02/10/2025
Motsoaledi ‘shocked’ by scale of Tembisa Hospital corruption
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says he is deeply shocked by the staggering levels of corruption uncovered by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, where billions meant for healthcare were siphoned off through irregular contracts and fraudulent suppliers.
The SIU report revealed that more than R2 billion in questionable payments were made through 4,501 purchase orders linked to 207 service providers, with at least 111 officials implicated.
Among those named are high-profile businessmen such as Hangwani Morgan Maumela, whose companies allegedly pocketed around R356 million, and Rudolph Mazibuko, linked to contracts worth about R249 million.
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala's companies reportedly secured contracts worth R13 million through the same syndicate network.
Motsoaledi described the findings as “a betrayal of public trust” and said it was “unacceptable that resources intended to save lives were instead looted by networks of syndicates and complicit officials.” Nine hospital employees, including former acting CEO Dr Ashley Mthunzi, were directly implicated, with six suspended, while others resigned or left the public service.
The scandal has also cast a long shadow over the assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who first flagged the suspicious payments in 2021 before she was gunned down outside her Johannesburg home.
Motsoaledi has called for swift prosecutions and recovery of assets, backing the Asset Forfeiture Unit’s move to freeze properties, vehicles and luxury goods worth over R370 million. “The public deserves justice, and every cent stolen from the health system must be reclaimed,” he said.
The Tembisa case is now seen as one of the largest healthcare fraud scandals in South Africa’s history, exposing deep-rooted corruption networks that cripple service delivery.
