The Council in the City of Johannesburg recently elected Kabelo Gwamanda as the new executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg. Following his election and swearing-in, he appointed a mayoral committee comprising of 10 members. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has since given the new Johannesburg mayor 48 hours to address allegations of fraud against him.

THE FRAUD ALLEGATIONS

Just days into his position, Gwamanda is accused of using a funeral scheme, iThemba Lama Afrika which he opened more than a decade ago to defraud several people. It was reported that Gwamanda and his partner allegedly tricked people into investing into the funeral scheme. Al Jamah-ah party leader, Ganief Hendricks, announced to the media that the new mayor was thoroughly vetted prior to taking up his position.

UNFOUNDED CLAIMS

Speaking exclusively to ZiMoja, the new Joburg mayor says the claims are unfounded and a smear campaign. "These are blatant lies and are unfounded. It's politics at play,' he says. "People were obviously paid and promised employment to lie about me. This business operated 13 years ago and none of the residents had gone to the police station to open a case.'

STARTING OFFICE

Yesterday was the executive mayor's first day in office. He sat with the municipal mayoral committee from the different portfolios to get reports on the work that has been done to date to identify key areas that need urgent attention within the different portfolios. "The focus is not how long I stay in office as mayor but it's about improving quality of service delivery for the residents of Johannesburg,' he says. "I have hit the ground running and no amount of fake news will stop me from playing my role in the time that I have.'

USING SPIRITUALITY TO LEAD

Gwamanda recently shared images of himself with Grace Bible Church leader, Pastor Musa Sono where sceptics say he is using the church to portray an 'angel-like image' of himself. "I have always been a member of the Grace Bible Church, since childhood,' he says. "My mother is to this day a member of the church. I felt that I needed to go to church before my first day in office and before taking on the complex task of leading the residents of Johannesburg,' he adds. 'I recognise the church as home and the importance of God's blessing upon my life,' he concludes