The Hawks yesterday arrested 15 people, including eThekwini councillors, in connection with the R208 million Durban Solid Waste tender corruption allegations, a case that has already cost former mayor Zandile Gumede her job.
Among the 15 are ‘community-based’ contractors, four councillors and city officials, according to Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi. This brought to 22 the number of arrests in the investigation so far.
News24 reported that the arrests followed a year-long investigation by the Hawks into allegations that suspects received gratifications, committed money laundering and contravened municipal finance legislation.
Former mayor Gumede is out on R50 000 bail, and will next appear in court on 15 January. She, with others, is accused of colluding with corporate entities and others to circumvent the municipality’s supply chain management protocols.