SIU Implicates 15 Gauteng Health Officials in R2bn Tembisa Hospital Tender Looting Scandal
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has pinpointed at least 15 current and former officials from the Gauteng Department of Health for their alleged role in helping syndicates loot more than R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital. The scheme, which involved dodgy tenders for medical supplies and services, was first brought to light by the brave whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was tragically killed in 2021. On Thursday, 27 November 2025, the SIU announced it had clawed back over R13.5 million from one implicated employee, marking a step forward in holding those responsible to account. As investigations dig deeper, more names are expected to surface, shining a light on how public funds meant for patient care were siphoned off by greedy networks.
The revelations come at a time when Gauteng’s healthcare system is under strain, with hospitals battling shortages and crumbling infrastructure. Tembisa Hospital, a key facility serving thousands in Ekurhuleni, became a prime target for well-organised syndicates that rigged procurement processes to award contracts to favoured companies. These groups worked hand-in-glove with insiders, leading to massive financial losses that could have been used to improve services for ordinary South Africans. The SIU’s work, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2022, has uncovered layers of wrongdoing, from fake invoices to overpriced deals, all while patients suffered.
Officials Accused of Money Laundering, Collusion, and Bid Rigging
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago laid out the grim details during a media briefing in Johannesburg. He explained that the 15 officials were caught up in a web of corruption, including money laundering, collusion with service providers, and bid rigging to skew tenders in favour of certain firms. “These individuals abused their positions throughout the procurement process to benefit these providers and enrich themselves,” Kganyago said. “The number of identified officials is expected to increase as the investigation continues.”
The probe has zeroed in on how these officials manipulated systems to approve irregular contracts, often bypassing rules to fast-track payments to dubious suppliers. Some deals involved everyday items like surgical gloves and cleaning supplies, bought at inflated prices—sometimes up to 10 times the market rate. In one notorious case, a company supplied door stoppers for R500 each, far above the normal cost. Kganyago stressed that the syndicates coordinated with provincial government workers and healthcare staff to pull off the heist, turning a vital hospital into a cash cow for a few.
Evidence gathered by the SIU points to kickbacks flowing back to officials in the form of cash, luxury goods, or even property rentals. The unit has referred criminal matters to the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution, aiming to see those involved face jail time. Civil recovery actions are also underway to seize assets bought with ill-gotten gains, ensuring the money returns to the public purse.
R13.5 Million Recovered from Arrested Hospital Employee
A key win for the SIU came with the recovery of R13.5 million from Zacharia Tshisele, a supply chain management practitioner at Tembisa Hospital. Tshisele, who was arrested by the Hawks on charges of corruption and fraud, is accused of taking bribes from service providers in exchange for helping them secure contracts. He signed an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD) agreement with the SIU, committing to repay the full amount plus interest in monthly instalments.
Kganyago hailed the move as a strong message to corrupt officials. “This recovery shows that no one is above the law, and we will go after every cent stolen from the people,” he said. Tshisele’s case is part of a broader push to freeze bank accounts and properties linked to the scandal. The SIU has already secured court orders to preserve assets worth millions, preventing suspects from hiding or spending the money.
This is not the first payout in the probe. Earlier recoveries included funds from companies like those tied to businessman Edwin Sodi, whose firms were flagged for irregular work at the hospital. The SIU is now seeking to recover up to R600 million from unlawful tenders connected to Sodi, who has faced similar allegations in other provinces. These efforts build on interim reports that exposed how syndicates used shell companies and fake bids to drain hospital budgets.
Babita Deokaran’s Legacy: The Whistleblower Who Paid the Ultimate Price
At the heart of this story is Babita Deokaran, the former Gauteng health chief financial officer who uncovered the rot at Tembisa Hospital. In August 2021, Deokaran flagged suspicious payments worth over R850 million, including deals with unqualified suppliers. Her reports led to the suspension of then-CEO Ashley Mthunzi and sparked the SIU investigation. Tragically, she was gunned down outside her Johannesburg home just days later, in what many believe was a hit to silence her.
Deokaran’s murder shocked the nation and highlighted the dangers faced by those exposing corruption. Seven men, including alleged hitmen and a middleman, are on trial for her killing, with links traced back to the tender syndicates. The case has drawn calls for better protection for whistleblowers, with groups like Corruption Watch urging the government to strengthen laws and support systems. Deokaran’s family continues to seek justice, hoping her sacrifice leads to real change in how public funds are handled.
The scandal has also prompted wider reforms in Gauteng’s health department, including tighter procurement controls and lifestyle audits for senior staff. Premier Panyaza Lesufi has vowed to root out corruption, but critics say more needs to be done to prevent such large-scale looting in the future.
Ongoing Probe and Calls for Accountability
As the SIU presses on, Kganyago warned that the full extent of the damage is still unfolding. The unit is combing through thousands of documents and interviewing witnesses to build airtight cases. More arrests are likely, with the focus shifting to high-level enablers who signed off on the deals. The investigation has already cost taxpayers millions, but Kganyago insists it’s worth it to restore trust in public institutions.
Opposition parties and civil society have welcomed the progress but demand transparency. The DA’s Gauteng health spokesperson, Jack Bloom, called for the implicated officials to be named and suspended immediately. “These people have blood on their hands—patients died because resources were stolen,” he said. Meanwhile, the EFF has pushed for a full parliamentary inquiry into health tenders nationwide.
For ordinary Gauteng residents, the scandal is a painful reminder of how corruption hits the vulnerable hardest. Tembisa Hospital, meant to provide life-saving care, instead became a symbol of greed. With the SIU’s recoveries and referrals, there is hope that justice will prevail, honouring Deokaran’s memory and safeguarding public health funds for those who need them most.
The Gauteng Department of Health has committed to cooperating fully with the SIU, promising internal disciplinary action against any guilty staff. As more details emerge, South Africans will be watching closely to see if this probe finally breaks the cycle of tender abuse in the province.
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