More charges added in Zandile Gumede corruption case
The accused in the Durban solid waste tender case are facing more charges.
Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 others appeared in the Durban High Court on Monday.
They face fraud and corruption related charges related to a 2016 contract in which some R430 million is said to have been spent.
The court heard that more racketeering charges had been added, taking the total number of charges to 2 793 from 2 786.
The state prosecutor said the indictments that had been served on the accused have been amended as a result.
Gumede, who was previously accused number 16, is now accused number 1, followed by eThekwini officials Mondli Mthembu and Sipho Nzuza.
READ: Covid-19 dealt TVET students huge blow - study
The court also heard the matter is likely only to go to trial in July next year.
Outside court Gumede's attorney, Advocate Jay Naidoo, explained to reporters that the state is entitled to amend the indictment right until the time the accused plead.
"Justice and equity demand that at some point they must say to us this is the final charge sheet, it's not going to change. They have given that undertaking in court today so know we know that the indictment that we are dealing with is the final indictment and those are the charges the accused is facing."
The case will be back to court at the end of November to see if all pre-trial matters have been concluded.
