Zandile Gumede trial set to resume today

FORMER eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 19 of her co-accused will today return to the Durban High Court for the resumption of their high-profile corruption, money laundering and racketeering case.

The trial began in early 2019 when the Hawks pounced on Gumede and others, accusing them of pocketing bribes after issuing a R320 million waste tender in 2017.

In its docket, the State alleges that Gumede, former city manager Sipho Nzuza and others were allegedly involved in a criminal enterprise to fleece the eThekwini metro.

The docket also contains bank statements showing how Gumede and Nzuza, among others, allegedly scored kickbacks from service providers roped in to collect waste.

Some of the beneficiaries of the money were allegedly Gumede’s daughter and relatives, whose home renovations were funded by some of the companies that won the tender.

On Nzuza’s part, one of the winning companies paid R1 million when he purchased a lavish home for his mother in the upmarket suburb of uMhlanga, north of Durban.

Gumede has repeatedly denied the corruption and money laundering claims, saying they are politically motivated to eliminate her from contesting for position in the ANC in the eThekwini region.

By later yesterday, Gumede said she was still waiting for her lawyers to brief her about what will happen when the case resumes this today.

“I am still waiting for my lawyers to brief me about that, they are currently in court working on that matter,” she said.

Asked whether the State was ready to eventually start calling witnesses, the director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, advocate Elaine Zungu, referred Independent Media to a statement the NPA issued when the matter was last heard in June.

It outlined that the postponement was due to the fact that the accused requested further particulars from the State and the State itself had added racketeering charges after uncovering more evidence of wrongdoing.

The statement also highlighted that the high court had set July next year as the possible date for the matter to start listening to oral evidence.

Just like in the past, Gumede’s supporters will be out in full force to show their solidarity outside the court.

However, it is unlikely that Gumede will address them as she is currently banned from doing so by the ANC’s step-aside resolution which prevents members facing criminal charges from addressing party members.

The spokesperson for Gumede's support group, Ntando Khuzwayo, said that while Gumede would not not address those who back her, she would pass by and greet them.

“Of course, as supporters, we will be out in full force to show our solidarity outside court. It will be the usual arrangement of pitching a marquee and stage. All Covid-19 protocols will apply,” Khuzwayo said.