Durban - The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, have arrested at least 15 eThekwini Municipality officials for fraud-related matters.
Hawks national spokesperson, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, on Wednesday confirmed that four councillors and eight weighbridge officials were due in court.
"At this stage, we can confirm that they will appear in the Durban Commercial Crimes court on Wednesday. This is a new corruption docket and is not related to the ongoing court case in which other eThekwini officials are implicated," he said.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/sapsHQ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sapsHQBreaking News: Four Durban councilors and three company directors arrested for alleged corruption by the #Hawks Clean Audit Task Team this morning. Further arrests are expected. Media Enquiries -> Brig Mulaudzi. #FightingCorruption ME pic.twitter.com/hIi5jNloDh
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService)
Mulaudzi is referring to the matter involving former Durban mayor, Zandile Gumede and others. After months of speculation, Gumede was nabbed earlier this year.
She, along with senior municipal councillor Mondli Mthembu and a supplier, Craig Ponan, face a raft of charges relating to fraud, corruption and racketeering.
The charges are related to a 'dodgy' R208 million tender within the Durban Solid Waste (DSW) department.
Following Gumede's arrest, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Agency's Asset Forfeiture Unit raided Gumede's plush home in Durban North and several other properties.
They seized sports cars and other assets valued at around R51m.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZandileGumede?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZandileGumedeco-accused properties. It is yet to be identified if any of these vehicles belong to Gumede @TheMercurySA pic.twitter.com/bfMeBpvK3F
— Kailene Pillay (@kailenepillay)