The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg, has granted a final forfeiture order for assets valued at approximately R326 million belonging to the Maumela syndicate. This decision follows an earlier preservation order granted on 14 August 2025.
The forfeited properties include high-end residential real estate in affluent areas such as Bantry Bay, Hartbeespoort, Sandhurst, Zimbali Coastal Estate, and Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town. Luxury vehicles and assets seized in the order include multiple Lamborghini models, a Bentley Continental GT V8, an Isuzu D-Max, a multipurpose trailer, and a Regency 250 LE3 boat.
Origins of the investigation
The investigation originated from a report submitted by the late Babita Deokaran, who was assassinated on 23 August 2021 while serving as the Chief Director of Financial Accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health. Her report detailed suspected procurement irregularities with the Supply Chain Management of Tembisa Hospital. Building on this, the Asset Forfeiture Unit based its applications on forensic investigations into procurement fraud and corruption at Tembisa Hospital from January 2018 to August 2022.
Findings and financial irregularities
Furthermore, the Specialised Audit Services of the National Treasury reviewed payment data, the Central Supplier Database, and company records to verify entities linked to the unlawful activities between April 2018 and August 2022. The review confirmed large-scale corruption, establishing that 14 entities controlled by the Maumela syndicate irregularly and unlawfully benefited from Tembisa Hospital contracts exceeding R400 million in cumulative value.
Forensic findings exposed manipulated procurement processes, fake competing bids, and cover quotes. Most of the funds received were channeled into purchasing assets, paying bribes to officials, covering bidders, and funding extravagant lifestyles, leaving only a negligible fraction dedicated to actual supplies.
Statements from officials and recovery of proceeds
Advocate Andy Mothibi, the National Director of the Public Prosecutions, emphasised that the pursuit of justice continues, pointing out how corruption deprives citizens of adequate healthcare, resources, and essential equipment. He noted that the Asset Forfeiture Unit serves as a vital tool to disrupt syndicates and prevent them from using ill-gotten gains to fight the state.
Adv. Chuma Itongwona, the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecution responsible for the Asset Forfeiture Unit, added that all recovered proceeds will be deposited into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account to re-employed for the Gauteng Department of Health under the oversight of the Criminal Asset Recovery Committee.