Zandile Gumede: Former Mayor and 21 Co Accused Facing 2 786 Charges
- Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and her 21 co-accused are facing over 2 700 charges
- The charges against Gumede and the others are in relation to fraud, corruption and racketeering
- Previously, the amount was reported as R430 million but it has now been reduced to a figure of R320 million
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Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede has been trending since the two-year investigation into a controversial tender resulted in the case being moved to the Durban High Court. The State has alleged that Gumede unduly benefited R2.9 million from the tender.
Gumede and 21 others who appeared in court on Tuesday, 23 March are facing charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering of a now-reduced figure of R320 million. The indictment is 324 pages long.
The State says that the former mayor received money into her personal bank account through entities associated with her and a family member.
Source: Getty Images
According to Daily Maverick, three sitting eThekwini ANC councillors are included in the indictment, namely Mthokozisi Nojiyeza, Sduduzo Khuzwayo and Bhekokwakhe Phewa, who were all arrested last week.
EWN reported that around R854 000 had been transferred directly into Gumede's account. She allegedly used R46 650 just to buy airtime. Gumede and the 21 other co-accused face a combined 2 786 charges.
Previously, Briefly.co.za reported that Gumede would be appearing in the High Court on 14 June, 2021. 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 a previously reported 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.
Gumede also made headlines when she 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.
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Source: Briefly News
