The ANC has come out strongly in defence of outgoing Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.
The ANC’s comments are in response to its new ally Action SA which claimed the Al Jamah member resigned because of pressure it applied alongside individuals who purport to be civil society leaders and political analysts who organised protests against the mayor.
Officials of the ANC Johannesburg Regional Executive Committee briefed the media on Tuesday, a few hours after Gwamanda tendered his resignation and said his exit was meant to make way for an ANC mayor in line with a principle of the Government of Local Unity.
Regional secretary Sasabona Manganyi said Gwamanda and previously Thapelo Ahmad, also from Al Jamah had occupied the mayorship when the ANC was unable to provide a mayoral candidate owing to a disagreement with the EFF.
“We don’t agree with Action SA on Gwamanda. They have their own issues. Kabelo Gwamanda never resigned because of what Action SA is saying in fact we were not mmmso that the ANC can take its rightful position in the coalition. We were not going to work with Action SA on that condition. We have the numbers to elect a mayor with or without Action SA,” he said.
Among others Action SA and others claimed Gwamanda was out of depths in the city but the ANC disagrees insisting a lot was achieved under his leadership.
“ the achievements that we are highlighting are achievements that were informed by his leadership and the mayoral committee that he’s leading with. They were not just implementing those things in the periphery, they were implementing these things led by him as the executive Mayor,” said Manganyi.
Gwamanda was previously also defended by EFF leader Julius Malema who dismissed calls for his removal as driven by racism and afrophobia.
Action SA is seeking the Council Speaker position but the REC leaders could not confirm if it will get it as the two parties are still finalising a coalition agreement.
Meanwhile the ANC reiterated commitment to continuing to work with the so called smaller parties who helped it topple the previous DA-led coalition.
Margret Arnolds from AIC currently occupies the speaker position eyed by Action SA.
Gwamanda remains in office until a new mayor is elected.