A state witness in the trial of former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 others has been accused of breaching proper reporting structures during the city’s investigation into the alleged fraudulent multi-million rand waste tender in 2017.
Mbuso Ngcobo, the head of the city’s Integrity Investigations Unit, remains under cross-examination at the Durban High Court.
Gumede and 21 others are facing over 2 000 charges including racketeering and corruption, related to the awarding of the tender.
Ngcobo authorised the forensic investigation that was conducted by an external company, Integrity Forensic Solutions, IFS.
The video below reports on the Zandile Gumede, 21 co-accused corruption trial:
Gumede’s attorney, Jay Naidoo, put it to Ngcobo, that he failed to respect the municipality’s reporting protocols.
Jay Naidoo, “Is there at least a report submitted to you itemising who were the three bidders were, what the relative bids in respect of each of those bidders and the recommendations and the reasons underpinning that recommendation, did you at least receive a report of that matter before you? It appears your unit was consistent in ignoring protocols of reporting structure in keeping proper records, written records.”
Mbuso Ngcobo, “I disagree, my lady, there are compliance reports that we submit on monthly bases to the CFOs office, to say we just work anyhow, I disagree with that statement.”
The video below has more on the corruption trial:
