Kabelo Gwamanda is a South African politician who was the mayor of Johannesburg from May 2023 until August 2024. A member of the Al Jama-ah party, he was the ninth executive mayor of the metropolitan municipality since 2016 and is currently deployed as the MMC for community development in the city of johannesburg metro.
Kabelo Gwamanda | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Johannesburg | |
| In office 5 May 2023 – 16 August 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Thapelo Amad |
| Succeeded by | Dada Morero |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Soweto, South Africa |
| Political party | Al Jama-ah |
| Known for | Assisting at Human settlement and Under Umalusi. |
Mayoral career
editAfter fellow Al Jama-ah councillor Thapelo Amad resigned as mayor of Johannesburg due to pressure from coalition partners, the largest party in council, the African National Congress (ANC), endorsed Gwamanda for the position of mayor on 5 May 2023 in order to keep its alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), another party in council.[1][2] He was elected during a council vote held via secret ballot on that same day, receiving 139 votes out of the 266 votes.[3][4] Gwamanda announced his mayoral committee shortly after his election.[5]
The Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus in council has called Gwamanda a "scammer" over allegations that he scammed residents into investing in a funeral/investment scheme through his company iThemba Lama Afrika.[6]
Gwamanda delivered his maiden State of the City Address on 6 June 2023.[7] The following day, Gwamanda fell ill during the debate on the State of the City Address and was hospitalised.[8]
On 13 August 2024, after coming under pressure from Al Jama-ah's coalition partner, the ANC,[9] Gwamanda announced his resignation as Johannesburg mayor.[10] On 16 August 2024, he was replaced as mayor by Dada Morero, who was elected to a second, non-consecutive, term.[11]
Arrest
editGwamanda was arrested on 20 October 2024 for fraud around an alleged funeral policy scam that he ran in 2011.[12]
References
edit- ^ Lekabe, Thapelo (2023-05-05). "ANC, EFF to back another Al Jama-ah councillor for Joburg mayor". The Citizen. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ Masuabi, Queenin (2023-05-05). "MUSICAL CHAIRS: Quarrelling ANC drops Joburg mayoral candidate in back-and-forth scramble to keep EFF coalition sweet". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ "Kabelo Gwamanda elected Johannesburg mayor". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ Masuabi, Queenin (2023-05-05). "MUSICAL CHAIRS: Al Jama-ah's Kabelo Gwamanda voted in as latest mayor of Joburg". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ Ramushwana, Alpha. "New Joburg mayor Gwamanda keeps predecessor's mayoral committee intact". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ "DA calls for fraud-accused Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda to account". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ "WATCH | Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda delivers state of the city address". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ Mahlati, Zintle. "Mayor of Joburg falls ill during council meeting, hospitalised". News24. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ Mkentane, Luyolo (22 July 2024). "Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda to resign in August, says ANC". Business Day. Johannesburg. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Westerdale, Jarryd (13 August 2024). "JUST IN: Kabelo Gwamanda resigns as Executive Mayor of Johannesburg". The Citizen. Johannesburg. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Mafisa, Itumeleng (16 August 2024). "BREAKING: Morero elected as Johannesburg mayor again!". The Citizen. Johannesburg. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Pillay, Vernon (20 October 2024). "Former Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has been arrested amid funeral policy scam". IOL.