For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: SIU probe uncovers over R2bn in looting from Tembisa Hospital; Ramaphosa announces new inquiry to assess Chauke’s fitness to hold office; And, Fraught Eskom build programme completed as Kusile Unit 6 enters commercial operation

SIU probe uncovers over R2bn in looting from Tembisa Hospital

The Special Investigating Unit has revealed in its probe into Tembisa Hospital, that three coordinated syndicates are responsible for the looting of over R2-billion from the hospital coffers.

The SIU released its interim investigation report on Tembisa Hospital today, with the expected completion of the investigation by November 2027.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago pointed to a complex investigation that required further investigation, in which he said the SIU has so far uncovered irregularities, fraudulent activities and corrupt activities by officials and service providers.

The three syndicates implicated in the coordinated looting of hospital funds includes the Maumela Syndicate, which is linked to Hangwani Morgan Maumela, who is the nephew of President Cyril Ramaphosa, through a previous marriage.

The SIU is reviewing 1 728 bundles worth R816 560 710 related to the Maumela syndicate and has completed 924 analyses, uncovering significant irregularities.

Ramaphosa announces new inquiry to assess Chauke’s fitness to hold office

President Cyril Ramaphosa has established an inquiry to determine the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office as Director of Public Prosecutions and as a member of the National Prosecuting Authority.

Chauke was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions on September 1, 2011 and faces allegations of abuse of power.

Ramaphosa has appointed retired Justice Baaitse Elizabeth (Bess) Nkabine as chairperson of the inquiry, with Advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere and attorney Thenjiwe Vilakazi as additional members.

Chauke was suspended by Ramaphosa with effect from July 20, on full pay, pending the finalisation of the inquiry.

And, Fraught Eskom build programme completed as Kusile Unit 6 enters commercial operation

Unit 6 at Kusile power station has officially entered into commercial operation, which Eskom says marks the end of its multi-decade build programme – one which experienced well-publicised delays, major cost overruns, and technical problems, alongside allegations of serious corruption that featured heavily at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

Construction on the Mpumalanga coal-fired power station started in August 2008 and was initially expected to take six years to complete, while the project’s initial budget of about R80-billion subsequently swelled to above R233-billion.

In a statement, Eskom claimed that with Unit 6 online, Kusile and Medupi now had a combined 9 600 MW when operating at full capacity and that the two power stations would help strengthen electricity supply, which had stabilised recently following years of loadshedding.

This, after Medupi Unit 4 was reintroduced in July following a protracted repair. The unit had been out of service since August 8, 2021, after its generator stator was damaged in an explosion.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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