SIU Responds To Tribunal Order Returning Aston Martins, Ferraris And Rolls-Royce Seized In Tembisa Hospital Probe

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has played down the impact of a Special Tribunal ruling that ordered the conditional return of five luxury vehicles seized during high-profile raids linked to alleged R2 billion looting at Tembisa Hospital.

The ruling relates to two Aston Martins, two Ferraris and a Rolls-Royce that were confiscated last year during coordinated searches at alleged kingpin Hangwani Maumela’s Sandton property and a luxury car dealership in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.

Last Friday, former Special Tribunal president Judge Margaret Victor ordered that the vehicles be released to Omar’s Motor Den, subject to strict conditions aimed at preserving their value while investigations continue.

Special Tribunal Sets Conditions for Release of Seized Supercars

The vehicles – two 2023 Aston Martins, a 2021 Ferrari 812, a 2018 Ferrari 488GTB and a 2023 Rolls-Royce – form part of assets worth close to R900 million seized in October following an interim preservation order.

In her judgment, Judge Victor said Omar’s Motor Den must provide security equivalent to the market value of each vehicle.

“The market value of the vehicles shall be determined by an independent third party appointed by the curator bonis in order to calculate the amount of security to be put up,” the ruling states.

The judgement further stipulates that any intended sale of the vehicles must first be approved by the curator bonis, taking into account factors such as the purchase price and the identity of the buyer.

The security will remain in place unless altered by a tribunal order, and the vehicles must be insured to the curator bonis’ satisfaction.

Ownership Dispute and Discounted Transactions Under Scrutiny

Omar’s Motor Den approached the tribunal, arguing that the SIU failed to disclose eNaTIS certificates in its possession which, the dealership said, showed it was the lawful owner of the vehicles.

The SIU, however, maintains that the transactions transferring ownership to the dealership are suspicious.

It has also challenged the validity of transfers involving a company owned by Maumela’s sister, stating that she had no knowledge of the purchases, ownership transfers or payments into her company’s bank account. Some of the vehicles, the unit said, were never registered in her company’s name.

One Aston Martin was allegedly bought in October 2023 for R2.5 million from the sister’s company and registered in the dealership’s name the same month.

The SIU’s investigation found the vehicle had previously been registered to another supercar dealership, which issued a tax invoice of more than R5 million to the Hangwani Morgan Maumela (MHR) Family Trust. According to the SIU, the sharp price difference raised red flags.

Another Aston Martin was bought for R4 million in July last year, despite an original purchase price of R6 million. The SIU described the reduced sale price as irrational.

The Rolls-Royce was acquired for R10.6 million in April last year, while transaction records reviewed by the SIU showed Maumela or the MHR Family Trust paid about R16.7 million for it. The unit said the sister’s company was never the registered owner and alleged that Maumela controlled its bank account.

One Ferrari was originally purchased for nearly R8.4 million in November 2020 and later bought by the dealership for R6.8 million.

The second Ferrari, bought by Omar’s Motor Den for R3.7 million in March last year, was allegedly purchased by Maumela for just over R6.41 million in September 2018 before being sold at a significantly reduced price.

SIU Says Mandate Unaffected as Investigation Continues

The SIU’s investigation has identified 26 high-value vehicles worth almost R207 million, which it alleges were acquired by members of what it terms the Maumela Syndicate using proceeds of unlawful activities.

The unit alleges that Maumela acted as the syndicate’s kingpin and registered vehicles in the names of proxies or linked parties to conceal true ownership.

On Saturday, SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the ruling did not undermine the unit’s work. “The purpose of preservation orders is to ensure that, when the main proceedings take effect, the State has in its possession assets to recover the losses it has suffered,” he said.

“While Omar’s Motor Den has been granted the temporary return of two Aston Martins, two Ferraris, and a Rolls-Royce, this is strictly conditional.”

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Kganyago said the requirement for security equal to each vehicle’s full market value means the SIU has not lost control of the assets.

“The preservation order continues to protect the assets while investigations into the Maumela syndicate and related procurement irregularities at Tembisa Hospital proceed,” he said.

He added that the tribunal itself acknowledged that ownership issues remain unresolved and that the suspicious discounted transactions will be tested during the main proceedings.

“The preservation order remains in place, and the vehicles’ value is safeguarded for the state pending final determination. The vehicles have not been lost to the SIU; their value is secured, and the investigation continues,” Kganyago said.