ANC’s Zandile Gumede back in court on corruption charges

Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede is expected back in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, 10 December 2020, facing a string of corruption charges.

The case finally returns to court after numerous postponements which have angered Gumede as well as her supporters. Gumede, a member of the African National Congress (ANC), is among 18 people accused of graft in a waste collection tender worth R430 million, during her tenure.

The co-accused in the matter include suspended eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza, his wife Bagcinele, senior ANC councillor, Mondli Mthembu as well as councillors.

Gumede’s last appearance was back in September when the matter had to be postponed to accommodate the state’s forensic audit report, which had a whopping 350 000 pages. Advocate Ashika Lucken told the court that they would be able to continue with the case and move on to the next phase of proceedings.

Gumede was handcuffed in 2019 and subsequently released on R50 000 bail.

Gumede accuses NPA of stalling in corruption case

The former mayor has been vocal about her frustrations with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in its handling of the case. Gumede has lashed out at the prosecution in the case, saying it was destroying her image and that of the ANC with the charges levelled against her.

She has labelled her appearances before the dock as futile and a waste of time, citing the NPA’s postponements.

Like her other comrades facing criminal charges, Gumede claims the charges against her are politically-motivated. The former mayor also claims she is being attacked by forces within the ANC.

“We are at war and it’s not a war against Zandile but the war is attacking the African National Congress (ANC),” Gumede said to her supporters who were outside court at her last appearance.

In early August, Gumede was sworn in as a member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, replacing Ricardo Mthembu, the former Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) portfolio committee chairperson who died from COVID-19 in July.

Her appointment sparked national outrage and came as the ANC is at loggerheads over its resolution that members facing criminal charges need to step aside.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is already challenging her appointment and the matter is expected to be heard in January 2021.