NPA secures forfeiture of R100 000 Tembisa Hospital bribe

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a final forfeiture order for R100 000 allegedly offered as a bribe by a former Tembisa Hospital official to an investigating officer to avoid arrest in the looting of the hospital.

NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said in a statement released on Tuesday, 3 November, that the High Court in Johannesburg had granted the final forfeiture order following an application by the NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU).

The money was seized by police on 23 November 2025 after former hospital official Zacharia Tshisele allegedly attempted to bribe the investigating officer handling one of the corruption cases linked to Tembisa Hospital.

According to the NPA, Tshisele allegedly used police Sergeant Papi Blonde Tsie to offer the investigating officer the money. The officer reported the incident to his superiors, prompting police to arrange an undercover operation in terms of Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

During the operation, Tshisele and Tsie allegedly handed R100 000 in cash to the investigating officer. Both were immediately arrested and the money was seized. Tsie has since resigned from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The broader corruption and procurement fraud at Tembisa Hospital was initially brought to light by the late Babita Deokaran, who was fatally shot in August 2021 after raising concerns about suspicious payments linked to the hospital.

On 25 February 2026, the AFU obtained a preservation order over the R100 000.

Kganyago said Tshisele was served with the preservation order and forfeiture application but failed to file a notice of intention to oppose the application. The court consequently granted the final forfeiture order without opposition.

The forfeited money will be deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA).

The criminal case against Tshisele and Tsie remains pending and is expected to return to the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on 10 November 2026 for the outcome of representations they made to the NPA for the reconsideration of the charges.

The NPA said the forfeiture forms part of its efforts to deprive criminals of the financial benefits of unlawful activities and strengthen the fight against corruption and organised crime.