DA calling for the arrest of Maumela and Tembisa Hospital Kingpins

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for immediate arrests following reports that businessman Hangwani Maumela, alleged to be linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa, used proceeds from fraudulent Tembisa Hospital contracts to buy luxury cars, including a R52 million Italian hypercar.

According to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Maumela is one of the key figures of the “Big Five Cartel,” a powerful network accused of looting public funds through fraudulent government tenders. The SIU found that Maumela’s companies benefited from irregular contracts worth R816 million at Tembisa Hospital, where murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran had raised red flags before her death in 2021.

Investigations revealed that Maumela allegedly purchased a Pagani Huayra Roadster, a hand-built Italian hypercar, shortly after Deokaran’s warnings. The car formed part of his R208 million fleet of luxury vehicles acquired over two years.

Dr Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, said it was alarming that Maumela spent public health funds on luxury items while Tembisa Hospital faced shortages of medical equipment and staff.

“R52 million could buy four desperately needed CT scanners, fund 70 doctors or 140 nurses for a year, or build a new clinic,” said Bloom. He urged the SIU to speed up efforts to legally sell Maumela’s seized assets and return the funds to the Gauteng Health Department.

Bloom called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to swiftly file criminal charges against Maumela based on evidence already used for asset forfeitures. “There is no need to wait for the final SIU report, which is often used as a delaying tactic when individuals have high-level political connections,” he said.

The SIU and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) have confiscated several of Maumela’s luxury assets, including mansions, expensive vehicles, designer watches, salon and multiple high-value properties linked to his companies. The seizures were made under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act after investigators traced millions of rand through shell companies and layered bank accounts.

Bloom said the DA will continue to hold the NPA accountable in Parliament and other oversight platforms to ensure prosecutions are not delayed against those implicated in what he described as the R2.3 billion Tembisa Hospital fraud network.

He also noted Maumela’s alleged political ties. “It is noteworthy that Maumela has a reported association with Bejani Chauke, who is close to President Cyril Ramaphosa, and he is the cousin of Andile Ramaphosa, the President’s son from his first marriage,” said Bloom.

South African Daily sought comment from SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on whether the police plan to open criminal cases against Maumela and others based on existing evidence. “The SIU is currently busy with their investigation and referrals will be made to the relevant authorities for criminal investigation. As the SAPS, we will take it from there,” said Mathe.

NPA Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said: “The case is still under investigation and once concluded the evidence will be considered together with any other evidence gathered thus far pertaining to Maumela.

The DA said the continued silence from law enforcement agencies undermines public trust and delays justice for whistleblower Babita Deokaran, whose warnings exposed the corruption network now under investigation.

President Ramaphosa has since dismissed claims that he is related to Maumela.