Hangwani Maumela Arrested in R326m Tembisa Hospital Corruption Probe, Assets Seized by NPA AFU
Hangwani Maumela arrested in R326m Tembisa Hospital corruption probe, assets seized by NPA AFU, as police target a syndicate defrauding the state through fraudulent procurement deals.
Police have arrested Hangwani Maumela, who is allegedly involved in a syndicate accused of defrauding the state of over R326 million. Maumela, a businessman reportedly linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa through a previous marriage, is a central figure in an investigation concerning corruption at Tembisa Hospital. President Ramaphosa has denied any knowledge of Mr. Maumela. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has obtained two preservation orders to freeze assets that were allegedly purchased with stolen public funds. This action follows a forensic investigation initiated by the late Babita Deokaran, a senior official in the Gauteng Department of Health, who raised concerns about suspicious procurement deals at the hospital.
Tembisa Hospital Scandal: Roots in Babita Deokaran’s Whistleblowing and Assassination
The Tembisa Hospital corruption probe traces back to 2021, when Babita Deokaran, a chief director in the Gauteng Department of Health’s infrastructure and facilities management unit, uncovered systemic graft in the hospital’s supply chain. On 26 July 2021, Deokaran submitted a damning 10-page report flagging R850 million in suspicious payments to over 200 companies for unperformed or overpriced services, including PPE and medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her findings exposed a web of irregularities from January 2019 to August 2022, involving kickbacks, ghost suppliers, and inflated tenders worth billions.
Deokaran’s bravery came at a fatal cost. Just 19 days later, on 15 August 2021, she was assassinated in a hail of bullets outside her Johannesburg home in a hit-style killing. Six men—Phumlani Dlamini, Phumlani Ntuli, Nkanyiso Makhubele, Njabulo Ngwenya, Mfundo Makhubele, and Zenzele Mkhize—were arrested and convicted in April 2022 for murder, attempted murder, and firearms charges, receiving life sentences. However, the masterminds behind the hit remain at large, with the Hawks’ investigation plagued by delays, police failures, and allegations of interference. Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks’ 2025 book, The Shadow State, details how Deokaran’s report triggered a “deadly greed” chain, linking her death to powerful syndicates profiting from health sector looting.
Deokaran’s report spurred the National Treasury’s Specialised Audit Services to launch a full audit, revealing a R2.3 billion fraud scheme. This included tenders for non-existent services, with funds diverted for personal gain. The Gauteng Department of Health, under pressure, suspended officials and blacklisted companies, but the rot ran deep, affecting patient care—shortages of medicine and equipment left the hospital, serving over 1 million Ekurhuleni residents, in crisis.
Hangwani Maumela’s Arrest: Central Figure in R326m Syndicate
On 14 August 2025, Hangwani Morgan Maumela, 52, a prominent businessman and alleged “tender kingpin,” was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Johannesburg. Maumela, director of companies like Hangwani Trading and linked to construction and supply firms, faces charges of fraud, money laundering, corruption, and racketeering. He appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on 15 August 2025, with bail opposed due to flight risk; he was remanded until 25 September 2025 for further investigation.
Maumela is accused of masterminding a syndicate that siphoned R326 million from Tembisa Hospital through rigged tenders for hospital beds, PPE, and infrastructure. “The applications by the AFU are premised on forensic investigations by firms appointed to assist in the investigation concerning allegations of procurement fraud and corruption that took place at the Tembisa Hospital during the period from January 2019 to August 2022,” NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane explained. Funds were allegedly used for bribes, luxury lifestyles, and no services delivered—denying patients essential care.
Reports link Maumela to Ramaphosa’s family via a previous marriage to the president’s niece, though the presidency clarified no direct ties to Cyril Ramaphosa. “President Ramaphosa has denied any knowledge of Mr. Maumela,” a statement read, distancing the head of state amid political speculation. Social media buzzed with outrage, with users questioning elite connections: “This man can’t even run his X account: Public outrage as Ramaphosa’s social media posts inappropriate content,” tying into broader scrutiny of governance.
NPA AFU Strikes: R447m in Assets Frozen Across Syndicates
The AFU’s swift action underscores the NPA’s anti-corruption drive. On 14 August 2025, the Pretoria High Court granted a preservation order freezing R326 million in assets tied to Maumela and his syndicate. These include multiple upmarket properties in Gauteng (valued at R200 million+), a fleet of four Lamborghinis (R15 million each), a Bentley (R5 million), and a luxury yacht (R20 million). “The funds gained through the scheme were used for personal enrichment, bribes and luxury living, not for delivering goods or services to the hospital,” Mjonondwane added.
A second order on 27 August 2025 targeted the Mazibuko syndicate, led by Rudolph Mazibuko, freezing R47 million in assets. This includes high-end homes in Midrand and Sandton (R30 million), luxury vehicles exceeding R10 million (Porsches and Mercedes), and offshore accounts. Total freezes now exceed R447 million, with the AFU vowing forfeiture if convictions follow. “When there is no water, when there is no electricity, no textbooks, no medication, no hospitals, we are all suffering,” said Advocate Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba, AFU head and Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions. “Denying South Africans healthcare, including medicine in hospitals, is a travesty of justice.”
Forensic audits by firms like BDO and Werksmans, appointed post-Deokaran, traced payments to shell companies controlled by Maumela and Mazibuko. The syndicates allegedly colluded with hospital officials, inflating costs by 200-300% for substandard or phantom supplies. This is part of a larger R2.3 billion scandal, with 20+ arrests since 2022, including former CEO Edwin Sefure and procurement head Ronald Nyhaba.
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