DA Calls for Full Investigation into Gwamanda’s Tenure and Rejects New MMC Appointment

by Selinda Phenyo
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By Thabo Mosia

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has called for a comprehensive investigation into all agreements and decisions made by fraud-accused former Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda during his time as both Mayor and Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development. This demand comes in the wake of Gwamanda’s dismissal from his MMC role, a move welcomed by the DA as a necessary step toward restoring accountability in Johannesburg’s local government.

Gwamanda, an Al Jama-ah councillor, was recently dismissed from the mayoral committee following allegations linking him to a fraudulent funeral insurance scheme dating back to 2011. These allegations led to his suspension by Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and triggered further scrutiny into his activities as MMC for Community Development and during his brief tenure as Mayor. The DA, Johannesburg’s official opposition, has expressed concern about the potential damage caused by Gwamanda’s actions and insists on full transparency regarding his decisions.

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DA Calls for Investigations into Gwamanda’s Agreements and MOUs

The DA has demanded that all agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed by Gwamanda during his time as MMC and Mayor be thoroughly reviewed. DA caucus leader Belinda Keyser Echeozonjoku emphasised the importance of investigating Gwamanda’s decisions, highlighting concerns over potential misconduct. “The DA demanded that a full investigation be done into all agreements and memorandums of understandings (MOU) signed by Cllr Gwamanda during his time as Mayor and also as MMC for Community Development,” Echeozonjoku said.

One of the key points of contention is the controversial decision to rename Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive, a move that has attracted criticism and suspicion. The DA has called for a forensic investigation into the signatures collected in support of this renaming, which they allege may have involved improper conduct. “We also demanded a full forensic investigation into the signatures received by Cllr Gwamanda and Executive Mayor Dada Morero regarding the renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive. It is evident that they cannot be trusted,” stated Echeozonjoku.

Criticism of Gwamanda’s Replacement: Concerns Over Cllr Teboho Nkonkou

While the DA welcomed Gwamanda’s removal, they expressed strong reservations about his replacement, Cllr Teboho Nkonkou of the Patriotic Alliance. The DA has openly rejected Nkonkou’s appointment as the new MMC for Community Development, citing his past divisive statements in council, which they claim are contrary to the values of social cohesion and inclusivity required for the role. In a statement, the DA highlighted its concerns, saying, “The appointment of Cllr Teboho Nkonkou as the new MMC for Community Development is, however, unfortunate, and we reject this appointment. Cllr Nkonkou is known for his racist remarks in council, this in a country as diverse as ours.”

The DA underscored the importance of the Community Development portfolio, which is tasked with promoting social cohesion and fostering unity among Johannesburg’s diverse communities. “We must caution him that a portfolio like Community Development boasts social cohesion as one of its mandates,” the DA stated, adding that they would be closely monitoring Nkonkou’s actions and statements to ensure accountability.

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DA’s Call for Public Transparency and Accountability

The DA has emphasised the need for transparency in the investigations and has urged that the findings be made public. They expressed concern that any wrongdoing or misconduct by Gwamanda during his tenure should be fully exposed to the public. “We await the full report on this to be made public,” the DA stated, reaffirming their commitment to holding public officials accountable for their actions. The party has insisted that the interests of Johannesburg residents take precedence over political manoeuvring, saying, “The DA will always ensure that residents’ interests come before the ANC-ActionsSA-EFF’s political manoeuvring.”

This call for transparency aligns with the DA’s broader mandate to ensure ethical governance within the City of Johannesburg. The DA’s stance is clear: the removal of Gwamanda from office does not mark the end of the matter. Instead, they view it as the beginning of a thorough investigation aimed at uncovering any questionable agreements, actions, or alliances formed during his time in office.

Background on Gwamanda’s Dismissal and Fraud Allegations

The dismissal of Kabelo Gwamanda from the mayoral committee follows his recent legal troubles, as he faces allegations of defrauding people through a fraudulent funeral insurance scheme. The scandal dates back to 2011, with accusations suggesting that Gwamanda was involved in a scam that targeted individuals seeking affordable funeral coverage. His suspension by Mayor Dada Morero was the result of these allegations, as Johannesburg’s leadership moved to protect the city’s interests while investigations proceed.

In announcing Gwamanda’s removal, Mayor Morero stated, “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 appointed Cllr Teboho Nkonkou to succeed Gwamanda, expressing confidence in his dedication to the role. However, the DA’s opposition to Nkonkou’s appointment has brought added scrutiny to the city’s leadership changes, particularly given the concerns raised about his past remarks.

Sandton Drive Renaming: A Controversial Decision Under Scrutiny

The DA’s demand for a forensic audit into the renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive reflects growing public controversy surrounding the decision. The street renaming, which has been met with mixed reactions, honours Leila Khaled, a Palestinian political figure. Critics argue that the decision was politically motivated and lacked proper consultation with the public. The DA’s call for an audit focuses on the signatures collected to support the renaming, which they claim may have been obtained improperly.

The DA insists that the findings of this investigation be made available to the public to ensure transparency. “We urge MMC Nkonkou to ensure that the forensic audit into the signatures delivered to the Mayor and former MMC in support of renaming Sandton Drive is done and the report be made public,” the DA stated.


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