Durban - The long-delayed fraud and corruption trial of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 others will start later this month after presiding Durban High Court Judge Sharmaine Balton yesterday established that all the accused had now secured legal representation.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) provincial spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that the trial would start on August 22.
“The matter of S v Zandile Gumede and 21 others (including persons and companies) returned to the Durban High Court today. During proceedings, the presiding judge established that all the accused have now secured legal representation.
“The matter is adjourned to August 22, for the trial to commence, beginning with the accused tendering their pleas. Gumede and others face several charges, including conspiracy to commit corruption, corruption, fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act amounting to over R300 million,” said the statement from Ramkisson-Kara.
Gumede and her co-accused, who include suspended eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza, former supply chain manager Sandile Ngcobo, former eThekwini Municipality senior employee Robert Abbu and senior ANC councillor in eThekwini Municipality Mondli Mthembu, are accused of corruption, money laundering and fraud.
Gumede’s lawyer, advocate Jay Naidoo, said yesterday that Gumede was pleased that the matter would be starting.
“The matter has been adjourned to August 22 when the State will read the indictment to the accused and they will plead.”
Late last year, the State indicated that it was ready for trial.
However, the multimillion-rand corruption and fraud matter had not been able to proceed due to a number of reasons.
Some of the accused said they were not ready to go ahead, with some citing financial issues with others battling to secure legal representation.
In a previous statement, the NPA said the case revolved around a R300m Durban Solid Waste tender.
“The State alleges that eThekwini officials, including the city manager and ex-mayor, circumvented the supply chain management processes on a Durban Solid Waste tender, for the benefit of identified service providers.”