Junior Clerks among Tembisa staff paid millions in bribes by syndicates

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has revealed that more than R120 million in corrupt payments were made to Tembisa Hospital staff by syndicates in exchange for the awarding of tenders.

The revelation comes as the SIU released its interim report into corruption at the facility.

It found that R2 billion was siphoned from the hospital through irregular tenders involving shell companies.

According to the SIU, over R122 million in bribes was split among 15 hospital employees who allegedly facilitated money laundering, collusion, and bid rigging with improperly appointed service providers.

SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said the implicated employees were mostly junior staffers.

“These are the employees who have, to date, caused more losses to the Tembisa Hospital. The phenomenon of lower officials causing more damage has been observed in other investigations, such as the Home Affairs investigations.”

While one mid-level manager at the hospital allegedly received R30 million from a syndicate linked to businessmen Hangwani Morgan Maumela and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, several entry-level clerks were also implicated, allegedly pocketing bribes ranging between R1.1 million and R6 million.