Breaking: Zandile Gumede Indicted by NPA, Case Moved to High Court
- Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede will be appearing in the High Court on 14 June, 2021
- Gumede is on trial for corruption, fraud and racketeering along with 21 other co-accused in relation to the case
- The NPA indicted the former mayor and the pre-trial proceedings for the R430 million irregular tender will take place in June
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Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and around 20 other co-accused appeared before the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, 23 March. The charges against them involve corruption, fraud and racketeering.
The NPA indicted Gumede and the 21 others and the corruption trial has been moved to the High Court for pre-trial proceedings in June this year. The case emerged from an over R430 million waste tender from the eThekwinini Municipality.
Gumede was still mayor at the time of the tender, which was reportedly awarded in an irregular manner. Gumede benefited unduly from the tender.
Source: Getty Images
According to a report by EWN, last year the court postponed Gumede's case after a request from the State to allow for time to process a forensic audit report and to allow for pre-trial discussions between it and the defence.
A report by News24 stated that there was an influx of information that was downloaded on to a hard drive which resulted in the 17 co-accused now becoming a total of 21 co-accused in the corruption case.
Read some of the responses to the news below:
@Jamnandasgodan said:
"NPA playing dirty politics. Some delaying tactics..."
@_AfricanSoil wrote:
"Exactly the same as what they're doing to Ace Magashule."
@lolo_donald added:
"Some processes are time-wasting tactics, now this matter goes to High Court, next will go to Supreme Court."
Previously, Briefly.co.za reported that Gumede had been given permission to resume her legislative duties and engage in party programmes.
This is reportedly the decision handed down by the ANC KZN executive committee, which opted to give Gumede the green light. The former eThekwini mayor is currently facing charges ranging from corruption to money laundering but somehow managed to obtain clearance by the ANC KZN integrity commission
The embattled politician is currently out on R50 000 bail but TimesLIVE reports that the provincial spokesperson has confirmed the decision.
Ntombela told the publications that the commission is satisfied that the former mayor's explanation of the events and found no justice in barring her from work or ANC events.
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Source: Briefly News
