UPDATE: Durban Mayor Gumede released on R50k bail

eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede appeared in the Durban Regional Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday facing charges of racketeering, fraud and corruption, Northglen News reports.

She and her fellow accused, councillor Mondli Mthembu and supplier Craig Ponan were released on R50 000 bail each under strict bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned to 8 August when the accused will appear in Durban Magistrate’s court.

According to media reports, Gumede’s supporters shielded her from journalists as she and her co-accused paid bail before being released.

The charges come after lengthy investigations into a R208-million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender which the Hawks confirmed stating that three high profile eThekwini Municipality officials, including mayor Zandile Gumede,

Hawks spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi  said the case is one of several corruption cases they are dealing with.

Earlier on Mulaudzi had said: “The case has not gone to court as yet, but we are happy with the success. It shows how much fraud and corruption we are dealing with in the municipality. We are dealing with other cases as well,” said Mulaudzi.

Among those suspected of fraud and corruption are eThekwini mayor,  DSW deputy head, Robert Abbu and the city’s supply chain manager, Sandile Ngcobo.

Abbu and Ngcobo were arrested two weeks ago.  Mulaudzi confirmed that Hawks had arrested several suspects two weeks ago including two officials and seven service providers from the municipality.