20 October 2024
PRESS RELEASE
No Embargo
Statement on the arrest of MMC Kabelo Gwamanda on a Case of Fraud by DA’s Dr. Mpho Phalatse
It is with a sense of commitment to remaining transparent about the affairs of Al Jama-ah as a political party and any of its members across all levels of leadership. Remaining accountable, balanced, and rooted in the foundational principles of Islam and that of our African liberation, we deem it important that we be the first to notify the public of the following matter:
During 2023 following the ousting of the Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg, Al Jama-ah as a party presented a Mayoral Candidate, and upon the election of Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda as Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, The Democratic Alliance in the form of its leader at the time Dr. Mpho Phalatse pursued a case of fraud and corruption against the Mayor. The allegation was that he had a business that had scammed a community of monies over 10 years prior to his involvement in politics. The malice was not only aimed at reputational damage but this became the onus of an attempt to remove him from office a day after his appointment.
Following relentless media attacks on the case and the charges thereto, the attempt failed.
This statement however serves to report to the residents of Johannesburg and South Africans at large that on the 18th of October, the former Mayor and now MMC of Community Development on invitation from the Gauteng Provincial HAWKS Commercial Crimes Division, Cllr Gwamanda was requested to present himself to the Protea North SAPS, which he fully complied with. The MMC was subsequently charged with fraud. He had on the same day appeared before a judge and is currently released on bail pending further investigation.
Although the political party would like to observe and respect the sub-judice nature of the matter, we as a Political Party reaffirm our respect for the Rule of Law and Judicial Processes as demonstrated by MMC Gwamanda. We are however surprised by the timing of the law enforcement at the time of Cllr Gwamanda’s appointment to the GNU Clearing House Committee and on the eve of the highly contested street remaining from Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive. Although we advocate for the application and enforcement of the rule of law, we would equally appreciate a fair application of such across the board; the merits of the case are yet to be tested before a court of law.
We would also like to commend the Cllr for courage and cooperation during this period.
All media inquiries will be directed to our legal department.
For further information contact:
Adv Cllr Yusuf Khan Dalwai
0747222814