The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is hunting for eight luxury vehicles allegedly linked to businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela in connection with the R2-billion Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal.

The search took investigators to a Midrand property on Friday (October 30) after an anonymous whistleblower tipped off the SIU that one of the outstanding vehicles, a Bentley allegedly belonging to Maumela, had been hidden there by an associate.

However, the Bentley was nowhere to be found when SIU investigators and the appointed curator searched the property, reports the Midrand Reporter.

Investigators trace missing luxury fleet

The Midrand operation forms part of a wider asset recovery drive targeting what investigators have identified as the Maumela Syndicate, one of three major procurement networks allegedly involved in extracting more than R2b from Tembisa Hospital.

According to the SIU, eight vehicles remain outstanding: four Ferraris, three Porsches and one Bentley. The curator has already taken control of 15 other vehicles linked to the investigation.

SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho said the search was conducted to verify the whistle-blower’s information and that the unit would continue tracing the outstanding vehicles.

The curator is acting under previous Special Tribunal orders requiring implicated parties to disclose their assets and placing identified property under curatorship.

How the Tembisa Hospital scandal unfolds

The investigation has its origins in concerns raised by the late Babita Deokaran, a Gauteng Department of Health financial officer who flagged suspicious payments and procurement transactions involving Tembisa Hospital suppliers in 2021.

Deokaran was assassinated outside her Johannesburg home on August 23, 2021, shortly after raising the alarm about potentially irregular payments.

Her disclosures prompted further scrutiny of the hospital’s procurement processes and helped set in motion the investigation into the alleged corruption networks.

In September 2025, the SIU released an interim investigation report detailing how more than R2b intended for healthcare services had allegedly been siphoned off through fraudulent procurement, collusion, money laundering and corruption.

Investigators identified three major syndicates, including the network linked to Maumela.

The SIU’s investigation identified 1 728 procurement bundles worth approximately R816.5m linked to the Maumela Syndicate and traced 41 suppliers or service providers connected to the businessman.

The investigation also identified assets worth approximately R520m linked to Maumela, including luxury vehicles and properties.

Three companies linked to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala were among the suppliers associated with the network and received contracts worth more than R13.5m, according to the SIU.

The wider investigation identified 207 service providers involved in 4 501 purchase orders, with a total value of approximately R2.04b under investigation.

Special Tribunal freezes R900m in assets

In October 2025, the SIU obtained a Special Tribunal order to preserve assets valued at approximately R900m linked to one of the alleged syndicates operating at Tembisa Hospital.

The order was intended to prevent the disposal or concealment of assets potentially acquired through the alleged corruption while civil recovery proceedings continued.

The tribunal also directed members of the Maumela Syndicate to provide a full and frank disclosure, under oath, of their assets, property, financial interests and claims.

The disclosure included assets held directly or through beneficial ownership and other legal interests.

The asset recovery process has continued into 2026.

High Court clears R9.5m Ferrari sale

In August, the Special Tribunal authorised the sale of a Ferrari SF90 Stradale linked to the MHR Maumela Family Trust for no less than R9.5m.

The curator argued that the sale would help preserve the value of the asset and reduce ongoing storage, insurance and maintenance costs.

The proceeds were ordered to be placed in an interest-bearing trust account and could be used only for maintaining assets under curatorship, subject to SIU approval.

Maumela and the trust subsequently approached the High Court in an attempt to stop the sale. The court dismissed their urgent application, allowing the tribunal’s order to stand.

The SIU’s broader investigation into corruption and maladministration at Tembisa Hospital is authorised under Proclamation 136 of 2023.

Under the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, the unit can obtain financial and cellphone records, search and seize evidence, question witnesses under oath and institute civil proceedings to recover money lost by the state.

Evidence pointing to possible criminal conduct is referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for consideration.

The SIU has said it will continue tracing the outstanding vehicles and other assets linked to the alleged syndicate.

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