Funding issues delay start of Zandile Gumede corruption trial
The corruption trial of former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 others did not go ahead on Monday as planned.
Some of the accused have apparently run out of funds to pay their lawyers.
Together, the group faces over 2 700 corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering charges.
Judge Sharmaine Balton began by asking whether the matter was ready to proceed in the Durban High Court on Monday.
The defence attorneys of accused number five, Sandile Ngcobo, accused number nine, Cynthia Nzuza and accused number 13, Zithulele Mkhize told the court their clients had yet to secure funding to pay for legal representation.
Prosecutor Ashika Lucken said the State was ready for trial.
The possibility of the three accused being granted legal aid was discussed and the court heard they did not qualify because they are employed.
The matter was adjourned to next week for counsel to iron out the issues.
The case was postponed to August.
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