Things seem to be getting worse for former Joburg mayor and former MMC for Community Development Kabelo Gwamanda. After he was fired as an MMC on Saturday by his successor, Dada Morero, ActionSA Joburg Caucus intends to file a motion in the upcoming council meeting to refer Gwamanda to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee. The party wants the former mayor removed as a proportional representative (PR) councillor as well.
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS
This motion comes after Gwamanda was relieved from his duties as MMC due to pending fraud charges. "ActionSA holds the view that councillor Gwamanda cannot serve the city with unresolved allegations. We have prima facie evidence that suggests he compromised the city's integrity and reputation," said ActionSA's Zark Lebatlang, adding that, "we call for councillor Gwamanda to relinquish his PR councillor role or for his party to take action and remove him from council. As ActionSA, we prioritise accountability and transparency," he said. He said ActionSA will closely monitor this matter to ensure justice prevails.
A HASTY DECISION
Meanwhile, Gauteng Al Jama-ah leader Thapelo Amad said Morero was too quick to remove Gwamanda as MMC since the matter was still under discussion at the provincial level. "There were never further consultations between us and the ANC because matters were still being ventilated, so we hadn't concluded that process. I think the executive mayor, in his powers, has taken a unilateral decision. However, I think he was supposed to have waited for the outcome of the process and the outcome of the National Prosecuting Authority," said Amad,adding that until the courts find Gwamanda guilty, he is innocent and they will continue to support him. "If the court of law finds him guilty, the party will take that drastic decision. At this stage, nothing is binding for us and we will never wait to be told by the opposition, which finds an opportunistic element for us to crucify one of our members," Amad said. Gwamanda has not commented or said anything since his dismissal was announced.
