‘A slap in the face’: ANC slammed for Zandile Gumede’s redeployment

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is furious and disgusted over Zandile Gumede being sworn into the KZN legislature. The party has accused the African National Congress (ANC) of not being serious about corruption. Gumede, the former Ethekwini mayor, has racked up a fair amount of allegations against her in recent years. Despite corruption and fraud claims Gumede was still sworn in on Wednesday 19 August, replacing the late Ricardo Mthembu. 

Gumede will assume the Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) portfolio in the province.

GUMEDE ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION 

Gumede, who served as eThekwini’s Mayor from 2016 to 2019, is out on bail in a corruption and fraud case relating to Durban Solid Waste (DSW). Her case has been postponed to September due to lockdown regulations. 

“The ANC recalled her as Mayor and removed her off the eThekwini EXCO but have not taken any action against her in the municipality and she has remained an ordinary Councillor until now,” said DA Councillor in ethekwini and local caucus leader Nicole Graham. 

“The 62 Councillors who were named in court as having worked with Gumede have also not been suspended, despite four of them having also been arrested,” added Graham. 

Graham said 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,” added Graham. 

PROTECTION IN HIGH PLACES

The DA said it’s obvious that the former mayor 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 ANC is a criminal organisation with no intention of rooting out corruption or holding its own who do wrong accountable,” said Graham. 

“This move is a slap in the face of every eThekwini resident, and indeed of every resident of KZN who now has to foot the bill for Gumede’s lifestyle,” it added. 

The DA’s Shadow Minister for Trade and Industry Dean Macpherson took to Twitter saying; “Cyril Ramaphosa keeps telling us he won’t tolerate corruption but his party (ANC) has just sworn into the KZN legislature a person accused of looting R389 million with others from the Ethekwini Municipality. He doesn’t take SA seriously!”