Watch: Zandile Gumede blames ‘sexism’ for negative public image

Zandile Gumede has been back in politics for less than 24 hours, and the former eThekwini Mayor is already looking at ways to dodge accountability. In an interview with eNCA this Thursday, she made the bold claim that her ‘name has been dented’ because of sexism and discrimination from the media.

Out with the old, in with the old…

Her incredible claim was openly challenged on-air before it was quickly brushed over. According to Zandile Gumede, she has been parachuted into a comfortable job – as a provincial COGTA leader, no less – because of her ‘hard work’ within the community. She then switched to present a completely different narrative:

“This job is not a reward. It is the continuation work I’ve done for the community, they know what I can do. This is to help me stay with our society. Leadership is very clear, it is because of the media that my name has been dented, and as the first black female mayor of eThekwini, you’re trying to say women ‘cannot make it’.”

Zandile Gumede

Watch – Zandile Gumede blames ‘sexism’ for negative public image:

Zandile Gumede says the media dented her image as a first female mayor of eThekwini. She blames the media for implying that women cannot be efficient in the mayoral position. She also says that appointment in the KZN legislature is a continuation of the work she has been doing. pic.twitter.com/75VZs1Os0M

— eNCA (@eNCA) August 20, 2020

What is Zandile Gumede accused of?

It seems Zandile Gumede has failed to remember exactly why she’s under so much scrutiny: While she served as mayor in Durban, the public servant was implicated in an irregular ‘solid waste’ contract that also saw 15 of her close political allies cash-in on the dubious deal.

The case has been brought forward to the Durban Commercial Crimes court. Gumede has posted R50 000 in bail, and the enormous charge sheet racked-up against her lists fraud, corruption, and racketeering amongst the offences. It’s understood that these bent contracts were worth an eye-watering R400m in total.

Blaming ‘sexism’ and ‘the media’ – when one clearly has some explaining to do – will never be the best look for a politician, and it’s worth noting that these extraordinary allegations are still unresolved. Zandile Gumede will have to answer for herself in a court of law at some point over the next few months.