Gumede corruption trial ‘premeditated scheme’ court hears
The attorney
representing former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede claims that the entire
Durban Solid Waste tender investigation has been part of a premeditated and
politically influenced scheme to secure her downfall.
It's the second week of the trial against Gumede and her 21 co-accused.
Gumede's attorney Jay Naidoo told the court through cross-examination that he would prove the State's first witness - the head of eThekwini's Integrity and Investigations Unit, Mbuso Ngcobo - did not use the correct processes in setting up an investigation into the alleged tender irregularities.
READ: Gumede DSW trial: Court hears of alleged kickbacks, payment towards luxury SUV
Last week, Ngcobo testified that a bundle of documents that was anonymously dropped off at his office prompted the probe.
Naidoo then asked to be furnished with the written note of allegations that were in the bundle, along with the internal report from the city's investigations unit, as well as the minutes of the meeting where Ngcobo's unit appointed external forensic investigators to look into the claims.
The State only handed in the tender terms for the external investigation on Monday.
When probed, Ngcobo confirmed there were no minutes of the meeting with the external forensic company, saying that's not how their processes work.
He also told the court there was no internal report from the city unit.
