Former eThekwini city manager, Sipho Nzuza, is facing corruption charges related to the R320 million Durban Solid Waste tender.
Evidence presented in the Durban High Court during the R320 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender fraud case suggests that the cellphone of former eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza was seized by the Hawks before he arrived at the Durban Central police station for his arrest on March 10, 2020.
Advocate Griffiths Madonsela SC, representing Nzuza, highlighted on Tuesday morning that police records indicate the phone was taken 25 minutes before Nzuza’s arrival at the police station. Nzuza is among 21 defendants, including former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede , who face charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering relating to the DSW tender.
This contradicts the oral testimony of Captain Obed Lukhele, who claimed he seized the phone after 7.20am. Madonsela pointed out that police evidence documents lack the time to corroborate Lukhele’s account.
Captain Lukhele previously stated that he seized the phone on his superior’s instruction — a Lieutenant Colonel — to take it to the Digital Forensic Investigations (DFI) for downloading and mirror imaging.
