Zandile Gumede supporters accuse NPA of delay tactics, as trial set for July
Zandile Gumede supporters have hit out at state prosecutors, accusing them of attempting to delay proceedings in her corruption case.
The former eThekwini mayor and her 21 co-accused go on trial on 18 July.
A spokesperson for Gumede's supporters Njabulo Mchunu says it's disappointing that it's taken the court three years to gather all the defendants' particulars.
The state on Tuesday asked for another postponement to take care of requests for more information from some defence attorneys, including Gumede's lawyer Jay Naicker.
READ: Zandile Gumede trial set down for July
Mchunu was speaking outside the Durban High Court after the embattled former mayor and her co-accused appeared to face charges in the R320 million Durban Solid Waste tender fraud case.
"The reason for this postponement, in this case, is simply to create a narrative that Zandile Gumede remains a suspect in the case, she can not leave or do anything. We feel there was no reason for this trial to not commence today," he said.
Gumede's supporters are confident she will be elected the ANC's eThekwini chairperson despite her legal woes.
Mchunu claims she's the leading candidate for party's regional chairperson.
"As we sit today, more than 70 percent of branches in the eThekwini region have nominated mam' Zandile Gumede. The branches of the ANC and she will be elected as chairperson."
However, ANC KZN spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela says no deductions can be made until the conference.
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