By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene, is now the acting mayor for the City of Johannesburg until the end of business on Monday.
Executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, is attending government business in Cape Town.
Kunene expressed his gratitude for being given the duty of managing the nation’s economic centre while the mayor was away on official business.
“I am humbled by the confidence the mayor has in me to give me such a mammoth task. What makes it easy is that we work well with the mayor and the other MMCs; we understand issues and administration, so I am humbled,” Kunene said.
PA leader Gayton McKenzie celebrated the news of Kunene’s one-day mayoral appointment on Twitter, saying it was good news.
Gwamanda was expected to address a media briefing hosted by his party Al Jama-ah on Saturday, to address allegations that he ran a funeral insurance scam.
The allegations were brought to light by Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Dr Mpho Phalatse who pushed Gwamanda to clear his name by speaking out on the allegations.
However, Gwamanda did not pitch up at the Al Jama-ah briefing because he feared for his safety, according to Al Jama-ah Gauteng leader Thapelo Amad.
The African National Congress (ANC) has defended its support of Gwamanda, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has followed the same defence.
EFF national leader Julius Malema said that if the allegations against Gwamanda were proven true, he would have to be removed as mayor. Malema said that so far, there has been no tangible proof provided by the DA that the mayor was a fraud.