ETHEKWINI Mayor, Zandile Gumede has taken legal steps to fight what she describes as a campaign by certain media houses to tarnish her name and reputation.
In a media statement today, Gumede said she took serious exception to ongoing campaigns by various media houses aimed at creating the impression that she was a corrupt leader who used her influence in the awarding of tenders. Gumede has vowed to pursue every legal means to deal with those she accuses of peddling lies that border on defamation.
Recently, the Durban High Court interdicted Mr Calvin Mathibeli from making defamatory statements against Gumede.
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It was alleged that Gumede was behind a R650 million construction project awarded to eight companies in 2015. Mathibeli, as one of the contractors awarded a tender to work on the project, alleged that Gumede had demanded a bribe of R100 000. He further alleged that she ordered the termination of the contract of his company. In response to the allegations, Gumede approached the Durban High Court where Judge Mnguni granted an interdict ordering and restraining Mathibeli from making any defamatory statements related to Gumede either personally or through the agency of any third party.
“I have never involved myself in tender irregularities. In addition, I have no direct involvement in advertising, adjudication, awarding and cancelation of tenders. These are the administrative functions under the direct ambit of the administration and functionaries who report to Council,” said Gumede.
“I have noticed that some newspapers are prejudging issues even before they are given factual responses. I understand that it is not the duty of journalists to be my praise singers. Therefore, I accept constructive criticism that is backed up by facts. However, I will never hesitate to take legal action against information peddlers who seems to be on a campaign aimed at tarnishing my good name, ” she warned.Gumede reiterated her unconditional support for all initiatives aimed at fighting fraud and corruption. These include the City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU), the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, the Ethics committee and an independent Audit Committee. Working with law enforcement agencies, these have been instrumental in providing oversight of financial management and the integrity of the municipality.
She also called on communities not to pay bribes to any municipal employees or councillors who are paid to perform their services.“We are committed to training our community to understand their rights and the quality of services they are entitled to. Our view is that it is when citizens know what service to expect that they can expose and resist any official that disrespects and abuses them by extracting bribes for services they are paid to render,” she said.
