Questions over ANC-EFF Joburg coalition’s choice of leaders

Political Analyst, Dr Sam Koma, says the ANC and EFF coalition in Johannesburg has failed to provide credible leadership in South Africa’s economic hub.

The political expert says the latest accusations against Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda are concerning.

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority is investigating Gwamanda for allegedly swindling some residents their monies through an illegal funeral scheme.

Koma says Gwamanda will have no choice but to vacate the seat should he be found wanting.

Should that happen, Joburg residents will have to find a seventh mayor in 23 months and Gwamanda would be a second councillor from the little-known Al Jama-ah party to have had a stint as Joburg mayor and leave under a cloud.

Dr Koma believes that the controversy surrounding Gwamanda has not only brought the ANC, EFF and the Patriotic Alliance’s choice of leaders under scrutiny – but Al Jama-ah’s credibility as well.

The little-known party first gained national media attention in January this year, when Thapelo Amad was elected as Joburg’s new mayor, replacing Dr Mpho Phalatse.

Amad was only elected after the ANC, EFF, the Patriotic Alliance and other small parties joined forces through a coalition government.

The new mayor, however, only occupied the seat for a brief stint as he resigned in April.

He left the post amid opposition parties’ plans to boot him out of office through a motion of no confidence.

Following his resignation, the city was left mayorless for a while before Gwamanda was elected last month.

Gwamanda’s journey to Joburg’s highest office has not been smooth, as the first weekend following his election was marred by reports of him having allegedly scammed innocent people from Soweto through a Ponzi Scheme under his company name, iThemba Lama Afrika.

These accusations were brought to light by the city’s former Mayor, Dr Mpho Phalatse, who alleged that Gwamanda’s victims had alerted her to the scam.

Gwamanda and his party, Al Jama-ah, refuted the allegations and threatened to sue Phalatse if she did not bring proof to substantiate her accusations.

This, however, did not stop opposition parties, including ActionSA, from demanding accountability from the Mayor – asking him to come clean on the allegations.

ActionSA even went a step further by threating to table a motion of no confidence against him.

The party also renewed calls for a probe into the allegations against the Mayor.

A move that led to an investigation by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.

The regulatory body says it has received complaints over the alleged scam.

Dr Koma says Gwamanda should fall on his sword.