JOHANNESBURG - More suspects are being sought in the Tembisa Hospital theft case, says the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks.
Spokesperson Katlego Mogale says several investigations are running in parallel, tracing the money to identify the beneficiaries of the systematic looting of R2-billion.
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The money was meant for the healthcare facility in Ekurhuleni. Gauteng Department of Health Chief Director of Financial Accounting Babita Deokaran blew the whistle when she discovered the looting under her watch in 2021.
Her murder outside her Johannesburg home blew the lid wide open, exposing the extent of the rot. Businessmen Hangwani Maumela and Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala are among those who have been linked to the theft.
On Friday, a 37-year-old doctor was arrested at the airport upon his return from holiday. He appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on Monday.
Stefan Govindraju allegedly used 98 shell companies to siphon up to R635-million from the hospital. He is alleged to have, among other things, sold up to 2,000 pairs of skinny jeans to the hospital at R2,500 each.
He faces more than 100 charges, including fraud, corruption and money laundering, and was released on R200,000 bail.
READ: Potential plea deal looms for Tembisa Hospital fraud accused
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the State was not opposed to bail because Govindraju had been cooperating with authorities since 2023.
Kganyago said they were working on a deal with Govindraju to obtain information. It is not yet clear whether the information could result in certain charges being dropped.
“This is an ongoing investigation, as we all know that this has been going on for the longest time,” Mogale said.
“We have seen seven legs to this investigation, which has amassed a series of arrests,” she added.
Mogale said one of the challenges they have faced in the continued investigation is connecting the money trail.
According to Mogale, some people may not have known that money flowing through their bank accounts was the proceeds of theft, adding to the complexity of the investigation.
“That is why some of the people arrested are charged with money laundering,” Mogale said.
She said the money was often moved through legitimate means to obscure the trail.
Deputy Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said during a memorial vigil for Deokaran that authorities were closer to establishing who ordered the hit against her.
Several men have been arrested and convicted for executing the plan. However, police say they are still pursuing the alleged mastermind.
Neeshan Balton from the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation welcomed the arrest.
“We are seeing bits and pieces now being acted on,” Balton said.
Referring to the alleged sale of skinny jeans to the hospital, Balton said: “I am not sure when patients get skinny jeans, instead of being provided with normal hospital clothing.”
While every arrest helps, Balton said it does not yet help Deokaran’s family get closer to the mastermind behind her murder.
“Who ordered the hit and who paid the people who are currently in prison? But these steps are in the right direction,” he said.
“We have always indicated that there are several syndicates, individuals, directors and associates being pursued,” said Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Selby Makgotho.
Makgotho said the Tembisa Hospital theft matter has been complex because it involves a number of characters and deep-rooted networks.
However, investigations continue.