By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
ActionSA’s motion of no confidence against City of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda will be tabled at the next council meeting on 31 August.
The party filed the motion of no confidence against the mayor in June based on what they believe to be Gwamanda’s failure to clarify details surrounding criminal allegations levelled against him.
Shortly after he was elected as mayor, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority claimed the Al Jama-ah councillor ran a funeral services scheme that conned Soweto residents.
Gwamanda denied any knowledge of the probe.
Additionally, serious doubts have been raised regarding Gwamanda’s claimed academic qualifications. Yet, despite the gravity of these allegations, the Mayor has failed to address them openly to the council or the residents of Johannesburg.
ActionSA spokesperson Khomotjo Mashala claims that the ANC-EFF coalition has been protecting Gwamanda from media enquiries, and he was side-lined by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the recent gas explosion in the Johannesburg CBD.
“With a budget close to a whooping R80 billion, the City of Johannesburg needs a credible leader at its helm. As a party which values ethical leadership, ActionSA believes it is in the best interests of the residents of Johannesburg that our executive leadership is beyond reproach.”
Furthermore, Mashala voiced concerns about Gwamanda’s refusal to take action against his own executive members despite serious allegations against them.
One such example involves Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Nomiya Mnisi, who has been accused of directing a city entity to pay the ANC Youth League close to a million rand. Despite these damning allegations, Mnisi remains in office without any repercussions.