President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed growing speculation about his alleged connection to controversial businessman Hangwani Maumela, whose Sandhurst mansion became the subject of national headlines after a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) raid last week.
Speaking to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Ramaphosa emphasized that he has no personal or business relationship with Maumela and that their encounters were purely coincidental during his regular morning walks.
Ramaphosa explained to members of the NCOP that Maumela’s home in the upscale Johannesburg suburb of Sandhurst happens to be on his usual morning walking route. It was during one of these walks that the two first encountered each other by chance.
“I was curious about the construction of this mansion on Oxford Avenue whenever I passed by,” Ramaphosa said. “I had no idea who it belonged to until Maumela came out of his house last year and introduced himself to me.”
He added with a hint of humor: “And I say: ‘So you are the Maumela who’s putting my name into disrepute.’ He smiles away, and now I’ve encountered this person, and I walk away.”
The president said that apart from these brief and chance encounters, he has never had any meetings, dealings, or formal engagements with the businessman.
Ramaphosa Reveals Family Link Through First Wife
In a surprising revelation, Ramaphosa also told the NCOP that Maumela is distantly connected to him through family ties. His first wife, Hope Mudau, is Maumela’s aunt.
He explained that he only discovered this familial connection later when Maumela asked him to meet his mother, who turned out to be one of Ramaphosa’s former high school acquaintances.
“Some months later, Maumela again came out of the house while I was passing by and asked me to meet his mother. She was someone I knew from school. Later, I learnt that my ex-wife’s brother married her, and Hangwani is their son,” Ramaphosa said.
Hangwani Maumela has recently made headlines after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) conducted a raid at his Sandhurst mansion, seizing luxury vehicles and artwork believed to be linked to alleged corruption.
Maumela is accused of being involved in the siphoning of funds from Tembisa Hospital, a scandal that has shocked the nation and drawn intense scrutiny from the public and media.
The SIU stated that the seizure was part of ongoing efforts to recover assets allegedly acquired through fraudulent or corrupt activities. The matter remains under investigation.
As questions swirled around the proximity of their homes and the perceived closeness between the president and the businessman, Ramaphosa firmly distanced himself from Maumela and any involvement in his affairs.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that I have had no dealings with this man,” Ramaphosa told the NCOP. “I encountered him only during my walks, and that is the extent of our interaction. I am appalled at the allegations that are being made against him.”
The president also noted how these casual encounters had been misconstrued by the public and media, fueling unnecessary speculation.
In an attempt to lighten the tense atmosphere during the NCOP session, Ramaphosa quipped that he might write a book about his morning walking experiences, given how much speculation they seem to generate.
“Maybe one day, I will write a book about my walks,” he said. “Because every time I stop to greet someone, pose for a photo, or wave at people, stories start circulating. It’s becoming quite something.”
This light-hearted remark drew laughter from the chamber, but it also underscored how even ordinary activities involving the president can spark political controversy.
The revelation of a distant family link between Ramaphosa and Maumela has already stirred public debate. Critics have suggested that the connection raises uncomfortable questions, while supporters argue that it has no bearing on the ongoing SIU investigation.
Political analysts have pointed out that while the president is not implicated in any wrongdoing, the association—however coincidental—adds pressure on his administration amid heightened scrutiny over corruption cases.
In closing his remarks, Ramaphosa reiterated his stance on fighting corruption and supporting the SIU’s work.
“I am appalled at the allegations being made against him,” the president repeated. “But no one is above the law, and investigations must proceed without fear or favor. This government will continue to support all anti-corruption measures.”
As the investigation into Hangwani Maumela continues, President Ramaphosa is moving swiftly to draw a clear line between himself and the embattled businessman.
While acknowledging a distant family connection, Ramaphosa has firmly denied any personal involvement or influence in the matter. The case underscores how public figures’ personal lives can become entangled in political controversies — even through the most coincidental encounters.
Source- EWN
