THE state witness who was supposed to continue testifying in the Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender fraud trial involving the former mayor is not well.
The retired heard of Durban Solid Waste (DSW) in the eThekwini Municipality is sick.
This was revealed by the senior state prosecutor Ashika Lucken during a brief appearance by former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and others, including former city manager Sipho Nzuza.
The state witness was due to continue testifying in the Durban High Court on Tuesday, 15 August.
Following the news that he is not well, the trial ended up being adjourned.
Speaking to Daily Sun outside court, Gumede said she is not happy about these delays.
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"It's upsetting because each time these witnesses have to give tangible testimonies they don’t come to court, and they make excuses all the time. Like this witness, he was supposed to meet with the state and fetch minutes that they should have brought to court. The minutes are of a certain meeting that was spoken about in court, now we were told that he is sick," Gumede said.
She said she was not happy but would have to persevere because she respects the law.
Meanwhile, the former head of DSW state witness had revealed that he felt troubled and unease when he had to pay huge amounts to contractors.
He said he was not involved and did not do any work when the contractors were appointed on 12 December 2017.
But Judge Sharmaine Balton said prosecutor Lucken should get another witness if the retired head of DSW will still be sick, so that the matter may proceed.
Judge Balton postponed the matter to Wednesday, 16 August.
Gumede and others, including the former city manager Nzuza, are charged with money laundering, fraud and corruption in relation to the Durban Solid Waste tender of more than R300 million.
