Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede / Image via: flickr
Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede / Image via: flickr
Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede has responded furiously to claims that she might be one of the ‘riot ringleaders’, and has opened up a case at a local police station in order to vehemently reject these accusations.
Did Zandile Gumede instigate riots? Ex-mayor denies claims
Gumede herself doesn’t have a squeaky-clean image, and her time in charge of Durban ended in controversy, when she was suspended from her position for alleged tender fraud. The corruption case filed against her remains on the roll and is set to resume later this year. However, the ANC stalwart isn’t taking this latest set of allegations lightly.
- In an interview with SABC, Zandile Gumede confirmed that her lawyers are now involved…
“They are saying Zandile Gumede is making this chaos, that she does not want to face the consequences of the law. At this point, I send my lawyer to the police station. These people are touching my nerves. I’m sat here with a heavy load on my shoulders. People have written these accusations demonically and recklessly.” | Zandile Gumede
Who has been arrested for causing unrest in SA?
A total of six arrests have been made so far, in connection to the violent looting which spread across parts of South Africa last week. Ngizwe Mchunu, a former DJ on Ukhozi FM, has emerged as one of the high-profile suspects, and he appeared in court on Tuesday. Zandile Gumede, however, insists she was not involved with any ‘insurrection plot’:
“Certain individuals and people with a political agenda against me have launched a cowardly attack against my personal integrity. I have laid a formal complaint with the police, because these allegations have put my life at risk. I deny in the strongest terms, and reject any spurious claims, that I was organising riots or looting.”
“I am a dedicated cadre of the ANC, I have no reason to avoid or derail my impending corruption trial, I want this to proceed so I can clear my name. I would also like to commit my sympathies and support to those affected by violence.”
