The Hawks say they are strengthening the security of those investigating embattled eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and her six co-accused.
This after the lead investigator in her case survived an assassination attempt in Germiston last Friday.
The Hawks officer was reportedly ambushed by a gunman who fired three shots at him.
Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said the motive for the attack was still being investigated. However, he confirmed that security for those who were witnesses in the Gumede case was being attended to.
Gumede appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court Thursday morning with six others on raud, corruption, and racketeering charges linked to a 2016 R208 mn waste collection tender. The case was postponed until January 2020.
On Tuesday, the KwaZulu-Natal African National Congress’ (ANC) provincial executive announced that Gumede will not be returning to her position as her leave of absence has been officially extended.
Gumede’s supporters held a night vigil and prayer service outside the court Wednesday.
They believe she’s innocent and was being victimised by the African National Congress (ANC) but her detractors said she’s been incompetent as mayor and that key projects in eThekwini have failed to take off under her leadership.
