Court hears of alleged threats in DSW corruption case
The Durban Commercial Crimes Court has heard that the Hawks had to bring forward the arrest of eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and two others, due to alleged threats of interference and witnessintimidation.
Gumede, city councillor Mondli Mthembu and businessman Craig Ponnen appeared briefly this morning.
They have been charged in connection with a 2016 Durban Solid Waste tender.
The Hawks say service providers were allegedly paid some R208-million but no services were rendered.
The trio's bail has been set at R50 000 each.
Prosecutor Ashika Lucken read out an affidavit from the investigating officer as bail proceedings unfolded.
The investigating officer alleges that mayor Gumede used her political status to influence senior officials relating to the tender.
The court also heard that the suppliers linked to the tender were not on the eThekwini database and did not have the means to provide the services.
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Lucken then said the matter was brought forward and placed on the roll because of attempts to interfere with investigations and intimidate witnesses.
As part of their bail conditions, Gumede, Mthembu and Ponnen have had to hand in their passports and cannot communicate with eThekwini staff from certain departments, among other things.
