Newly elected Joburg Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda’s tenure could be short-lived as social media is ablaze with accusations of impropriety against the Al-Jamah-ah candidate following damning allegations that he may have scammed members of the public.
Gwamada became Mayor on Friday May 5 after getting 139 votes beating the DA’s hopeful Dr Mpho Phaalatse who got 68 votes against ActionSA’s Mfunzi Ngobeni’s 59. This follows the resignation of fellow party members Thapelo Amad amid pressure within the coalition government at the Metro.
Gwamanda was backed by ANC-EFF partnership and the collaboration includes Cope, AIC, ATM, PA and Good Party.
In his victory speech he said his government will focus on service delivery to the residents.
He said he is committed to creating a stable government.
“We assure you that this government of local unity is committed to maintaining a stable, functional, responsive and services oriented government for the City. The stability and efficient functioning of the City are a priority to us and we will strive to at all times maintain decorum, commitment and diligence in leading the City.
“For the City to achieve its goals, there must be alignment between the GLU (Local of Government Unity) mandate and government programmes as informed by the Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) 2040. As the GLU we intend to immediately go back to the basics and serve our residents.”
However, all these promises will come to nought if the DA succeeds in bringing the allegations against Gwamanda to the SAPS for investigations. The allegations are that Gwamanda, through an entity called iThemba Lam Afrika, conned residents into investing in a funeral/investment scheme. “However, the investors were left hanging dry when it was time to claim their benefits’.
In a statement the DA said: “It would be a tragedy for the 6 million citizens of Johannesburg to be subjected to such questionable and dubious leadership. It is however concerning that there has been damning information circulating about Gwamanda, which cast aspersions on whether he could be trusted with such responsibilities including overseeing the more than R70 billion budget of the City of Joburg’.
Following his election and swearing-in, Gwamanda appointed a Mayoral Committee composed of ten members who are to be sworn-in on the same day of his election.
He also brought back all the MMC’s who served under his predecessor, Thapelo Amad.
“The new MMC’s were selected after extensive consultations with other political parties, with the aim of solidifying GLU partnership in the City. The councillors were appointed to the Mayoral Committee of the City of Johannesburg.
Here is the list of the new MMC’s.
- Finance Dada Morero
- Group Corporate and Shared Services Loyiso Masuku
- Environment and Infrastructure Services: Jack Sekwaila
- Public Safety: Mgcini Tshwaku -Development Planning Eunice Mgcina -Economic Development, Nomoya Daphney Mnisi.
- Human Settlements Anthea Natasha Leitch
- Community Development Lubabalo Magwentshu
- Transport: Kenny Kunene Health: Ennie Makhafola
