Hawks out to seize former mayor’s assets in Somerset Park

HAWKS vehicles were spotted in Somerset Drive, uMhlanga early this morning at the alleged home of former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede.  The operation, which is ongoing, aims to seize Gumede’s assets, following  multi-million Rand fraud allegations that saw Gumede ousted from  her position. While the Hawks could not confirm, it’s been reported that Gumede had vacated the Somerset Park home prior to today.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority said the action taken against Gumede was in line with the law.

“There’s a criminal case against the accused regarding the DSW tender fraud. The NPA obtained an order from the court that allows us to seize the assets of the accused. These are the normal proceeds of the law. We seize assets and keep it under curatorship until the criminal is complete,” she said.

In May this year, Hawks celebrated  a ‘success’ after  the arrest of three high profile eThekwini Municipality officials, including mayor Zandile Gumede.

Speaking to the Northglen News, after the arrest, Hawks spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi  said: “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.”

Also read: Hawks celebrate ‘success’ as eThekwini Mayor faces the dock

Gumede, councillor Mondli Mthembu and businessman, Craig Ponnan were granted R50 000 bail each following their brief appearance in the  Durban Specialised Commercial Court  as part of the Hawks’ National Clean Audit Task Team (NCATT) investigation into the R208 million DSW tender.

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