By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The corruption trial of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and her co-accused is set to start next month.
Most of the accused, including Gumede, were not present in court.
Legal teams also argued that the trial should take place in the Durban High Court instead of the Pietermaritzburg.
The State had previously indicated its readiness to go to trial.
“Today’s court appearance in the State versus Zandile Gumede and others. The matter was purely an administrative appearance, it was so parties can engage with one other regarding documentation and other issues that are outstanding in preparation of the trial, which is set to begin 18 July 2022,” said KZN NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara.
Gumede and 21 co-accused are facing fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering charges.
It relates to a solid waste management tender worth over R340 million.
Last year, the Durban Commercial Crimes Court declared the case ready for trial, but there’ve been delays.
According to the indictment, Gumede is alleged to have directly or indirectly received R2,8 million in kickbacks from service providers who won an irregular R340 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender in 2017.
The kickbacks, paid in eight separate tranches between 2017 and 2019, were allegedly either deposited straight into Gumede’s bank account, her daughter’s, sibling’s, or an accomplice’s.
The payments all took place while Gumede was still mayor, and were not disclosed to the municipality as required by law.
She is also accused of using her political status to influence the appointment of senior eThekwini personnel responsible for supply-chain management, as well as legal matters and human resources.
Gumede has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The case was heard in November last year, at which time it was postponed to allow some of the accused to be furnished with particulars by the State so that they could prepare their defence.
The indictment lists Gumede as a key figure in the case.
In April, Gumede was re-elected as regional deputy chairperson at the African National Congress’ (ANC) eThekwini regional conference held in Durban.
However, she was forced to step aside due to the charges against her.