Despite promises by Cyril Ramaphosa to run a clean administration and a statement by the African National Congress that it is embarrassed by corruption, the former mayor of Durban, who was sacked from the position by the ANC a year ago and is facing corruption charges, is the latest tainted official to be reappointed into a position of authority.
The Democratic Alliance said it was disgusted by the ANC’s move to elect Zandile Gumede to a cushy seat in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature. Gumede, who served as mayor of eThekwini’s from 2016 to 2019, brought the city to its knees, the DA said. Gumede is out on bail “in an elaborate corruption and fraud case relating to Durban Solid Waste.”
Gumede is the latest ANC official fingered in corruption probes who have been taken back into positions of authority. Earlier this month Limpopo ANC structures endorsed the decision by the national leadership of the ANC to reinstate Florence Radzilani and Danny Msiza, both of whom have been implicated in the VBS Bank scandal. In the same month the mayor of Welkom, Nkosenjani Speelman, who referred to coloured people as ‘boesmans,’ had an 18-month suspension from the party lifted.
“It is obvious that the former Mayor (of Durban) is a powerful figure in the ANC who has protection in high places. Why else would she earn a promotion back to the legislature when her absolute disgraceful behaviour is so clear for all to see?” the DA said.
The ANC recalled her as mayor last August but have not taken any action against her in the municipality and she has remained an ordinary councillor until now. The DA said the 62 councillors who were named in court as having worked with Gumede had also not been suspended, despite four of them having also been arrested.
“Gumede’s grip on eThekwini’s politics and purse continue. Her elaborate EPWP scheme, which has been repeatedly flagged by both the Audit Committee and the Auditor General, has twice been refunded by the new city leadership.
“One of the four companies listed as Gumede’s co-conspirators continues to receive municipal tenders, including a R17 million water tender in February this year.”