Cape Town – Former Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda is reportedly challenging his dismissal as MMC of Community Development, arguing it was procedurally unfair.
According to Times Live, Gwamanda’s lawyers claim he was not informed or allowed to respond before Mayor Dada Morero’s announcement, and essential internal steps, such as review by the ethics committee, were bypassed.
“Furthermore, our client’s dismissal was announced publicly via a media statement from the executive mayor’s office without any formal notification or engagement,” the report quoted Kern, Armstrong & Associates as saying in a letter to the speaker of the City of Johannesburg Nobuhle Mthembu.
Gwamanda is seeking reinstatement or will consider legal action if unresolved by November 14.
Morero announced Gwamanda’s dismissal as MMC for Community Development on Sunday, saying this was aimed at keeping the city services running smoothly and meet residents’ needs.
ALSO READ | Al Jama-ah disappointed with Gwamanda’s dismissal
“The decision to discharge Gwamanda is effective immediately and aims to ensure that the city’s service delivery remains uninterrupted and continues to meet the needs of its residents,” Morero reportedly said.
Gwamanda, who served as Johannesburg mayor before Morero, had initially been placed on special leave last month after his arrest amid fraud and corruption charges.
According to EWN, Al Jama-ah’s Gauteng leader, Thapelo Amad, criticised Morero’s decision to dismiss Gwamanda, saying it was made unilaterally while coalition discussions were ongoing.
Amad said that Morero should have waited for the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision and confirmed that the party intends to retain Gwamanda as a councillor, maintaining his innocence until proven guilty.
As reported by The Citizen, the party wants the party to reconsider the decision and would engage the ANC to understand what went wrong between the two parties.
Amad said if the ANC had made the decision unilaterally, Al Jama-ah would consider its relationship with the party.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
