This is according to SIU Head Advocate Andy Mothibi after the unit obtained a preservation order of some R900 million worth of assets linked to an alleged criminal syndicate that operated at the hospital.

The syndicate – together with two others – allegedly siphoned off some R2 billion that was earmarked for the improvement of healthcare services at the hospital in a complex web of fraud and corruption.

“The orders are a critical step in our commitment to claw back every cent that was stolen from the public purse, specifically Tembisa Hospital.

“This is not merely a preservation but a proactive, intensive effort to trace, secure, and ultimately recover assets that we allege are the proceeds of corruption. We will not allow individuals to hide behind complex corporate and trust structures,” Mothibi said.

Executing the order

Last week, the SIU secured assets valued at approximately R133.5 million belonging to one of the alleged masterminds of the Tembisa Hospital looting, Hangwani Maumela.

Items secured at a Sandhurst home and Emalahleni dealership include:
• A property in Sandhurst: estimated value R70 million
• Three Lamborghinis: estimated value R25 million
• Household contents: estimated value R3 million
• Security in respect of the Household contents: estimated value R500 000
• Two Aston Martin luxury cars
• One Ferrari luxury car
• One Rolls-Royce luxury car

“The Mpumalanga dealership, on a completely without prejudice basis, gave the SIU surety of two immovable properties, without any bonds outstanding on them, valued at approximately R35 million in exchange for the curator, in the interim, not removing the luxury cars from the dealership after the luxury cars have been attached by the curator.

“The preserved assets will remain under the control of the Curator appointed by the Special Tribunal until the final determination of up to 41 main civil recovery proceedings to be instituted, the first of which the SIU is mandated to institute within 60 court days. Once civil proceedings are concluded, the assets will be forfeited to the State,” the SIU explained.

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“This staggering sum, intended for the provision of healthcare to the most vulnerable, was instead ruthlessly siphoned off through a complex web of fraud and corruption, representing an egregious betrayal of the nation’s trust,” Head of the SIU, Advocate Andy Mothibi said on Monday 29 September.

Addressing the media at the hospital where an interim report on the investigation on corruption at the facility was released, Mothibi said as complex as the probe had been, they had been able to uncover irregularities, fraudulent activities and corrupt activities by officials and service providers.

In September 2022, the Office of the Premier referred matters to the SIU to be investigated. The unit has since then analysed at least 2 207 procurement bundles.

“Key officials from the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) and Tembisa Hospital are accused of benefiting from corrupt payments that facilitated the irregular appointment of service providers, involving money laundering and fraud through fronting and the use of false Supply Chain Management documentation,” Mothibi said.

The investigation currently involves 207 service providers which traded with the Tembisa Hospital under 4 501 purchase orders (PO). Each PO is linked to a purported three-quote procurement process purportedly involving three competing bidders.

“These numbers are constantly updated as new companies are identified through ongoing investigations and the flow of funds involving irregularly appointed service providers at the Tembisa Hospital,” Mothibi said.

The syndicates are the Maumela syndicate, Mazibuko syndicate and the X syndicate.

The Maumela syndicate is linked to Hangwani Morgan Maumela; the Mazibuko syndicate is linked to Rudolph Mazibuko while investigations are continuing into the X syndicate.

The SIU is reviewing 1728 bundles worth R816 560 710 related to the Maumela syndicate and has completed 924 analyses, uncovering significant irregularities.

The SIU has also traced 41 suppliers or service providers linked to Maumela; three of the companies that were awarded contracts to the value of R13 538 292 in this syndicate are linked to Vusimuzi Matlala.

With regard to the Mazibuko syndicate, the SIU reviewed 651 bundles valued at R283 504 291, with 392 completed analyses revealing assets worth R42 646 502, including multiple properties in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

With regard to X syndicate, the SIU is currently assessing 1237 procurement bundles, valued at R596 424 356.

Apart from these syndicates, the SIU also uncovered other syndicates which have looted millions at the hospital.

Mothibi said the SIU’s evidence has revealed that the total value of corrupt payments linked to officials and employees of GDOH and Tembisa Hospital is R122 228 000.

“The SIU has identified at least 15 current and former officials involved in activities such as corruption, money laundering, collusion and bid rigging with improperly appointed service providers at Tembisa Hospital.

“These individuals abused their positions throughout the procurement process to benefit these providers and enrich themselves. The number of identified officials is expected to rise as the investigation continues. The officials range from entry-level clerks to management-level officials,” he said.

The SIU has prepared 116 disciplinary referrals against 13 officials, of which 108 were delivered to the GDOH relating to maladministration, as well as the irregular appointment of service providers at the hospital.

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, said the corruption could not have taken place if it was not for the assistance of corrupt officials both at the hospital and Gauteng Health Department.

He said while investigations are continuing, there was a need to look at the officials at the department. “Whistle blowers must be protected and those involved in corruption must be removed from society,” he said.

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Entering its headquarters in Pretoria, it is easy to see how the SIU is different from many other government agencies. The modern building is a beehive of energy – staff bustle around with purpose and direction.

The question is why this agency stands out from the rest. New Institute for Security Studies research undertaken in cooperation with the SIU seeks to provide answers.

SIU Head Andy Mothibi tells stories about how he began his career at the South African Revenue Service (SARS). As a young lawyer at SARS, he looked up to leaders like the late Pravin Gordhan, who instilled staff with an ethic of serving a ‘higher purpose.’ Mothibi says this legacy lives on at the SIU.

Leadership is important for the success of all organisations, but it is especially important for anti-corruption agencies. The ‘tone from the top’ must be courageous, motivated, and honest.

Fulfilling statutory requirements, qualifications, and experience is not enough. Leaders must also possess superior human relations skills, resilience and the ability to inspire. Mothibi is evidently a strong leader whose staff are willing to follow him into the difficult terrain of anti-corruption enforcement.

Leadership is important for the success of all organisations, but it is especially important for anti-corruption agencies

The SIU has an organisational culture of excellence, integrity and innovation. Lifelong learning is incentivised, and many staff members pursue advanced degrees part-time.

There are other drivers of the SIU’s success. The unit uses civil law to recover debts owed to the state. This means it only has to prove cases on a balance of probabilities. This is a lower threshold than the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has to meet in criminal corruption cases, which is ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’ Civil recovery processes have the potential to recover more assets than criminal processes.

The SIU has independence over its finances and human resources. It can make its own decisions about who to hire and how much to pay them, and is therefore successful at attracting talent.

This is another advantage the SIU has over its partners in the fight against corruption, such as the NPA. The latter is relegated to a programme of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and subject to its control – a situation that also requires remedy.

Another driver of the SIU’s success is that its investigations are activated only by presidential proclamations. This means the unit cannot threaten presidents or their allies. This may have protected the SIU from political interference in the past. However, as our research shows, this also compromises its independence.

The SIU fills a strategic gap in South Africa’s anti-corruption institutional architecture

The SIU submits requests for a presidential proclamation to the justice department as part of a bureaucratic process of assessing them and forwarding them to the president. This delays the start of investigations and provides opportunities for people to hide the proceeds of corruption and destroy evidence.

One way to improve the SIU’s performance is to eliminate the ‘middleman’ and empower the SIU to send requests for presidential proclamations straight to the presidency.

There are other ways to improve the SIU’s performance. The unit makes recommendations to the government institutions it investigates on remedial action. Its work would be even more effective were these recommendations binding, like those of the Public Protector.

The SIU currently faces a cash crunch linked to the increasing number of investigations it has been authorised to conduct, combined with an ineffective funding model. The SIU bills the state institutions it investigates for the work it has done. Unsurprisingly, many are unwilling to pay. The SIU’s funding model must be changed to allow the unit to keep a percentage of funds recovered, as some anti-corruption agencies in other countries do.

Most importantly, the safety of SIU personnel and whistleblowers is a serious concern. The safety of staff and witnesses should be a non-negotiable imperative of anti-corruption enforcement in a country where fiscal survival depends on reducing corruption, and assassination is often used to resolve disputes.

The SIU fills a strategic gap in South Africa’s anti-corruption institutional architecture. South Africa does not yet have a dedicated anti-corruption prevention agency, even though the United Nations Convention against Corruption provides that it should. With corruption, prevention is better than cure, and over time, the SIU’s work has evolved to cover this terrain.

NACAC recommends that the SIU become South Africa’s new dedicated anti-corruption agency

This essential work, plus the SIU’s reputation for effectiveness, may be why the president’s National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) recommends that the SIU become South Africa’s new dedicated anti-corruption agency.

At the National Anti-Corruption Dialogue on 9–10 December 2024, NACAC Chair Firoz Cachalia proposed a new independent anti-corruption prevention agency: the Office of Public Integrity. NACAC recommends that the new agency be a Chapter 9 institution with similar levels of independence to the Public Protector. It should absorb the SIU with all its current functions, enabling the new agency to start immediately.

As NACAC nears the end of its term in August 2025, this recommendation comes amid increased allegations about corruption in the criminal justice system. We are in a moment when leadership, independence, and building trust in South Africa’s justice institutions matter.

Will President Cyril Ramaphosa seize this moment to fulfil his promises to establish a new anti-corruption agency? South Africa’s long-awaited anti-corruption reform moment could be just around the corner.

This article was republished with permission from ISS Today, the original article can be found here.

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Across all briefings, a consistent message emerged: progress has been made, but systemic delays, institutional coordination challenges, and legal bottlenecks continue to hamper the timely resolution of corruption cases.

SIU Reports on Thousands of Referrals but Highlights Tracking Challenges

The SIU, mandated to investigate maladministration and corruption in state institutions, reported that it had referred 3,374 criminal matters to the NPA between April 2020 and May 2025. These referrals span local, provincial and national government departments, as well as numerous state-owned entities.

The unit emphasised that each referral represents a person or legal entity, not necessarily an individual case docket. This has led to difficulties reconciling figures with the NPA, which clusters individuals and entities into broader cases.

To address this, the SIU has developed a Case Monitoring Mechanism in collaboration with the Presidency and State Information Technology Agency (SITA). The new digital platform went live in April 2025 and aims to create a unified system for tracking referrals, standardising case references, and reporting progress across institutions. The pilot phase covers referrals to the North Gauteng office of the NPA and will be evaluated in July for national rollout.

The SIU confirmed that the offences under referral include corruption, fraud, money laundering, public finance violations, and misconduct related to procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawks Outline Ongoing Investigations Involving Billions in State Funds

Major General M. Makinyane of the Hawks told SCOPA that his unit is managing 355 dockets arising from SIU referrals, representing investigations involving a wide array of departments and public entities.

Out of these:

• 72 cases have resulted in guilty verdicts
• 96 are before court
• 201 are under active investigation
• 58 await prosecutorial decision

The Hawks disclosed significant financial implications, with billions of rand potentially lost or misappropriated across key sectors. Notable figures include:

• Over R126 billion under investigation within the Department of Basic Education
• Nearly R738 million related to the Department of Water and Sanitation
• Around R437 billion involving municipalities

COVID-19 procurement fraud remains a substantial focus. Of 93 pandemic-related cases, 22 are before court with 73 accused (48 individuals and 25 corporate entities). Another 59 cases are still under investigation.

The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is also under scrutiny. Eight SIU referrals have resulted in seven active dockets and one court case involving questionable funding to non-profit entities.

NPA Reports on Prosecutions, Challenges, and High-Profile Cases

The NPA, represented by its Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU), IDAC and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), outlined the prosecution pipeline stemming from SIU referrals.

Key Highlights:

• 81 convictions in COVID-19-related prosecutions, many processed through the Fusion Centre
• 26 dockets under active investigation involving the NLC
• Major corruption trials stemming from State Capture Commission recommendations, including Transnet, Bosasa, and Estina Dairy Project

Several high-profile individuals, such as former Transnet CEO Brian Molefe, former CFO Anoj Singh, and former MP Vincent Smith, are either on trial or facing future court dates. The NPA noted, however, that some trials have been delayed by complex pre-trial motions or Section 342A inquiries, risking further postponements or even permanent stays of prosecution if not resolved efficiently.

Asset Forfeiture: Billions Frozen or Recovered, but Legal Opposition Mounts

The Asset Forfeiture Unit presented an assertive recovery record, reporting:

• 86 confiscation or forfeiture orders, totalling R4.784 billion
• 124 preservation orders, worth R12.6 billion
• Total recoveries to date of R4.3 billion

These include:

• R2.55 billion recovered from ABB in connection with Eskom contracts
• R480 million from settlements in the Tegeta/Optimum Colliery saga
• R1.115 billion from the McKinsey consultancy settlement
• Various preservation and restraint orders against assets linked to PRASA, Ethekwini Municipality, Denel, and others

The AFU stressed that while asset recovery is accelerating, many cases are heavily contested in court. For example, multiple preservation orders related to Lottery funding have been subjected to prolonged legal opposition.

The AFU also recommended possible legislative reform to the SIU Act, which currently channels all referrals through the NPA rather than directly to investigating authorities, thus adding procedural delays.

Despite the complexity and obstacles involved, the coordinated presentations painted a picture of a criminal justice system that is attempting to recalibrate itself in response to the sprawling legacy of State Capture. SCOPA was urged to continue its oversight, particularly regarding the Case Monitoring Mechanism and broader institutional coordination.

All agencies agreed on the need for sustained collaboration, policy reform, and adequate resourcing to maintain momentum in the fight against corruption. With several high-profile cases moving to trial in late 2025 and early 2026, South Africa’s legal and accountability frameworks are entering a decisive phase in their response to past public sector malfeasance.

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This, according to the SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, is a testament to its commitment to fighting the scourges of corruption, maladministration and malpractice.

Kganyago said the amount is inclusive of a record recovery of funds in actual cash amounting to R2.28 billion – the highest recovery in the corruption busting unit’s 27-year history.

“In addition to these recoveries, the SIU prevented a further R2.32 billion in potential state losses and secured cash to be recovered from the acknowledgement of debt and admission of liability agreements to the value of R1.6 billion.

“In our pursuit of rectifying irregular administrative decisions, the SIU successfully set aside contracts and administrative action worth over R2.13 billion through the Special Tribunal and the High Court of South Africa. This legal action ensures that public funds are recovered, not squandered, and redirected to serve their intended public purposes.

“The SIU continues to safeguard the public purse and ensure that state resources are protected and used for the benefit of all South Africans. We call on all South Africans to be involved in the fight against corruption,” Kganyago said.

In a statement, the unit said the bulk of the recoveries come from investigations into Transnet, Eskom and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“The Transnet recoveries amounted to R710 104 826.03, R500 000 000 from Eskom, and the NSFAS investigation totalled R191 027 281.50 by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.

“In terms of matters, contract and/or administrative decisions and/or actions set aside or deemed invalid, contracts emanating from the Eskom investigation contributed the most, with the contract value of R1 206 984 667.56,” the SIU said.

Successes in the medico-legal investigation also account for some R1.98 billion of prevented losses.

The SIU closed more than 1900 cases during the 2023/24 financial year and handed over 26 comprehensive reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa on the outcomes of investigations.

“The SIU has referred evidence for the institution or defence/opposition of civil proceedings worth R4.8 billion. This includes, amongst others, matters regarding R2 billion from Eskom, R834 million from Transnet, R29.1 million from the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and R48.4 million from the City of Cape Town,” the unit said in a statement.

The SIU said it was committed to partnering with other law enforcement agencies to combat corruption.

“These referrals reflect the unit’s ongoing efforts to ensure consequences for those who engage in corruption, maladministration and fraud. To ensure accountability for government officials involved in wrongdoing, SIU referred 297 officials to respective state institutions for disciplinary action,” the statement read.

The corruption busting unit is now within the fifth year of its turnaround strategy and has vowed to keep up the fight against criminality.

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The SIU said in a statement that this is part of an ongoing investigation into the affairs of the department.

The SIU was granted a search warrant by the Special Tribunal, a judicial platform established to adjudicate on matters emanating from SIU investigations, on 10 May.

The searched offices and mirror imaging of a server took place at the head office of the Department of Home Affairs in the Pretoria CBD, at the Centurion office and at the Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre in Marabastad.

The other raids took place at the Refugee Reception Centres in Musina, Cape Town, Gqeberha and Durban. 

“The searches follow a tip off from a whistleblower that suggested that Home Affairs officials in the identified centres work with syndicates to duplicate application status files applied for in other offices and process them for a fee. 

“The whistleblower also stated that the officials bypass immigration systems to enable foreign nationals who have entered the country illegally to remain in the country and acquire permits illegally and unlawfully,” the statement read. 

It was also alleged that Home Affairs officials were delaying the finalisation of the asylum seeker permits to facilitate bogus asylum seekers. 

Using the permits, which were obtained illegally and unlawfully, the bogus asylum seekers remain in the country and later use the same permits to apply for Permanent Resident Permits and ultimately, obtain South African citizenship.

“After getting citizenship, they qualify to get a maroon passport, which allows them to travel all over the world except their country of origin.” 

Members of the SIU and the Hawks seized computers, electronic pieces of equipment, and documents that will assist with their ongoing investigation.

Proclamation

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to investigate serious maladministration and improper conduct at Home Affairs through Proclamation 154 of 2024. 

The proclamation empowers the SIU to probe serious maladministration relating to the issuance of permanent residence permits, corporate visas, business visas, critical or exceptional skills work visas, study visas, retired persons’ visas, work visas, and citizenship by naturalisation, contrary to the Immigration Act, 2002; the South African Citizenship Act, 1995; manuals, guidelines, circulars, practice notes or instructions applicable to Home Affairs; or manuals, policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices of or applicable to the department.

The proclamation also authorises the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of Home Affairs or any other person or entity concerning the allegations being investigated.

It also covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 12 October 2004 and 16 February 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation, or before 12 October 2004 and after the date of the Proclamation that is relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters, or involves the same persons, entities, or contracts investigated.

“In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future recurrence,” the SIU explained.

In line with the SIU and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the agency will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.

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