Zandile Gumede corruption case could start next year, court hears

Twenty-two accused, including former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and city manager Sipho Nzuza, made a brief appearance on Monday morning.

They face over 2 700 corruption-related charges.

The State prosecutor, Ashika Lucken, told the court they had made amendments to the indictments that were served on the accused during their last appearance in the Durban Magistrates Court.

She asked for a postponement to respond to the request by the defence for further particulars on the amendments and said she needed six weeks.

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Gumede's attorney, Advocate Jay Naidoo said after their request, it looked most likely that the trial would be head only in a year's time.

Judge Achmat Jappie ruled that further pre-trial procedures would be discussed in court at the end of November.

Meanwhile, Gumede's supporters are not keen on further delays.

"We don't want any further delays, because according to us she is ready she wans this matter to be done and dusted. Any delays will be detrimental to her because this is an issue that's been hanging over her head for quite a long time now - it's heading to three years. So we really want this out of the way,” one of her supporters said.