but as a critical move to reclaim public funds and the pursuit of justice for working-class and poor people of Tembisa,” said GIWUSA President Mametlwe Sebei.
“The raid on Maumela’s mansion is a powerful signal, but it is only the beginning.
“GIWUSA stands in solidarity with all workers and communities who bear the brunt of this corruption through deteriorating public services.
“We will continue to advocate and campaign until every cent stolen from the working people of Tembisa and other poor areas in this country is recovered and every individual responsible is behind bars.”
The GOOD party commended the SIU, the South African Police Service, and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department on this step towards ensuring accountability for the mass looting of Tembisa Hospital.
Whistleblower Babita Deokaran was a senior official in the Gauteng Health Department’s finance unit when she flagged R850 million in suspicious payments out of Tembisa Hospital in the preceding weeks to her assassination.
She was gunned down outside her home on 23 August 2021.
“The life of Babita Deokaran was cut short for her role in attempting to expose those behind this looting,” lamented Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General.
“It must be honoured through prosecuting not only the businessmen alleged to have been involved, but also those politicians and public servants who allegedly facilitated this horrific corruption scandal.
“Public money, meant to help those who are sick, was diverted into the pockets of powerful individuals, many of whom have so far escaped any consequences for their actions.
“This cannot be yet another scandal brushed under the carpet.”
Herron said whistleblowers must be protected, and the corrupt, in both private and public sectors, must be jailed.
