Johannesburg — Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda is facing growing calls for his resignation but has received support from Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks.
Gwamanda has been Johannesburg mayor since 2023, and the Al Jama-ah representative has faced calls to resign as the state of the city has rapidly deteriorated.
Claims are that he must be held responsible for key issues such as poor infrastructure, unreliable water supply, and ever-increasing electricity charges.
According to The Citizen, Gwamanda was expected to resign following discussions between the African National Congress (ANC) and ActionSA regarding new leadership for the Johannesburg metro.
However, this did not occur, and Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks stated that there was currently no agreement to remove Gwamanda.
ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba said that should Gwamanda refuse to resign, he would face a motion of no confidence.
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Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Hendricks expressed his full support for Gwamanda.
“That will not happen. I had a joint meeting with the provincial secretary of the ANC, and the members of the regional committee, who put on the table that request, and I did not agree to it. The Premier of the Western Cape has asked myself and the provincial secretary to engage and gave us the mandate to resolve the matter,” Hendricks said.
He agreed with the ANC that Johannesburg should be governed by the party with the most seats, which should also appoint the mayor and the mayoral committee.
Hendricks also noted that the ANC initially proposed a nominee to Al Jama-ah, and when Al Jama-ah’s first nominee resigned, the ANC approached the party again, leading to Gwamanda’s appointment. He praised Gwamanda, saying that he had done a good job so far.
“He has successfully run the City of Joburg for one year and that has been acknowledged by the provincial secretary who issued that statement that there will be a new mayor next week. Maybe we will decide on the new mayor but the timing will be up to the arrangement between myself and the provincial secretary,” Hendricks said.
Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks says at the moment there is no agreement to remove Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda. Hendricks says, that as a trusted ally of the ANC in the City of Johannesburg, the party will be open to having a conversation when that time comes. He says… pic.twitter.com/CXWRjUHNad
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 4, 2024
According to IOL, the ANC’s secretary-general in Gauteng, Thembinkosi Nciza, said a new mayor was expected to take office this week and said a decision needed to be made to ensure a turnaround in Johannesburg. He did, however, praise Gwamanda for his leadership in the past year, but said it was time for change.
“This is not about Kabelo Gwamanda but it’s about Al Jama-ah and the respect we have for them historically, and how they have always worked with us. Now is the time we put this person (in place) who will take us forward so that we stabilise Johannesburg and we are there,” Nciza said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
