Corrupt politicians using dealerships to hide their luxury cars in South Africa

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recently arrested the owner of a car dealership in South Africa linked to the Tembisa Hospital investigation.

The case centred around a Bentley Continental GT linked to Hangwani Maumela, a “tenderpreneur” involved in the R2.3-billion corruption and looting scandal tied to Tembisa Hospital and the Gauteng Department of Health.

This led the SIU to arrest Yusuf Omar, the owner of Omar’s Motor Den in Emalahleni, for refusing to cooperate with them and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The SIU found that the Bentley was a restrained asset under a preservation order, and that it had been transferred multiple times over the years:

• 2018/2019: LSM Distributors moved it to the MHR Maumela Family Trust
• September 2022: DriveTime Auto bought the car
• October 2025: Omar’s Motor Den acquired it
• February 2026: It was transferred to Khonile Trading Enterprise

This history shows that the multi-million rand car was passed from one company to another to hide its true owner.

Despite these records, evidence suggests the Bentley remains in Omar’s possession, raising concerns of concealment and dissipation.

The SIU stated that Omar’s Motor Den failed to disclose that the car was in its possession when it was served with the preservation order.

Andre de Ruyter’s warning proven right

The SIU’s findings substantiate claims made by former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter, who alleged that criminals are using dealerships to hide luxury cars in South Africa.

In his book, Truth to Power: My Three Years Inside Eskom, De Ruyter mentions a car dealership in Mpumalanga that houses high-end vehicles for corrupt politicians.

Doing so allows corrupt individuals to hide the fact that they own these cars, meaning the assets do not appear in lifestyle audits.

“A certain car dealership in the coal belt specialised in housing fancy vehicles on behalf of their owners so that they didn’t show up in lifestyle audits,” wrote De Ruyter.

“The vehicles, always held in the name of the dealership, would be available on demand, should the actual owner wish to take his Lamborghini for a spin.”

Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks has also uncovered evidence to support these claims.

He noted that tenderpreneurs are easily swayed by flashy purchases like supercars and tend to deal in cash, paying millions to dealerships without ever transferring ownership.

“That car will then sit in dealer stock for all its life. There is no paper link to the beneficial owner,” Wicks explained.

“Some dubious dealerships will hand over a wad of pre-signed temp plates. When one expires, put on a new one, and then there are no fines.”

These criminals are often tipped off before lifestyle auditors arrive to assess their homes.

They will then contact the dealership, who will send someone to collect the cars in the dead of night.

“That way, having to explain this low-slung sports car in your garage is scotched,” said Wicks.

“This way, our elected leaders never have to explain how they own cars worth several times their annual salaries, and they get to flex for the ‘slay queens’ at rockets.”