A WITNESS who was meant to testify in the trial of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede didn't show up in court.
The witness said she now fears for her life because her home was allegedly shot at on Saturday, 22 July and she is not in a state to testify.
This was revealed by state prosecutor Ashika Lucken during court proceedings at the Durban High Court on Monday, 24 July.
Prosecutor Lucken said fortunately the witness was not harmed and none of her family members were hurt.
Lucken said a police docket was opened and there is an ongoing investigation.
"We have been informed by the investigation officer who has been working in this matter on the weekend that the witness is not in a position to testify. She is also putting time off work to compose herself and recover from the incident," she said.
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Lucken said police have received calls from several other witnesses that the state was intending to lead in this session, and these are all municipal officials and are all concerned about their safety.
"Cops will do an assessment and measures will be put into place. The state will also try to bring the situation down. There are too many processes in order to make sure that the witnesses are safe. Maybe on Friday we will come back and report to court about the situation," she said.
Gumede's lead lawyer, Advocate Jay Naidoo, said the matter is set to proceed.
"We can come back on Wednesday and be given an update on the matter. Surely in the list there are some who can testify. This is not fair to the accused," he said.
Judge Sharmaine Balton said: "I also want the matter to proceed but when there are threats, then we need to take time."
The matter was adjourned to next Wednesday where the state will give an update on when the matter will proceed.
Meanwhile, as Gumede walked out of court, she was very angry and told Daily Sun that she wasn't okay.
"What makes me unhappy is that the case is supposed to begin and witnesses must talk about everything they know but now we hear that their homes were shot at, and others are now afraid to come to testify," she said.
She said she wants this matter to end.
Gumede and others including the former city manager, Sipho Nzuza face charges of money laundering, fraud and corruption in relation to a Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender over R300 million.
