Hawks Close In on More Suspects in Tembisa Hospital’s R2bn Looting Case

• The Hawks confirmed several simultaneous investigations are underway as authorities trace money linked to the alleged R2-billion Tembisa Hospital looting
• A 37-year-old doctor, Stefan Govindraju, appeared in court accused of using 98 shell companies to siphon R635 million, including buying skinny jeans for the hospital
• Investigators say the case involves deep-rooted networks and syndicates, with the search for those who ordered Babita Deokaran's murder still ongoing

GAUTENG — The Hawks have confirmed that multiple strands of the Tembisa Hospital corruption investigation are running concurrently. Additional suspects still being identified as authorities work to trace an alleged R2 billion in stolen public funds.

Hawks speak on the case

Speaking to eNCA, Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said investigators had mapped out seven distinct legs to the inquiry, each focused on tracking how money moved between individuals and companies. She acknowledged that some people may have received funds through their accounts without being aware that the deposits were allegedly linked to criminal proceeds, adding a layer of complexity to the probe.

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"This is an ongoing investigation, as we all know that this has been going on for the longest time," Mogale said.

Special Investigating Unit spokesperson Selby Makgotho added that syndicates, individual directors and their associates remain in the crosshairs.

"The matter is complex because it involves a number of characters and deep-rooted networks," Makgotho said.

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Doctor faces over 100 charges

The most recent arrest to emerge from the investigation is that of Stefan Govindraju, a 37-year-old doctor who was apprehended at an airport upon returning from holiday. He appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on Monday.

Govindraju faces more than 100 charges, including fraud, corruption and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he used 98 shell companies to funnel approximately R635 million from the hospital. Among the more striking allegations is that he supplied Tembisa Hospital with up to 2,000 pairs of skinny jeans at R2,500 each.

He was granted R200,000 bail. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the State did not oppose bail, noting that Govindraju had been cooperating with investigators since 2023. Whether that cooperation will have any bearing on the charges against him has not been confirmed.

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Deokaran's murder probe continues

Briefly News previously reported that Gauteng Department of Health Chief Director of Financial Accounting Babita Deokaran first raised the alarm on the financial irregularities at the hospital in 2021 after identifying suspicious transactions. She was subsequently murdered outside her Johannesburg home, an event that brought the scale of the alleged looting into sharp public focus.

Several individuals have since been convicted for carrying out her killing. However, investigators are still working to identify and prosecute those believed to have commissioned and financed the hit. Other figures linked to the broader scandal include businessmen Hangwani Maumela and Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

Source: Briefly News