- eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza is expected to appear in court for allegedly violating his bail conditions.
- Nzuza was arrested in March in connection with a Durban Solid Waste tender scandal worth more than R400 million.
- He is out on bail of R50 000 with strict conditions.
eThekwini City manager Sipho Nzuza is expected to appear in the Durban Commercial Crime Court on Monday for allegedly violating his bail conditions.
His bail conditions were set after the Hawks' National Clean Audit Task Team arrested him on 10 March, Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said.
The task team has been appointed to investigate various allegations of fraud and corruption leading to the loss of millions of rands within eThekwini Municipality.
Nzuza appeared in court in connection with a Durban Solid Waste tender fraud case worth over R400 million, alongside former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and other accused.
He was granted bail of R50 000 with strict bail conditions.
Mogale said they were aware that Nzuza was placed on special leave by the eThekwini Municipality and that upon his return from his leave of absence, "he engaged in certain actions which were in [breach] of his bail conditions".
"The team immediately initiated investigations into this matter, which amounted to conduct which clearly indicated that Nzuza violated the bail conditions issued to him.
"The charges preferred at this stage relating to the matter are fraud, money laundering, contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) , contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and contravention of the Local Government Municipal Act."
Nzuza's bail conditions included that:
- he not contact or communicate in any way, whether directly or indirectly, with witnesses relating to the audit trail of the Durban Solid Waste-eThekwini tender;
- he refrain from involvement in the disciplinary processes of officials charged in relation to this investigation;
- he not participate directly or influence any tender process for the duration of the investigation, and further that his powers as accounting officer in relation to tender processes be delegated in terms of Section 79 read with 77 and Section 106 of the MFMA 56 of 2003.