ANC KZN wants corruption-accused Zandile Gumede to step back in the arena

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has come out in support of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede’s participation in their election campaign, despite her having had to step aside.

This is according to ANC KZN spokesperson Mafika Mndebele, who told TimesLIVE Premium that they wanted Gumede back in full action.

Mndebele, however, emphasised that the final call on this falls with the party’s national headquarters, Luthuli House. 

“We are hoping that she comes back, that is what we are advocating for as the ANC in KZN that the review application brings her back,” said Mndebele.

The application refers to an ANC resolution that states that the party would, every six months, review the cases of those who have stepped aside.

Gumede has sought for her step aside matter to be re-evaluated.

Gumede, a former eThekwini mayor, was asked by the party to step aside as chairperson of the ANC in eThekwini region.

She was elected to that position while facing charges of racketeering, fraud and corruption relating to a R320m waste management contract in eThekwini.

While Gumede was cleared by the ANC KZN integrity commission, paving the way for her to resume her duties in the provincial legislature, her party is yet to rule on her application for review of her step aside. But she continues to make headlines.

Gumede was recently seen with secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and national chairperson Gwede Mantashe at ANC activities. But in terms of step aside rules and regulations, she should not be allowed to participate in the ANC’s public events such as rallies. 

However, Mndebele defended her participation in ANC activities, citing her step aside review application.

He slammed the National Prosecuting Authority, saying they were taking too long to prove their case against Gumede.

“The decision on step aside, we argued that it should be reviewed every 12 months. Our view is that up to four years now mam Zandile has been accused, the state is not proving any case against her. She applied using that particular rule, even demonstrating that even on what the state has presented so far, it hardly implicates her, now because this is a national resolution, we cannot make a decision, we await national,” he said. 

Mndebele added that “as a province we encourage all members of the ANC to be part of the campaign”. 

Gumede has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her in the R320m Durban Solid Waste contract. The case is ongoing.