Zuko Komisa
- The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has frozen luxury properties belonging to businessman Thapelo Buthelezi following a R532m irregular emergency medical services tender.
- The Special Tribunal previously declared the multi-million-rand contracts awarded to Buthelezi EMS and its affiliates by the Free State Department of Health as unlawful and unconstitutional.
- Buthelezi now faces contempt charges after failing to comply with a court order to repay the state and submit audited financial statements detailing his company’s profits.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured an order to freeze luxury properties linked to businessman Thapelo Buthelezi, the owner of Buthelezi EMS.
The asset freeze follows an investigation that uncovered irregular emergency medical services tenders worth over R532m, which were awarded to his business by the Free State provincial government.
The restrained assets include an upmarket property in Meyersdal Nature Estate in Alberton, Gauteng, alongside a 1,071 square metre farm in Parys, Free State.
According to SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho, the freezing orders are part of ongoing state efforts to recover public funds lost to corrupt procurement processes.
The action stems from a Special Tribunal ruling that declared the Free State Department of Health’s multi-million-rand contracts with Buthelezi EMS and its affiliates unlawful, procedurally irregular, and unconstitutional.
Civil proceedings were launched after the provincial department transferred R532.7m across four companies linked to the businessman.
In May 2025, the Tribunal ordered the repayment of these illicit funds, which included R305.1m from Buthelezi EMS and R182.2m from B EMS, amongst other entities.
Additionally, Buthelezi EMS was ordered to submit audited financial statements within 45 days to account for income, expenses, and profits made under the contracts.
The businessman now faces contempt charges after repeatedly ignoring the SIU’s compliance reminders.
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