Note to Editors: Please find an English soundbite by Cllr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku here
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has seen a sworn statement, alleging that there is interference with the complainants in the criminal matter of the former Mayor of the ANC/EFF/ActionSA coalition in Johannesburg, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda.
The DA in Johannesburg strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, this alleged agenda to destabilise this case. The alleged interference involved a person telephoning complainants in the fraud matter, at times representing themselves to be an investigating officer, and at times claiming to be representing Gwamanda’s lawyers, but at all times seeking to intimidate the complainant into a settlement of the matter.
If true, this attempt to destabilise the case or have the complaints withdrawn would amount to a serious interference in the proceedings of the investigation and prosecution.
In the complainant’s statement they make it clear that they felt intimidated by these phone calls, and that the demand by the person on the phone was around how much Gwamanda would owe them.
In his role as ANC Provincial leader, Panyaza Lesufi has already admitted that no vetting of Gwamanda took place before the ANC/EFF/PA coalition proudly supported him for Mayor, but this has left them with a large egg on their faces.
We will be following this case very closely, as acts of intimidation and circumventing the rule of law cannot be allowed to stand.