CYRIL OUTSIDE MAUMELA'S MANSION 'COINCIDENTAL'

Presidency denies knowledge of Tembisa Hospital looting syndicate amid ongoing investigations

- MANYANE MANYANE

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has denied knowing one of the alleged syndicates linked to the looting of over R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital, saying the video showing him next to Hangwani Maumela's mansion, was coincidental.

He also denied ever meeting Maumela, saying he was once married to his aunt.

Maumela's name came under the spotlight after a recent Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report found that he led one of three major syndicates that diverted public funds meant for healthcare services through a complex web of fraudulent tenders, inflated prices and nonexistent deliveries.

The SIU's investigation found that Maumela allegedly used a network of 41 companies to siphon off R820 million from Tembisa Hospital over two years. The broader investigation uncovered that three syndicates were responsible for looting over R2 billion.

Last week, the SIU raided Maumela's home as part of an operation to seize assets linked to the alleged Tembisa Hospital looting. A day after the raid, a video of Ramaphosa outside Maumela's house was circulated on social media.