DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 23: The Ethekwini Youth Employment Indaba at Durban Exhibition Centre on May 23, 2019 in Durban, South Africa. The three-day event aims to provide an enabling environment for the youth of eThekwini Municipality and KwaZulu-Natal to engage with opportunities that will lead them to making informed career choices, and give them more info on employment opportunities and the support offered by various institutions for the youth. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)
Hoax Tenders: Now eThekwini Municipality warns of fake email
eThekwini Municipality has urged people with any information about the hoax tender email to report it to the police for investigation.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 23: The Ethekwini Youth Employment Indaba at Durban Exhibition Centre on May 23, 2019 in Durban, South Africa. The three-day event aims to provide an enabling environment for the youth of eThekwini Municipality and KwaZulu-Natal to engage with opportunities that will lead them to making informed career choices, and give them more info on employment opportunities and the support offered by various institutions for the youth. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)
Durban Solid Waste tenders are not for sale, the Ethekwini Municipality has warned local businesses, following a hoax email that has been circulating with information about fake tender advertisements for the department.
“The City would like to advise residents of a hoax email being circulated purporting to be from the Durban Cleansing and Solid Waste (DSW) Unit,” eThekwini Municipality said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This is a fake tender advertisement with the following contract numbers: WS7373, WS7374, WS7375, WS7376 and WS7377. The City distances itself from this fake tender email and warns the public not to fall victim to the scam,” the eThekwini Municipality warned.
“Municipal contracts are not for sale and City representatives are not permitted to solicit any payment from potential tenderers,” the city added.
eThekwini Municipality has urged anyone with information regarding the hoax email containing the fake contract numbers to urgently report it to the police for investigation.
The city’s DSW department has been embroiled in controversy following the arrest of senior municipal officials and former mayor Zandile Gumede who are facing charges of corruption in relation to tenders.
The Hawks swooped on a further three eThekwini Municipality ANC ward councillors in March. The suspects were arrested for a slew of corruption charges in connection with the alleged R400 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender fraud saga.
Councillors Mthokozisi Nojiyeza, Bhekokwakhe Phewa and Sduduzo Khuzwayo appeared in the specialised Durban Commercial Crimes Court facing several charges, including counts of corruption and money laundering, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Sipho Ngwenya said. The charges were in relation to the drawn out tender fraud case involving the city’s former mayor Zandile Gumede and former city manager Sipho Nzuza and several other former city officials.
The councillors were joined to the corruption case and are facing a slew of charges as follows:
- Eight counts of corruption for contravention of section 119 of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000.
- Four counts of corruption for contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (Precca).
- Ten counts of money laundering for contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca).
- Contravention of Section 21 of Precca
