Zandile Gumede: Stop Arresting People Before Concluding Investigations

As Zandile Gumede s corruption case enters its sixth year, the former eThekwini mayor has called on the state to conclude investigations before arresting accused persons to avoid delays.

In an interview with the Mail Guardian this week, Gumede expressed her unhappiness about how her matter has dragged on, saying it had been dilly-dallying in court.

Let the system work properly. This thing of arresting people and letting them rot in court is very painful. We have children, grandchildren, relatives, our church members and the community at large who are all eager to know whats happening while we are just at the same place, she said.

It is worrying for the justice system to take this long. At some point our lawyers questioned why the investigators were still saying they were investigating after we were arrested. They just said its their right to do so. I wish that if you get arrested in South Africa, you must get arrested when your matter has been concluded so that it moves speedily. Sitting for years and only hearing that we are still for particulars is really frustrating.

Gumedes corruption trial is sitting at the Durban high court. She was arrested and first charged in 2019 with, among others, fraud, corruption and racketeering relating to a R320 million Durban Solid Waste tender.