Johannesburg — Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, facing increasing opposition criticism, says he has no intention of continuing as mayor or holding any official position.
Gwamanda has been at the centre of political turmoil in Johannesburg, as calls have grown increasingly louder for him to be removed from his role as mayor.
Many opposition parties, such as ActionSA and the ANC, have cited poor service delivery and a deteriorating metro, as reasons for his dismissal.
Gwamanda has, however, received the backing of his party leader, Ganief Hendricks, who said he has done a good job so far, with clean audits as proof of that.
Speaking to Africa Melane on 702, the mayor responded to questions that he would extend his current tenure until Christmas.
“It is important for me to allay concerns about the Christmas issue. Nobody is aware of any discussion in relation to the mayor staying until Christmas. The term ends in 2026, but that is not the subject,” he said.
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Gwamanda said mayoral discussions should be concluded and agreed upon by the political parties in the GLU and stated that he had no ambitions of becoming mayor at all.
“From the time that I was requested to become the mayor, I had no engagement with anyone or had any ambition to become mayor. As a matter of fact, I had no ambition of taking any position. My only desire, at the time, was to ensure that we put in place a government and administration that would look into the issues that a big challenge in Johannesburg,” he said.
Gwamanda also took a swipe at the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA.
Speaking at the Memorial Service for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member, Moshe Mphalele, he said that he was not going to leave quietly.
“They thought they were impenetrable, ActionSA and DA, it’s the truth. We fought for the city of Johannesburg to be where it is right now. We fought for the employees in the city of Johannesburg who were purged.
“They call me incompetent because I refused to have tea with their white friends. That makes me incompetent. Let them come.” he said.
Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has hit back at the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA as the clock ticks for him to be removed as mayor of the City of Johannesburg. #Johannesburg #DA #ActionSA #KabeloGwamanda @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/B31CRFvVAr
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) August 8, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
