Medical records under scrutiny in ex-mayor's corruption case

THE corruption case against former mayor of eThekwini municipality Zandile Gumede recommenced at the Durban High Court, with the State saying it wants to investigate the medical record of one of her co-accused after he suffered from a fracture of part of his spine and ribs.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

Gumede's co-accused, Allan Robert Abbu, the former eThekwini deputy head of the Durban Solid Waste unit, is currently wheelchair-bound. He was present in court yesterday.

Abbu, Gumede, and 20 others are facing multiple charges, including money laundering, racketeering, corruption, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Municipal Systems Act, related to a R300 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender.

The counsel appointed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), advocate Reshma Athmaram, told the court that the State had preliminary concerns with regards to Abbu.

She said the defence alerted them yesterday morning that Abbu had been in an accident, but said the letter from a surgeon did not indicate when the accident happened, but indicated that as of March 29, he is being treated for a neurological condition.