By Marcus Moloko
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has launched an asset recovery operation targeting properties and luxury items linked to Gauteng businessman Hangwani Maumela, who is accused of being a central figure in the multibillion-rand corruption scandal at Tembisa Hospital.
SIU officials descended on Maumela’s Sandhurst home in Sandton on Thursday morning.
The raid is expected to yield additional vehicles, designer furniture, and valuable artworks believed to have been acquired through proceeds of fraudulent hospital contracts.
This follows last month’s operation by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), which confiscated around R400 million in assets, including luxury homes, four Lamborghinis, a Bentley, and a boat.
The operation was authorised under a Special Tribunal order and formed part of a broader R820 million asset recovery campaign.
Maumela has been implicated by the SIU as a key benefactor in a network of three coordinated syndicates that allegedly looted over R 2 billion from Tembisa Hospital through manipulated procurement processes.
His companies reportedly secured inflated contracts for medical consumables, catering, and cleaning services, often through irregular purchase orders and split tenders.
The scandal first came to light following the 2021 assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who flagged suspicious payments to Maumela-linked entities in her forensic report.
The report implicated 14 companies in contracts worth over R 415 million and triggered investigations.
The Gauteng Department of Health has placed several officials on suspension pending disciplinary action.
Maumela’s legal team is yet to issue a formal response.
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