You can stay in your house, but can’t drive your Lamborghini: SIU explains how asset freezing works

702's John Perlman chats to Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has frozen assets linked to individuals allegedly involved in the large-scale corruption at Tembisa Hospital, where public funds amounting to R2 billion were siphoned through fraudulent contracts.

ALSO READ: SIU reveals R2 Billion fraud at Tembisa hospital linked to multiple syndicates 

This includes luxury vehicles such as Lamborghinis and a Bentley, reportedly linked to businessman Hangwani Maumela, named in the SIU’s interim report as an alleged central figure in the syndicate.

Kganyago explains that asset preservation orders allow the state to freeze property without laying criminal charges, in order to prevent accused individuals from selling or hiding their ill-gotten gains. 

"We go the civil route, where we then prove to the court that this person is implicated and we have got evidence to that effect.  We don't even have to get that person in a court himself to defend himself. We do it without that person...without the knowledge of the person."

- Kaizer Kganyago, SIU spokesperson

"We don't go to court when we don't have clear evidence... we've got about a 98% success rate against anyone, even when they take us on appeal."

- Kaizer Kganyago, SIU spokesperson

In cases like Maumela’s, some assets (such as vehicles) are immediately removed and placed under the care of a court-appointed curator. 

Others, like houses, may still be occupied but cannot be sold or transferred.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.