City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Community Development Kabelo Gwamanda’s situation meets the minimum requirements to step down from his position.
Gwamanda was arrested and charged with fraud on Friday, 18 October, for allegedly defrauding people with his burial scheme Ithemba Lama Afrika, approximately 10 years ago.
WILL KABELO GWAMANDA STEP ASIDE?
On Monday, 21 October, Morero said he was deeply concerned by Gwamanda’s arrest and that the developments need to be handled with a sense of urgency to ensure that it does not impact service delivery.
Morero said he would meet with his predecessor on Tuesday, 22 October, to receive an official report.
“Consequently, as a deployee of the ANC in political office, we are guided by the ANC’s position on similar matters and cannot and do not expect any less from our partners in government.
“We can duly confirm that the situation meets the minimum requirements for the step-aside rule to kick in,” Morero explained.
Gwamanda is an Al Jama-ah member and traditionally the step-aside rule is an ANC mechanism, so it is unclear how Morero would subject the former mayor to this rule, which states as per the ANC constitution:
“Where a public representative, office-bearer or member has been indicted to appear in a court of law on any charge, the secretary-general or provincial secretary, acting on the authority of the NEC, the NWC, the PEC or the PWC, if satisfied that the temporary suspension of such public representative, office-bearer or member would be in the best interest of the organisation, may suspend such public representative, elected office-bearer or member and impose terms and conditions to regulate their participation and conduct during the suspension.”
Additionally, Morero said as they deal with the matter, they would use the authority vested in them in office, including as provided for in the code of conduct for councillors to execute their responsibilities faithfully and without favour.
The step aside rule was adopted at the ANC’s national conference in 2017 where criminally-charged leaders must voluntarily step aside and those that alleged, reported and accused of corruption face the integrity committee.
ACTIONSA WANTS FORMER MAYOR TO BE RELEIVED FROM DUTIES
Following Gwamanda’s arrest, ActionSA chairperson in the City of Johannesburg and council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu said relieving Gwamanda, from his duties will allow him to address the charges brought against him without jeopardising his office.
Mthembu said Gwamanda has brought the City of Johannesburg into disrepute, and firm steps should be taken against him.
“ActionSA will be referring Gwamanda to the Ethics Committee, but furthermore, the
the party will be writing to the Speaker of Council for intervention.
“As a party rooted in the rule of law and ethical leadership, we believe that the City must be led by credible leaders not tainted by or associated with criminal activities. ActionSA will ensure justice is served to those who Gwamanda allegedly scammed,” Mthembu said.
DO YOU THINK KABELO GWAMANDA WILL STEP ASIDE?
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