Tembisa Hospital corruption probe secures R42.4m in assets

The Tembisa Hospital corruption investigation has reached another significant recovery point, with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) securing approximately R42.4 million in cash, properties, pension benefits and investments linked to alleged bribes paid to hospital officials, Joburg Etc reports.

The assets are connected to businessman Stefan Joel Govindraju, whose alleged network is at the centre of a procurement investigation involving contracts worth roughly R600 million.

#SIUWorkingForYou| SIU SECURES R42.4 MILLION IN CASH AND ASSETS LINKED TO BRIBES PAID TO TEMBISA HOSPITAL OFFICIALS

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured approximately R42.4 million in cash, properties, pensions and investments linked to the R100 million in bribes… pic.twitter.com/tFrDjLalLx

Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) September 27, 2026

According to the SIU’s latest information, the preserved assets include a property valued at about R1.3 million in Birchleigh North, Kempton Park, another worth approximately R820 000 in Boksburg, pension benefits of more than R1 million and several investments and repayments.

The latest recovery does not represent the full value of assets identified in the investigation. Earlier this month, the SIU said it had identified assets linked to Govindraju worth about R150 million.

‘The SIU has, so far, identified a number of assets linked to Govindraju, with a combined value of approximately R150 million,’ SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho said.

A procurement probe years in the making

The case dates back to concerns raised over procurement at Tembisa Hospital, with the investigation eventually becoming part of a broader SIU probe into Gauteng’s Department of Health. The SIU says Govindraju was linked to at least 75 companies, 73 of which were allegedly irregularly appointed at the hospital. Those entities were awarded 1 237 contracts between 2020 and 2023, with payments totalling about R596.4 million.

The investigation also has a deeply personal chapter. Former Gauteng health official Babita Deokaran flagged unusual procurement patterns involving Tembisa Hospital in 2021. Her findings helped set the process of further investigation in motion.

Govindraju was arrested in August and faces 70 charges relating to alleged fraud, theft, money laundering and corruption. The NPA says the matter is due back in court on 29 September 2026.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has welcomed his arrest, while the SIU continues to publish developments.