Joburg mayor a 'no show' at his own state of the city address debate

Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda was not present in the council chambers on Wednesday morning at the start of the state of the city address debate.

DA whip Leah Knott questioned his absence, saying that it was a fruitless exercise to have councillors debate the address given by the mayor on Tuesday if he was not going to be present in the chambers to hear it.

"A concern from our side is, if the mayor is to respond to our inputs and he is not here - how is the debate going to continue? It makes the entire exercise nonsensical," said Knott.

The mayor was also expected to provide a response to the councillor and political party inputs later today.

Al-Jama-ah councillor Imraan Moosa announced that Gwamanda was sick, and had a doctor's visit. He alleged that the illness began yesterday.

This despite transport MMC Kenny Kunene saying the mayor rushed off to another commitment on Tuesday after the address following questions arising about Gwamanda's whereabouts when he was expected to engage with the media.

As Makhubele commenced with the council agenda, she noted his absence and said he would join the sitting later.

The speaker thanked the mayor for delivering a fitting state of the city address, citing that he outlined his key priorities and plans for the city well.

However, she urged councillors, as they prepare to debate the speech, that they do so robustly but respectfully.

"I'm expecting political parties and political opposition to respond and debate on the state of the city address by the mayor in a robust yet orderly manner," she said.

This comes after ActionSA has threatened to table a motion of no confidence against Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda should he not come clean with the city's residents about the allegations of fraud he is facing.

Makhubele warned councillors to refrain from provoking disruptions from the council's important business of the day.

"Let us all remember the rules of the house. And I'm asking you please, to play the ball and not the man. You can play your tactics on the ball, but don't tackle the man and create fouls."

The speaker added that the any behaviour of this nature would disrupt and descend the house into chaos and she would not allow it. 

"You have been warned," said Makhubele.

The speaker, after seeking legal opinion on whether the mayor's presence at the presumption of the debate was mandatory, announced that they would adjourn for five minutes to wait for the mayor to arrive.

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