Lungani Zungu
Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede describes her legal woes as warfare, as she heads back to the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today.
“My hands are clean. After more than a year since arresting me, the state still hasn’t proven its case,” she said.
She says her lawyers will be fighting for the case to be thrown out of court.
Gumede took a swipe at the NPA and the Hawks, saying that their way of charging people first and prosecuting later was flawed.
“Things can’t just carry on as if nothing is wrong. Our law enforcement authorities should do their jobs fairly and ethically,” she said.
“This kind of action is damaging to one’s reputation.”
Gumede lost her job as mayor of eThekwini in 2019. She was charged with fraud and corruption along with 16 other people, including City Manager Sipho Nzuza.
The arrest stemmed from a R430 million Durban Waste tender issued in 2017 during her term.
Last Thursday, three more ANC councillors from the eThekwini Municipality appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court following their arrest on Wednesday.
When Gumede goes to court today, she will have one soldier less after the passing of her loyal supporter Mzomuhle Dube who died last month after a short illness.
“The only way I can honour comrade Dube is to fight until the end to clear my name.”
If anything, Dube’s death has boosted Gumede’s confidence.
She has pledged her support for Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who faces a parliamentary inquiry into her fitness to hold office.
If Mkhwebane is removed, she will be the first public protector not to finish their term since the office was initiated in 1995.
Gumede is now a member of the KZN provincial legislature.
Picture source: @GumedeZandileRT
