Steven Paledi Nkonyeni

Attendance

Present

48

Leave of absence

4

Absent without leave

1

Arrived late

1

Left early

1

Reasons given for leave: Ill health (2), No reason recorded (1), Party business (1).

"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

1

Times given the floor

14

Average wait to start

7 s

Average greetings first

6 s

Apology or leave of absence (2)

• 26 Aug 2026 · 00:43:10Ill health. ActionSA apology for ill health. sitting
• 24 Jun 2026 · 00:28:24Arriving late. ActionSA notified late arrival. sitting

Not present when called (1)

• 28 May 2026 · 05:56:01ActionSA Councillor Nkonyeni was absent when called on Item 4. sitting

Warned or stopped by the chair (4)

• 22 Jul 2026 · 05:47:56Chair stops the councillor interjecting while the MMC is speaking. sitting
• 25 Jun 2026 · 02:07:06Chair told him to stick to the item and said she heard insults. sitting
• 25 Jun 2026 · 06:36:20The Speaker told him his intervention was not a point of order. sitting
• 24 Jun 2026 · 05:39:18Chair told Councillor Nkonyeni to sit during the division. sitting

In their words

Every time the chair gave them the floor in a transcribed sitting (14), 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 · 10:07:00Motion 2: Traffic calming on Clarendon and Corondon Place, Hillbrow · 24 s

  Read what they said (61 words)

  Uh Speaker, no, thank you very much. Uh thank you, Speaker, this is a um Sorry, greetings uh to yourself once again and fellow colleagues. This is a service delivery motion, uh Speaker. However, I do know that it will be um highly uh politicized. Um and yeah, as a result, I would like to withdraw the motion. Thank you, Speaker.

• 30 Sept 2026 · 07:27:46Items 18 and 19: MFMA in-year financial reports · 6 min 15 s

  Read what they said (833 words)

  Honourable Speaker, greetings to yourself, greetings to the colleagues, all protocol observed. Speaker, while we welcome the positive net movements reflected in the city's finances, we must be honest that there are still serious challenges on the ground that require decisive intervention. The city cannot stop its operations at Marble Hall. Law enforcement and by-law enforcement must be felt across the City

  of Johannesburg. We continue to see proliferation of illegal structures and unauthorised informal trading in our communities. In Ward 67, shacks have been erected inside Pieter Roos Park. Rockey Street remains a challenge, while the Yeoville Market continues to experience serious problems. Quartz Street is in a concerning state, and Pretoria Street in Hillbrow continue to face challenges relating to congestion, informal trading and unlawful activity. In Ward 62, Hillbrow, the presence and activities of abomalayisha have become a major concern for residents and our by-laws. Honourable Speaker, I am pleading with the Mayor, can our by-laws actually be enforced consistently across the city? We cannot have by-laws that exist on paper, but are not effectively implemented on the ground. Enforcement must be consistent, visible and fair. On electricity, we note the positive net movement,

  but we must do more to improve prepaid electricity collections and protect the city's revenue. The city should accelerate the installation of smart prepaid meters, particularly in areas where conventional billing has become unreliable. We must also intensify action against illegal electricity connections and electricity theft. Where corruption is found among contractors and subcontractors, there must be consequences.

  Those responsible must be investigated, prosecuted where appropriate, blacklisted in accordance with the law, and the city must recover funds where financial losses have occurred. Cable theft is another serious threat to service delivery as such areas

  areas such as Marshalltown, Jeppestown, and Berea are being severely affected. This is not merely an inconvenience. Cable theft disrupts electricity supply, damages infrastructure, and places additional financial pressure on the city. Honourable Speaker, we must also address the city's approach to pre-termination notices. Residents should not continue receiving pre-termination notices where legitimate billing queries remain unresolved. Before threatening disconnection,

  the city must ensure that billing disputes have been properly investigated and that the person being held liable is in fact the lawful account holder or the owner. This is particularly important in hijacked buildings where ordinary residents and tenants can find themselves caught between the city and property owners whose identities or ownership records have not been properly established. Speaker, revenue collection and law enforcement must go hand in hand. We cannot expect residents to pay their

  accounts while allowing illegal connections, cable theft, unauthorized structures, illegal trading, and unresolved billing problems to undermine the city's revenue base. We need a city that enforces its own laws, protects its infrastructure, collects the revenue that is legitimately due, deals decisively with corruption, and at the same time treats residents fairly. Uh on item 19, Speaker, this report gives us a picture

  of the city's financial position. And while there are positive elements, we must focus on what this means for service delivery. We welcome improved revenue collection, uh improved revenue position, and the operating surplus reflected in this report. However, we remain concerned about the financial pressure facing some of our municipal entities, particularly City Power and Joburg Water. Speaker, the city must improve revenue collection. It is a non-negotiable.

  We don't have to look far for an example. We just have to look next door and take notes from Tshwane. Residents cannot be expected to pay accounts that they do not understand, that contain unresolved billing problems. We need accurate billing, faster resolution disputes, and stronger action against illegal connections and electricity theft. The report also shows that the city's capital spending is still very low at this stage of the financial year.

  My recommendation is simple: approved capital must become actual projects on the ground. Residents do not care about glossy reports; they care about pothole repairs, service delivery, proper infrastructure, and quick turnaround times. However, this GLU has failed dismally on all fronts. We therefore need to dissolve failing entities and collapse them into their parent companies, and we must implement institutional review. We must be mSCOA

  compliant and do away with boards. Honourable Speaker, this report is recommended, this report is for noting, and I support noting it, but with concern. Um Speaker, noting this report does not simply mean filing it away until the next month. We need to use the reports to ask whether the city is improving. Are we collecting more? Are we spending effectively? Are our entities becoming

  financially stronger? And most importantly, are residents receiving better services? Madam Speaker,

  asinandaba ukuthi ubani uthini. Asinalo uvalo. Siyabonga ukuthi siyamgcina uMzolo namhlanje.

  What a blessing. Madam Speaker, that was a play on words, but I know uMzolo missed it

  ngoba kumnyama.

  And they can remove our billboards, we don't care because only dogs bark at a moving car, at a moving car.

  Ngiyabonga,

  Speaker.

• 30 Sept 2026 · 07:21:22Items 18 and 19: MFMA in-year financial reports · 29 s

  Read what they said (63 words)

  No, Speaker, I wanted to come in before Councillor Mkhonza started in relation to, since you're combining the items, the time that will be allocated, Speaker.

  I've got the time. I've got the time. Don't worry.

  Is it two, is it four, is it 10 minutes?

  I have the time, Councillor. I have the time. It's two items, it's combined.

  Thank you, Speaker.

• 30 Sept 2026 · 00:32:51Item 3: Executive Mayor's Question Time (follow-up) · 3 s

  Read what they said (5 words)

  I'm fine, Speaker. Thank you.

• 30 Sept 2026 · 00:30:45Item 3: Executive Mayor's Question Time · 25 s

  Read what they said (40 words)

  Speaker, Speaker, thank you very much for that. Greetings to all of the colleagues. Speaker, the question I wanted to ask the Executive Mayor, Speaker, is if we have the funding to cover the PFA. Thank you very much, Speaker.

• 27 Aug 2026 · 03:14:40Executive Mayor's Question Time · 16 s

  Read what they said (28 words)

  Thank you, Speaker. We were waiting for the honorable Executive Mayor, so he's here. I still have that item of mine, you know. Thank you, Speaker.

  Uyabona, Speaker?

• 27 Aug 2026 · 00:11:13Item 3A: questions for oral reply · 1 min 21 s

  Read what they said (177 words)

  Thank you very much, Speaker. The MMC concerned is not in the house, Speaker, so I'm not sure if I should proceed or not. Should I proceed?

  The leader of executive business is here. And yesterday, MMC was here, you were not here. Okay, can we move? Can you carry on?

  It's fine, Speaker. Thank you.

  Ay, Nkonyeni understands me.

  Yeah, no, I do, Speaker. Greetings to yourself and the house, all protocol observed. Speaker, I would like to ask the MMC of Human Settlements for the City of Johannesburg the following question in terms of rule 100 for oral reply in terms of the standing rules and orders of council. The Florence Nightingale building in Hillbrow has an evacuation process that has been delayed for quite some time, notwithstanding the safety concerns surrounding the building. I hereby would like to pose the following oral question to the MMC of Human Settlement for oral reply as follows: When will the evacuation process for residents of the Florence Nightingale building in Hillbrow, Ward 62, be finalised? Thank you.

• 22 Jul 2026 · 04:00:08Items 14-16 (Group Finance and GICT) · 4 min 19 s

  Read what they said (514 words)

  Ngibonge Speaker, ngibingelele kuwena, izakhamuzi zalelidolobha, izivakashi zethu, izintatheli,

  all protocol observed. Speaker, financial sustainability is not measured by the lies we are told in a State of the City Address. It is measured by whether residents receive services, and they don't. It is measured by whether the city has sufficient cash to keep operating, and it doesn't. Madam Speaker, the city has collapsed. As we speak, there is a water crisis, and residents are not stupid.

  They will punish this uncaring ANC government and its cadre officials who gatekeep water tankers and put us in a position where National Treasury has to withhold our equitable share. We welcome the positive developments including stronger property rate revenue, growth in electronic payment registration and increased digital payment. However, these positives are outweighed by the city's deteriorating financial position.

  Revenue collection remains below target, billing continues to underperform and outstanding debt continues to grow. Residents cannot be expected to pay when they receive incorrect accounts or estimated bills. The city's cash coverage ratio has fallen to only five days, well below National Treasury norms. This is a warning that Johannesburg liquidity remains fragile. Only 83% of valid supplier invoices were paid within 30 days,

  hurting business and delaying economic growth. The city insists on contracted services instead of insourcing, but they are failing to pay suppliers and Thuso House is a perfect example of that financial flop. Capital spending also remains far too low. Projects that are in the budget end up not being completed while money quietly disappears. Jikijiki a loan must be approved.

  ActionSA believes Johannesburg must strengthen revenue collection, eliminate billing errors, improve debt recovery, accelerate infrastructure spending and ensure that every rand delivers value. Madam Speaker, ActionSA supports the vision of a smart city, but technology must improve residents' daily lives. The department achieved only 67% of its performance targets.

  Critical programs such as MSCOA digitalization remain behind schedule. SAP Finance implementation has stalled and hardware replacements has been delayed. These are governance failures as much as ICT failures. Technology should reduce corruption, improve accountability and strengthen financial management. ActionSA notes the report while calling for stronger implementation, improved project management and greater accountability.

  Madam Speaker, ActionSA supports the adoption of this oversight report because it represents or it presents an honest assessment of Johannesburg's financial position. The report identifies serious concerns including weak revenue collection, a five-day cash coverage ratio, growing debt, slow capital expenditure, delayed supplier payments and ongoing ICT challenges. Oversight exists to identify problems before they become crises, and this report

  fulfills that responsibility. ActionSA welcomes the committee's recommendations to strengthen revenue collection, improve debt recovery, accelerate implementation and improve accountability. We also continue to support reforms that strengthen the financial sustainability of trading entities such as City Power and Joburg Water. Good governance requires action, not only reports. Madam Speaker, we then encourage

  all the residents of this city to vote for ActionSA on the 4th of November.

  You've got 10 seconds, Councillor.

  Thank you. No, I don't need it. Ngiyabonga Speaker. They must vote for ActionSA.

• 25 Jun 2026 · 02:03:1479, 80 and 81 · 6 min 55 s

  Read what they said (694 words)

  Eh ngiyabonga Speaker. Angizukudinga wonke lowo 15 minutes ngoba angizi futhi nje ukumosha isikhathi. Angibingelele amakhansela alomkhandlu, eh ngibingelele izivakashi zethu, izakhamuzi ezisibukele kwezokuxhumana, eh ngibingelele iFabulous 44 eh la ngemva kwami ibutho leli.

  Ngibuye ngibingelele, ake ngithi ngifuna ukubeka futhi nokuthi uKhansela Shai useMexico kuyimanje.

  Eh uyasirepresenta. Ya, ubekhona vele impela ubesirepresenta. Kahle, kahle, kahle Raphadu. Speaker, Speaker uyamemeza uRaphadu and isikhathi sami phela manje ngicela ungiprotect weSpeaker. Eh hhe-eh ngina-15 minutes kahle wena. Speaker, lama-section 71

  You only have 12 left now.

  uqina, uqina, ngicela ukukhuluma Speaker. Uyena uqina. Speaker, lama-section 71 report alate kabi. Ngalokho ke angizukumosha isikhathi.

  Because the people of Johannesburg, they don't care about figures and they don't care about numbers. They care about the reality, and the reality is that the city is owing Eskom. The billing system is broken. We are still not mSCOA compliant. The city is insolvent and relying on loans. Cost of living is too high. Debtors book is increasing. Unemployment is too high. Service delivery has completely collapsed.

  Revenue collection is poor. Contractors are not paid on time. That is the reality of the city that we cannot run away from, Speaker. It is a shame that we have to sit here today and debate old reports while the city has completely collapsed. Even kwathina in this council, the very same council is collapsing. Kwayizolo we had IT issues, asazi ukuthi kwakwenzakalani. We had rats!

  Inkinga phela le Speaker esibhekene nayo. So akusizi ukuthi silokhe sidingida izinto zakudala la, nabantu abalokhu bebanga umsindo. Futhi laba bakhona abashaywe amabi-BGM ngale, abangawubangi umsindo. Abanye ngeke baze babuye futhi Speaker ngicela ukukutshela! Abayeke umsindo! Abayeke umsindo, bashaywe ama-BGM, vote of no confidence from their very own branches, ngikutshele Speaker ngoba ayikho into elapha bahlulekile futhi. Speaker,

  Asizelanga yona le oyikhulumayo. Awazi ukuthi ukhuluma ngani la. Hhayi ayikho into oyishoyo. Asizelanga leyo oyikhulumayo. Hlala phansi. Hlala phansi! Asizelanga leyo oyikhulumayo.

  I'm asking you to be seated. There's a hand up and you continue. Councillor Raphadu. No, no, no, you, you...

  Councillor Raphadu, please continue.

  Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I'm deeply concerned that the speaker is continually engaging howlers instead of engaging the report, and is causing a situation where we'll retaliate. So please can he engage the report and not engage other people. But for in case, I'm coming back. I'm wondering if he will come back.

  Councillor Nkonyeni, I haven't asked you to get up. Can you please, and honestly, I did not understand everything that you said, but I could hear the insults that was in there. So can you please... uh-uh, uh-uh! Councillor Nkonyeni, Councillor Nkonyeni, can you stick to your speech? Can you stick to the item?

  Can you stick to the item, please? And it's not up for debate between me and you. Can you stick to the item? Thank you. You can get up, Councillor Nkonyeni.

  Ngiyabonga Speaker. Speaker, into ebengiyicela nje kuwena bengicela ukuthi ungivikele Speaker njengoba ngenza i-speech sami.

  Be impartial, Speaker, that's the only thing that I'm asking for, and protect the speaker.

  Onenkinga uzophakamisa isandla.

  Can you be seated? There's a point of order. Can you be seated? Councillor Christians. Colleagues on the other side, please.

  Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I rise in terms of Rule 82. Speaker, I have the same concern that Councillor Nkonyeni just raised. You previously ruled that it is the individual speech and they have the freedom of speech when it comes to it, but now you are saying he needs to...

  You haven't.

  He has freedom of speech. He has freedom of speech, but even though I don't understand the language, I could detect what was in there. Councillor Nkonyeni, can you carry on? Councillor Nkonyeni, do you want to carry on with your speech?

  I want to carry on, Speaker.

  Thank you. Carry on where you left.

  Ake ngiyivale. Kancane guys, please. Ake ngiyivale ke Speaker.

  People must vote for ActionSA, Speaker, and stop giving their votes to self-serving parties who only care about foreign currencies in their sofas. People must vote for ANC if they care about the City of Johannesburg and this country. Ngiyabonga Speaker.

• 24 Jun 2026 · 07:03:1782 · 4 min 11 s

  Read what they said (631 words)

  Ngibonge ngibonge Speaker. Eh angeke ngiphinde lokhu okushiwo eh amakhansela ngoba ngempela ngempela baqinisile ngokuthi siyajabula ukuthi lendaba ye-down payment i-deposit le ayisadingeki manje. Eh Speaker

  today as ActionSA we support this item because because it is about struggling resident it is about giving struggling residents a second chance. Across Johannesburg, thousands of residents are drowning in municipal debt: pensioners who survive on grants, families who lost jobs, small businesses trying to keep their doors open, churches, nonprofit organizations, and community institutions that provide essential services to our people.

  Many of these residents want to pay for services. They are not refusing to pay. The problem is that years of accumulated debt, interest, and penalties have made it impossible for them to catch up. When someone owes tens of thousands of rands, they often lose hope. They stop engaging with the city altogether because they believe they will never get out of debt. Speaker, this program gives those residents hope again. It says to our residents, if they are willing to come forward,

  work with the city and start paying your current account, we will help you deal with the burden of historical debt. That is the right thing to do. ActionSA believes in accountability, but we also believe in fairness. We cannot build a city where pensioners spend their final years worrying about debt they can never repay. We cannot build a city where struggling families are permanently trapped by historical debt, and we cannot build a city where small businesses are forced to close because of old debt that has become impossible to settle.

  Speaker, what we like about this program is that it is not a free handout. Residents are not simply being told that their debt disappears. Instead, the city is creating a partnership with residents. The city provides relief, the residents commit to paying their current accounts and honoring payment arrangements. That creates a culture of payment while recognizing the economic reality facing many Johannesburg residents today. Speaker, this program also makes financial sense.

  Some people ask, "Why write off debt?" The answer is simple: debt that can never realistically be collected is not helping the city. It sits on the books year after year while residents remain disconnected from the system. By helping residents settle their accounts and return to regular payment, the system can improve their future revenue collection and strengthen its finances. In other words, this program is not just good for residents, it is good for the city as well. Speaker, as ActionSA, we also want the city to continue improving

  its billing system, meter reading accuracy, and customer service. Many residents have found themselves in debt because of billing disputes, estimated readings, and administrative errors. Debt relief must therefore go hand in hand with fixing the underlying problems that create these debts in the first place. If residents are expected to pay, the city must also ensure that bills are accurate and that customer queries are resolved quickly and fairly. Speaker

  at its heart, this program is about restoring trust between city and the residents. Trust has been broken over many years. Residents have often felt ignored, frustrated, and overwhelmed. This program gives an opportunity to rebuild that trust by showing residents that the city is prepared to work with them rather than against them. ActionSA supports a Johannesburg that is compassionate, but responsible, a Johannesburg that helps those who are genuine who who genuinely need assistance,

  a Johannesburg that encourages payment rather than punishes poverty, and a Johannesburg that understands that financially financial stability and social justice must go hand in hand. For these reasons, ActionSA supports item 82 and calls on our and calls on council to approve the proposed amendments to the Debt Relief Program. I thank you.

• 24 Jun 2026 · 05:20:3671 · 1 min 42 s

  Read what they said (237 words)

  Thank you, councillor. Uh ANC, Councillor Madiba. I've noted you. I've noted you. Councillor Madiba.

  Ngibonge, Speaker.

  Uh greetings, uh fellow councillors, all protocol observed. Madam Speaker, today council is being asked to consider one of the most consequential reforms facing the City of Johannesburg: the Metro Trading Services Reform Program. For many years, residents have experienced the consequences of a model that is no longer sustainable. We have seen recurring water outages, aging infrastructure, electricity losses, increasing maintenance backlogs,

  financial pressures within our municipal entities, and declining public confidence in the city's ability to deliver basic services. The reality is that Johannesburg Water and City Power are responsible for delivering some of the most essential services to our residents, yet both entiti- entities face significant infrastructure and funding challenges that cannot be ignored. The report before us acknowledges what may have been uh what we have been saying for years:

  that there is a substantial infrastructure funding gap, and that without reform, the city will struggle to meet the future service delivery demands. ActionSA supports reforms that strengthen service delivery, improve accountability, and ensure the long-term sustainability of municipal services. We therefore welcome the intention behind this program and the recognition that maintaining the status quo is not an option. However, approval of a reform program is the only

  is only the first step. The success of these reforms will not be measured by presentations, strategies,

• 24 Jun 2026 · 01:12:32Debate on matter of urgent public importance: Eskom threat to switch off substations · 1 min 58 s

  Read what they said (231 words)

  Ngibonge, Speaker. Yabona lokhu kusibonisa ukuhluleka eh kwalaba abasiphethe,

  the government of the day.

  Ayidingi ukuthi silokhu siye le nale la, Speaker. Into esifuna ukuyazi lana, Speaker, ikuthi si-how far ngokukhokha lesi sikweletu se-Eskom. Iyona into esifuna ukuyazi. Yazi kunomuntu omemezayo la angimazi ukuthi yini inkinga yakhe. Eh, Speaker,

  Speaker, can I be protected?

  Councillor Nkonyeni, just hold on. Councillors, can we respect each other? Please. We need to get done. Thank you.

  Bahlulekile, Speaker, noma bengamemeza nje bahlulekile.

  Speaker, we are saying let us not punish residents for the city's financial mismanagement. What is the plan to ensure that the amount in arrears is fully paid? And we want to know this from the city. What guarantee can be given to this council and residents that they will not be plunged into darkness? Residents cannot pay for the failures of the city and the failed GNU. ActionSA has fought against unfair electricity surcharges on top of rising cost of living and we are now threatened with power costs, with power cuts. So this is very unfair to the residents, Madam Speaker. [inaudible] to ensure ukuthi this council holds the executive and also holds the officials. They must pay Eskom because now we are going towards the winter period and we need to make sure ukuthi we are not plunged into darkness for something that is not our fault. Thank you.

• 28 May 2026 · 03:49:31Item 3 · 7 min 49 s

  Read what they said (995 words)

  Eh, ngibingelele kuwena

  Speaker. Thank you. Fellow councillors, the residents of Johannesburg, and a very special greeting to my ActionSA forces, uRefilwe no Tshepo, that are in the gallery. Madam Speaker, I strongly believe that credit must be given where it is due. MMC Masuku, I can appreciate the difficult task that you and your office had when it came to putting a more realistic and pragmatic budget together.

  Madam Speaker, in this chamber there are real MMCs, and others are just shadows. ActionSA has a great example of a real mayor in Tshwane, whether accidental or not, but in this chamber we have one that is desperate and obsessed. Today we are confronted with several reports that together paint a very honest picture of the state of our city financially, institutionally,

  and politically. These reports tell us two things simultaneously. Firstly, Johannesburg remains a city with enormous economic potential, a massive revenue base, and resilient institutions. Secondly, our city is under severe pressure from years of infrastructure decline, weak collections, governance failures, rising debt, and declining public trust. The most important thing about these reports is that for the first time in a long time, the administration is beginning to openly acknowledge the depth of the crisis facing Johannesburg,

  and that honesty matters because we cannot solve problems we refuse to admit exist. The financial turnaround framework, which was now withdrawn by the MMC and we don't know why, but it had confirmed that Johannesburg is not bankrupt, but financially fragile. The city's own reports admit cash reserves remain dangerously low, debtors book continues to grow, infrastructure backlogs exceed 52 million, water losses remain unacceptably high,

  electricity losses continue costing the city billions, public trust in service delivery continues declining. National Treasury itself warned that the original draft budget was effectively unfunded and required correction before approval. This is not a small issue. It is a warning sign. But Speaker, despite these challenges, there are also important positives that we must acknowledge fairly and honestly. The city did manage to improve headline revenue performance. Revenue grew to over 81 billion rand.

  The city achieved a collection rate close to 86%. The group recorded a surplus position. Cash balances improved compared to prior years. The city successfully redeemed major bond obligations, and despite several operational pressures, the city obtained an unqualified audit outcome at group level. These are not insignificant achievements. They show that Johannesburg still has institutional capacity and a strong economic foundation. The problem is that the improvements remain fragile

  and are not yet translating into visible improvements from residents on the ground. Residents do not experience a surplus when taps run dry. Residents do not feel financial recovery when sewage flows into streets. Residents do not see improved liquidity when streetlights remain off, potholes deepen, and billing disputes continue unresolved. And that is why these reports correctly identify that Johannesburg crisis is not only a financial crisis. It is also a governance crisis, implementation,

  and public confidence crisis. Speaker, one of the most important admissions in the turnaround framework is the recognition that our financial problems are systemic. The city describes what it calls a systemic crisis loop. Billing weaknesses reduce revenue. Reduced revenue weakens liquidity. Weakened liquidity delays maintenance. Infrastructure failures then worsen service delivery. Public trust declines, and once public trust declines,

  payment culture collapses further. The diagnosis is absolutely correct, and we must commend the administration for finally connecting financial management directly to service delivery outcomes, because residents do not separate finance from service delivery. When billing systems fail, residents suffer. When infrastructure maintenance is deferred, residents suffer. When governance fails, residents suffer. Speaker, the strongest area of concern throughout all these reports is clearly water.

  The reports confirm that nearly 45% of water is being lost through leaks, infrastructure failure, illegal connections, and inefficiencies. That represent approximately 3.8 billion in lost water revenue annually. At the same time, residents are being asked to pay more through increased tariffs and levies. And therein lies the political danger. Residents are increasingly asking why must honest residents continue paying to pay more while losses,

  wastage, and illegal connections continue? The frustration is real, and council must take it seriously. But again, there are positive interventions proposed. The city has now committed to leak reduction programs, reservoir repairs, pressure management, smart metering, infrastructure rehabilitation, and stronger enforcement against illegal connections. If implemented properly, these interventions could begin stabilizing Johannesburg Water over time.

  The same applies to electricity. The report confirms electricity losses of around 30%, costing the city around 5.7 billion annually. Again, this is unsustainable. But the city now proposes advanced metering, prepaid migration, energy balancing, audits of large users, and improved revenue protection measures. These are practical steps. The challenge is implementation, and that word appears repeatedly throughout the reports: implementation.

  Because Johannesburg does not suffer from a shortage of plans. Johannesburg suffers from a shortage of execution. Speaker, another very important issue raised in the reports is the so-called sweeping arrangement. For years, the revenue for successful entities like Joburg Water has effectively been used to subsidize struggling entities such as City Power. The city now openly admits that this arrangement lacks transparency, weakens accountability, undermines infrastructure investment, and creates governance risk.

  This is a major admission. The proposed phased reform model with ring-fencing and proper revenue-sharing agreements is an important step towards improving accountability and protecting infrastructure investment. But council must ensure that reforms are implemented carefully and responsibly, because the report also warns that abrupt restructuring could destabilize the city financially. Speaker, we must also acknowledge the city's attempt to improve governance and accountability.

  35 seconds left.

  The framework proposes monthly reporting, measurable targets, performance tracking, stronger audit controls, consequence management, and evidence-based reporting. So Speaker, the reality is that Johannesburg remains one of the most important cities on the African continent and our economy remains powerful. So let us keep it on that trajectory. Thank you.

• 26 May 2026 · 00:48:15Request for approval to enter into a loan agreement with KfW · 1 min 43 s

  Read what they said (146 words)

  Hayibo, kahleni. Ngibingelele,

  Councillors, allow him to speak. And even your own.

  Ngibingelele, Speaker. Ehm, all protocol observed. Cha, Speaker, ngempela siyi Action SA siyathanda ukuhalalisa i-Sundowns, eh yenze umsebenzi omuhle kakhulu. Eh ngale kwalokho ke, Speaker, ngoba sasilana kuleli viki elidlulile, salibeka sasho ukuthi asikwazi ukuyixhasa lento, kusenjalo namanje, asikwazi ukuthi futhi sishintshe ayikhonakali chomi. Eh seku-late, seku-late manje, Speaker, sifuna ukuyosebenza nje impela. Eh uyabona, iyona nje into esibhekene nayo, so eh Speaker, uyabona ngendlela abamemeza ngayo, ake, ngifuna ukwenza i-speech sami phela manje.

  Awuna wadi, awuna wadi.

  Councillors.

  Speaker, uyabona ke bangidlela isikhathi. Seku-late phela manje.

  Councillors, please! Councillors, please!

  Eh futhi angeke sishintshe ngoba angazi ngempela, ngempela ukuthi sibizelweni la, angazi ukuthi sizothini la, Speaker. Uyabo, sizama ukuthi asihlanganise, sifuna ukuhlanganisa uZulu so that ngomhlaka-30, uyabo, so that ngomhlaka-30 bakhona abayohlangana nembila zithutha. Ngiyabonga we, Speaker. Sayi-rejecter futhi nje lento, kusenjalo namanje.

Spoke on

• 30 Sept 2026 · 00:30:22Executive Mayor's question time: PFA funding
• 30 Sept 2026 · 01:12:47Item 17: Funding plan for medium-term capital budget 2026/27–2028/29
• 30 Sept 2026 · 01:35:15Item 17 vote: funding plan not carried
• 30 Sept 2026 · 07:20:11Items 18 and 19: In-year financial reports (June and July 2026), first speakers
• 30 Sept 2026 · 10:06:35Motion 2: Traffic calming at Clarendon Place, Hillbrow, withdrawn
• 27 Aug 2026 · 00:09:18Oral questions: Florence Nightingale building evacuation
• 27 Aug 2026 · 03:14:04Item 46 outcome and DA objection
• 22 Jul 2026 · 03:59:57ActionSA, DA and FF+ on Group Finance report
• 25 Jun 2026 · 02:03:14ActionSA speech and order dispute
• 25 Jun 2026 · 06:32:04ANC Cllr Mzolo's speech and points of order on insults
• 24 Jun 2026 · 01:03:52Urgent debate on Eskom substation cut-offs: speakers list
• 24 Jun 2026 · 01:12:26Eskom debate: Cllr Nkonyeni (ActionSA)
• 24 Jun 2026 · 05:16:44Item 71: Metro Trading Services Reforms – Minimum Access Indicator M6
• 24 Jun 2026 · 06:57:19Item 82: addendum to Debt Relief Programme Phase 4
• 28 May 2026 · 03:49:09Item 3: Cllr Nkonyeni (ActionSA)
• 26 May 2026 · 00:48:07ActionSA rejects the loan