Al Jama-ah party leader, Ganief Hendricks says the resignation of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda was part of the resolution taken at the recent African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Hendricks says ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa had given an instruction that the matter of having ANC mayors in municipalities where the ANC has a majority, be finalised.
Gwamanda was appointed last year after fellow Al Jama-ah councillor Thapelo Amad resigned as mayor – due to pressure from coalition partners.
The ANC, which was the largest party in council, endorsed Gwamanda for the position of mayor, in order to keep its alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Eyewitness News further reported that Nciza had applauded the mayor for spearheading the city for the past year, but it was time for new leadership. “This is not about Kabelo Gwamanda but it’s about Al Jama-ah and the respect we have for them historically, and how they have always worked with us. Now is the time we put this person (in place) who will take us forward so that we stabilise Johannesburg and we are there,” said Nciza.
Hendricks says this has to do with the 2026 local government elections.
“The NEC of the ANC had a meeting this weekend, and one of the decisions was that they’re going to reconfigure the municipalities in Gauteng, and the president gave a direct instruction that matters be finalised by Friday. So, we then felt that the president has in mind the 2026/27 elections – he wants to win back the seats that they lost in the municipalities in Gauteng – and they feel that where the ANC at the moment, has the majority they should be the mayor. So, Gwamanda was redeployed,” explains Hendricks.
Articles Referenced:
https://www.sabcnews.com
https://www.iol.co.za/the-star