Syndicate, reportedly linked to President Ramaphosa's nephew, was involved in a R326 million scheme

Authorities have arrested Hangwani Maumela, who is allegedly involved in a syndicate accused of defrauding the state of over R326 million.

Maumela, a businessman reportedly linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa through a previous marriage, is a central figure in an investigation concerning corruption at Tembisa Hospital. President Ramaphosa has denied any knowledge of Mr. Maumela.

The National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has obtained two preservation orders to freeze assets that were allegedly purchased with stolen public funds. This action follows a forensic investigation initiated by the late Babita Deokaran, a senior official in the Gauteng Department of Health, who raised concerns about suspicious procurement deals at the hospital.

Deokaran was assassinated in August 2021. This tragic event occurred shortly after she submitted a report detailing systemic abuse within the supply chain processes

Her findings caused the National Treasury’s Specialised Audit Services unit to step up to conduct a thorough audit, spurred on by compelling findings that suggest potential irregularities in financial management.

On 14 August 2025, the AFU obtained a court order to seize assets linked to the Maumela syndicate, valued at roughly R326 million.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the assets include upmarket properties, four Lamborghinis, a Bentley and a boat.

“The applications by the AFU are premised on forensic investigations by firms appointed to assist in the investigation concerning allegations of procurement fraud and corruption that took place at the Tembisa Hospital during the period from January 2019 to August 2022,” she said.

She added that the funds gained through the scheme were used for personal enrichment, bribes and luxury living, not for delivering goods or services to the hospital.

A second preservation order, granted on 27 August 2025, froze assets worth at least R47 million linked to the Mazibuko syndicate. This includes high-end homes and luxury vehicles valued at over R10 million.

Advocate Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba, the Deputy National Director of the NPA and head of the AFU, emphasised that every citizen feels the impact of corruption.

“When there is no water, when there is no electricity, no textbooks, no medication, no hospitals, we are all suffering,” she said. She added that denying South Africans healthcare, including medicine in hospitals, is a travesty of justice.

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