Court issues more media restrictions in Gumede corruption trial

The Pietermaritzburg High Court has further ordered the media not to reveal the identities of any other persons who may be named by the current witnesses during their testimonies in the fraud and corruption trial of former eThekwini mayor, Zandile Gumede and 21 other accused.

This follows an earlier court order prohibiting the media from recording and broadcasting any audio and visuals of the court proceedings.

Speaking to the court order, Judge Sharmaine Balton said that due to possible threats against State witnesses who are believed to be municipal officials, the court is forced to exercise caution in how manner proceedings will be handled.

The court order applies to what the current witness and what the court has called, witnesses linked to this thread of evidence.