Morero fires fraud-accused MMC Kabelo Gwamanda
Former City of Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has been fired as a member of mayoral committee (MMC) for community development.
In October, Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero placed Gwamanda on special leave after he was arrested and charged with fraud and corruption for allegedly swindling Soweto residents through his burial scheme.
KABELO GWAMANDA FIRED AS JOBURG MMC
On Saturday, Morero’s spokesperson Chris Vondo said the decision to relieve Gwamanda of his duties is effective immediately and aims to ensure that service delivery remains uninterrupted.
As a result, Morero has appointed Tebogo Nkonkou as the new MMC for community development, effective immediately.
“The executive mayor expressed confidence that Nkonkou will lead the department with the dedication and commitment to further improve the lives of the city’s residents,” Vondo said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the decision to relieve Gwamanda of his duties.
The party has also demanded that a full investigation be done into all agreements and Memorandums of Understandings (MOU) signed by Gwamanda during his time as executive mayor and also as MMC for community development.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
As previously reported, when Kabelo Gwamanda was elected mayor in 2023, then-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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