Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda. [Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers]
In a city in which no mayor has served out their full term since 2016, residents might soon have to welcome a new one. Johannesburg’s Kabelo Gwamanda might be on his way out as he faces growing calls for his resignation.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is among the latest groups to join the chorus for his removal, slightly more than a year since Thapelo Amad’s four-month stint as mayor.
Speaking in an interview with Salaamedia on Tuesday, Julius Kleynhans, executive manager of the local government division at OUTA, slammed “completely irresponsible” politics that has led to parties playing “musical chairs” with the mayoral chain.
“Ideologies aside, it’s a municipality that needs to deliver services and that’s what we all need,” he said, pointing to the non-delivery of services and tariff hikes.
He said the urgency of the need for sound leadership was especially clear “if you look at the draconian decisions that have been made, in increases of tariffs, the prepaid surcharge, and then the additional expenses that the city is trying to cover with the new revenue”.
Last weekend, ActionSA decided to back the African National Congress (ANC) as the biggest party in the metro. Although at pains to emphasise this was not a coalition agreement, it decided to work ad hoc with the ANC. Gwamanda’s resignation is its chief demand.
Should Gwamanda be removed or resign in coming weeks – a matter that has not been finalised – he is likely to be replaced by the ANC’s Dada Morero. Personalities aside, Kleynhans reiterated his call for better leadership.
“This is a time … where we need trusted, seasoned politicians to step up and hopefully turn the tide. If the right leadership comes into place, with the right plan and more of a medium- to long-term vision, business and society will back them and all hands on deck because that’s what’s needed to turn the ship,” he said.
