Nompumelelo Edward

Attendance

Present

63

Leave of absence

2

Absent without leave

0

Arrived late

2

Left early

0

Reasons given for leave: Party business (2).

"Absent without leave" means the signed minutes of a meeting held while they were on council neither list them as present nor excuse them, and no similar name appears that day, so misspellings in the minutes don't count against anyone. Each square links to the minutes.

In the chamber

From the 10 sittings transcribed so far in their term. Times are approximate, to the nearest transcript line.

Not present when called

0

Times given the floor

5

Average wait to start

7 s

Average greetings first

0 s

Apology or leave of absence (4)

• 27 Aug 2026 · 00:06:44Party business. ActionSA party business list. sitting
• 27 Aug 2026 · 00:11:59Party business. ActionSA leave of absence for party business. sitting
• 25 Jun 2026 · 00:53:28Leaving early. Leaving at 14:30. sitting
• 24 Jun 2026 · 00:28:24Leaving early. ActionSA notified early departure. sitting

In their words

Every time the chair gave them the floor in a transcribed sitting (5), newest first. The words are the AI transcript of that stretch of the livestream (Argon), so they can include the chair or an interjection; the time link is the place to check.

• 30 Sept 2026 · 02:06:39Item 27: General valuation roll extension · 4 min 29 s

  Read what they said (564 words)

  Thank you, uh Madam Speaker. I rise on item 27, extension of the general valuation roll 2023. Honourable Speaker, Executive Mayor, fellow Councillors, and residents of Johannesburg, ActionSA rises to reject item 27. This report asks Council to approve a request to the MEC for Local Government to extend the validity of the city's 2023 general valuation roll

  from 20 June 2027 to 30 June 2028. The report relies on the Municipal Property Rates Act, which allows such an extension in exceptional circumstances. Honourable Speaker, the most important issue before us is not whether an extension is legally possible or not. The question is why is the city uh once again asking residents to carry the consequences of its own capacity

  and administrative failures? The report itself provides a concerning list of reasons. The property branch has a serious shortage of valuers. Of 86 positions, 81 are funded, and yet 12 valuers resigned since October 2025, while the recruitment process has been delayed by the city's recruitment and additional approval processes.

  The report further tells us that the city has one valuer for approximately every 13,000 properties, compared with the industry guidelines of one valuer for between 8,000 and 10,000 properties. We also learn that the critical CAMA modelling specialist resigned in May 2026, and that four modelling positions are currently vacant. There is no valuation panel in place to support the valuation of

  specialized properties. Essential aerial imagery has been delayed by procurement processes, while the city's valuation systems have experienced instability. And perhaps most concerning, the Development Planning has allegedly failed to provide critical information such as occupation certificates, building plans, and zoning information timeously, despite requests over the past two years. The report itself says these problems create a risk of unstable

  and highly contestable valuation roll with potential revenue uh and litigation. Honourable Speaker, these are not minor administrative inconveniences. A valuation roll determines the properties' values upon which municipal rates are based. The city's own report, therefore, acknowledges that poor quality information can affect revenue collection and the credibility of the rates base.

  ActionSA cannot simply ask an extension as a solution when the report demonstrates that the underlying problem are capacity, recruitment, procurement, systems, and interdepartmental coordination. The city now wants another year to fix these problems, but what guarantees does Council have that the same problems will not simply bring us back where we are uh today?

  The report proposes that the additional year be used to recruit critical personnel, appoint a valuation panel, secure aerial imagery, uh stabilize systems, improve valuation modelling, and obtain the necessary information from Development Planning. ActionSA's position is simple: residents deserve a credible valuation roll, not another extension of an administration that has failed to get the necessary systems

  and capacity in place on time. We support accurate and fair property valuations. We support a rate system that is transparent and defensible, but accountability must accompany every request for an extension. Honourable Speaker, ActionSA therefore rejects this report because we cannot support extending the current valuation roll without sufficient confidence that the city's underlying capacity and governance failures

  have been properly addressed. Johannesburg residents deserve a valuation system that is accurate, fair, reliable, and properly administered. We therefore call on this Council to demand accountability to correct the current status quo rather than to simply extend this deadline. I thank you.

• 30 Sept 2026 · 01:15:50Item 17: Funding plan · 5 min 55 s

  Read what they said (658 words)

  Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on item 17, which is the funding plan for 2026/2027 to 2028/2029 financial year. Honourable Speaker, Executive Mayor, members of Council and residents of Johannesburg, ActionSA rises to reject item 17, the funding plan for the medium term capital budget for 2026/2027 to 2028/2029. Let us be clear about what is before this Council today. This report asks

  Can I continue, Madam Speaker?

  Councillors, I am

  ubani?

  Councillor Molala, can we not do that? Councillor Edward, continue.

  Speaker, can Councillor Edward be protected, please, Speaker?

  Councillor Nkonyeni, if you listened what I just did now. Councillor Edward, can you continue? Councillor Edward, can you continue? Your time is running. Should we go to the next speaker? Councillor Nkonyeni, please tell your councillor to log on.

  I'm doing so, Speaker. Thank you.

  Am I audible now, Speaker?

  Yes, now you're audible. Can you continue?

  Am I still audible?

  Councillor, you are audible. Continue.

  This report asks Council to approve external long term borrowing of 3.5 billion in 2026/2027, 3.2 billion in 2027/2028, and 3.2 billion in 2028/2029, a total of approximately 10 billion over three years. It further proposes short term borrowing and facilities of up to 5 billion, including commercial paper and banking facilities to deal with cash flow mismatches.

  The report tells us that the borrowing is affordable because the city's gearing is approximately 28% and a 45% ceiling, and because revenue collection is said to have stabilized above 90%. But Honourable Speaker, being below a debt ceiling does not automatically mean that the borrowing is financially responsible. The fundamental question that we should all be asking ourselves is can the city afford to borrow again?

  And the question is can the city demonstrate to all of us that it can borrow, it can spend and repay, and deliver consistent and transparent service delivery? ActionSA's concern is that this report gives Council broad authority to borrow through numerous instruments and institutions while placing significant reliance on future financial performance and future cash flows. We are being asked to approve billions in borrowing while the report itself proposes mechanisms such as refinancing of up to 5 billion rand,

  alternative funding, off-balance sheet financing, public-private partnership, asset-backed financing and additional short term facilities. The report also proposes that municipal entities such as City Power, Joburg Water, and Pikitup increasingly raise borrowing directly on their own balance sheets. Together, the municipal entities account for approximately 9 billion rand of the medium term external borrowing program. We therefore cannot look at this simply as another finance report.

  We must ask whether if every rand will be translated into reliable electricity, water, roads, waste removal, and functioning infrastructure for the residents of Johannesburg. ActionSA has previously raised concerns about the city's cash flow pressures and financial mismanagement. In 2025, the city's own reporting identified inherited debt pressures, significant outstanding consumer debts, and serious infrastructure backlogs.

  And it is precisely why we cannot support a funding plan simply because the numbers appear to fit within a potential ratio. Borrowing is not the same thing as financial sustainability. Financial sustainability means collecting revenue, controlling expenditure, maintaining infrastructure, preventing waste, and ensuring that borrowing money produces measurable public value. Therefore, we are not opposed to the infrastructure investment. Johannesburg desperately needs this type of investment,

  but as ActionSA we believe that borrowing must follow credible delivery,

  You've got 30 seconds left.

  not substitute for it. Residents should not be left paying tomorrow for infrastructure that was poorly maintained, poorly managed, or poorly maintained today. Honourable Speaker, this Council has a responsibility not only to improve funding, but to protect the city's future financial position. For these reasons, ActionSA rejects item 17. We call for stronger financial discipline, greater transparency around the proposed borrowing, clear accountability for every rand borrowed, and a funding strategy that places sustainability, service delivery, and the interest of Johannesburg residents at the center of everything.

• 25 Jun 2026 · 08:08:10Item 76 · 5 min 13 s

  Read what they said (635 words)

  Thank you, Speaker. I rise on Item 76. Today, council is is asked merely to note reports relating to supply chain management, procurement activities, deviations, ratifications, and tender awards within the City of Joburg. The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has warned that he might halt the transfer of funds to the City of Johannesburg and invoke Section 216(2) of the Constitution. This self-inflicted wound must be blamed squarely on the incompetence and uncaring administration led by the ANC. However, these reports and the minister's warnings are about far more than procurement processes and expenditure figures. And they are they're about whether this government of local unity is capable of protecting the public purse while delivering services to the residents who fund this municipality through their rates and taxes. Speaker, public trust is in government is declining. Residents no longer judge this council by the number of reports tabled or committee meetings held. Speaker, during this quarter alone, direct purchases amounted to over 6 billion. Year to date, direct procurement spending now exceeds 8.5 billion. When a municipality spends billions of rands, every councillor has a duty to ask fundamental questions. Are residents receiving value for money? Because every rand spent by the city is not government money; it is public money. It belongs to the hardworking residents of Johannesburg. Residents Our responsibility as public representatives is not merely to approve expenditure, but to ensure that expenditure translate into service delivery outcomes. Good governance is measured by how much money is not measured by how much money is spent. Speaker, this report indicates that stock valued at more than 26 million rand has been marked for deletion and referred to Group Forensic Investigation Services for further investigation. This should concern each and every member in this chamber. 26 million rand worth of public assets requiring forensic investigation is not a minor administrative matter. It is a warning sign. It raises serious questions about our internal controls as a city, about asset management, about procurement oversight, and accountability in the city. Residents deserve answers. How did these assets end up in this position? Who was responsible for safeguarding them? Were procurement procedures followed? Was there negligence? Was there misconduct? And when will council receive the findings and recommendations arising from these investigations? Forensic investigations should not become a substitute for accountability. They should lead to accountability. The public has grown tired of investigations. Our residents are tired of investigations that only generate reports, but fail to generate consequence management and consequences. Speaker, ActionSA calls for consequence management. Residents need to know that there are consequences for negligence, waste, corruption, and maladministration. Without consequences management, governance becomes meaningless. Speaker, the report further indicates that 19 contracts and service providers panels are due to expire within the next financial cycle. This is another governance concern. Where contracts are allowed to approach expiry without adequate preparation, deviations become more likely. Emergency procurement becomes more likely, and opportunities for waste and abuse of resources increase. The Auditor-General has repeatedly warned municipalities that poor contract management contributes significantly to irregular expenditure and governance failures. Johannesburg cannot continue operating in a reactive mode. We need a culture of proactive planning and sound administration. Speaker, the report on deviations and ratifications may appear relatively small: three deviations and only two ratifications. But deviations should never become routine. Every deviation represents a departure from normal competitive procurement processes. While legislation provides legislative exceptions, Speaker, we have a problem of decline in Johannesburg, which is not a financial problem, but a governance problem. Residents do not want excuses. They want the city that gives them value. They want a reliable service delivery. They want assurance that every rand collected from them is being used efficiently, honestly, and effectively.

  Time up.

  Thank you so much, Speaker.

• 24 Jun 2026 · 03:13:4566 · 5 min 2 s

  Read what they said (644 words)

  Thank you, Councillor. Um Councillor Santana, DA.

  Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today we are presented with a Financial Turnaround Framework that reads less than a recovery plan, but more than an admission of failure. The report itself tells us Joburg is facing a systematic crisis despite a reported surplus. The city remains financially fragile. Cash coverage stands at only 17 days.

  The current ratio is a concerning 0.73:1. The debtors book has ballooned to 7.8 billion, with 90% of debt older than 91 days. Water losses are costing residents approximately 3.8 billion annually, while electricity losses amount to another 5.7 billion. Capital expenditure implementation remains alarmingly low, and National Treasury has identified a 2.1 billion unfunded budget gap.

  These are not opposition talking points; these are findings contained in the very same document. What is perhaps most worrying is the report repeatedly states that Johannesburg does not suffer from a shortage of pr- plans; it suffers from a shortage of implementation. The problem is not that the government does not know what to do; the problem is the government fails to do it. Madam Speaker, let us compare this reality with the Johannesburg inherited

  by residents under the multi-party administration led by Herman Mashaba between 2016 and 2019. During this administration, Johannesburg achieved an unqualified audit outcome and maintained a position where the Auditor-General confirmed that the city remained capable of meeting its financial obligations. Investment facilitated by the city increased dramatically, growing from an approximately 4.5 billion rand to more than 17

  billion rand by 2019. More than 23,000 SMMEs received support, over 110,000 new jobs were created. The city accelerated infrastructure investment, increased capital spending on essential services, handed over thousands of title deeds to residents, resurfaced roads, repaired hundreds of thousands of potholes, and attracted substantial private sector investment into the inner city.

  No administration is perfect, but there was a clear direction in terms of fighting Today, 7 years later, we are still debating how to recover from financial distress, governance failures, collapsing infrastructure, and a 52 billion rand infrastructure pil- uh backlog. The report ex- explicitly states that Johannesburg Water and City Power are in distress, that governance structures are failing, and that the National Treasury has flagged multiple reform commitments

  as either amber or red. Madam Speaker, the Government of Local Unity in Johannesburg has mastered one thing; that is managing decline. Residents experience experience this daily. Traffic lights fail, there's water outages, potholes, there's billing disputes that remain unresolved. Businesses are losing confidence in Johannesburg, and residents are being asked to pay more, but are receiving less. This report reveals that the city continues to rely on borrowing to support operations.

  It confirms that the cash improvements were achieved partly through a 2.5 billion short- short-term facility and other financing mechanism, rather than through a sustainable operational performance. That is not turnaround; it is postponing the crisis. The Government of Local Unity often points to coalition complexity as an excuse, yet Herman Mashaba governed through one of the most complex coalitions arrangements in Johannesburg's history, and still delivered measurable progress.

  The difference was leadership. The difference was also accountability. Madam Speaker, this report is a warning. It warns us that

  47 seconds left.

  This report is a warning. It warns us that uh we need to fund our infrastructure. Um and and until this Government of Local Unity demonstrates real results other than endless plan, it will remain responsible for the decline of the South African economic heart- heartland and heartbeat. Madam Speaker, we will be supporting this report, but as ActionSA, we're going to monitor the implementation very closely, uh because the residents of re- of Johannesburg do not live inside

  reports; residents of Johannesburg live in Johannesburg. They judge us by whether water comes from their taps when they open their taps, whether the light

• 28 May 2026 · 01:28:22Item 3: debate on the budget speech · 14 min 47 s

  Read what they said (1685 words)

  Greetings, Madam Speaker, Honourable Mayor, the fabulous 44, and the residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, today we are not debating a budget. We are debating the collapse of governance in the City of Johannesburg. What was presented before the residents.

  Councillor Edward, just hold on. Councillors, at the back. Chief Whip, please speak to the councillor that actually went to Councillor Modupi now. No, man! There are people in the gallery watching us. No, he went to talk to them. Thank you, Councillor. You can carry on. No, no, no, Councillor Chauke went to speak to those councillors that were out of order. Uh-uh, uh-uh, no. No. Councillor, can you continue?

  Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today we are not debating a budget. We are debating the collapse of governance in the City of Johannesburg. What was presented before the residents of Johannesburg yesterday was not a budget speech. It was a political rally disguised as a budget presentation. It was an election campaign funded by the suffering residents of Johannesburg. Residents of Johannesburg must ask themselves

  When did a budget speech become an ANC election manifesto?

  When did the serious responsibility of accounting for public money become an opportunity for political grandstanding and self-praise?

  But perhaps we should not be surprised.

  Because when a government that can no longer distinguish between governance and politics, it also begins to struggle to distinguish between public resources and political interests.

  That is the real crisis confronting Johannesburg today.

  Speaker, what we listened to yesterday sounded like a broken record. Repetitive political slogans, recycled promises, exaggerated achievements, and empty rhetoric from a government desperately pleading with residents to give it one more opportunity to continue squandering public money, mismanaging infrastructure, and deepening financial collapse of the once great city.

  The claim that Johannesburg today represents a world-class African city is no longer a vision.

  It is a political fiction completely disconnected from the lived reality of residents in Johannesburg.

  A world-class African city does not have collapsing roads. A world-class city does not have dry taps for days.

  A world-class African city does not have sewer flowing into communities.

  A world-class African city does not have traffic lights permanently dysfunctional.

  A world-class city does not have to watch businesses close down while unemployment rises.

  And yet yesterday we heard boasting about hosting international events, tourism, conferences and summits while residents sit in the dark, while businesses collapse, and while unemployment continues to rise.

  Speaker, the Government of Local Unity is completely out of touch with the reality faced by ordinary residents.

  The budget speech lacked accountability.

  In fact, what was presented yesterday was effectively an admission of failure.

  An admission that this administration cannot implement its own capital projects.

  An admission that service delivery has collapsed.

  An admission that infrastructure maintenance has failed. An admission that financial management has collapsed.

  An admission that this coalition government has become paralyzed by instability and political survival.

  And yet, this is the same government entrusted with managing the largest municipal budget in South Africa.

  Residents of Johannesburg must think carefully in the upcoming elections on the 4th of November 2026.

  Because the failure of this city cannot remain in the hands of those who helped drive it into decline.

  Speaker, ActionSA will not allow history to be distorted.

  We will not allow propaganda to erase performance.

  We will not allow political misinterpretation to erase results.

  The incoming Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, has already demonstrated has already demonstrated between 2016 and 2019 what a capable government looks like.

  While others speak, the incoming Mayor Herman Mashaba delivered.

  While others held conferences, Herman Mashaba built.

  While others produced slogans, Herman Mashaba implemented.

  And the record speaks for itself.

  Under the leadership of Herman Mashaba, frontline workers, 1,879 cleaners and 4,185 security personnel were insourced and given dignity.

  The city increased facilitated investment from 4.5 billion to 17.3 billion by 2019.

  Councillor, just hold on.

  Councillor Belinda.

  Just hold on, Councillors, please.

  Morning, Madam Speaker, and I'd like to call a point of order, Rule 72.

  Madam Speaker, we cannot sit quiet and allow the Councillor to mislead this house.

  Between 2016 and 2019, it was a DA government, not an ActionSA government.

  Thank you, Councillor Belinda.

  Thank you, Councillor Belinda.

  Can you carry on, Councillor?

  Thank you, Madam Speaker. Over 32 billion investment was unlocked through inner city rejuvenation initiatives.

  Madam Speaker! Madam Speaker!

  Before I allow you, Councillor.

  Before I allow you to, can you be seated, Councillor?

  Can you be seated whilst the Councillor speaks?

  Uh-uh, no.

  Councillors.

  Can you, can you speak, Councillor?

  No, thank you very much, Speaker.

  I just wanted to find out if the speaker on the podium is prepared to take a question.

  No.

  Doesn't work like that.

  It doesn't work like that.

  Councillors, I do believe that the MMC needs to respond after this.

  So can we allow people to speak so that she can also understand what people are saying and when she responds?

  Councillor, please.

  Also you, Councillor Munyayi, can you also shush?

  Thank you, Councillor.

  Thank you, Madam Speaker. Over 32 billion investment was unlocked through inner city rejuvenation initiatives.

  Approximately 21,000 construction jobs were created.

  More than 14,500 affordable housing opportunities were unlocked.

  Extended cleaning hours were introduced across Johannesburg. New clinics were opened in Hillbrow, Noordgesig, Freedom Park, and Westbury.

  Five free community substance abuse centers were opened to assist struggling residents.

  The city collapsed 15% of its capital budget to housing.

  Allocated, the city allocated 15% of its capital budget to housing, the largest housing budget in Johannesburg history.

  More than 6,200 housing units were delivered.

  More than 8,000 title deeds were transferred to beneficiaries.

  198 kilometers of water pipes and 125 kilometers of sewer pipes were replaced.

  Over 6,300 public lights were installed. Informal settlements received integrated waste collection services.

  Nearly 1,000 lane kilometers of roads were resurfaced.

  Those were not promises.

  Those were measurable outcomes.

  Those were not election slogans.

  They were real projects felt by residents in their daily lives.

  Speaker, those who truly want to improve governance must ask the Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, how it is done.

  She is demonstrating that ethical leadership, financial discipline, and service delivery can work together.

  And I have no doubt, Speaker, she would gladly share the blueprint and framework for free.

  Because real leadership is not about slogans and political rhetoric.

  It is about delivering the results for the people of Johannesburg.

  Speaker, today Johannesburg stands in complete contrast to that period.

  Infrastructure is collapsing, investment confidence is declining, businesses are leaving, residents are losing hope, unemployment is rising, municipal entities are failing, and the city's finances are under severe pressure.

  The decay under the Government of Local Unity is no longer hidden.

  It is visible in every ward, in every community, in every suburb, in every township, in every informal settlement.

  In Alexandra, it's visible. In Orange Farm, it's visible.

  Every broken road is visible.

  Every water outage, every collapse, every broken traffic light is visible to every resident in the city. Speaker, Johannesburg did not just collapsed overnight, collapse overnight. The warning signs were there for years.

  The National Treasury warned this city.

  Gauteng Treasury warned this city.

  The Auditor-General warned this city.

  Even previous budget speeches warned this city.

  But instead of reforming governance, and this administration prioritized coalition deals.

  They prioritized political survival.

  They prioritized public relations exercises.

  Today, residents of Johannesburg are paying the price.

  The MMC has tabled a R97.1 billion budget while residents continue to receive declining services.

  Electricity tariffs are increasing by 8.63%, water tariffs by 12.5%, sanitation is also increasing.

  Residents are being punished for the failures of this government.

  And what is even more alarming is that expenditure is growing faster than revenue.

  The city is deepening faster, is spending faster than it earns.

  Debt impairment is projected to reach approximately R10.5 billion.

  This means that the city itself believes billions may never be collected from for revenue.

  Law-abiding residents are subsidizing corruption, billing failures, and financial incompetence of this government.

  Speaker, this past Tuesday, this Council approved another R3.8 billion loan facility from a German bank.

  ActionSA opposed this loan because borrowing money while the financial foundation of the city continues collapsing is not financial recovery, it is financial desperation.

  You cannot borrow your way out of a dysfunctional system.

  You cannot borrow your way out of corruption.

  You cannot borrow your way out of poor governance. Eventually, residents will repay this debt through higher tariffs and through decline of services in their communities.

  Speaker, ActionSA warned this Council repeatedly.

  We warned against reckless borrowing.

  We warned against the collapsing infrastructure in the city.

  We also warned against the bloated operational expenditure.

  We warned against the political instability and the poor revenue collection.

  We repeatedly warned against these governance failures. And today, every warning has materialized, Speaker.

  Speaker, the people of Johannesburg now face a clear choice.

  Continue with the politics of excuses, instability, decay, or financial decline, or restore Johannesburg under a proven leadership of former Mayor Herman Mashaba.

  The incoming Mayor Herman Mashaba left a blueprint for governance between 2016 and 2019.

  And on the 4th of November, residents will have an opportunity to bring back decisive leadership, clean governance, infrastructure-led development, financial discipline, investment confidence, and service delivery that works.

  Those who remain in this Council after the elections are encouraged to learn free of charge what real governance looks like.

  30 seconds left, Councillor.

  Speaker, history will record that Johannesburg was warned repeatedly.

  But history will also record who ignored those warnings, who defended failure, who protected dysfunction, who collapsed this city.

  And history will record that ActionSA stood with residents when others chose to stand for political survival.

  The people of Johannesburg deserve better.

  They deserve a government that works. They deserve leadership that delivers, and they deserve a city that functions again.

  And ActionSA is more than ready to rebuild Johannesburg.

  Speaker, Johannesburg is South Africa's economic engine, and when Johannesburg declines, South Africa feels the consequences.

Spoke on

• 30 Sept 2026 · 01:12:47Item 17: Funding plan for medium-term capital budget 2026/27–2028/29
• 30 Sept 2026 · 02:04:20Item 27: Extension of general valuation roll 2023 to June 2028
• 25 Jun 2026 · 07:58:32Item 76: Group Strategic SCM Operational Status Report (Q3)
• 24 Jun 2026 · 03:13:33Item 66: ActionSA supports with criticism
• 28 May 2026 · 01:28:09ActionSA's Cllr Edward attacks the budget; point of order by Cllr Echeozonjoku

Promises

• 24 Jun 2026 · 03:17:58ActionSA will support the Financial Turnaround Framework and monitor its implementation closely.