Kabelo Gwamanda’s days as Joburg mayor are numbered, Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks defended him, saying he will not be removed from office.
Hendricks told Newzroom Afrika that Al Jama-ah is unhappy about the R200 surcharge. However, the tariff was approved and submitted by MMC for Finance, Dada Morero.
“Al Jama-ah is not happy about the R200 surcharge. However, the mayor told us he approved it because it was submitted by Dada Morero,” said Hendricks.
On Monday, ActionSA leader said during a media briefing they will go into a coalition with the ANC to form a new government based on three conditions, mainly the resignation of Gwamanda from office.
Mashaba’s stance sparked speculations that a coalition of the ANC and ActionSA will see Morero return as mayor, toppling Gwamanda.
“The second condition is the immediate reversal of the R200 surcharge heartlessly imposed by City Power on prepaid users. Thirdly, ActionSA will produce a series of motions the purpose of which would be to position the City to turnaround in key frontline service delivery matters, including infrastructure renewal and the rejuvenation of the inner city,” said Mashaba.
Hendricks deemed returning Morero as mayor was ironic, “as they want to replace Gwamanda and put in place the person who introduced the surcharge, and managed to persuade the mayoral committee and council members to vote for the surcharge, which is contradictory,” he said.
Hendricks maintained that no structure of the ANC has asked Gwamanda to step down. Instead, he explained a meeting took place at Mashaba’s house with ANC delegates from Morero’s faction plotting to denounce the mayor.
Hendricks furthermore noted that the grounds to remove Gwamanda were null, because he is leading a clean government.
“No structure of the ANC has asked Gwamanda to resign. It will take decades to clean up what the ANC and DA did over the years, but Gwamanda’s reign has seen success in the city: three power stations, he achieved 100 IDP projects and two clean audits,” said Hendricks.
In addition, Hendricks stated the mayor’s removal will depend on Panyaza Lesufi’s prerogative as Gauteng premier, since there is a coalition of the ANC, EFF and Al Jama-ah. Thus, Thapelo Amad served as the metro’s former mayor.
“When the premier comes and tells us we did a bad job, we will move on,” said Hendricks.
He said if Gwamanda is removed, it will not affect his allegiance with the Government of National Unity.
Attempts to contact Morero’s spokesperson failed, after calls and text messages for two days.
The Star