The South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested four eThekwini Municipality councillors, municipal officials and community-based contractors today for their role in a R208 million Durban Solid Waste tender scandal. The four are among fifteen people arrested for fraud and corruption in the Durban area over the last twenty-four hours.
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“The group was apprehended following a year-long investigation by the Hawks’ Clean Audit Task Team (CATT) for allegedly receiving gratifications, money laundering, contravention of the Municipal Finance Act and Municipal System Act.” details SAPS in a statement.
Today’s arrests brings the number of people implicated and arrested thus far in investigations that are still ongoing to twenty-two according to SAPS.
“In another separate case eight accused who are also employed by the eThekwini Municipality as weight bridge operators were arrested in Springfield just outside Durban. They were charged for fraud in that they allegedly generated false weight bridge receipts that were used by four main service providers to claim from the municipality,” adds KZN police.
The suspects are scheduled to appear at the Durban Commercial Crimes Court today. Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede is also a suspect in the case.