Ramaphosa
Pretoria, South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly denied that any of his family members have benefited from government tenders in recent years, amid speculation linking him to alleged tender fraudster Hangwani Maumela. The president addressed these claims during a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, 13 October 2025, emphasising that he has no personal relationship with Maumela and that the businessman is not part of his immediate family. This comes after a viral video from 2023 resurfaced, showing Ramaphosa outside Maumela’s Sandton mansion, sparking questions about possible ties.
The allegations stem from Maumela’s involvement in the Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal, where he is accused of being a key figure in a syndicate that looted over R2 billion through irregular tenders. Ramaphosa expressed deep concern about the looting at the hospital, noting that he signed the Special Investigating Unit proclamation to probe the irregularities. However, he stressed that family connections have been misrepresented, and no benefits have flowed to his relatives from state contracts.
The Viral Video: A Coincidental Encounter
The controversy reignited when a 2023 video clip went viral again, showing President Ramaphosa posing for photos outside a grand three-storey mansion in Sandton. In the footage, he is seen with popular radio DJ Tbo Touch, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Jomo Sibiya, and another individual. Ramaphosa can be heard saying, “I’ll give you some love,” as he embraces those around him.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya clarified that the encounter was purely coincidental. Ramaphosa was on one of his regular early-morning fitness walks, a routine starting from his private residence in Hyde Park, which passes by Maumela’s property. “Indeed, you see the president in front of [Maumela’s] house, but they were not visiting or coming out of the house,” Magwenya explained. “It just so happened that Tbo Touch stopped his car to greet the president as he was walking past what we now know as Maumela’s house.”
Magwenya dismissed claims of weekly visits as “a complete lie” and noted that Ramaphosa was unaware at the time that the mansion belonged to Maumela. The video was originally posted by Tbo Touch, who confirmed he was driving from the airport to the Saxon Hotel when he spotted the president.
Family Gathering and Strict Instructions Against Government Business
To address the speculation about family benefiting from tenders, Ramaphosa revealed that just before he was appointed deputy president, he gathered his immediate family and relatives. He sternly instructed them to exit or stop any business with the government or state institutions. “Maumela was not part of that family gathering because he is not part of the president’s immediate family,” Magwenya stated.
This measure was taken to prevent any perception of conflict of interest or nepotism. Ramaphosa has maintained that he does not know Maumela personally, despite a distant familial link through marriage. The president was once married to Maumela’s aunt, Hope Ramaphosa (née Mudau), but the union ended in 1989. Magwenya emphasised: “The president maintains that he has no personal relationship with Mr Maumela. He is not related to him, except that he was once married to Mr Maumela’s aunt.”
These clarifications aim to dispel rumours that Maumela is Ramaphosa’s nephew or that family ties have influenced tender awards. The president has repeatedly stated in Parliament and public forums that no family members are involved in state tenders under his watch.
The Tembisa Hospital Scandal: Maumela’s Alleged Role
Hangwani Morgan Maumela is at the centre of a major corruption probe involving procurement irregularities at Tembisa Hospital. The Special Investigating Unit raided his opulent Sandton mansion on 9 October 2025, seizing luxury vehicles including three Lamborghinis, two Porsches, a Ferrari, and a McLaren, along with valuable artworks. The assets, valued at over R149 million, are believed to be proceeds from fraudulent tenders.
Maumela’s companies, such as Modiba Strategic Solutions, allegedly secured over R400 million in inflated contracts from the hospital between 2020 and 2022. The scandal includes overpriced items like R500,000 for 200 pairs of leather lounge suites, far exceeding market rates. This fraud has drained resources meant for patient care, exacerbating issues in Gauteng’s health system.
The probe gained momentum after the 2021 murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, the hospital’s acting chief financial officer, who flagged suspicious payments. Deokaran’s family continues to push for broader investigations into similar corruption at other facilities. The SIU has described this as part of a pattern where insiders bypassed rules to award contracts to favoured suppliers.
Ramaphosa has voiced his alarm over these allegations, which is why he authorised the SIU investigation. He stressed that the government is committed to rooting out corruption in public procurement, ensuring that tenders are awarded fairly and transparently.
Public and Political Reactions: Skepticism Persists
The president’s denials have met with mixed reactions. Some social media users and opposition figures remain sceptical, pointing to the viral video and distant family links as potential red flags. Posts on platforms like X question the coincidence, with one user asking, “How many times does the president’s walk pass by a tender fraudster’s house?” Others defend Ramaphosa, arguing that the focus should be on the scandal itself, not forced connections.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance, have called for full transparency and independent probes into any possible ties. They argue that even perceived conflicts can erode public trust in government. Civil society groups echo this, demanding accountability in health sector spending.
Despite the speculation, no evidence has surfaced linking Ramaphosa or his family directly to Maumela’s dealings. The president has consistently maintained his stance against corruption, as seen in his actions like signing the SIU proclamation.
🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 115 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition of Central News | Headline: Ngwathe Municipality Refuses to Back Down, Heads to Supreme Court of Appeal
Download Here:
Direct PDF File Here:
https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Central-News-Issue-115-1.pdf
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube