Zandile Gumede and co-accused back in court
Former eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede and the 17 other accused are back at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for their corruption case involving an irregular R430 million Durban Solid Waste tender.
THE matter between former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and 17 others returns to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today (Thursday, 10 December) after a three-month adjournment.
The prosecution team is expected to present a lengthy audit report as evidence of the alleged crime dealings by the accused persons.
Gumede and others are charged with multiple counts of fraud, racketeering and money laundering among others relating to an irregular 2017 Durban Solid Waste tender that cost in excess of R430 million.
Since the last appearance on 10 September, there have been a number of incidents involving the accused in this case. Here’s a recap:
ALSO READ: Fraud and corruption case against Zandile Gumede adjourned to December
On Wednesday this week, Sandile Ngcobo, Deputy Director of Supply Chain Management (SCM) at the eThekwini Municipality was arrested by the Hawks along with his wife and two other unnamed associates; the sole director of Nhlanzi Catering and Events and an eThekwini Municipality employee as part of the ongoing investigation.
Ngcobo is alleged to have fraudulently awarded tenders to Nhlazi, receiving kickbacks of R100 000.
Sipho Nzuza, the embattled eThekwini City Manager was reinstated back to his job only to violate his bail conditions by signing off on tenders and was arrested again.
Nzuza is currently on special leave pending the completion of this case. Meanwhile, Nzuza’s wife was added as the 18th accused after she was arrested for allegedly benefiting from kitchen cupboards upgrades in her home by one of the accused service providers.
ALSO READ: Wife of eThekwini City Manager also in the dock
Zandile Gumede was appointed as an ANC MPL on the provincial legislature and then asked to “step aside” from her position by ANC provincial leadership while on full pay.
Presiding officer, Magistrate Dawn Soomaroo rejected the South African National Editors Forum application to film the court proceedings.
Due to Covid-19 regulations and the high number of accused persons, Soomaroo also ruled that only six reporters will be allowed into the court room for the high profile case.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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