ActionSA in Johannesburg is calling on mayor Dada Morero to remove Kabelo Gwamanda from all his executive roles following his arrest.
Gwamanda was arrested on Friday, 18 October, and charged with fraud and corruption for allegedly defrauding people through his burial scheme, Ithemba Lama Afrika.
ACTIONSA WANTS KABELO GWAMANDA TO BE RELIEVED FROM DUTIES
As previously reported, Gwamanda’s party Al Jama-ah said he was invited by the Gauteng Provincial Hawks Commercial Crimes Division to present himself to the Protea North SAPS, which he fully complied with.
The Community Development MMC was subsequently charged with fraud. On the same day, he appeared before a judge and is currently released on bail pending further investigation.
The party said it was surprised by the timing of the law enforcement, which occurred at the time of Gwamanda’s appointment to the GNU Clearing House Committee and on the eve of the highly contested street renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.
Following his arrest, ActionSA chairperson in the City of Johannesburg and council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu said relieving Gwamanda, a former mayor and now MMC in the metro, from his duties will allow him to address the charges brought against him without jeopardising his office.
Mthembu said Gwamanda has brought the City of Johannesburg into disrepute, and firm steps should be taken against him.
“ActionSA will be referring Gwamanda to the Ethics Committee, but furthermore, the
the party will be writing to the Speaker of Council for intervention.
“As a party rooted in the rule of law and ethical leadership, we believe that the City must be led by credible leaders not tainted by or associated with criminal activities. ActionSA will ensure justice is served to those who Gwamanda allegedly scammed,” Mthembu said.
BACKGROUND
When Gwamanda was elected mayor in 2023, then-Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor in the metro, Mpho Phalatse, accused the Al Jama-ah member of running a fraudulent Ponzi scheme.
Al Jama-ah gave Phalatse 48 hours to retract her statements or face legal action. She did not retract, and instead, she pursued a case against Gwamanda.
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) also confirmed that it investigated complaints received about Gwamanda and his burial scheme, Ithemba Lama Afrika.
The FSCA also emphasised that the existence of an investigation should not be construed as a statement or indication that any person has indeed contravened a financial sector law.
“The investigation aims to establish whether such a contravention has occurred. Once the investigation is concluded, the Authority will inform the public of the outcome of the matter,” the Authority said at the time.
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