Ramaphosa Clarifies Viral Video Outside Alleged Fraudster’s Mansion

Natalie Nyathi

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the viral video showing him outside the Sandton mansion of Hangwani “Morgan” Maumela, the businessman accused of leading a R2 billion tender fraud syndicate at Tembisa Hospital. The footage sparked speculation about a possible connection between the two, but the Presidency clarified the situation yesterday, during a media briefing in Pretoria, firmly denying any relationship.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya explained that the video was recorded in 2023 during one of Ramaphosa’s routine walks near his Hyde Park residence. “Indeed, you see the president in front of [Maumela’s] house, but they were not visiting or coming out of the house,” Magwenya stated. “It just so happened that Tbo Touch stopped his car to greet the president as he was walking past what we now know as Maumela’s house.”

Magwenya emphasized that Ramaphosa had no knowledge of the property’s ownership at the time. The route was part of the president’s regular fitness regimen, with Maumela’s home being less than a kilometer from Ramaphosa’s residence. “The street where Maumela’s house is located is one the President often uses when walking or driving to and from his Hyde Park residence,” Magwenya added.

The clarification comes after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) raided Maumela’s mansion last week, seizing luxury vehicles and assets worth R133 million. Maumela is accused of using 41 companies to siphon R820 million from Tembisa Hospital over two years.

Ramaphosa further distanced himself from the scandal, revealing that while he was once married to Maumela’s aunt (a union ending in 1989), they have never met. He stressed that none of his immediate family members engage in business with the state, citing instructions he gave before becoming deputy president: “He sternly instructed all of them to either exit or stop any business that they did or intended to do with the government or any state institution.” Maumela wasn’t included in this directive as he “is not part of the president’s immediate family.”

The president also noted he personally authorized the SIU probe into Tembisa Hospital, stating: “The President calls on all law enforcement agencies to accelerate their investigations… and ensure that all those involved are arrested without fear or favour.”