The High Court in Johannesburg has granted a final forfeiture order allowing the State to seize assets worth more than R300 million belonging to businessman Hangwani Maumela.
The order, granted on Monday following an application by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), includes six luxury properties, high-end vehicles and a boat allegedly linked to the proceeds of corruption involving funds intended for Tembisa Hospital on Gauteng's East Rand.
Among the properties forfeited are a R9.5 million home in Ballito, an R88 million mansion in Cape Town, and two Johannesburg properties with a combined value of approximately R141 million.
The forfeited assets also include four Lamborghinis, a Bentley and a luxury boat.
Authorities have linked Maumela to the alleged looting of about R2 billion in government funds earmarked for Tembisa Hospital, one of the country's largest public healthcare facilities.
The investigation into the alleged corruption gained momentum after Durban-born whistleblower Babita Deokaran uncovered irregularities while serving as acting chief financial officer in the Gauteng Department of Health.
Deokaran had raised concerns over suspected fraud and corruption involving procurement at the hospital before she was shot and killed outside her Johannesburg home in August 2021. Her murder sparked national outrage and renewed calls for greater protection of whistleblowers exposing corruption.
The latest forfeiture order marks a significant step in the State's efforts to recover assets allegedly acquired through proceeds of crime as investigations into the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal continue.