Tembisa hospital arson suspect confesses, implicates head of security

A man accused of setting two devastating fires at Tembisa Hospital has confessed to the crime and implicated the facility’s head of security, raising serious concerns about a potential cover-up linked to a major corruption probe.

The suspect, Thembinkosi Manqunyana, 48, appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where he was formally charged with arson. His arrest marks a dramatic turn in the ongoing investigation into the April blazes that disrupted vital hospital services and endangered lives.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that Manqunyana confessed to starting two fires at the hospital — one on April 19 in the Accident and Emergency Unit, and another four days later.

The second fire caused widespread damage, leaving outpatients and chronic patients without essential care for days.

According to a confidential police report handed to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Manqunyana provided a detailed statement outlining the planning, procurement of petrol, execution, and alleged payment arrangement behind the arson. Crucially, the suspect also claimed that the hospital’s head of security was directly involved in the commission of the crime.

“He further explained his role and the roles of other participants whom he identified as accomplices,” said Masondo, noting that more arrests are expected as the investigation deepens. Premier Lesufi described the incident as a calculated attack on the public and praised the swift work by investigators.“

Destroying critical public infrastructure is nothing short of treason, and we expect the perpetrators to face the full force of the law,” Lesufi said in an interview on Tuesday.

He revealed that Manqunyana had initially attempted to present himself as a police informant to divert suspicion, but investigators had already identified him as a prime suspect.

The motive behind the fires is believed to be linked to efforts to conceal documents related to irregular Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) procurement at the hospital — documents that were reportedly being sought by the Hawks as part of a broader corruption probe.

Tembisa Hospital has been under scrutiny since the 2021 assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who flagged suspicious payments and contracts linked to the facility.

Her warnings prompted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to begin probing over R850 million in questionable procurement deals.

According to officials close to the investigation, some of the destroyed documents were believed to contain key evidence regarding these contracts. These included supplier invoices, tender approvals, and communication records that could potentially implicate senior officials.“

This fire didn’t just damage property — it may have been an attempt to erase a paper trail,” said a senior source in the Hawks who requested anonymity.

“The fact that the head of security is now implicated raises serious concerns about how deep the rot may go.”Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni had appointed a special team of seasoned detectives to investigate the arson attacks, which authorities feared could be acts of sabotage.

Their efforts quickly led to Manqunyana's arrest, with investigators piecing together evidence that pointed to deliberate planning and internal assistance. Masondo said that, due to the sensitive nature of the case, further details could not yet be disclosed.

As the Hawks and SIU continue their probe, pressure is mounting on the Gauteng Department of Health to account for the extent of corruption within Tembisa Hospital.

Civil society organisations are also calling for the protection of potential whistleblowers who may now fear for their safety. The case is expected to resume next week, with authorities vowing that all those responsible will be brought to justice.