Corruption case: eThekwini says service delivery won't be interrupted
The eThekwini Municipality has assured residents that criminal charges against Mayor, Zandile Gumede will not affect service delivery in the city.
Gumede, city councillor, Mondli Mthembu Gumede and businessman, Craig Ponnan were granted bail of R50 000 each in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court.
The three were arrested by the Hawks over allegations of fraud and corruption in relation to a 2016 R208 million DSW tender.
In a statement this afternoon, the municipality says it notes the charges against the mayor and Councillor Mthembu.
It says it views them as innocent until proven guilty.
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"We will continue to discharge our constitutional mandate of providing basic services to our people. We are not going to stand in the way of law enforcement agencies and other institutions responsible for dispensing justice," municipal spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said.
The court today heard that the arrests were brought forward over fears of interference with the investigation.
Hawks spokesperson, Hangwani Malaudzi says they had to bring the matter forward.
"There are still challenges - as heard in court - in terms of issues of interference and intimidation. Those are the things that we felt it was necessary to bring this case to court as soon as possible so that we will bring those conditions to the accused."
Malaudzi says investigations continue.
