Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi Calls for Expanded SIU Probe After Damning R2 Billion Tembisa Hospital Corruption Report
In a bold response to shocking revelations of widespread graft, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced plans to push for a broader Special Investigating Unit investigation into multiple hospitals across the province. This follows the release of an interim report on Monday, 29 September 2025, which exposed three coordinated syndicates responsible for looting over R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni. The funds, meant for patient care and essential supplies, were siphoned through rigged tenders and fraudulent deals, leaving the facility short on basics like medicines and equipment. Lesufi described the findings as “damning and disturbing,” confirming long-held suspicions and vowing to honour the legacy of slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran by rooting out similar rot elsewhere. As calls grow for swift action, this scandal highlights deep flaws in public health spending, with low-level staff enabling the theft while higher-ups potentially turned a blind eye.
The report, presented by SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi alongside Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and other officials, paints a picture of systemic failure that allowed corruption to thrive unchecked. With the full probe set to wrap by November 2027, the interim details have already sparked outrage, especially given South Africa’s ongoing healthcare crisis where hospitals battle overcrowding and shortages. This article dives into the report’s key revelations, the syndicates involved, Deokaran’s heroic role, Lesufi’s push for wider scrutiny, reactions from leaders, and what it means for Gauteng’s struggling health system.
SIU’s Bombshell Findings: R2 Billion Siphoned Through Rigged Procurement
The SIU’s interim report uncovers a staggering R2.043 billion lost to irregularities at Tembisa Hospital, with the total potentially rising to R3 billion as more links emerge. [2] The probe, authorised by Proclamation 136 of 2023, examined procurement from January 2020 to September 2023, revealing 4,501 purchase orders tied to 207 service providers riddled with fraud. Expenditure on supplies ballooned from R315 million in 2018/2019 to nearly R1 billion in 2021/2022, far outpacing patient needs, before dropping 73% to R255 million in 2023/2024 after public scrutiny.
Tactics included splitting orders under R500,000 to evade tenders, fake quotes, overpricing, and sham deliveries. In many cases, no goods reached the hospital, with funds vanishing into personal luxuries. The SIU flagged a “comprehensive disregard for duty,” with CEOs approving non-compliant bids and no oversight on high PO volumes. Fifteen officials received R122.23 million in bribes, mostly lower ranks who faked docs and ignored rules. Referrals include 116 for discipline, 108 to the department, 25 to SAHPRA for medicines breaches, and four worth R42.23 million to prosecutors.
The Three Syndicates: Leaders, Assets, and Criminal Ties
Three main syndicates orchestrated the theft, plus smaller groups adding millions. The Maumela Syndicate, led by Hangwani Morgan Maumela (President Ramaphosa’s nephew), tops with R816.56 million across 1,728 bundles, controlling 41 suppliers. Assets frozen: R520 million, including a R75 million Bantry Bay mansion, Sandton properties, and luxury cars like Lamborghinis and a Bentley. Links include Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who pocketed R13.54 million through firms like Black AK Trading.
The Mazibuko Syndicate, headed by Rudolf Mazibuko, took R283.5 million via 651 bundles, with R42.65 million in properties. Syndicate X involves R596.42 million in 1,237 bundles, with R150 million hidden. Smaller outfits added R9.6 to R76.46 million, with R1.11 million in kickbacks showing rigged bids through family ties and shared directors.
Babita Deokaran’s Legacy: The Whistleblower Who Sparked It All
The probe owes its start to Babita Deokaran, a senior Gauteng Health official who flagged R850 million in odd payments in August 2021—weeks before her assassination outside her Johannesburg home. Her report showed Tembisa outspending larger hospitals, leading to the SIU’s involvement. Six hitmen were jailed in 2023, but the mastermind remains free. Lesufi honoured her: “We view this as a critical step in honouring Babita Deokaran’s legacy and fulfilling our promise that her death would not be in vain. The people of Gauteng deserve accountability, and we will leave no stone unturned to achieve it. The SIU’s investigation has confirmed that Babita Deokaran was a true hero. We will honour her courage by ensuring our public service is not a sanctuary for the corrupt.”
Lesufi’s Call for Wider Probe: Expanding to Other Hospitals
Lesufi wasted no time, vowing to implement findings and broaden the net. “This report is damning and disturbing. It confirms our suspicions that the Tembisa Hospital probe needed to be expanded. We are grateful that the SIU executed this mandate so diligently and professionally. We are ready to immediately implement these findings, as contained in this report. From this report, it is clear that we need to broaden this investigation to other hospitals in the province. Especially those that had unexplained hikes in procurement expenditure in the last few years. There are indications that the same modus operandi is taking place in other hospitals in the province and therefore, we need to move with speed.”
He stressed accountability at all levels: “It is also worth noting that the corruption involved here – even though the report says that it could be at entry level and other levels – corruption is corruption, and it must be hunted regardless of those involved and the levels they occupy within government. So, we will stop at nothing to ensure that the managers of these institutions or those that are leading these institutions account for their acts.”
Reactions: Outrage and Demands for Justice
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi condemned the “inhumane” greed, questioning thieves’ humanity for buying luxuries with stolen health funds. The DA’s Jack Bloom called for speedy follow-ups on referrals. OUTA lamented delays but urged action. Health Committee Chairperson noted the findings and called for consequences.
Public reaction is furious, with social media demanding arrests and recoveries to fix hospitals. Families of patients hit by shortages share stories of suffering, tying it to the theft.
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