The Special Investigating Unit has secured about R42.4 million in cash and assets linked to alleged corruption at Tembisa Hospital.

TimesLIVE reports that the amount includes properties, pensions and investments preserved through Special Tribunal orders and repayment agreements.

The case forms part of the SIU’s wider investigation into procurement irregularities and alleged corruption at the Gauteng hospital.

Assets linked to alleged bribes

According to the SIU, the preserved assets are linked to officials and associates accused of benefiting from procurement deals at Tembisa Hospital.

The unit says hospital officials allegedly helped suppliers secure contracts through irregular procurement processes. In one part of the investigation, the SIU identified about R100 million in payments from companies linked to businessman Stefan Joel Govindraju to current and former hospital officials. These payments are suspected to be kickbacks.

The NPA separately alleges that Govindraju paid more than R41 million in gratification to Tembisa Hospital officials in exchange for their intervention in procurement and supply chain processes.

Govindraju faces 70 charges including fraud, theft, money laundering and corruption-related offences. He has not been convicted on those charges.

Millions recovered and preserved

The SIU says Tembisa Hospital employee Zacharia Tshisele has already repaid R13.53 million after signing an acknowledgement of debt.

TimesLIVE reports that assets linked to Tshisele include pension funds and properties in Kempton Park and Boksburg. Investments connected to mining ventures and a film project were also included in preservation arrangements.

The R42.4 million total also includes assets previously preserved from former Tembisa Hospital official Duduzile Nobungwana, including a R6.4 million Midstream Estate property and R1.8 million in pension benefits.

Wider Tembisa Hospital investigation continues

The SIU’s investigation into Tembisa Hospital has identified three alleged procurement syndicates linked to more than R2 billion in questionable spending.

Its 2025 interim report said corrupt payments to officials had already led to several referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority.

The investigation remains ongoing, while criminal cases are being handled separately by law enforcement and the NPA.