After nearly seven months, the City of Johannesburg’s legal battle with its suspended ombudsman, Advocate S’du Gumede, is continuing and a new date has been set for his disciplinary hearing.
Gumede has been embroiled in a long legal battle with the City ever since he was suspended in May this year and will again face accusations at a hearing which starts on 11 December. His disciplinary hearing would have been held on 28 and 29 September but the City was reportedly not ready to proceed with the case since new lawyers still had to be appointed.
The City removed its legal representation in the matter shortly after the Labour Court dismissed the City’s appeal of the ruling which found that the suspension was unlawful.
Gumede has tried to return to his office on two occasions but was asked to leave again by the City. In the most recent incident, the City said Gumede could not return to his office because the process of the disciplinary hearing against him was still underway.
Gumede’s attorney, Jayson Kent from Cowan-Harper Attorneys, said Gumede, who originally faced two charges, is now facing 12 charges. He said he did not think the additional charges have any merit, just like the original charges.
Kent previously said the ombudsman has not been found guilty of anything. He has also not been allowed to go back to work.
According to Kent the City told Gumede that he was not allowed to return while disciplinary procedure against him is underway.
Kent added that they are also still waiting for the Labour Appeal Court to give its ruling on the City’s petition for leave to appeal.
For more articles on the ombudsman’s suspension, visit www.randburgsun.co.za
ALSO READ:
Tug of war between City and suspended ombudsman drags on
EXCLUSIVE: City terminates its attorneys’ services in ombudsman matter
