Al Jama-ah has supported former Johannesburg mayor, Councillor Kabelo Gwamanda, following his arrest on Friday for alleged funeral policy scam. The party stated that they support Gwamanda.
Gwamanda is a current member of Johannesburg’s Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development.
The former mayor allegedly orchestrated the insurance scam through his company, Ithemba Lama Afrika, beginning in 2011.
Gwamanda is accused of defrauding innocent Soweto residents into paying monthly burial insurance premiums.
Ganief Hendricks, Al Jama-ah party leader, stated on Sunday that Gwamanda is being harassed by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Following the defeat of the DA in Johannesburg in 2023, Al Jama-ah proposed Gwamanda for mayor.
The DA, led by Dr. Mpho Phalatse, pursued a fraud and corruption prosecution against the Gwamanda.
“The allegation was that he had a business that had scammed a community of monies over 10 years before his involvement in politics.
According to Hendricks the case and charges back in 2023 failed, but on Friday, Gwamanda was requested to present himself to the Protea North police station, and he has fully complied with this, where he was subsequently arrested.
Hendricks said that he has been released on bail pending further investigation.
The political party said that they respect the rule of law but found the timing of this arrest surprising.
“We are however surprised by the timing of the law enforcement at the time of Gwamanda’s appointment to the GNU (Government of National Unity) Clearing House Committee and on the eve of the highly contested street remaining from Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive,” he added.
Lastly, Hendricks said that the party was commending Gwamanda for his “courage and cooperation during this period”.
The DA tweeted on X, following the arrest of Gwamanda.
“Former Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda’s arrest exposes the ANC’s failure to provide ethical leadership that we warned about,” the DA said.
Calls for him to resign as an MMC and Councillor have been made by ActionSA.
Herman Mashaba said on X, that he must not only resign as an MMC, but he must also resign as a Councillor with immediate effect.
Mashaba said that the party will be taking this matter on.
“ActionSA is going to act on this,” he said.