Ex-mayor mocks constitution

Fraud-accused MMC Kabelo Gwamanda is wrong to shrug off public participation. It is a constitutional requirement backed by laws and policies.

- Martin Williams

Before his arrest, Gwamanda, then in charge of public participation over the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive, addressed media who were invited to witness the arrival of bulk submissions supporting renaming.

No such reception was arranged for submissions opposed to renaming.

In the Sandton Chronicle on 16 October, he said the renaming was budgeted for and would happen once due processes had been followed.

"Public participation is for measuring the impact it has on society, but the city has, ultimately, decided on the renaming," Gwamanda said. "Look, public participation is a mandatory process; but it would have been a decision that has already been taken."