Fraud-accused Kabelo Gwamanda due back in court
The charges are linked to Gwamanda's funeral insurance scheme, which he allegedly used to defraud Soweto residents over ten years ago.
FILE: Former City of Johannesburg mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda. Picture: Supplied/City of Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG - Former Joburg mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, is set to make another appearance in the Protea Magistrates Court on Tuesday, facing charges of fraud.
The charges are linked to Gwamanda's funeral insurance scheme, which he allegedly used to defraud Soweto residents over ten years ago.
Between 2011 and 2012, unsuspecting residents subscribed to Gwamanda’s Ithemba Lama Afrika funeral scheme allegedly did not receive their payouts.
The fraud allegations against Gwamanda that surfaced last year were the main reason for his resignation as the city's MMC for community development.
He firmly maintains that these charges were fabricated by political powers in the city who simply wanted him removed from the mayoral committee.
The accusations were first raised by former Democratic Alliance (DA) regional leader, Mpho Phalatse, shortly after Gwamanda's election as mayor.
But he was only arrested and charged after his resignation from the city’s highest office.
During his last appearance in January, Gwamanda's legal team expressed dissatisfaction that the State continued with the case, despite having no substantial evidence against the former mayor.