Embattled Zandile Gumede joins 17 co-accused in court

Former eThekwini mayor, Zandile Gumede and 17 co-accused are facing fraud and corruption-related charges.

It was postponed at the last appearance due to an outstanding forensic audit report.

State Prosecutor, Ashika Lucken today told the court the 741 page report is now complete and ready.

The court heard the report will be read with over 200 lever arch files -  which contain a total of 75 000 pages of annexures and exhibits relating to the case.

Lucken then requested a three-and-a-half-month postponement to assess the audit report and to prepare a provisional indictment that they plan to serve at the next appearance.

She says this will also give them time to make the evidence available to the defence.

Counsel for all the accused, opposed the request, saying the waiting period was far too long.

They told the court their clients had been in and out of court for over a year and still don’t know what the formal charges against them.

 READ: Former Durban mayor, Zandile Gumede back in court

They suggested the matter be adjourned until February and that they are given the completed forensic audit report now.

Lucken told the court that she herself has not read the report and would rather only make it available to the defence lawyers after she had read it.

Magistrate Dawn Somaroo asked Lucken to speak to the forensic auditor and see how soon he could make the report available to the defence. Court then adjourned for lunch.

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