Gumende trial: Court hears how unit got wind of DSW tender
The Durban High Court on Tuesday heard how an investigations unit at eThekwini Municipality got wind of the Durban Solid Waste tender scandal.
Former mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 others are on trial, accused of fraud and corruption linked to the R320 million contract.
It’s claimed supply chain management processes were manipulated to illegally award the tender to four businesses, who then allegedly fraudulently invoiced the city for millions.
The State’s first witness was Mbuso Ngcobo, the head of eThekwini Municipality’s Integrity and Investigations Unit.
He entered the courthouse surrounded by heavily armed bodyguards.
When he arrived at the courtroom, his security remained at the door while court officials ushered him through the packed gallery.
READ: Gumede DSW trial: Court hears of alleged kickbacks, payment towards luxury SUV
At that moment, the tension could be cut with a knife.
Once on the stand, Ngcobo told the court someone anonymously left a bundle of documents at the reception of his office.
He said one of the teams under him went through the pile and found some irregularities.
It recommended that an external forensic service be brought in due to their limited capacity.
Ngcobo said the external team were then left to investigate without interference from him.
The external team, the Integrity Forensic Service, gave Ngcobo its interim report in December 2018 in which it recommended that the matter be reported to the police.
Ngcobo said he did as the recommendation suggested.
