Joburg Crisis Alliance to march against mayor Gwamanda

The Joburg Crisis Alliance will march tomorrow against City Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda’s administration.

The alliance, consisting of several civic organisations, claims the city’s state is deteriorating due to poor service delivery. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Action SA have also called for Gwamanda’s removal.

Executive Director at Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Bolton, insists the march is not about race or politics, contrary to Gwamanda’s claims.

Bolton stated, “One of the first organisations to call for his removal was COSATU. The length and breadth of the organisations range across race, geography, within the city. I think it is precisely that response that indicates the level of maturity that he is lacking as was his comments of calling people stooges for saying that these water surcharges were just ridiculous and incomprehensible. And it is the level of maturity that has not been displayed that you would expect from an executive mayor of the metropolitan area of this size and of national and continental importance.”

The civic organisation recently called for Gwamanda to resign, supporting some political parties, which are also calling for his withdrawal.

The press conference will be held with the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, Action for Accountability, Defend Our Democracy, and the Johannesburg Inner-City Partnership.

Gwamanda, a member of the Al Jama-ah party, has been mayor for over a year. He is the ninth mayor of Joburg since the 2016 local government elections, following Parks Tau, Herman Mashaba, Geoff Makhubo, Mpho Moerane, Jolidee Matongo, Mpho Phalatse, Dada Morero, and Thapelo Amad.

Calls grow for Mayor Gwamanda to resign

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

HAPPENING NOW | Joburg Crisis Alliance press conference addressing the call for the resignation of Executive Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda. #Joburgunite pic.twitter.com/RT0mFWhiYP

— Kathrada Foundation (@KathradaFound) July 25, 2024