Calls to unseat Joburg mayor intensify

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The Joburg Crisis Alliance(JCA) has called for the resignation of Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.

The Alliance said the call is made in the wake of the significant decline in citizen confidence and trust in the leadership of the executive mayor and his mayoral committee.

In a statement issued, JCA said since its establishment in July 2023 and its convening organisations they have witnessed an ongoing regression in the quality of services being rendered by the city and its entities, much to the detriment of residents of Johannesburg.

“The leadership crisis in the city and specific failures of the executive mayor are reflected in the arrogant, uncaring and insensitive handling of the electricity surcharges and tariff increases by the city.

MEDIA STATEMENT |  The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) makes a public call for the resignation of Councillor Kabelo Gwamanda, the Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg. pic.twitter.com/jNvp2Twn89

— Kathrada Foundation (@KathradaFound) July 19, 2024

“The contemptuous and disdainful press statement issued by the executive mayor labelling Johannesburg residents who raised their concerns about electricity surcharges as “stooges”.

“… and the intermittent water supplies since 2023 and prolonged water cuts in recent weeks despite public assurances by Joburg Water that water supply is being managed adequately, resulting in street protests in different parts of the city,” JCA convenor Neeshan Balton remarked.

He stated that JCA believes that Gwamanda and his executive must be held accountable for these and other critical lapses in service delivery to the public.

Balton added; “We do not believe that councillor Gwamanda and his team has the requisite skills and capacity to resolve the deepening governance crisis in Johannesburg.

Talks between parties to replace Joburg mayor

Meanwhile, eNCA reports that the ANC in Gauteng is on a mission to reclaim the Tshwane and Joburg mayoral posts after vowing to remove Tshwane mayor, Cilliers Brink through a no-confidence motion. 

“What we can confirm is that the ANC in Johannesburg has been in talks with other parties that are not part of the current arrangement and that includes the IFP and the ActionSA.

“If there’s going to be any agreement with those parties, it will mean that there will have to be some amendments to the current [arrangement].

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“… we will communicate whatever proposal that we intend to make with all the parties that are part of the current arrangement we have. We will not undermine or disrespect any of the current partners irrespective of their size.

“The Provincial Executive Committee(PEC) has not yet received any names. If the region is ready and decides to have a discussion they will inform the PEC but at this point I can confirm that we have not received anything,” ANC Gauteng PEC member Lebogang Maile reportedly told the news channel.