Pressure is mounting for Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda to resign as discussions to elect a new mayor continue in the city. Gwamanda, who took office in May 2023 after his predecessor's resignation, is facing calls for his removal from various political parties.
ActionSA, in particular, has set forth three key conditions for its support of a new government in Johannesburg, with the removal of Gwamanda being the primary demand. The party's leader, Herman Mashaba, also highlighted the need for immediate changes in service delivery and infrastructure within the city.
Despite the resistance from his party, Al Jama-ah, Gwamanda finally resigned on Tuesday, 13 August, making way for a new mayor to take office. The ANC is reportedly ready to field its candidate, Dada Morero, who will replace Gwamanda in this crucial role.
In his resignation statement, Gwamanda acknowledged the prerogative of political parties in the selection of mayoral candidates, emphasizing the importance of collective decisions in such matters. As Johannesburg prepares for its tenth mayor in eight years, the city awaits the upcoming changes in leadership and governance.