Civil organisations, namely Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) among others, are calling for Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda to resign following tariff hikes that are financially affecting residents, including load reduction. Picture: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Some civil organisations are demanding the resignation of Joburg mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, arguing insidious structural issues within the city.
The call for Gwamanda’s demise, involves an allegiance between Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF), Action for Accountability (A4A), Defend Our Democracy (Dod) and the Johannesburg Inner-City Partnership (JICP) under the guise of the Joburg Crises Alliance (JCA).
Speaking on behalf of the pact, JCA said since the mayor ascended his role, there has been instability in local government, alluding to the recent surcharge for prepaid users, ongoing load reduction amid the absence of load shedding, and water cuts in parts of the city, among other issues.
JCA also called for Gwamanda’s mayoral committee to step down, alleging under their governance, an investigator was murdered following corruption scrutiny in the metro; and delayed infrastructure development, including housing backlog.
Although Gwamanda is a year old in office, JCA believed the mayor and his executive have failed to render basic services, therefore it said: “The JCA believes that the mayor and his mayoral committee must be held accountable for these and other critical lapses in service delivery to the public. We do not believe that Gwamanda and his team have the requisite skills and capabilities to resolve the deepening governance crises in Johannesburg.”
The organisations believed Gwamanda and his council seem to lack empathy and concern for the well-being of residents and the city, said JCA.
This comes after Gwamanda told media outlets that the surcharge was “here to stay” regardless of the outrage and strong opposition by residents and political parties.
Outlining key pointers, JCA demanded the immediate resignation of the mayor, end load reduction, combat corruption and protect whistle-blowers, and a surcharge review.
Although a member of the mayoral committee for Finance, Dada Morero, told council members that the surcharge was under review, after lamentations from the public.
To oust the mayor, JCA said civil organisations will picket on July 27 at the Joburg Metro Centre at 10am.
“Our call for change in the leadership of the city is not made in favour of any political party. We hold the view that whoever assumes leadership in the city must be held accountable, irrespective of which political party they represent. (The gathering) demonstrates against the current deteriorating situation and demands positive change in the City of Johannesburg,” said JCA.
The Star
hope.mafu@inl.co.za