Five companies flagged by slain whistle-blower Babita Deokaran scored more than R1bn

Five companies received more than R1bn in irregular contracts pertaining to corruption at the Thembisa Tertiary Hospital.

The companies had been highlighted in a report compiled by slain whistle-blower Babita Deokaran.

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed that before Deokaran was killed in Winchester Hills, south of Johannesburg, in August last year, the department of health official had compiled a forensic report profiling 224 companies.

Lesufi held a press briefing in Midrand on Tuesday where he provided details of the SIU report into Thembisa Tertiary Hospital.

He said the main beneficiary of irregular procurement practice was Dr Stefan Govindraju, who between January 1 2020 and October 11 2022 received about R437m using different companies.

The Maumela family were revealed as the second biggest beneficiaries. Hangwani Morgan Maumela and his cousin scored more than R336m in contracts.

They were followed by the Mazibuko family (R249,581,855) and ANC Ekurhuleni treasurer-general Sello Sekhokho, who received R1.7m in work.

“All those responsible must be hunted down. They must answer for their own sins in a court of law and explain themselves.”

Lesufi said the SIU report revealed that suspended CEO at Thembisa Hospital, Ashley Mthunzi, was responsible for approving all irregular bids made at the time and disciplinary action would follow.

TimesLIVE

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.