Zandile Gumede corruption case postponed to March
The corruption case against former eThekwini mayor, Zandile Gumede and her 17 co-accused could be struck off the roll if the State isn't ready to proceed at the next appearance.
The State had earlier told the court while a forensic audit report that had been outstanding was complete - - it needed a lengthy adjournment to go through it and to prepare a provisional indictment – among other reasons.
Counsel for all of the accused were opposed to this and said the forensic report should be made available to them immediately.
The case involved a multi-million rand Durban Solid Waste tender.
READ: Embattled Zandile Gumede joins 17 co-accused in court
The Durban Commercial Crimes Court heard the forensic auditors were mandated by the Hawks to put together the audit report and that authorisation from the head of the unit would be required before it could be handed over to other parties.
State Prosecutor, Ashika Luckan told the court the report would then need to be sent to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
She said the six officials who make up the forensic audit team would also be going on leave soon.
Magistrate Dawn Somaroo told Luckan the State had to compromise somehow.
Somaroo said the case was a matter of public interest and people wanted to it see it moving ahead.
She adjourned the matter to late March and ordered that the full indictment be ready to be served by then.
The State must also hand over to the defence the police docket and the full forensic report with its annexures.
