Cash, Corruption, and Consequences: Arrests in Tembisa Hospital Scandal

Two figures at the heart of South Africa’s ongoing Tembisa Hospital corruption saga are now in custody: a Hawks officer and a senior hospital official. The arrests, made on Sunday, mark a significant moment in a case that has haunted Gauteng’s healthcare sector since the tragic assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran in August 2021.

Bribery on the Table

According to Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, the arrests follow a bribery attempt linked to the ongoing investigation into the hospital. On 21 November, a sergeant attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI, also known as the Hawks) informed another officer that a 53-year-old Tembisa Hospital official wanted to meet regarding the probeand was willing to offer money to avoid prosecution.

Two days later, the meeting took place. Mbambo said the hospital official handed over R100,000 in cash as “gratification” to the DPCI officer involved in the case. An operation authorised by the Director of Public Prosecutions immediately led to the arrest of both the Hawks sergeant and the hospital official. They are scheduled to appear in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 November 2025, on corruption charges.

Hawks Stand Firm

Acting National Commissioner of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi, praised the investigating officer for refusing to succumb to criminal solicitation.

“We assure the public that investigations relating to corruption at Tembisa Hospital will continue without deterrence. Those within the DPCI who involve themselves in criminal activities will be rooted out of the organisation,” Nkosi said, emphasising the Hawks’ commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

The Shadow of Babita Deokaran

The investigation into Tembisa Hospital’s procurement irregularities began with a report by the late Babita Deokaran, who was Chief Director of Financial Accounting at the Gauteng Health Department. Deokaran was assassinated on 23 August 2021, leaving a chilling void in the fight against corruption. Her report highlighted suspected tender manipulation and financial misconduct in the hospital’s Supply Chain Management division.

Deokaran’s warnings were far from theoretical. Recent reports revealed that tender kingpin Hangwani Maumela had used millions siphoned from Tembisa Hospital to fund a R208 million car spree, including a R52 million Pagani Huayra Roadster, one of only 100 ever built worldwide.

Public Reaction: Outrage and Demand for Accountability

Social media erupted as news of the arrests spread. Many South Africans expressed relief that action was being taken, but frustration remains high. “It’s been years of delays and cover-ups. Let’s hope this is the turning point,” wrote one Twitter user, echoing a sentiment widely shared online.

Others called for a deeper investigation into the network of shell companies and officials implicated in the scandal, stressing that real accountability must extend beyond the two recent arrests.

Corruption’s Ripple Effect

The Tembisa Hospital saga is more than just a headline; it’s a reminder of how corruption in public healthcare can ripple through communities, draining resources meant for patient care and eroding public trust. Experts warn that unless systemic changes are implemented, these scandals will continue to recur, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable and justice delayed.

As Nkosi reminded the public, “The fight against corruption is ongoing, and those who think they are untouchable, even within law enforcement, will face the consequences.”

South Africans will be watching closely as this case unfolds in court, hoping that justice for Deokaran’s work and for the millions of rands misappropriated, finally catches up with those responsible.

{Source: The Citizen}

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