The Hawks have arrested a 37-year-old suspect in connection with the multimillion-rand corruption investigation. Image: SAPS
Corruption
1Min
South Africa
Hawks arrest suspect in R635 million Tembisa Hospital corruption probe
A 37-year-old suspect has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after returning from overseas in connection with the Hawks' investigation into alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to the R635 million Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal.
The Hawks have arrested a 37-year-old suspect in connection with the multimillion-rand corruption investigation involving procurement irregularities at Tembisa Hospital.
The suspect was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, 28 August 2026, shortly after returning from overseas.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, the arrest forms part of an ongoing investigation aimed at holding all those implicated in the Tembisa Hospital saga accountable.
The suspect is alleged to have played a role in the complex investigation into multimillion-rand tender fraud linked to the hospital's procurement processes.
The allegations in the case include fraud, corruption, forgery and uttering, contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and money laundering.
Investigators allege that certain hospital officials colluded with service providers to manipulate the Request for Quotations (RFQ) procurement system.
It is alleged that procurement transactions were deliberately kept below the R500,000 threshold in order to avoid formal tender processes.
The Hawks said the alleged practice was used to circumvent procurement regulations and exploit weaknesses in the RFQ system.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Monday, 31 August 2026.
He will face charges relating to fraud, corruption and money laundering.
