Zandile Gumede's solid waste corruption case postponed

Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 15 co-accused appeared briefly in the court on Wednesday.

They are facing fraud and corruption charges relating to the tender.

It's alleged millions were paid out to service providers, but services weren't rendered. 

READ: Zandile Gumede set to appear in court for Durban tender case

State prosecutor Ashika Luckan began proceedings by making an application to have the case adjourned for six months. 

She explained to the court that during the search and seizure operation of all the accused premises last October, a bundle of documents was found in the home of accused number two, Sandile Ngcobo.

She says the documents have been linked to the solid waste tender and show that between July 2018 and June last year a further R181 million was paid to some of those implicated. 

She says this discovery has delayed the investigation. Luckan says a financial record analysis of over 4000 documents needs to be completed while investigators are also still combing through 152 bank statements. 

They're also said to be pouring through thousands of pages of cellphone data and other documents that were seized.

Gumede’s attorney, Jay Naidoo asked that the case return to court in three months for the state to give an update on the investigation - saying they couldn't afford further delays. Magistrate Dawn Somaroo agreed to the request and adjourned the matter to April.