A Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) sergeant and a Tembisa Hospital official have been arrested after allegedly attempting to bribe an investigating officer in exchange for protection from prosecution.

The pair is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

According to the Hawks, the arrests followed a sting operation on Sunday, authorised by the Director of Public Prosecutions, after the accused allegedly offered R100 000 to the investigator handling a case linked to corruption at Tembisa Hospital. 

The operation was initiated on Friday when the 41-year-old sergeant allegedly approached the investigator, claiming the 53-year-old hospital official wanted help to avoid prosecution and was prepared to pay a “gratification” for it.

Both suspects were arrested immediately after handing over the cash during a controlled meeting set up by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit.

Acting Hawks head Siphosihle Nkosi commended the integrity of the investigator who reported the approach. 

“We assure the public that investigations relating to corruption at Tembisa Hospital will continue without deterrence,” he said.

“We also emphasise that those within the DPCI who involve themselves in criminal activities will be rooted out of the organisation.”

Nkosi reiterated the directorate’s stance on accountability, saying that the DPCI “remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and remains steadfast in the fight against corruption”.

The arrests come amid mounting calls for the Department of Health to fast-track the blacklisting of companies linked to the looting of more than R2 billion at Tembisa Hospital. 

The scandal has drawn scrutiny to business networks tied to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s nephew from a previous marriage, Hangwani Maumela, as well as controversial tenderpreneur Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.

Investigations into the hospital’s procurement corruption are ongoing.

INSIDE POLITICS

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