SIU arrests car dealer as Bentley linked to Tembisa Hospital scandal seized
The SIU said Omar was arrested after refusing to co-operate with officials executing a Special Tribunal order authorising the seizure of the vehicle.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks, has arrested a Mpumalanga car dealer after obtaining urgent court orders linked to a luxury Bentley allegedly connected to corruption at Tembisa Hospital.
The SIU confirmed on Friday that Omar Motor Den in Emalahleni and its owner, Yusuf Omar, were served with Special Tribunal orders after the dealership allegedly failed to co-operate with investigators and repeatedly ignored court directives relating to a restrained Bentley Continental GT.
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According to the SIU, Omar was arrested after refusing to co-operate with officials executing a Special Tribunal order authorising the seizure of the vehicle.
The developments form part of the SIU’s ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and procurement irregularities at Tembisa Hospital involving former senior official Hangwani Morgan Maumela.
The Special Tribunal on June 2 granted an order empowering the SIU’s appointed curator, Bonis, to take possession of the Bentley Continental GT and prevent any further sale, transfer, movement or disposal of the vehicle.
The SIU said the dealership failed to disclose that the vehicle was in its possession when it was served with a preservation order on October 9, 2025.
Investigators found that the Bentley, which had been placed under a preservation order, changed hands several times over the years. Records indicate it was transferred from LSM Distributors to the MHR Maumela Family Trust around 2018/2019, later sold to DriveTime Auto CC in September 2022 and subsequently transferred to Omar Motor Den in October 2025 before being moved to Khonile Trading Enterprise CC in February this year.
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Despite the transfers, the SIU said evidence suggests the vehicle remained in Omar’s possession.
On Friday, the Special Tribunal granted a further urgent order authorising the curator, assisted by SAPS and the Hawks, to immediately seize the Bentley and take control of the asset.
The tribunal also issued a rule nisi directing Omar Motor Den and Yusuf Omar to appear before it on 3 July 2026 to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of court.
The SIU said the contempt proceedings relate to alleged violations of preservation orders issued in September and October 2025, as well as a reconsideration judgment delivered in January this year.
Pending the July hearing, the respondents have been prohibited from interfering with the curator or tampering with the vehicle.
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They have also been ordered to preserve and provide access to CCTV footage dating back to May 22, 2026.
The SIU said the rulings confirm that no vehicles were returned to Maumela or the dealership, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise.
The investigation is being conducted under Proclamation 136 of 2023, which authorised the SIU to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration at the Gauteng Department of Health and Tembisa Hospital.
Evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during the investigation has been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible prosecution.