Zandile Gumede ‘principal controller’ in eThekwini fraud

Any expectation of dramatic revelations at the start of the R320 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) fraud, corruption and money laundering trial involving former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and her co-accused — a cohort including ANC councillors, senior officials and business owners — was swiftly extinguished this week as the matter moved forward in a mechanical fashion.

The state claims it has “irrefutable evidence” that will convince Durban high court judge Sharmaine Balton of the guilt of the 22 accused, and to achieve this, will rely on multiple browsing record histories, bank records, eThekwini financial records, invoices, waybills, mobile phone records, testimony from witnesses not yet disclosed and vehicle tracking data. Expectations are that the matter will run for well over a year. 

What has been made clear in the state’s 400-page indictment, and was reiterated in court by prosecutor Hazel Siramen, was that accused number one, Gumede, was the “principal controller” of the alleged criminal cabal.