eThekwini Municipality responds to sabotage claims in Zandile Gumede's fraud trial
Image: Nomonde Zondi
The eThekwini Municipality has on Thursday stated that it has no intention to sabotage the R320 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender trial against its former mayor Zandile Gumede.
Gumede is currently on trial with 21 others at the Durban High Court for numerous charges, including money laundering, racketeering, fraud, corruption, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Municipal Systems Act, relating to the tender.
The Head of legal and compliance in the city, Malusi Mhlongo, said eThekwini was the complainant in Gumede's case.
'It is in our interest as the city for that matter to proceed,' he said.
Mhlongo said there were accusations that eThekwini's City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) terminated the agreement of Integrity Forensic Solutions CC (IFS) and the Hawks to sabotage Gumede's case.
He said that is not true, explaining that the agreement was entered before the former CIIU boss resigned.
The IFS is the company that investigated the DSW tender irregularities after the CIIU anonymously received a stack of documents regarding the tender.
In terms of that agreement, Mhlongo said the IFS was supposed to assist the Hawks and the prosecutors, and all their expenses were supposed to be paid by the municipality.
Mhlongo stated that the reason the agreement between the CIIU, the Hawks, and the IFS was terminated was that the former acting head of the CIIU questioned why the municipality had to bear the costs while it was the complainant.
As a result, the former acting head of CIIU terminated the agreement. He said the IFS took the municipality to court to review that decision.
'That matter is in court and it is still to be resolved,' Mhlongo added.
Additionally, he said after the city reported Gumede's matter to law enforcement authorities, it was within its rights to save further use of ratepayers' money and say it's not liable for these costs because the State is now responsible for compensating the witnesses.
Meanwhile, Gumede's case faced another setback on Thursday as the ninth accused, Bagcinile Nzuza, was ill. Nzuza is the wife of former city manager, Sipho Nzuza.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
Former attorney accused of theft, fraud released on R10,000 bail
Former attorney Catherine Wilheminah Papenfus appeared in the Johannesburg specialised commercial crimes court on Thursday on theft and fraud charges. Papenfus, 54, was arrested in Hermanus in the Western Cape on Saturday and was released on bail of R10,000. Between September 2010 and July 2013, Papenfus, who was an admitted attorney and conveyancer, allegedly received instructions from clients for legal assistance. 'The clients, intending to purchase properties, paid money into the attorney's trust account,' Hawks spokesperson W/O Thatohatsi Mavimbela said. 'However the suspect failed to pay the sellers and did not refund the clients.' When the clients failed to trace the attorney they lodged complaints with the Fidelity Fund for a refund and Papenfus was struck off the roll of attorneys. Her case was postponed to September 16. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
15 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Former attorney accused of theft, fraud released on R10,000 bail
Former attorney Catherine Wilheminah Papenfus appeared in the Johannesburg specialised commercial crimes court on Thursday on theft and fraud charges. Papenfus, 54, was arrested in Hermanus in the Western Cape on Saturday and was released on bail of R10,000. Between September 2010 and July 2013, Papenfus, who was an admitted attorney and conveyancer, allegedly received instructions from clients for legal assistance. 'The clients, intending to purchase properties, paid money into the attorney's trust account,' Hawks spokesperson W/O Thatohatsi Mavimbela said. 'However the suspect failed to pay the sellers and did not refund the clients.' When the clients failed to trace the attorney they lodged complaints with the Fidelity Fund for a refund and Papenfus was struck off the roll of attorneys. Her case was postponed to September 16.
IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
Urgent steps to enhance water security in Africa: Insights from the G20–AU Summit
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo addressed delegates on water infrastructure investment and security during the final day of the G20–AU Africa Water Investment Partnership Summit in Cape Town. Image: File The final day of the G20–AU Africa Water Investment Partnership Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre highlighted the urgent need to protect and expand water infrastructure across the continent. Delegates heard that organised criminal networks, funding gaps, and climate-related pressures were threatening access to clean water and sanitation, and that decisive action was required to safeguard communities and support development. Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, warned that critical water infrastructure was increasingly targeted by 'water mafias' through vandalism, illegal connections, and extortion. 'These acts are not petty crimes,' Mahlobo said. 'They undermine the constitutional right to water, threaten public health, disrupt education, and impede economic activity.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He explained that pipelines, pump stations, reservoirs, and treatment plants were being damaged, while contractors faced intimidation and extortion aimed at halting or manipulating projects. Illegal connections were compounding the problem, reducing supply and placing additional strain on already vulnerable systems. 'Communities suffer the most, particularly in rural and informal settlements, where water scarcity and sanitation failures pose serious public health risks,' he said. To address these challenges, Mahlobo outlined reforms aimed at strengthening governance, oversight, and coordination. The government is establishing professionally managed utilities for water services, introducing performance-based contracts for both public and private operators, and implementing monitoring systems to safeguard infrastructure. Law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks and SAPS, are actively involved in dismantling criminal networks and prosecuting offenders. Mahlobo stressed the importance of long-term investment and capacity-building. Sustainable infrastructure projects must combine reliable financing with local training and community engagement to ensure services are maintained over time. 'It is not just about constructing dams or pipelines; it is about ensuring the services are maintained, the communities are empowered, and the infrastructure remains secure for years to come,' he said. He outlined ongoing initiatives to expand South Africa's water supply, including bulk water infrastructure, rehabilitation of treatment plants, and improved rural distribution. He called for collaboration between government, private investors, and communities to ensure water security translates into social and economic development. The summit also provided a platform for African countries to share best practices, align with continental frameworks like the Africa Water Vision 2025, and leverage development partner support. Mahlobo said measurable commitments, clear timelines, and secured funding were essential to turning plans into action. He emphasised the importance of integrating governance reforms, technology, and community engagement to ensure infrastructure is protected and effectively managed while ensuring reliable water and sanitation services for all. Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared water security challenges. She highlighted Namibia's investments in bulk water infrastructure, groundwater management, and rural water supply, stressing that sustainable water management is essential for food security, public health, and economic growth, particularly in arid regions. Zaamwani also emphasised involving communities in governance and using technology to monitor efficiency and water quality. 'The summit has reinforced that water security cannot be addressed by one country alone. We must work together to protect shared resources, attract investment, and ensure that every citizen has access to safe, reliable water and sanitation,' she said.
