Former Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda Arrested For Fraud

Kabelo Gwamanda, once thought to be dead by his alleged victims, has resurfaced as the mayor of Johannesburg, Africa’s richest city.

However, his past caught up with him this week as he was reportedly arrested for alleged fraud linked to a funeral policy scam.

According to reports, Gwamanda turned himself in to the police on Friday morning after a warrant for his arrest was issued in May.

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The Al Jama-ah politician is accused of running a funeral policy scam through his company, Ithemba Lama Afrika, back in 2011.

Gwamanda’s company sold funeral policies to Soweto residents, but when clients wanted their money or had complaints, they couldn’t locate the company’s offices.

Some frustrated customers, believing the company’s directors had died, were shocked to later see Gwamanda appear on television as the mayor of Johannesburg.

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An investigation into Gwamanda by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) found that his business operated illegally, disappearing with clients’ money.

Despite this, Gwamanda claimed that he had resolved matters with his clients, admitting the business had failed.

ANC officials have defended Gwamanda, stating that he passed their vetting process and met all basic requirements to be mayor. However, investigations continue as more details about his alleged scam surface.