On 9 October 2025, the SIU and the Curator (supported inter alia by the South African Police Service and the Johannesburg Metro Police, etc.) appointed by the Special Tribunal at the request of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) initiated the process of preserving assets connected to one of the alleged syndicates that operated at the Tembisa Hospital. This action follows an interim order issued by the Special Tribunal to preserve assets of approximately R900 million that were allegedly unlawfully and irregularly paid out by Tembisa Hospital. As a result of yesterday’s operation, the Curator (at the behest of the SIU) has successfully secured assets valued at approximately R133.5 million. Although mopping-up operations are still underway in respect of the two venues of yesterday’s operations, i.e Sandhurst, Sandton, Gauteng and Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. The operation will now move to other locations across a number of provinces.
The order, granted by the President of the Special Tribunal, Honourable Madam Justice Victor, on 29 September 2025 and significantly expanded on 7 October 2025, represents one of the most comprehensive asset preservation actions in recent times. It is aimed at preventing the dissipation of assets allegedly acquired through unlawful means, pending the finalisation of civil proceedings to recover the funds.
The order includes a fleet of ultra-luxury vehicles, as well as jewellery, art, cash, electronic devices, and financial assets that may potentially be found, including bank accounts, shares, cryptocurrency, loan accounts, and members’ interests in companies, etc. Additionally, the order covers any other assets, whether known or unknown, which the Curator, through the further assistance of inter alia the SIU and other agencies, may be able to identify. The order also directs the entities and persons allegedly linked to the alleged syndicate to declare all of their assets to the Curator and the SIU. Failure to declare all assets, where any undeclared assets may potentially still be identified, may result in inter alia contempt of court proceedings.
Thursday’s operation was divided into two parts. One team was in Sandhurst, Gauteng and another at a dealership in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.
On this recovery operation, the Curator (assisted by the SIU and supported by the South African Police Service, etc.) has secured the following assets:
- A property in Sandhurst: estimated value R70 million
- Three Lamborghinis: estimated value R25 million
- Household contents: estimated value R3 million
- Security in respect of the Household contents: estimated value R500 000
In Emalahleni, the Curator (assisted by the SIU and supported by the South African Police Service, etc.) found:
- Two Aston Martin luxury cars
- One Ferrari luxury car
- One Rolls-Royce luxury car
The Mpumalanga dealership (on a completely without prejudice basis) gave the SIU surety of two immovable properties (without any bonds outstanding on them) valued at approximately R35 million in exchange for the Curator (in the interim) not removing the luxury cars from the dealership after the luxury cars have been attached by the Curator.
The order acknowledges the previous actions taken by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), and the SIU requested the Curator to consult and coordinate efforts with SARS and AFU in the best interest of the State. The order states that if any respondent successfully contests any later forfeiture or draw down by SARS or the AFU, then those assets then vulnerable to potential release will automatically be included under this preservation order obtained by the SIU and will remain preserved until the finalisation of the main recovery proceedings. Effectively ensuring that these assets remain under the preservation of the State until finalisation of the main recovery proceedings.
“The orders are a critical step in our commitment to claw back every cent that was stolen from the public purse, specifically Tembisa Hospital”, said SIU Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi. “This is not merely a preservation but a proactive, intensive effort to trace, secure, and ultimately recover assets that we allege are the proceeds of corruption. We will not allow individuals to hide behind complex corporate and trust structures.”
The preserved assets will remain under the control of the Curator appointed by the Special Tribunal until the final determination of up to 41 main civil recovery proceedings to be instituted, the first of which the SIU is mandated to institute within 60 court days. Once civil proceedings are concluded, the assets will be forfeited to the state.
The SIU is directed by Proclamation No. 136 of 2023 to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the Gauteng Department of Health and the Tembisa Hospital. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU has also referred any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.
Names of officials involved in the collusion and corruption with service providers have been referred to the Gauteng Department of Health to institute disciplinary action. The service providers involved will also be blacklisted, and other regulatory action will be instituted.
Under the SIU Act, the SIU is also authorised to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation in order, inter alia, to recover any losses suffered by the State.
Enquiries: Mr. Ngwako Motsieng
Senior Communication Manager: Special Investigating Unit
Cell: 0828648838
Email: siumedia@siu.org.za