Africa-Press – South-Africa. ActionSA has filed a motion of no confidence in Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, saying he cannot remain at the helm of a R70 billion city while he faces fraud allegations.
Gwamanda was last month accused by DA councillor Mpho Phalatse of running a scheme that defrauded several people out of money.
The DA had said it would open a criminal case, but it had not done so.
The party and now ActionSA have used the cloud of controversy about the issue to increase political pressure on Gwamanda.
In the motion ActionSA said was filed on Wednesday, the party added Gwamanda could not be allowed to continue governing a city with a R70 billion budget because of the fraud allegations.
“Gwamanda is alleged to have defrauded vulnerable people through a funeral scheme and serious questions about his claims of academic qualifications.
“He has not taken the council or the residents of Johannesburg into his confidence to provide any assurance about these serious allegations of wrongdoing.
“Instead, the matter has been treated as an internal matter, and coalition partners have helped shield Gwamanda from unscripted engagements with the media.
On Wednesday, ActionSA Gauteng leader Funzi Ngobeni said:
ActionSA faces a mammoth task in seeing the motion succeed because the party and its political partners need more seats to remove the mayor.
So far, ActionSA has backing from the IFP, UIM, FF Plus and ACDP.
The DA will have to support this motion for it to succeed, and the Patriotic Alliance would likely be critical in countering the EFF and ANC in coming to the defence of Gwamanda.
The DA has yet to respond to ActionSA’s requests for a meeting to support the motion.
“ActionSA, along with the IFP, FF Plus, ACDP and UIM, have engaged the DA to secure a discussion with the DA regarding collaborating in this motion of no confidence.
“ActionSA reached out to the DA on 15 May 2023, seeking a meeting about all parties discussing the need for a motion of no confidence in the wake of the Carte Blanche allegations. The DA has failed to respond,” Ngobeni said.
ActionSA wants its motion to be heard on 20 and 21 June.
A council programming meeting would have to assess the motion and whether it would be allowed on the agenda.
Al Jama ah has defended Gwamanda, with fellow party member, Thapelo Amad, writing to council speaker Colleen Makhubele asking for an ethics probe into the allegations.
The ANC, a critical partner that helped elect Gwamanda, had urged for criminal cases to be opened by people who have been the victims of Gwamanda’s previous business.
Reported on Gwamanda’s two registered businesses but could not confirm a link to corruption allegations.
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