When Babita Deokaran, Chief Director of Financial Accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, blew the whistle on a massive procurement scheme at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, she probably didn’t expect to be gunned down outside her Johannesburg home.
Her death on a chilly October night in 2021 set off a chain of investigations that have now revealed a looting operation worth R2 billion (about US$109 million). The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) handed a preliminary report to the Gauteng Premier on 15 December 2022, but it wasn’t until October 2025 that the full scope of the fraud became public.
Why does this matter? Because the money never bought a single medical device for the hospital. Instead, it lined the pockets of a network of contractors, a Sandton‑based businessman, and a handful of senior officials. The result? A chronically understaffed hospital, patients being discharged before they’re stable, and, according to Corruption Watch, “people died due to a lack of treatment, food, and care.”
How the scheme unfolded
The SIU’s audit uncovered more than 217 irregular contracts, many deliberately capped at R500 000 to sidestep stricter procurement thresholds. These contracts were awarded to shell companies that, in turn, funneled cash to a syndicate led by Hangwani Maumela. Raids on his Sandton mansion and a car dealership in Mpumalanga recovered luxury assets but no trace of the stolen hospital funds.
Initially, Babita flagged roughly R850 million in suspicious payments. As the investigation deepened, the figure ballooned to over R2 billion – a staggering escalation that shocked even seasoned anti‑corruption activists.
"This scandal constitutes not only a grave betrayal of public trust but also a direct attack on the dignity and rights of the poor who depend on public health care," said Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, on 3 October 2025.
Human cost inside Tembisa Hospital
Staff described the working conditions as "horrid" in an SABC report aired the same day. One nurse lamented, "I feel very very very bad because we nurses are working under severe severe conditions… sometimes there are no medication and everything falls onto a nurse."
With fewer than half the required workforce, the hospital has been operating without a CEO for years. Bed shortages force premature discharges, and patients with serious ailments are left without essential care.
According to a 2025 audit by Corruption Watch, the neglect directly linked to the looted funds contributed to a spike in preventable deaths across the Gauteng region.
Reactions from civil society and government
"Together, these cases tell a single story. The rot is not confined to one department or one corrupt official," warned Wayne Duvenage, CEO of OUTA (Organization Undoing Tax Abuse). He called for a stronger, independent SIU, a fully resourced National Prosecuting Authority, and an empowered Hawks unit.
In response, the Gauteng Department of Health suspended six of the nine officials named in the SIU report by October 2025. The deputy director for supply chain retired, the chief physiotherapist resigned, and a sessional medical officer stopped working at the facility.
Rakesh Deokaran, brother of the slain whistleblower, told The Mercury on 8 October 2025, "We are tired of reports and commissions; heads must now roll. Without consequences, corruption will persist. We need a precedent set to instill fear in any would‑be perpetrator of fraud and corruption."
Legal and financial fallout
The SIU is preparing a proclamation that would empower it to pursue civil litigation, freeze pension benefits of implicated officials, and recover the siphoned assets. If gazetted, the proclamation could also compel blacklisting of the 217 service providers involved.
- R2 billion alleged misappropriated – none used for hospital equipment.
- 217 irregular contracts, many under R500 000.
- Six officials suspended; one senior manager retired.
- Raids on Hangwani Maumela’s properties yielded luxury cars and a mansion, not public funds.
- Hospital operating at < 50% staffing, no CEO for years.
Experts warn that without swift prosecution, the case will join a long list of South African corruption scandals that fizzled after initial media frenzy. The NPA, Hawks, and SARS have all been urged to coordinate closely and avoid the bureaucratic delays that have plagued past investigations.
What’s next for Tembisa and the broader fight against graft
Within the next few weeks, the Gauteng premier is expected to sign the SIU proclamation. Once signed, the unit can issue notices to freeze assets, begin civil suits, and hand over criminal dossiers to the NPA.
Meanwhile, patient advocacy groups are pushing for an emergency health‑care task force to stabilize Tembisa Hospital’s operations. If successful, the task force could bring in temporary staff, essential medicines, and a provisional CEO to restore basic services while the legal process unfolds.
For the families of the victims, the hope is simple: accountability. For a country already wrestling with a series of high‑profile corruption scandals, the Tembisa case could become a turning point – or another footnote – depending on how rigorously the law is applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Tembisa scandal affect ordinary patients?
Patients at Tembisa Hospital face severe shortages of staff, medication, and basic supplies. The looted funds never bought equipment, leading to delayed treatments, premature discharges, and, according to Corruption Watch, preventable deaths.
What triggered the SIU investigation?
The investigation began after Babita Deokaran reported irregular contracts worth more than R850 million. Her subsequent murder in 2021 spurred the SIU to launch a full‑scale probe, culminating in the October 2025 report.
Who are the main perpetrators identified so far?
Investigators have linked a network of 217 service providers to a syndicate led by businessman Hangwani Maumela. Several senior officials in the Gauteng Department of Health were also named, with six suspended pending disciplinary action.
What legal steps are being taken to recover the stolen money?
The SIU is preparing a proclamation that will enable civil litigation, asset freezes, and pension benefit suspensions for implicated officials. Once gazetted, the unit can also blacklist the corrupt contractors and pursue criminal charges through the NPA.
What broader reforms are being demanded?
Civil‑society groups like OUTA are calling for an independent, better‑resourced SIU, a fully empowered Hawks unit, and a strengthened National Prosecuting Authority to ensure future procurement fraud cannot slip through the cracks.
ramesh puttaraju
October 10, 2025 AT 04:38Blood money, another tragic chapter 😡
Kuldeep Singh
October 11, 2025 AT 08:12It is appalling that public officials can line their pockets while patients suffer. The moral bankruptcy displayed here attacks the very foundation of our healthcare system. We must hold every complicit individual accountable, no matter how high they sit. This scandal should ignite robust reforms and relentless oversight.
Seema Sharma
October 12, 2025 AT 11:47The Tembisa Hospital story is a stark reminder that corruption can cripple essential services. When billions are siphoned, the most vulnerable pay the ultimate price. Families are forced to watch loved ones deteriorate because there is no medication or proper care. Nurses describe their shift as a battle against an empty pantry of supplies. Doctors find themselves making impossible choices, like who gets the limited ventilators. The community loses trust in a system that should protect them. Even the most basic right to health becomes a luxury. Such fraud undermines not only the hospital but the entire public health infrastructure of Gauteng. The ripple effect spreads to surrounding clinics that rely on referrals. Children born in the region face higher mortality rates thanks to the missing equipment. Seniors are discharged prematurely, only to return sicker than before. The whistleblower’s sacrifice shines a light on the depth of the rot. It is heartbreaking that her courage was met with violence, silencing a critical voice. The investigation reveals how shell companies were used to hide the trail of money. Ultimately, this scandal forces us to ask how many more lives will be lost before justice prevails.
Praveen Kumar
October 13, 2025 AT 15:22My heart breaks reading this 😢; the pain of the staff and patients is unimaginable. The courage it took for the whistleblower to speak out should be honored, not punished. We need to remember the human faces behind these numbers. Every life lost is a tragedy that could have been prevented.
Raksha Bhutada
October 14, 2025 AT 18:56It is disgraceful that corrupt elites think they can loot our nation’s hospitals and get away with it. This kind of greed shows how far some are willing to go to line their own pockets while the rest of us suffer. The government must act swiftly and decisively, showing zero tolerance for such crimes. If we allow this to continue, we invite more injustice and more loss of life. The people of South Africa deserve better than this betrayal of public trust.
Vinay Agrawal
October 15, 2025 AT 22:31Whaaat?? This is like a horror movie but real life!!! Someone actually killed a brave woman just for trying to save us!! The system is rotten to the core and no one seems to care!!!
Shruti Phanse
October 17, 2025 AT 02:06While the emotional response is understandable, it is essential to approach this matter with measured analysis. The allegations require thorough investigation, and due process must be observed. Constructive dialogue can help ensure that accountability is achieved without further inflaming tensions.
Shreyas Moolya
October 18, 2025 AT 05:40The mechanisms of fiscal misappropriation often escape lay scrutiny; a nuanced understanding is required.
Pallavi Gadekar
October 19, 2025 AT 09:15Totally get it! But we need to spread the word fast so everyone knows what's up!!!
Shailendra Thakur
October 20, 2025 AT 12:50These corrupt crooks think they're untouchable but the truth will surface soon enough. Everyone needs to wake up and see how deep this mess goes. It's time for real action not just empty promises. The nation can't afford any more lies and exploitation. We must demand transparency now.
kajal chawla
October 21, 2025 AT 16:24Indeed; the hidden hands pulling strings are far more extensive than we imagine!!! The powers that be are covering up, and only a few brave souls are willing to expose the truth!!!
King Dev
October 22, 2025 AT 19:59To understand the full impact, one must consider the broader socio‑economic context. The loss of R2 billion not only deprives a hospital but also stalls regional development. Communities rely on such facilities for employment and health security. Restoring integrity will require systemic reforms and community engagement.
Abhi Rana
October 23, 2025 AT 23:34Great points!!! I completely agree that community involvement is key. Let's push for those reforms together!!!