Thokozile Mnguni
A luxury home in Meyersdal Nature Estate and a farm in Parys linked to businessman Thapelo Samuel Buthelezi have been placed under restraint as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) intensifies efforts to recover more than R532 million linked to unlawful emergency medical services contracts.
The Special Tribunal has frozen an upmarket property in Alberton, Gauteng, linked to Buthelezi, who is barred from selling, transferring, mortgaging or otherwise dealing with the asset.
The order follows earlier action in January, when a 1,071 square metre farm in Parys was placed under interdict. The property is registered under Buthelezi EMS, a company associated with him.
The case stems from a Tribunal ruling that found Free State Health EMS tender awards were unlawful, irregular and unconstitutional.
More than R532.7 million was paid to four companies linked to Buthelezi. In May 2025, the Tribunal ordered repayment of the funds, including R305.1 million to Buthelezi EMS, R182.2 million to B EMS, R40.6 million to Buthelezi One Stop Emergency Med and R4.7 million to Buthelezi One Stop EMS.
The Tribunal also ordered the companies to submit audited financial records within 45 days, detailing income, expenses and profits generated from the contracts. According to the SIU, the documents were not submitted despite repeated requests.
The matter later escalated to a case management meeting chaired by the Special Tribunal in September 2025, after which the SIU launched contempt proceedings. Buthelezi did not dispute the court order, citing financial strain and a lack of legal representation.
After failing to appear in court on 23 January 2026, the Tribunal issued an interdict preventing the sale or transfer of the Parys farm.
The SIU said the investigation was initiated under Proclamation 42 of 2019 as part of broader efforts to recover public funds lost through corruption and irregular contracting.
The unit is mandated to institute civil action in the Special Tribunal or High Court, while criminal matters are referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.