Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed that investigations into the massive corruption scandal at Tembisa Hospital will continue — even after the death of the hospital’s former CEO, Dr Ashley Mthunzi.
According to the minister, Mthunzi’s estate could still face legal consequences for his alleged role in the looting of over R2 billion through irregular tenders. Speaking on SAFM, Motsoaledi said Mthunzi left behind property that could be confiscated as part of the ongoing probe.
“You are aware that the CEO in Tembisa who has been fingered is late, but he has an estate. So the fact that he is late does not mean that the case is over,” said Motsoaledi.
In its interim report, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that Mthunzi authorised non-compliant bidders and approved purchase orders with irregular certificates that were never questioned by provincial employees — despite the inflated prices.
The report also identified criminal syndicates led by businessmen Vusi “Cat” Matlala, Hangwani Maumela, and Rudolph Mazibuko, who allegedly benefited from the looting with the help of hospital insiders.
Mthunzi passed away in April 2024 after a short illness. His widow, Lerato Mthunzi, who serves as the secretary general of the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAITU), has previously insisted her husband was made a scapegoat.
SIU Cracks Down on Looted Wealth
The SIU recently confiscated luxury assets from Maumela’s Sandton mansion, including three Lamborghinis, as part of its ongoing recovery of stolen funds.
Motsoaledi issued a stern warning to other health officials implicated in the scandal:
“Those who participated in wrongdoing at Tembisa are dead meat. What you have seen happening to Maumela is just the tip of the iceberg — it is only the beginning.”
A mid-level manager at the hospital, identified in the SIU report as having benefited R30 million, will also face the full might of the law.
Motsoaledi said the government will continue tracing all assets bought with illicit funds, adding:
“The SIU will legally retrieve everything — houses, cars, all of it.”
More Accountability to Come
When asked why former Gauteng Health Department CFO Lerato Madyo was allowed to resign amid allegations that she ignored whistle-blower Babita Deokaran’s warnings about fraudulent transactions, Motsoaledi said there is currently no policy preventing resignations under investigation — but confirmed that criminal charges could still follow.
Motsoaledi also revealed that the National Health Council met with MECs, the SA Military Health Services, and metropolitan health leaders to address corruption across the health sector.
He added that CEOs of major hospitals will soon attend a workshop led by the SIU, which will detail how corruption networks operate within public hospitals — and how to stop them.
