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Al Jama-ah Condemns Joburg Mayor’s Firing of Gwamanda
Johannesburg, South Africa – The political landscape in Johannesburg has taken another dramatic turn. Al Jama-ah, a South African political party, has accused Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero of acting unilaterally and in bad faith by firing its councillor, Kabelo Gwamanda, from his position as Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development. Gwamanda, who has been embroiled in a legal dispute involving allegations of defrauding people in a funeral policy scam, now faces additional political challenges as he navigates these accusations.
Gwamanda’s Dismissal from the Mayoral Committee
On Sunday, Mayor Dada Morero took decisive action by removing Kabelo Gwamanda from his mayoral committee duties, citing the ongoing court case against him. The Gauteng leader of Al Jama-ah, Thapelo Amad, has since voiced the party’s disapproval, stating that Morero’s decision came as a shock, particularly since coalition partners, including the African National Congress (ANC), were still in discussions regarding the matter.
“Matters were still being ventilated at the provincial level, and we had not yet reached a conclusion,” Amad said. “The executive mayor acted unilaterally without further consultation with us or the ANC. He should have awaited the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision before making such a drastic move.”
Al Jama-ah’s Position on Gwamanda’s Future
Despite the controversy, Al Jama-ah remains supportive of Gwamanda, who has now been reduced to the role of an ordinary Proportional Representation (PR) councillor. The party emphasized that they will not desert him during this period.
Amad firmly stated, “If the court finds him guilty, only then will the party consider more severe measures. Until that time, Gwamanda is innocent until proven otherwise. We won’t succumb to pressure from opposition parties eager to use this situation to their advantage.”
Response from Other Political Parties
The controversy surrounding Gwamanda’s dismissal has sparked responses from other political entities in Johannesburg. ActionSA, a prominent political opponent, has urged Al Jama-ah to replace Gwamanda as councillor, arguing that the ongoing legal issues cast a shadow over his capacity to serve effectively. However, Al Jama-ah has resisted these calls, indicating their intention to stand by Gwamanda through the legal process.
What’s Next for Kabelo Gwamanda?
As Gwamanda’s legal battle continues, Al Jama-ah’s support is clear, underscoring the party’s stance on the importance of due process. While the ANC and other coalition partners have yet to weigh in formally, Gwamanda’s political future remains uncertain, dependent on the outcome of his court case and the NPA’s decisions.
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Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as Johannesburg’s political landscape continues to evolve.
