ETHEKWINI Mayor, Zandile Gumede, who has been placed on extended leave by the ANC following charges her arrest in a corruption, fraud and money laundering case, appeared in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday alongside her co-accused, city councillor Mondli Mthembu. This was their second court appearance.
According to reports, Senior State prosecutor Ashika Lucken confirmed that 286 subpoenas had been issued in the case and requested an adjournment so that the state’s investigations could be completed. The matter was postponed to 15 January 2020.
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Gumede’s advocate Jimmy Howse argued for the wording in his client’s bail conditions to be amended. Gumede will still not be allowed to communicate with employees from Durban Solid Waste or the city’s supply chain, finance or human resources departments’. It is expected that Gumede will have her enforced leave lifted and return to office to take up her mayoral duties.
The embattled mayor and Mthembu also face charges for contravening the Riotous Assmblies Act. It is alleged they were instrumental in instigating an illegal gathering in April where their supporters marched through the CBD, blocking roads and demanding that city manager Sipho Nzuza be axed.
