eThekwini mayor expected to appear in court today

ETHEKWINI  mayor Zandile Gumede is expected to hand herself over to the Hawks and appear in the Durban Commercial Crimes court on today ( Tuesday, 14 May ) for various corruption charges.

The Hawks launched an investigation following a forensic probe into the awarding of a contract to hire and clean chemical toilets, as part of the Hawks National Clean Audit Task Team (NCATT) investigation at the eThekwini Municipality.

Three more suspects will also appear at the Durban Specialised Commercial Court today for the same investigation.

According to a press statement by Hawks spokesperson Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, the three will face the same charges as the other nine suspects who were arrested two weeks ago on allegations of fraud and corruption in relation to a 2016 R208 million Durban Solid Waste tender where service providers were allegedly paid huge amounts of monies even though they did not render any service.

The nine suspects are eThekwini Municipality’s deputy head of strategy and new development, Robert Abbu (62), supply chain manager, Sandile Ngcobo (41), Hlenga Sibisi (43), Mzwandile Dludla (24), Sinthamone Ponnan (55), Sithulele Mkhize (38), Bongani Dlomo (53), and Prabagaram Pariah (61).

“As indicated previously, the attendance of all those who played a role in the alleged offences, shall be secured before the court where the allegations shall be tested,” said the National Head of the DPCI, Godfrey Lebeya.

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