Former Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda placed on special leave amid fraud charges

Former Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has been placed on special leave amid serious fraud and corruption allegations.

Gwamanda, who is also the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, was arrested last week over allegations linked to a now-defunct investment and funeral insurance company he previously ran in Soweto.

His arrest has sparked widespread concern, with the case already drawing attention from various political circles and raising questions about the governance standards in the city.

The allegations against Gwamanda stem from fraudulent activities connected to the funeral insurance company, which reportedly defrauded clients of their investments.

Former Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda placed on special leave amid fraud charges

Despite being a prominent political figure, his involvement in such a scandal has caused significant unrest, and there are growing calls for transparency and accountability.

According to sources close to the situation, the decision to place Gwamanda on special leave came as a surprise, with some coalition partners expressing frustration that they were not consulted about the move.

This decision was taken after Gwamanda was summoned to a meeting with current Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero on Tuesday morning.

During the meeting, Gwamanda was asked to explain the allegations, which are now also being investigated by the council’s ethics committee.

In a statement addressing the situation, Mayor Morero emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the Office of the Executive Mayor. He said, “The severity of these allegations demands a proactive response to protect the integrity of the Office of the Executive Mayor.”

He continued, “In line with the city’s commitment to integrity, good governance, and accountability, I have decided to place MMC Gwamanda on special leave, effective immediately, and relieve him of all his executive duties.”

Morero’s decision is intended to maintain public trust and ensure that the City of Johannesburg remains committed to upholding high standards of governance. He also confirmed that an acting MMC for Community Development would be appointed in the interim to ensure that service delivery continues without disruption.

This move highlights the importance of maintaining the functioning of essential city services, even amidst political turmoil.

The case against Gwamanda has caused significant debate within Johannesburg’s political landscape. The ruling ANC party, which Gwamanda’s coalition is a part of, has called for the enforcement of its “step-aside” rule, which requires political officials facing criminal charges to vacate their positions temporarily.

Morero emphasized this stance, stating, “As a deployee of the ANC in political office, we are guided by the ANC’s position on similar matters.

We cannot, and do not, expect any less from our partners in government. We can duly confirm the situation meets the minimum requirements for the step-aside rule to kick in.”

Although Gwamanda is not a member of the ANC, his position in the Johannesburg government, under the banner of Al Jama-ah, means that he is expected to adhere to similar ethical guidelines.

The ANC’s step-aside rule has been a key policy in addressing corruption within its ranks, and it is now being extended to political allies, reflecting the gravity of the accusations against Gwamanda.

Al Jama-ah, Gwamanda’s political party, has come to his defense, arguing that the allegations against him are part of a wider political plot.

The party has not provided detailed evidence to support this claim but maintains that Gwamanda is being unfairly targeted. It is still unclear when Gwamanda will appear in court, but he is currently out on bail while investigations continue.

The scandal surrounding Gwamanda’s arrest has raised concerns about political accountability and integrity within the Johannesburg City Council.

While his party insists that he is innocent and the victim of a conspiracy, Mayor Morero’s decision to act swiftly and decisively underscores the need for public officials to be held to the highest standards of accountability.

As the case unfolds, it will be crucial to see how Gwamanda’s political future, and the reputation of Johannesburg’s leadership, will be affected.

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