Johannesburg, February 7, 2026 – The Special Tribunal has mandated the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to return five high-end luxury vehicles to their registered owner, Omar’s Mobile Den CC, which operates as Omar’s Motor Den. The decision stems from the SIU’s ongoing investigation into alleged corruption at Tembisa Hospital, where the vehicles were preserved as potential proceeds of illicit activities linked to businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela.
The vehicles in question include two 2023-model Aston Martins, a 2023-model Rolls-Royce, a 2021-model Ferrari 812, and a 2018-model Ferrari 488GTB. These were initially seized and preserved under a court order issued in September 2023, as part of the SIU’s efforts to secure assets connected to the so-called “Maumela syndicate.” The combined estimated value of the cars exceeds R40 million, based on records of their acquisition prices.
The Tembisa Hospital scandal, which unfolded between 2018 and 2023, involves allegations of widespread corruption, maladministration, and fraud in procurement processes at the Gauteng public health facility. The irregularities are estimated to have resulted in financial losses exceeding R2 billion to the state. The case gained national attention following the 2021 murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who had exposed irregularities in hospital tenders awarded to connected companies. Investigations revealed that multiple syndicates, including the one allegedly led by Maumela – a nephew of President Cyril Ramaphosa – benefited from irregularly awarded contracts for medical supplies and services.
In October 2025, the SIU escalated its asset recovery operations, obtaining a preservation order for approximately R900 million in assets tied to the Maumela-linked entities. On the first day of enforcement, the unit secured items valued at R133.5 million, including properties, bank accounts, and the luxury vehicles raided from Maumela’s residence in Mulbarton, Johannesburg. Subsequent actions by the Asset Forfeiture Unit led to the freezing of an additional R326 million in related holdings.
The tribunal’s recent ruling, handed down on February 7, 2026, hinged on procedural lapses by the SIU during its initial application for the preservation order. Court documents show that the SIU did not disclose to the tribunal that the vehicles were registered under Omar’s Motor Den’s name, as confirmed by eNATIS vehicle certificates, rather than under Maumela or his family trust. Omar’s Motor Den, a dealership, had argued that the SIU was aware of this ownership detail prior to the raid, based on the same certificates provided in earlier interactions.
In its application to the tribunal, the SIU maintained that the vehicles were purchased using funds derived from the hospital scandal, pointing to suspiciously low acquisition prices relative to market values. However, the tribunal determined that registration documents provided sufficient prima facie evidence of legitimate ownership by Omar’s Motor Den at this interim stage. The presiding judge emphasized that while suspicions around the transactions persisted, they remained unproven allegations without direct evidence implicating the dealership in corrupt activities.
The order includes specific safeguards to prevent dissipation of the assets during the ongoing probe. Omar’s Motor Den must deposit security equivalent to the current market value of each vehicle with the tribunal. Additionally, any proposed sale requires prior approval from a curator bonis, who will review the purchase price and buyer information to ensure no undue benefit to the original syndicate. These securities will remain in place until a final determination by the tribunal.
The SIU has acknowledged the ruling but described it as a limited procedural correction, stating that it does not impact the broader R2 billion recovery efforts in the Tembisa investigation. As of February 7, 2026, the unit continues to pursue preservation and forfeiture of other assets linked to the scandal, with civil litigation against implicated parties ongoing in the high court. No criminal charges have been filed against Maumela to date, though the National Prosecuting Authority is reviewing evidence gathered by the SIU.
Tragic Week in Johannesburg: Six Lives Lost to Drowning in City Waterways
JOHANNESBURG – Emergency response teams in Johannesburg have retrieved six bodies from local water bodies during a concerning three-day span, prompting urgent appeals from officials to prioritize safety measures around rivers, dams, and pools.
The recoveries, carried out by the Johannesburg Water Policing and Diving Services, occurred between February 3 and February 5 across multiple neighborhoods in the city. The sites included Norwood, Sandringham, Cosmo City, Doornkop, and Cyrildene, highlighting the widespread risks posed by urban water hazards.
Among the deceased were men and women ranging in age from 19 to 55 years old. A particularly heartbreaking case involved a seven-year-old child who drowned in an unused swimming pool in Cyrildene. In multiple instances, the bodies were discovered entangled in river currents or caught among debris, complicating the retrieval efforts. One operation demanded specialized techniques because of severe contamination in the water body, underscoring the environmental challenges faced by rescue personnel in these scenarios.
Following each recovery, the bodies were transferred to the South African Police Service for further processing. Authorities have initiated inquest dockets for all six cases to investigate the exact circumstances leading to the deaths, ensuring a thorough examination of contributing factors such as water conditions, access points, and potential preventive measures.
This cluster of incidents has intensified focus on water-related dangers in Johannesburg, where seasonal weather patterns and urban development can exacerbate hazards. Officials from the Johannesburg Water Policing and Diving Services emphasized that rivers and dams often swell with unpredictable flows, trapping individuals in submerged obstacles. Abandoned or neglected pools, like the one in Cyrildene, present silent threats, especially to young children exploring unsupervised areas.
In response, city authorities have issued clear directives to the public. Residents are advised to approach any body of water with extreme caution, avoiding entry without proper preparation. For families, the message is unequivocal: constant supervision of children near open water sources is essential to prevent tragedies. Boaters, swimmers, and anglers are recommended to don life jackets or other flotation devices as standard practice, regardless of perceived swimming proficiency or water depth.
The Johannesburg Water Policing and Diving Services, which operates around the clock to monitor and respond to such emergencies, has recorded these recoveries as part of a broader effort to map high-risk zones. Their divers, trained in both standard and hazardous extractions, navigate everything from fast-moving streams to polluted stagnant waters, often working in low visibility and under time pressure.
As inquests proceed, the police are actively seeking public input to piece together timelines and contexts for each incident. Anyone possessing details—such as sightings of individuals near the water sites prior to the recoveries or knowledge of local conditions—is encouraged to come forward. Contact can be made at the nearest police station or through the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111, where anonymity is protected for informants.
These events serve as a stark reminder of the invisible perils embedded in everyday landscapes. With Johannesburg’s mix of natural waterways and man-made features, maintaining vigilance remains a collective responsibility. Officials continue to monitor water levels and patrol vulnerable areas, but they stress that individual awareness is the first line of defense against such losses.
Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Found in Shallow Grave in Mpumalanga
Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga – Authorities have recovered the body of a 23-year-old man who had been reported missing in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga, on Sunday. The discovery was made by the police’s search and rescue team, marking a somber end to the search efforts.
The body was located buried in a shallow grave behind a home in the nearby area of Vlaklaagte 2. Police officials confirmed the find, which has prompted an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
According to reports, the deceased was last seen in the company of a 30-year-old male individual. This person is known to the police and remains at large as authorities continue their efforts to locate him.
At this stage, the exact cause of the incident remains unclear. However, it has been reported that an argument occurred between the two men prior to the disappearance, which may provide a potential lead for investigators.
Police have not released further details about the identities of those involved or any additional evidence uncovered at the scene. The investigation is active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in clarifying the events that led to this tragic outcome.
- Special Tribunal Directs SIU to Release Five Luxury Vehicles Seized in Tembisa Hospital Probe
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Community Vigilantism in South Africa: A Fact-Based Examination of Mob Justice
- Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Found in Shallow Grave in Mpumalanga
- Tragic Week in Johannesburg: Six Bodies Recovered in City Waterways
Tragic Drowning of Police Constable in North West Province During Pursuit
Phokeng, North West Province – A 25-year-old police officer has died after drowning while pursuing a suspect in a dam during routine patrol duties.
Constable Gift Mota, attached to the Visible Policing Crime Prevention Unit at Phokeng, was on duty with colleagues when a community member reported sighting a suspect connected to local robbery and burglary cases. The incident occurred in a bushy area between the Masosobane and Raffredy sections, near a dam in the Phokeng policing area.
According to details from the North West Province police, the officers accompanied the community member to the location and spotted the suspect. A chase ensued, during which the suspect entered the dam. Constable Mota followed by swimming after the individual but disappeared from view shortly afterward. The police diving unit later recovered his body from the water.
An inquest docket has been opened to examine the circumstances surrounding the drowning. Constable Mota had been transferred to the Phokeng unit in November 2025 and originated from Ermelo in Mpumalanga Province.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in the North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, issued a statement expressing condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and colleagues. “We have lost a dedicated police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while serving and protecting the community,” Naidoo said. “Constable Mota’s bravery and commitment will not be forgotten. The police stand with his family during this painful time and will ensure that they receive the necessary support.” Naidoo also urged communities to collaborate with law enforcement to combat crime and highlighted the risks faced by officers in their daily duties.
