THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has responded to Mayor Zandile Gumede’s appearance on Tuesday in the Commercial Crimes Court on charges of racketeering, fraud and corruption, saying it expected Gumede to clear her name using legal channels.
Gumede, along with city councillor Mondli Mthembu and supplier Craig Ponan, face the alleged charges which are linked to a R208 million tender fraud dating back to 2016.
The trio handed themselves over to authorities and appeared in court, later being released on R50 000 bail each under strict bail conditions.
ANC KZN secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said the ANC respects the judiciary system and expects any of their people accused of anything to follow the available avenues to clear themselves.
The matter was adjourned to 8 August when the accused will appear in Durban Magistrate’s Court.
The three face similar charges as the nine people arrested recently on allegations of fraud and corruption linked to the same DSW tender fraud.
ALSO READ:Â UPDATE: Durban Mayor Gumede released on R50k bail
It is alleged that service providers were paid but did not render any service.
Commenting on the case, Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader in eThekwini, Councillor Nicole Graham, said the DA welcomed the reports that corruption charges had been laid against Gumede and Mthembu, a member of EXCO and Chair of the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Cluster.
“The DA have been calling for Gumede’s axing for some time. Her reign at the helm of eThekwini has been characterised by poor performance, maladministration and corruption,” she said.
Councillor Mdu Nkosi, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillor and EXCO member said the IFP was deeply concerned that the allegations against Gumede were likely to tarnish the image of the city.
“The IFP was informed quite a while ago about the investigations related to this case. Hence, we are shocked but not surprised that this matter appears just a few days after the elections. We suspect that there was political interference which ensured that the investigation was delayed until after the election to protect the ANC from political embarrassment on the eve of what has been a tough election which could cost them support in eThekwini,” he said.
Nkosi said the mayor’s alleged involvement in the corrupt transaction would clearly prove that she was not fit for office and she should be removed.
ALSO READ: Zandile Gumede won’t step down as Durban mayor due to ‘mere allegations’
“We hope that the Mayor will not be treated differently from other officials involved and that the legal costs will not be borne by taxpayers. The IFP applauds the Hawks for swiftly acting on this matter. There have been many talks-shops on fraud and corruption and many reports were tabled at the EXCO and council meetings with recommendations as to who should be charged but the matter was simply swept under the carpet. The ANC in eThekwini has protected the leadership of the city, safeguarding them from being held accountable and abusing their majority support in the province to do as they please,” he said.
The DA is encouraging residents to sign a petition to have Mayor Zandile Gumede removed as mayor by visiting: bit.ly/GumedeMustGo
*Note that Highway Mail is merely reporting on the charges against Gumede and the existence of the petition and does not drive said petition.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
