Pressure mounts on Ramaphosa after Maumela admission: Parties call for an investigation

President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing renewed calls to be investigated after he admitted in Parliament on Tuesday to knowing controversial figure Hangwani Maumela, who is linked to the alleged looting of over R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital. 

The President's admission, which contradicted previous denials by his spokesperson, has ignited a political firestorm, with the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) calling for accountability. 

Ramaphosa, answering questions from Members of Parliament at the National Council of Provinces, acknowledged his acquaintance with Maumela, explaining that their connection stemmed from a past marriage to Maumela's aunt, which ended 43 years ago.

He initially denied knowing Maumela in 2022 (in response to a question from DA leader John Steenhuisen), a claim he now attributes to not having "encountered him and I had never seen him and that was gospel truth." 

However, he detailed later encounters, including seeing Maumela during morning walks in his (Sandton) neighbourhood in 2023 and 2024. He stated that he had previously seen Maumela emerge from a "massive house" under construction, which he later learned was Maumela's.

"This matter has occupied the headlines for a couple of days now," Ramaphosa said on Tuesday. "47 years ago I got married to his father's sister, who is his aunt. We divorced 43 years ago. When I said to Honourable Steenhuisen in 2022… I said I did not know him because I had not encountered him and I had never seen him and that was gospel truth."

He went on to describe the circumstances of his subsequent encounters. 

"Later in 2023 I was walking in a street where I usually walk and even this morning my convoy drove past his house... In 2024 I am walking on that same street and a person came out of the house and greeted me. It was the Maumela that was putting my name in disrepute. I walked away to my home."

Despite his explanation, opposition parties are not convinced. 

Maumela was implicated in a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report, which alleged he headed one of three major syndicates that looted Tembisa Hospital. These syndicates reportedly diverted public healthcare funds using fraudulent tenders, inflated prices, and non-existent deliveries. 

The SIU's investigation found that Maumela allegedly used a network of 41 companies to siphon off R820 million from the hospital over two years. 

The broader investigation uncovered that three syndicates were responsible for looting over R2 billion.

ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona drew parallels to the Phala Phala matter, saying 'Ramaphosa also lied from the outset'. 

"As the ATM we are not shocked at this revelation… It's just in his (Ramaphosa) nature to lie. Phala Phala, he lied about everything. He lied about paying taxes and about not reporting the matter," Ntshona said. 

"We are disappointed but we are not shocked at the revelations," Ntshona said.

MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela accused Ramaphosa of being dishonest.

“Every time Ramaphosa makes a move he sinks further and further because he is in quicksand.

“He is lying to us once again. His son Andile is cousins with Maumela and he wanted to tell us he didn't know him?...We just want to say to him we will see him at the ad hoc committee (investigating claims of political interference in the police).

 The MKP plans to formally write to the Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, requesting an investigation into Ramaphosa. 

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za