The ANC in the City of Johannesburg is likely to field another Al-Jama-ah councillor, Kabelo Gwamanda, as the next mayor.
Two sources who are part of the negotiations told Sowetan yesterday on Wednesday that the ANC had put Gwamanda’s name forward in anticipation of current mayor Thapelo Amad’s resignation following a resolution of the coalition.
Gwamanda, a PR councillor, is one of Al-Jama-Aah’s three representatives in the Joburg council and previously tabled a failed motion of no confidence against former mayor Mpho Phalatse in January.
In April 2022, he seconded a motion of no confidence against former speaker Vasco Da Gama, which also failed.
Sowetan understands that the ANC and EFF as well as other coalition partners acceded to the call of fellow coalition partner the PA for Amad’s resignation following a series of meetings this week.
Following an interview with the SABC where he said he had secured a R9.5bn prospective loan to deal with service delivery in the city, PA president Gayton McKenzie called for Amad’s head, saying the party had erred in backing him for the mayor job.
Amad was elected at the behest of the ANC who tabled his name to the coalition parties.
The coalition consists of the ANC, the PA, the EFF, GOOD, Cope, the ATM, the APC, the PAC and the AHC that all have a combined 139 seats. Without the PA’s eight seats, the number drops to 131 leaving room for the DA, ActionSA, ACDP, FF+, IFP and UIM bloc who have a combined 130 seats to take over if they convince someone from the governing coalition to cross the floor. One insider said: “The ANC has decided but they have not yet officially given that name to us. The minorities are looking for a different candidate, possibly Colleen [Makhubele of Cope].”
Amad did not respond to calls or texts, saying he was in a meeting. Last week, ActionSA announced it would table a motion of no confidence against Amad. However, on Tuesday, the ANC and EFF failed to attend a programming committee meeting meant to look at whether the motion meets the criteria to be included on the next council sitting.
Three insiders said the decision for Amad to resign was reached during a meeting on Monday at the Metro Centre.
The meeting is said to have been attended by McKenzie, PA deputy president Kenny Kunene as well as ANC Gauteng secretary TK Nciza.
“He wasn’t being asked. It’s a resolution and he’s okay with the decision that was taken. The meeting was on Monday.
“No one would want to be removed, of course. It’s a decision taken in order for the coalition to remain intact,” an an insider said.
Sowetan understands minority parties also met on Tuesday and according to another insider, this was merely to discuss when Amad would resign.
“The meeting was trying to establish when he is going to resign. We’re expecting it to happen today but at this stage he’s given no indication. We’re having another meeting with the ANC to sort of finalise things and a replacement proposal,” the insider said.
Another insider said the ANC in the province has really taken over and is leading the discussions.
“There’s no name that’s been proposed as Amad’s replacement yet but we’re expecting an announcement soon,” the second insider said.
A third insider said Amad was expected to send a resignation letter by 8am yesterday on Wednesday but had not done so by 5pm on Wednesday.
Al-Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks said discussions were ongoing but maintained the ANC would support him “through thick and thin”.
“I met with senior stalwarts in Johannesburg by chance and they asked me to continue supporting him because he did a good job... he increased collections to R4bn a month,” Hendricks said.
Asked if the ANC had supported the call for Amad’s resignation, Nciza said nothing had been finalised.
On Gwamanda being a possible replacement for Amad, Nciza said they had nothing against him. “We’re fine with this candidate but the REC (regional executive committee) of Joburg will guide us.” Nciza said.
The EFF provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga did not respond to calls or texts seeking his comment.
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