Durban - TAKING the cue from former President Jacob Zuma and appearing defiant despite a political storm, embattled eThekwini mayor, Zandile Gumede, says she is a “wounded warrior who has been beaten by her own comrades."

Speaking for the first time since the KZN ANC provincial executive committee disbanded the regional executive committee (REC) of the eThekwini region, Gumede used Zuma’s favourite line that he is a wounded warrior who has been beaten by his own comrades.

Zuma often makes the reference in song, by singing “Sengimanxenxeba zinsizwa zangakithi, zinsizwa engakhula nazo", which loosely means I am deeply wounded because of injuries inflicted by my own brothers.

It is expected that the KZN ANC will ask Gumede to take a 30 day leave of office so they can decide on her future. Gumede is facing fraud and corruption charges linked to a R208 million waste tender and a separate probe by the Hawks into whether she violated her bail conditions.

“The eThekwini council is unique because it is led by a woman, a woman who is deeply wounded and has been wounded by her own comrades. A woman who is trampled upon but still rise because God is on her side,” she tolds mourners, including ANC supporters, who applauded her.