Al Jama-ah believes it has secured Gwamanda's future as Joburg Mayor

JOHANNESBURG - After joining the African National Congress’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Al Jama-ah believes it has secured the future of its councillor Kabelo Gwamanda as Johannesburg Mayor.

On Friday, Al Jama-ah became the tenth party to join the GNU despite having previously stating it won't be in a coalition that comprises of the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Agreements over the GNU are set to impact national, provincial and local governments.

Former Ethekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was the first casualty of the GNU after his tenure in KwaZulu-Natal’s only metro was cut short earlier this month.

In Ekurhuleni, the ANC removed the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) caucus leader Nkululeko Dunga from the mayoral committee, suggesting it no longer needed the red berets to form a majority government in the metro.

Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks said that he has received assurance from the ANC that Gwamanda’s job is not in jeopardy.

“The bilateral relationships we have built up historically over the last 10 years, will now be strengthened by the fact that we are part of the political assembly (GNU) and in that political assembly it will be on merit so if Gwamanda is doing a good job and that is brought before a panel, surely they will keep him in power.”

Hendricks said that the party has done a review on Gwamanda’s one year in charge of Johannesburg and it is satisfied with his performance to date.