Testimony in the Durban High Court has raised questions around the handling and documentation of evidence in the ongoing Durban Solid Waste corruption trial involving former eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza.

A State witness from the Digital Forensic Investigations (DFI) unit told the court that she could not confirm the exact timing of the seizure of Nzuza’s cellphone during his arrest by the Hawks on 10 March 2020.

The device is central to allegations linked to corruption, money laundering and racketeering involving a R320 million tender, in which Nzuza is charged alongside former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and more than 20 co-accused.

The witness, an administrative clerk whose identity is protected, explained that she processed the device using a Cellebrite UFED forensic system licensed by SAPS at the time.

She said the extraction application reflected that the phone was confiscated at 07:30, but she could not independently verify this detail as analysts do not have direct contact with investigating officers.

During cross-examination by advocate Griffiths Madonsela SC, she maintained that she only relied on documentation submitted to DFI and was not present during the seizure or intake of the exhibit.She also disputed claims that she had met Captain Obed Lukhele, stating that all interactions with investigators were handled through a receptionist.

The court further heard that the forensic extraction of data, including call logs, emails and messages from the iPhone, took the entire day due to the volume of data, and could not be stopped unless the equipment was physically disconnected or a court order was issued.

Proceedings were delayed after it emerged that presiding Judge Sharmaine Balton was unwell, leading to a postponement of the matter to Friday, when a Hawks officer is expected to take the stand.