The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, said on Thursday that they were hoping to conclude a massive raid on multiple properties that included those of former Durban mayor Zandile Gumede, by the end of the day.

Spokesperson brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi was speaking to journalists outside Gumede’s Inanda home, where the former mayor had just been served with a court order for the seizure of assets.

“She also needs to disclose some of the assets that we don’t have. Once that is done, most of the stuff will be taken to storage. She still has the opportunity to go to court if she wants to oppose it,” said Mulaudzi.

He said Gumede’s lawyers were at the residence when the order was served.

“Hopefully we will be able to finalise everything today,” said Mulaudzi.

The Hawks, Asset Forfeiture Unit, curator (who will store and maintain the assets) and sheriff travelled to Inanda after first trying to serve the court order at Gumede’s Umhlanga home, but found that the residence had been rented out, allegedly since July.

This puts Gumede in breach of her bail conditions, as her Umhlanga home was noted as her permanent residence in her bail application.

Mulaudzi said the matter had been “escalated”.

“Let’s leave that to the prosecutor and investigating officer,” he said.

Gumede’s properties were raided along with more than a dozen others, starting in the early hours of Thursday.

Assets seized thus far included high-end motor vehicles belonging to some of the mayor’s co-accused or their businesses. The state is looking to seize over R50-million in assets to offset the proceeds of crime. 

It is not yet clear what had been seized from Gumede’s properties, but Mulaudzi said the curator would be doing an assessment.

Gumede, senior city councillor Mondli Mthembu and businessman Craig Poonan appeared at the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on 14 May for their alleged roles in tender fraud relating to a Durban Solid Waste (DSW) contract of over R200-million. The matter dates back to 2016.

The accused were released on R50 000 bail each.

The trio appeared just two weeks after nine other accused – some of them representing companies – appeared at the same court for their alleged roles in the same crime. They will all appear again in January.

All of the accused are facing charges of fraud, fraud by omission, corruption, contravention of the Municipal Financial Management Act, contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, contravention of the Organised Crime Act and contravention of the Local Government Municipal Act.

Gumede and Mthembu are further facing charges for contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act for allegedly instigating an illegal gathering in April in which supporters called for the axing of city manager Sipho Nzuza, who allegedly refused to sign off on payments related to the dodgy tender.

Gumede was “redeployed” by the African National Congress in August, following a nasty public spat in which she initially refused to vacate her position as mayor. It is not yet clear where the governing party will find a place for her particular skill set.