{"sitting_id":"2026-08-27-ordinary-39-day2","date":"2026-08-27","title":"39th Ordinary Council Meeting, Day 2","page_url":"https://said-in-council.co.za/sittings/2026-08-27-ordinary-39-day2/","ai":"AI draft transcript (google/gemini-4-argon) of the City's livestream, not checked line by line. Check a line against the video before quoting it.","licence":"CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) for this transcript; the video remains the City's.","timeline":"start and end are seconds on the sitting-day timeline: the videos below laid end to end in order. video is the YouTube id the line is in; lang is set when the line was not English.","videos":[{"id":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","duration":11888,"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlfTsY6sJ0"}],"segments":[{"start":10,"end":36,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, it's a new meeting. Can we check whether we quorate? Can we start the counting? We won't take long, we'll take about 5 minutes. While you are seated, we will count you so that we are able to carry on. Councillor Mazibuko, is your hand up? Woman Mazibuko, was your hand up?"},{"start":36,"end":38,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"No, Speaker, apologies."},{"start":38,"end":133,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. Can we then count ourselves so that we are able to go through the business of the day? Thank you."},{"start":133,"end":157,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, colleagues, we're going to proceed. We have a quorum. We know that some people left for that was only here for a certain period. We have 147 councillors, so we can carry on. STC, read the item in."},{"start":157,"end":165,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Sorry, we are now on applications for leave of absence."},{"start":165,"end":224,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, we have the same leave of absence here. Councillor J. Skweyiya, late arrival. Councillor M. Mpolobosho, party business. Councillor M. Mokoena, party business. Councillor R. Pelzer, private business. Are those apologies noted? Thank you. Councillor Smith, can we proceed to the other apologies? But can we do it? And anybody else that is coming with apologies for this meeting? Councillor Samonse, and then Councillor Smith. Anybody else? Councillor Harris, Councillor Nkombeko, and Councillor Ampur. No, no, no, no, no. Councillor, please."},{"start":224,"end":229,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Speaker. We will send a list to your office, a full list. Thank you."},{"start":229,"end":234,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. Councillor Louw?"},{"start":234,"end":244,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Councillor Dwayne Ponsonby is on party business out of the province, as well as MMC Kenny Kunene. Councillor Gqweta is leaving at 2:00. Thank you."},{"start":244,"end":268,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. Thank you. Councillor Harris. Before I take Councillor Harris, Councillor Smith, I have just been advised that you need to, for the recording, to give me those apologies. So after Councillor Harris, you will come. Councillor Harris?"},{"start":268,"end":273,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Baie dankie, mevrou. Alder vrou."},{"start":273,"end":278,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Alderwoman. Thank you so much. Chris Rawson, off sick. Thank you."},{"start":278,"end":279,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Baie dankie."},{"start":279,"end":284,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can I just take Councillor Smith quickly before I take all of you? Councillor Smith?"},{"start":284,"end":312,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I have Councillor Dewes on party business, Councillor Tshabalala on private business, Councillor Mphefo, Horwitz, Campbell, Cloete, and Reddy are ill. Councillor Masira, Rambani, and Gerson are on party business. To leave early, I have Councillor"},{"start":312,"end":342,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Shaw, Steenkamp, Benjamin, van Onselen, Christians, De Gama, De Kock, Hooper, Kamela, Louw, Kgelaksane, Kreusch, Maila, Marais, A. Marais, Mnisi, Mohamed, Ncube, Niemand, Nkomo, Nkunyana, Papo, Ramaru, Rambani, Sifumba, Suddaby, and Wax. And then to leave at 4:30, those people will leave at 2:30."},{"start":342,"end":357,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Huggett, Councillor Tyobeka-Makeke, Councillor Truelock, and Councillor Molesane. And sorry, Councillor Huen is also on private business today. Thank you."},{"start":357,"end":364,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillor. Councillor Nkonkobe?"},{"start":364,"end":384,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Speaker. The following apologies that we have: it's Councillor Dladla, ill health; Councillor Mogapi, family responsibility; Councillor Koma, party duties; Councillor Sifuba, ill health; and Councillor Ennie Makhafola, she will be leaving at 2:00, together with"},{"start":384,"end":389,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Mbambali. The EFF caucus will be leaving at 3:00, Speaker. Thank you."},{"start":389,"end":404,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Ampur Munyai. Councillor Jacobs, I've seen your hand."},{"start":404,"end":433,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Don't worry, Madam Speaker. Next, second term, I'll have two points. Party business from ActionSA: Councillor Themba Mabunda, Councillor Mokoka, Councillor Mukhondo, Councillor Edward, Councillor Cotrell, Councillor Chuma, Councillor Batlang, Councillor Mabelebele, Councillor Mashapo. Ill health: Councillor Mohale. Late arrival: Councillor Masuku, Councillor Nkomo, Councillor Whistler. Early departure, Madam Speaker, we have Alderman Councillor Prof., who'll leave at 1:30; Councillor"},{"start":433,"end":444,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Ntombela will leave at 5:00; Councillor Rakhosa will leave at 2:00; Councillor Ampur Munyai will leave at 5:00. Thank"},{"start":444,"end":461,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yeah, earlier on you were going to leave at 7:00 and now you're leaving at 5:00. Can I get Councillor Jacobs, then Councillor Makhuba, and then Councillor Mhlongo?"},{"start":461,"end":470,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Chair. Just LOA for early departure at 4:00. Thank you."},{"start":470,"end":481,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker. For the IFP is Councillor Mnguni and Councillor Nyembe, ill health, and Alderman MMC Mabaso out of the province."},{"start":481,"end":488,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Wow. Alderman Mhlongo?"},{"start":488,"end":499,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. For AIC, Alderman Mhlongo requests to leave early due to party business. Thank you so much, Madam Speaker."},{"start":499,"end":511,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Ndlela, and then I think we are done with apologies, am I right?"},{"start":511,"end":547,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Madam Speaker. ANC caucus ill health is Councillor Ndou, Peter Ndou, Councillor Maluleke, Councillor Raphadu, Councillor Ramafikeng, and Councillor Tabane. Councillor Nzimande is out on council business. To arrive late, it's the Executive Mayor, Councillor Shange, and Councillor Khalishwayo. To leave at 15:00 hours, it's Councillor Makaula and MMC Mgcina. To leave at 15:30, it's the Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC Loyiso Masuku. Thank you."},{"start":547,"end":558,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillors. Are all these apologies noted? Thank you, STC."},{"start":558,"end":569,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We're now on item 2, 2A, sorry, item 3, and that is 3A, which are questions for oral reply of which notice has been given in terms of rule 105, subsection 1 of the standing rules and orders of council."},{"start":569,"end":597,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, colleagues. We are now going to proceed with the speaker's list. Can I have the Democratic Alliance, Councillor M. Tshabalala? Not present? Okay, let's move. Next question, ActionSA, Councillor L. Modukanene."},{"start":597,"end":604,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker. Eish. I must still look for the question."},{"start":604,"end":607,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The clock is running."},{"start":607,"end":634,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yes, Speaker, I must still open because I thought that like I'll do it after Councillor Tshabalala."},{"start":634,"end":637,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can we take the next person and you come afterwards?"},{"start":637,"end":639,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yes, please. Thank you."},{"start":639,"end":647,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yo. Councillor Mncube from the Democratic Alliance."},{"start":647,"end":657,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker. With this particular question, the issue has been resolved at Nowana Clinic, so I'd like to withdraw the question. Thank you."},{"start":657,"end":673,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillor. ActionSA, Councillor S. Nkonyeni."},{"start":673,"end":687,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"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?"},{"start":687,"end":696,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The leader of executive business is here. And yesterday, MMC was here, you were not here. Okay, can we move? Can you carry on?"},{"start":696,"end":697,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It's fine, Speaker. Thank you."},{"start":697,"end":701,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Ay, Nkonyeni understands me."},{"start":701,"end":754,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"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."},{"start":754,"end":778,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. Will it be the leader of executive business that will respond, or will it be? Okay. Thank you, MMC."},{"start":778,"end":814,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The, Councillor Nkonyeni, the evacuation plan has been finalised. The department did the verification and the order was granted. There is a challenge, though, and it's with the provision of the alternative accommodation, and the building in question is on the list. We have a long list, but this building in question is number three on the list of the alternative accommodation aspects that we have to deal with. Thank you, Madam Speaker."},{"start":814,"end":830,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, MMC. I see that Councillor Nkonyeni is happy. The next question is again from the DA, Councillor M. Mncube. I think you have been settled."},{"start":830,"end":880,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Speaker. Greetings to the house, all protocol observed. I'll be asking a question to the MMC of Transport Department, the following question for oral reply in terms of rule 105 of the standing rules and orders of council: JRA has recently regraded State Road in President Park, Ward 110 in Region A. There's about 1,040 kilometres of untarred road in townships and informal settlements. What is the department's plan, budget, and timeline to upgrade the remaining 1,040 kilometres of untarred road? Thank you."},{"start":880,"end":883,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Leader of executive business?"},{"start":883,"end":912,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much once again, Madam Speaker, as well as to Councillor Mncube. Madam Speaker, JRA acknowledges the importance of upgrading untarred roads and make sure that we improve infrastructure and make sure that across the city our communities have road infrastructure that is usable. At present, the allocation, we accept that we have over 1,000 kilometres of untarred roads"},{"start":912,"end":943,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"in the question, and the budget currently available for gravel roads program was minimized, and there's just under 40 million which is being used to complete the gravel roads. JRA does not have a specific individual program for President Park. We have a program for the entire city for the formalization of roads, which will be conducted orderly. The road designs will be undertaken as part of the project planning"},{"start":943,"end":972,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"stages. JRA will request further in the adjustment budget that is coming up in December that in the period of the adjustment, at least the city puts more into the work of dealing with the designs, and further for the city to increase allocations for the medium-term period so that the issues holistically for Johannesburg roads are addressed and attended to. And we"},{"start":972,"end":1005,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we take this question with the good spirit that it comes through because road infrastructure has an impact in terms of our economy, the businesses, and residents themselves as it relates to making sure that their cars and they operate on surfaced roads. The residents as well, when they are in areas where there's rains and flooding, gravel roads do become an inconvenience. So we take the question with the good spirit. Thank you, Speaker."},{"start":1005,"end":1020,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, MMC, Deputy Mayor. Can we get back to Councillor Modukanene? I'm sure you have opened up now."},{"start":1020,"end":1049,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yes, thank you, Speaker. I, Councillor Lebohang Modukanene, would like to ask the MMC for Development Planning for the City of Johannesburg the following question in terms of rule 100 and 105 for oral reply in terms of the standing rules and orders of council. The construction of the New Turffontein Clinic commenced in June 2021 and was originally scheduled for completion in September 2022."},{"start":1049,"end":1079,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"More than four years later, the project remains incomplete, leaving residents of Ward 124 and surrounding communities to continue waiting for access to a much-needed healthcare facility. The city's own reports have reflected inconsistent progress on the project. The 2023/2024 integrated annual report recorded the project as approximately 71% complete."},{"start":1079,"end":1109,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The 2024/2025 integrated annual report reflected 55% completion, while the latest Johannesburg Development Agency, JDA, quarterly performance report indicates that the project is approximately 75% complete. The JDA further reported that budget constraints resulted in the contractor being instructed to focus only on securing the site and not exceed the available budget"},{"start":1109,"end":1139,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"for that financial year. Furthermore, the 2026/2027 medium-term capital budget allocates 30 million towards completing the project. I would like to pose the following oral question: Why did the reported completion percentage regress from 71 to 55 and then later to 75?"},{"start":1139,"end":1164,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can the department confirm the current certified percentage completion of the project? How much has been spent on the project to date? What is the current approved total budget for the project? Does the department anticipate completing the project within the current approved budget? Thank you."},{"start":1164,"end":1177,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillor. Can I have the MMC of Development Planning to respond?"},{"start":1177,"end":1233,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Greetings to councillors and yourself, Madam Speaker, and thank you, Councillor Modukanene, for your question. In terms of your first question, the response to it is that the reason of why that was actually reported is as a result of the work that was completed, which was sitting at 71%, and that was when the contractor was terminated. And when the replacement contractor was appointed, the consultant reported its work as a new scope, despite the replacement contractor continued from where the terminated contractor had left off."},{"start":1233,"end":1326,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Consequently, the reported percentage decreased because of the progress of the replacement contractor, which was measured from a new baseline rather than incorporating the 71% in progress which was achieved previously. In terms of your next question, how much has been spent on the project to date: at the time of the suspension, the progress was sitting at 75%, and the expenditure was sitting at R29,407,727.75. That was where it was sitting at. And in terms of the current approved project, it's now sitting at 30 million, but it should not be confused because the actual budget for this project is actually 45 million, but what we were given is only 30 million. So that's where we are sitting at. So the next question in terms of the department anticipating the completion of this particular project in the current approved budget: the department is working closely with the consultants to value engineer the remaining scope and avoid over-expenditure,"},{"start":1326,"end":1405,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but it also should be noted that the suspension of the project thus far have also cost us a lot, and that the department cannot actually also avoid what we are affected with in terms of payments of service providers or the contractors that are currently doing the business in the city. What I'm referring to as value engineer, or having to value engineer the project, it means if there are elements in that clinic that might affect us or might cost us to have more budget, we'll have to cut on that scope as well. So you might have to cut some of the line items that we currently have in the project so that the project can actually be completed. And we anticipate to finish that project by end of September, which is next month. Latest should be October, but end of September is the date that we are committing ourselves to finish that project. Thank you."},{"start":1405,"end":1446,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, MMC. I see that the Councillor Modukanene is fine with it. She has shown thumbs up. There's so much movement. Okay. We are now going to the next item, Judith. The STC is not here. He's just gone out."},{"start":1446,"end":1460,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The next item is Executive Mayor's Question Time, of which notice has been given in terms of rule 112(1) of the standing rules and orders of council."},{"start":1460,"end":1491,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Nkonyeni, before you stand up, the Executive Mayor is not in the house. And we have asked him, he wants to respond himself. So he's coming late. Can we allow when he comes that he responds? Is that fine? Thank you so much. Next item."},{"start":1491,"end":1512,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Recommendations to council were tabled yesterday, Madam Speaker. The next item is item 17: Request for approval by council of the C40 and UN-Habitat Urban Planning Accelerator and the C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator."},{"start":1512,"end":1523,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can you just hold on? Thank you. MMC Masuku, your hand is up."},{"start":1523,"end":1576,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker, Alderwoman. You were looking down, so I didn't want to scream. On behalf of the executive, we would like to elevate items, please, Madam Speaker. Kindly permit us to elevate item 32, item 33, which is legislated for the council of August, item 35. So it's item 32, 33, 35, item 39, item 40, item 41, 42, 43, which are for April to June period, as well as item 44. Thank you, Speaker."},{"start":1576,"end":1607,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, can I just get it right? 32, 33, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44. Am I right, MMC? Deputy Executive"},{"start":1607,"end":1617,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Apologies, Speaker, I missed item 36, the grant that comes for the HIV/AIDS from Provincial Treasury. My apologies."},{"start":1617,"end":1634,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"32, 33, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44. Can I allow the Chair of Chairs?"},{"start":1634,"end":1659,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, honorable Alderman Madam Speaker of the City of Johannesburg. May I be permitted to ask for elevation of item 46: Councillor Funeral Support Policy for the City of Johannesburg. Thank you."},{"start":1659,"end":1669,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We'll go from 32 to 44, and then we'll do 46. Is that good enough, house?"},{"start":1669,"end":1670,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yes."},{"start":1670,"end":1681,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you. Right. STC, the item that you're going to call in now is 32."},{"start":1681,"end":1698,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillors, item 32 is a review of the public participation policy for the City of Johannesburg."},{"start":1698,"end":1704,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Chair Zengele?"},{"start":1704,"end":1717,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker, thank you. Speaker, in today's speaker's list, I am omitted from item 46. May you please rectify that?"},{"start":1717,"end":1719,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor."},{"start":1719,"end":1723,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"xh","text":"Bayakuvalela ngaphandle."},{"start":1723,"end":1759,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Ay, Deputy Mayor, don't do that. Okay, the speaker's list for item number 32. It's read in, hey? Okay, thank you so much. Member in charge, is he here? I didn't see him. Who's going to give us, who will be the acting member in charge of the committee?"},{"start":1759,"end":1781,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Wow, no one is brave enough. Councillor Nkompungwe, please, can you, can you, can you please table this item for us?"},{"start":1781,"end":1800,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker. For the first time, you've pronounced my surname correctly. I won't disappoint you. I rise, Speaker, as I greet you, greeting the Executive Deputy Mayor, and all the Aldermen who were newly conferred in this council."},{"start":1800,"end":1816,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"I say congratulations to all of them. We are learning, we are following and Councillor Christians has been very quiet today, Speaker. I rise to table item 32, Speaker, for the council to debate. Thank you."},{"start":1816,"end":1826,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillor. Councillor Mkhonza."},{"start":1826,"end":1844,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Um yes, shalom shalom, Madam Speaker. Um allow me to first acknowledge our Almighty God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. To also acknowledge um the Executive Mayor in absentia,"},{"start":1844,"end":1847,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Please speak into the mic, Councillor."},{"start":1847,"end":1849,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. Must I start again? All right."},{"start":1849,"end":1852,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh-uh, carry on, but speak into the mic."},{"start":1852,"end":1875,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"All right. To also acknowledge the Executive Mayor in absentia. To also acknowledge the Deputy Executive Mayor, the MMCs, um all councillors, our beloved um residents of the City of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on item 32, um the review of the Public Participation Policy for the City of Johannesburg."},{"start":1875,"end":1900,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh Madam Speaker, the the ACDP caucus approves the policy as reviewed for the implementation in the 2026/2027 financial year with the hope that um the top five priorities will be realised. That is, improve communication between the city and the communities; to also strengthen and empower ward committees;"},{"start":1900,"end":1927,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"to also establish effective feedback mechanisms; to also enhance accountability and transparency; and lastly, to ensure that participation processes are inclusive and accessible. In doing this, as public servants, we shall make sure that we have won um the trust of our residents back. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Shalom shalom."},{"start":1927,"end":1936,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillor Mkhonza. Can we have Councillor Boer?"},{"start":1936,"end":1938,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Goeiemôre, Mevrou die Speaker,"},{"start":1938,"end":1943,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"um fellow councillors. Um I just want to say, Madam Speaker, um"},{"start":1943,"end":1945,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Ek weet nie wat is die Afrikaans vir 'n"},{"start":1945,"end":1946,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"alderwoman"},{"start":1946,"end":1948,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"nie. Ek hoop nie dis 'n ouvrou nie."},{"start":1948,"end":1971,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Um but congratulations on your alderman womanship. Um but you are not very generous with me to to say to me next time I'll get one, because next time I will be 76 years old and I really hope not to be in this council when I'm 76 years. Um but uh I will serve the council as long as the Lord give me power to do so."},{"start":1971,"end":1999,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Madam Speaker, I'm rising on item 32, the review of the Public Participation Policy. And I want to take the council back 32 years ago with the free the first free democratic election, where we said, \"One man, one vote.\" And rightfully so, um every resident's got a vote, every citizen of this country has got a vote. And the Freedom Front in particular is promoting this. We we say,"},{"start":1999,"end":2025,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"give the communities and give the individuals the self-determination on issues that belongs to them. So, the public participation for our residents in Johannesburg is of utmost importance. We do we don't only need their votes once in five years to vote for a specific political party, but we need their support on buying in in all the projects that the city does have. Because if the community does not buy in,"},{"start":2025,"end":2041,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and if our residents do not buy in, we will not have active citizenship. So we welcome this review of this policy, and communications of our residents is of the utmost importance. Thank you, Madam Speaker."},{"start":2041,"end":2046,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much um Councillor Boer."},{"start":2046,"end":2059,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Ek meen in Afrikaans is dit raadsheer. Raadsheer. H-E-E-R. Raadsheer."},{"start":2059,"end":2076,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Alderman. Thank you so much, Councillor Boer. Uh Councillor G. Mokoena from the um EFF? Is the councillor not available? Can we Okay."},{"start":2076,"end":2095,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"All right. Uh thank you very much uh Speaker. Greetings to yourself. Uh greetings to the EFF battalion. Um I will speak on behalf of uh Councillor G. Mokoena. As the EFF, we note the report. Thank you."},{"start":2095,"end":2111,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Mokoena. The African National Congress, Councillor Mzolo."},{"start":2111,"end":2134,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"Eh, ngibingelele Speaker, ngibingelele eh uDeputy Executive Mayor, ngibingelele amaMMC angaphansi kwethu, eh uChair of Chairs, uChief Whip, uDeputy Chief Whip, eh namakhansela amahle weGLU."},{"start":2134,"end":2157,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"Sengiyasaba nokuthi delusional 44, ngoba niwu-15 langaphakathi. Abanye asazi baxoshiwe, balovile, kodwa inkulumo yangelinye ilanga lelo. Abangale phesheya, isiZulu angazi mhlampe abasizwa kahle, so mangibabingelela bavesane bakhale. Ngizobayekela. Eh Speaker,"},{"start":2157,"end":2178,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"this item is about public participation, and it's and if there's one thing Johannesburg residents understand very well is the difference between being spoken to and actually being listened to. The report tells us the current policy dates back to 2002, the last time Helen Zille was relevant."},{"start":2178,"end":2200,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh uh communities communities deserve a proper feedback, transparency and accountability. Most importantly, residents want to see what oh, want to see that when they speak, government actually acts. But Speaker, this brings me to the political reality of Johannesburg."},{"start":2200,"end":2226,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We're gonna speak about participation without speaking about the political choices that brought us to where we are. The DA wants to present itself as the fresh alternative, but Johannesburg residents have heard the story before. The same old political program is being repackaged with a new slogan and presented as something revolutionary."},{"start":2226,"end":2239,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Residents are asking for function functioning services, not a political theatre. They need government that is present and accountable."},{"start":2239,"end":2241,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"Eh ngize ngapha."},{"start":2241,"end":2269,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And when we look at ActionSA, we must ask a very simple question: What exactly is their political mandate beyond opposing the ANC and glorifying Herman? A political organization must be bigger than one personality. It must have structures, policies, a program, and a vision that can survive beyond the individual at the centre of it."},{"start":2269,"end":2284,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Johannesburg deserves political organization that serves the people, not political organizations where everything seems to evolve revolve around one personality. Uh while we are still the matter of uh one personality,"},{"start":2284,"end":2297,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"eh ngiyabona ukuthi mawunayo mawuneshow lapha kuMoja Love, uvesane uthathwe nje bakwenze iMayoral candidate. Nalo sisi lo okhuluma ney'poki naye nizomenza iMayoral candidate somewhere. Kodwa siqhubeke Speaker,"},{"start":2297,"end":2303,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and to our GLU partners, uh to our GLU partners,"},{"start":2303,"end":2314,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"eh laba abey'kipha ezimnyama, bengikhuze eyi-blue izolo, ezimnyama zize ngakithi. Kodwa ake ngikhulume ngazo. Abantwana bakaShenge,"},{"start":2314,"end":2337,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"uh Fighters, Comrades, allow me one slight jabs. Sometimes it feels like the ANC is carrying the coalition agreement in one hand, and carrying some of our partners in the other. But we remain committed to governance because Johannesburg cannot afford permanent political instability. However, Speaker, November will come,"},{"start":2337,"end":2364,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and when the residents go to the ballot box on the 4th of November, they will only be choosing between they'll not only be choosing between political parties, they will be deciding what kind of Johannesburg they want. A Johannesburg where communities are consulted, a Johannesburg where ward committees are strengthened, a Johannesburg where residents receive feedback, a Johannesburg where policy public participation uh is not just a meeting, a register and a photograph,"},{"start":2364,"end":2390,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but a process that actually influences government decisions. That is precisely why the proposed policy emphasizes on stronger ward committees, feedback mechanism, transparency and inclusive participation. So let us pass a policy that does not merely hear the people, but listens to them. Let us strengthen the institution that connects government to communities."},{"start":2390,"end":2419,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And let us be honest with the people of Johannesburg. Political slogans will not fix this city. Political personalities will not fix this city. What will fix this city is political will, accountability, leadership, and a government that puts residents first. Come November 4, the people will have their say. And I believe and I believe that when they do, the residents of Johannesburg will choose the African National Congress,"},{"start":2419,"end":2429,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"a movement with a history, structures, policy and a program of the people. Uh Madam Speaker, uh the howlers on my right"},{"start":2429,"end":2431,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"bayamemeza bathi never, never,"},{"start":2431,"end":2435,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but not even a single one of them was chosen by the residents."},{"start":2435,"end":2444,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"Bakhethwe uHerman emakhishini. Ngokusho kanjalo ngiyabonga."},{"start":2444,"end":2467,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Ngobunga. Councillor Ngobunga. Bongobunga. Uh thank you, Speaker. Councillors, councillors! I need to hear the Acting Chair, please."},{"start":2467,"end":2491,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker. In recognition of all the inputs, one must put on this house that whilst this policy was being reviewed, a number of considerations were taken into consideration: how the policy enables residents to participate participate in this uh in municipal decision-making, the legal framework,"},{"start":2491,"end":2515,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the mechanism of participation, which is ward committees, public meetings, petitions, imbizo, written submissions, consultation, and digital platforms. Inclusivity, ward councillors' roles, accountability, practical implementation, political and governance concerns. Political and government concerns, monitoring and reporting, recommendations to council. All these were considered"},{"start":2515,"end":2531,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"whilst the reviewing of this policy was in in place, uh Speaker. And I believe that we are at a position to say we are comfortable with the reviewed uh Public Participation Policy. So I ask council to note this report. Thank you, Speaker."},{"start":2531,"end":2545,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much. Um the recommendations is on page 32.13. Is the item agreed to? Agreed. Thank you. STC."},{"start":2545,"end":2558,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We move to item 33, and that is tabling of the 2027/28 Integrated Development Plan, Budget, Performance Monitoring and Reporting Time Schedule."},{"start":2558,"end":2565,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Mkhonza, ACDP."},{"start":2565,"end":2594,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yeah, thank you very much, uh Madam Speaker. Um I just thought today I wouldn't quote scriptures, but I'm tempted to quote um from the Book of Proverbs um chapter 26, I'll read verse 4 and verse 11. Just giving advice to to our to some of our colleagues."},{"start":2594,"end":2625,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Verse 4 reads as follows. Or let me rather start with verse 11 and then I'll go back. It reads as follows um verse 11: \"Like a dog that returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things over and over again.\" Then verse 4 reads as follows: \"Do not answer a fool according to their foolishness,"},{"start":2625,"end":2649,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"or you will or you will stoop to their level and become like them.\" Close quote. Madam Speaker, the ACDP caucus approves the 2027/2028 IDP, Budget, Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Time Schedule um that uh to be submitted to the Gauteng MEC of COGTA,"},{"start":2649,"end":2674,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the National and Provincial Treasuries for monitoring purposes, as required by section 31 of the MSA. The ACDP further um hopes that the time schedules will be taken seriously, especially the 31st of March 2027, Madam Speaker, which is the adoption of the Integrated Annual Report."},{"start":2674,"end":2696,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Let's mark this date. Let's take these um time schedules very serious. They must not be time schedules that are put there for the sake of it. Let's take them serious. Let us deal with the Integrated Annual Report on time next year. Shalom shalom, Madam Speaker, and God bless you."},{"start":2696,"end":2709,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. Um Councillor Christians. I must still get used to the alderman thing thingy."},{"start":2709,"end":2739,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Greetings to everybody. Madam Speaker, um let me start off by saying congratulations to the MMC on their malicious compliance with with the deadlines. And I use the word malicious compliance because that's just what this document is. For the last four years, we've been asking"},{"start":2739,"end":2760,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"for us to be included, especially this side of the house, because we contribute to the second most wards in Johannesburg, but we've been ignored. This malicious compliance is just nothing more than a tick-box exercise that continues year on year."},{"start":2760,"end":2763,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"Mfundisi, ngiyabonga kakhulu."},{"start":2763,"end":2796,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you for your quotes, because that's exactly what is happening. We keep doing the same things over and over again, yet we expect a different result. Speaker, yesterday we spoke a lot about ethical leadership, and as soon as the MMC sat down, her very own caucus destroyed that. They started attacking other councillors in this house. So how do we have ethical leadership when people do not even understand it?"},{"start":2796,"end":2822,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"But let me also just say a big congratulations and a thank you to our officials. All these timeframes that come in now, it's the officials that make it happen. We know the pressure on you, because when the MMCs, the Mayor or the Chairpersons get there, they want everything ready and set up for them. They do very little in saying, \"Do you need help?"},{"start":2822,"end":2854,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Is this going to work? Is it the right time? Is it the right venue?\" You've got to deal with that. Because when the residents are told to come at 10:00 in the morning and they complain, nobody hears them because they're not there. They're sitting somewhere else waiting just to be ushered in by you. So a big thank you, and I think everybody here should actually applaud you for that. Madam Speaker, this talks to to to the item I've been speaking for the last"},{"start":2854,"end":2883,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"three years, not four years, three years, because Community-Based Planning cannot happen in two months. We have 135 wards. 135 wards to have Community-Based Planning in two months, that means you need at least two wards per day. It's not possible. And it's not possible for people like Bernice Strydom, who's up in the stands today,"},{"start":2883,"end":2913,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"who's got to usher their people all the way from Riverlea to Danie van Zyl, and when they get there, they're told, \"Sorry, only one person's allowed to speak.\" How is that Community-Based Planning? Let Community-Based Planning happen in Riverlea. It's a ward on its own. Don't cluster it. When Aunty Ola has to put the elderly from 250 old age units in Vrededorp into a bus, cart them to Brixton Multipurpose Centre,"},{"start":2913,"end":2940,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and then have the ward councillor not even there to greet them, you got to ask: Is this Community-Based Planning for wards? And then once again, we ask the community come to to give input, but you tell them, \"Oh, there's a form, please fill it in, because there's not going to be enough time to do that.\" So Madam Speaker, when it comes to this document,"},{"start":2940,"end":2966,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we got to ask ourselves: Are we doing justice to the community? We've just passed the Public Participation Policy now, which allows many people who are techno-savvy to be able to do to give input that way. So hopefully the numbers will pick up in the next term. But ultimately, as older people, because we can't call ourselves aldermen now,"},{"start":2966,"end":2994,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"you got to call ourselves older people, some of us do not want to to use technology to communicate. We want that face-to-face. We want you to understand what we are saying, rather than interpret a text that we are sending you. So hopefully going forward, the officials can hear me, is that let's expand it. It doesn't have to start just before. We can already start the process of getting communities' inputs in"},{"start":2994,"end":3021,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"way before, because 135 wards is a lot to do in two months, and that is why you cluster it, yet you still call it Community-Based Planning. Madam Speaker, it's silly season in this house because it seems that some people are not talking to the item, but rather talking to other political parties. So let us consider why we're really here. Why we're really here is because we want"},{"start":3021,"end":3051,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the Executive and the officials to hear the concerns on the ground. I've just given you two examples. I can give you examples from Region C, where Councillor Benjamin always complains a community can't afford to go outside of the community to give input, yet we expect them. Yes, we provide transport, we provide them with with with meals, but then those people who are jumping on the bus are not coming there because of Community-Based Planning."},{"start":3051,"end":3080,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"They're coming there because those people are actually hungry. They need a meal, and because they're unemployed, they're sitting at home, they just jump on the bus. That's why the inputs are so low. So we need to consider what Councillor Benjamin says, and she says, \"Please have it in my ward. Stop having it outside of my ward.\" And that is something that's very important when we do the the malicious compliance. Because yes, we go back to COGTA and say, \"Yes, we've ticked the box, we've had CBPs,"},{"start":3080,"end":3109,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we've had uh feedback from the Executive, we've received input,\" but as I said in the in the last uh speech I gave about the IDP, 0.3% of residents of Johannesburg actually participated. 0.3% of 16 million people. The Mayor likes using that number. Big numbers in the City of Johannesburg,"},{"start":3109,"end":3139,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but very few people participating. MMC Masuku, through you, Madam Chair, said we need to work together. And irrespective of who's going to be government next year, we have to work together because we've got to give confidence back to the residents of Johannesburg. And it's going to be between the DA and the ANC who's going to be holding those wards. And we've got to start saying, because the DA is in government now,"},{"start":3139,"end":3164,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we can't just fight with them. And that is something that is very important. MMC um Mgcina, you can smile. Maybe you guys may get one ward seat, but unfortunately, this is a two-horse race. So so Speaker, ultimately, what we got to realize is what we're doing today is compliance, and yes, we've got all the boxes ticked,"},{"start":3164,"end":3165,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"30 seconds."},{"start":3165,"end":3178,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but it's because of the residents we, when we're in this house, we got to remember we are councillors, we're not only representing our parties. I thank you."},{"start":3178,"end":3198,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can I have Councillor Radebe from the EFF?"},{"start":3198,"end":3226,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh thank you, Madam Speaker. As the EFF, we rise not to reject this item, but to interrogate it. This house must approve a time schedule by the statutory cutoff of 31st August 2026 in terms of MFMA section 21. But we must also ask whether this schedule will actually work after the 4th of November election."},{"start":3226,"end":3252,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"On the first test, which is legality, the document passes. It correctly separates the once-per-term IDP process plan from the annual time schedule, and it also recognizes that the MFMA does not suspend for any election. Section 16 subsection 2 and section 24 subsection 1 still bind the municipality. So yes, we must approve. But on the second test:"},{"start":3252,"end":3279,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Will it work, Speaker? The schedule is brave to the point of fragile. The EFF 2026 local government elections manifesto says, \"Municipalities must become centres of planning, service delivery and development, rooted in internal capacity, accountability and financial discipline.\" A timetable must therefore produce delivery, not simply compliance on paper."},{"start":3279,"end":3306,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"First, there is a political direction problem. Budget, business plan, SDBIP and tariff guidelines are scheduled for 17 November, after the election, and before the new Mayoral Committee is likely to be fully in place. The report calls these technical parameters, but there is nothing purely technical about deciding whether departments cut spending or prioritize services and capital."},{"start":3306,"end":3336,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We risk departments working from old political instructions, only to redo the work later. Secondly, Madam Speaker, public participation is vulnerable. Round 1 Community-Based Planning runs across the election, while ward committees must be re-established afterwards. The report proposes regional summits and digital and digital channels when necessary, but residents of Soweto, Region D, Region G and other municipalities and other communities"},{"start":3336,"end":3365,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"need real ward-level participation. The EFF manifesto requires people's municipalities to reflect local conditions and service delivery priorities. Those priorities cannot be determined from behind a computer screen. Thirdly, Madam Speaker, induction collides with budget scrutiny. A substantially new council may be learning the IDP, budget, SDBIP and performance systems,"},{"start":3365,"end":3393,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"while Technical Budget Steering Committee hearings and capital allocation decisions are already underway. Something will give, Madam Speaker. Either induction is rushed or oversight is weakened. That directly contradicts the manifesto commitment to stronger planning, project management and financial management. Fourth, Madam Speaker, the fallback exposes the risk. Preparing an administrative draft of the 2027 to 2032"},{"start":3393,"end":3419,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"IDP is sensible, but if the incoming council cannot adopt a full five-year IDP by 31 May and has to rely on a bridging annual review, serious questions arise about the political legitimacy of the 2027/2028 budgets. We therefore support the item, but with our eyes open. The 2021-2026 performance handover must be substantive, not cut and paste."},{"start":3419,"end":3445,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"A revised ward engagement calendar must be published immediately after the election, and the councillor induction must be protected from budget deadlines. The EFF manifesto commits us to capable municipalities, accountable planning, and public resources directed to service delivery. This schedule must be judged by whether it delivers on exactly that. I thank you, uh Madam Speaker."},{"start":3445,"end":3467,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor. ANC, Councillor T. Mokoena. Is the councillor not here? Can we move? MMC Masuku."},{"start":3467,"end":3503,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Speaker. And once again, um I appreciate the comments from the councillors. Speaker, we we are tabling the the process, it's a legislated process, and I think the comments from the respective councillors are are noted. And in all honesty, the process, in terms of managing it, is dependent on our ability collectively to resource it."},{"start":3503,"end":3530,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We have done that, and um we have 134 wards, and we have to do public participation uh 30 days. Um and that's that's the way it is, and unless, of course, we must embark on a process to change that. It must be this council then that embarks on that process. But as things stand now, we have 30 days to do the legislative process, and Johannesburg has"},{"start":3530,"end":3560,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"one of the biggest councils in the country, and it's not practically possible to get to get to do every ward every day. Um and we just don't have the the the human resource. Any political party is uh welcome to suggest a new process, and it's got nothing to do with who is in government and who's not in government, it's about to do with the Council of the City of Johannesburg. The legislation also does not accommodate elections because the date is never the same, colleagues."},{"start":3560,"end":3589,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And it's beyond our control. We are never in a position to know when the elections will be. All we know that it's we are in a five-year term of elections, uh and we still have to do the IDP by March. So in March, the law uh dictates, the law dictates that by March there must be an IDP that must be done. So um all different political parties have spoken, they are saying on the 4th of November they are coming in."},{"start":3589,"end":3600,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"So uh we, as the Government of Local Unity, we are following legislation. We are bringing what is uh prescribed by law, and the process"},{"start":3600,"end":3630,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"political parties or party that comes back and leads on the 4th of November is obligated to follow the legislated process where there are changes you can write to the MEC, indicate to the MEC and seek permission for an extension that is permitted by law. So we are we are doing what we must do because we are a government that must follow um the process. And by May the final version"},{"start":3630,"end":3660,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"has to be uh put in and it has to be done. We have to table the annual report by end of January. These are deadlines that have got nothing to do with who is in government. It is deadlines that are set out by legislation. So we are presenting them so that we adopt them as council and we move. And the process after elections can be managed, I I'm insisting on this, speaker. The process after elections can be managed because"},{"start":3660,"end":3690,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"there are there are permissible processes that we can used in line with cooperative governance of the province that permit us to do that and how we manage it as council, as long as council agrees how we manage it. And of course, we look at the mid year um um adjustment budgets that have to be done between December. The- there are also those processes that come and unfortunately it's processes that are who whoever um is a a successor in law and the successor becomes the"},{"start":3690,"end":3720,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"successor in title and the work of council has to continue. Fair points that are coming from uh other councillors as it relates to participation collectively in terms of the the what comes out in terms of the public participation process. And we we can we can certainly do better. I said this yesterday as well through you, speaker, um Councillor Christians, I said the responsibility is on all of us because we lead these wards,"},{"start":3720,"end":3743,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and we have the responsibility to encourage our residents to participate in the public participation process. It can't be the responsibility of only the ward governance uh section of the legislature. It is all of us because we are 270 councillors and we have to take that responsibility. Thank you very much, speaker."},{"start":3743,"end":3750,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Deputy Executive Mayor. The recommendations"},{"start":3750,"end":3759,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"are on page 33.7, is the item agreed to? Thank you. Next item, STC."},{"start":3759,"end":3769,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Item 34 is uh request for approval of the Revised Group Employment Equity Policy Framework."},{"start":3769,"end":3778,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"ACDP, Councillor R Harris."},{"start":3778,"end":3807,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh greetings once again, uh Madam Mayor. Um I rise to speak to item 34, the request for the approval of the Revised Group Employment Equity Policy Framework. The Employment Equity Act is a piece of national leg- legislation that has placed the Metro in a straitjacket and has effectively emasculated it in its quest to achieve an inclusive city. On paper, the objectives"},{"start":3807,"end":3834,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"of this piece of leg- legislation are noble. It's the use of affirmative action to support designated groups, which is black people, women, and people with disabilities to stop unfair discrimination based on race, disability, age, religion, or gender to promote equal chances and fair pay for work of equal value and to fix past employment imbalances."},{"start":3834,"end":3861,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"There are unforeseen circumstances though dogging this legislation. Barely 1,500 p- people are employed in the city out of 37,000 plus workforce. Indian employees are even less. Legally, coloured people are not seen as black Africans. They are part of the blacks in general and not part of Africans in particular. Coloured people"},{"start":3861,"end":3893,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"are condemned to never receive more than 3% of employment and other economic opportunities. Merit is relegated to a distant position behind race. The fallout of this travesty of just- of justice is felt most notably on the streets of Ward 68, 69, and 82, where whole communities are trapped in a vortex of poverty, unemployment, despondency, violence, and a raft of social ills. The pain of this"},{"start":3893,"end":3925,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Harris, please take your seat. Apologies, colleagues, we did not elevate item 34. I really apologize. STC, sorry, Councillor Harris. STC, can you read item 35 into record so that we can move? Apologies, colleagues. Um it's just one of those, sorry."},{"start":3925,"end":3939,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh apologies once again uh councillors. Um item 35 is the review report of the academy for chartered accountants training program policy."},{"start":3939,"end":3949,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Harris, you can go to your item 35."},{"start":3949,"end":3978,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much. I rise to speak to item 35. Uh recent graduates face serious challenges with fi- finding work and gaining the requisite experience. In light of this crisis, the aca- academy of chartered accountants training program policy is thus a welcome initiative to bridge this gap. This noble idea though is overshadowed by the legalized discrimination built into"},{"start":3978,"end":4001,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"it. It is subject to the same racial parameters as de- de- uh defined in the Employment Equity Act. As long as this legislation exists, there will always be the feeling that apartheid is alive and well, and living on the statute books 32 years after our fabled freedom. The ACDP notes this report."},{"start":4001,"end":4011,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillor Harris. DA, Councillor A Marais."},{"start":4011,"end":4037,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, speaker. Madam Speaker, residents of the City of Johannesburg, fellow councillors and council officials. The Group Governance Department is seeking council approval of the renewed academy for chartered accountants training program policy. The policy has had to be amended to accommodate changes in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, SAICA, train"},{"start":4037,"end":4064,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"training program, which the city is obliged to implement in order to remain compliant with the latest SAICA training regulations. Without these amendments, the city would lose its accreditation as a training office for chartered accountants. However, there is a far more fundamental question, does it make sense for the city to continue to operate a training officer office for chartered accountants at all? The Academy of Chartered Accountants was established"},{"start":4064,"end":4093,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"in April 2016 in order to develop financial expertise in local government amid growing fiscal and regulatory complexity. Considerable human and financial resources have been invested in the chartered accountants training program since then. Unfortunately, it is difficult to establish the precise cost of the program as the department has not made this data available to councillors. However, what information has become available"},{"start":4093,"end":4121,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"indicates that the return on that investment has been limited. Apart from the cost of employing trainee accountants at a not inconsiderable initial remuneration of R35,000 per month, SAICA requires a permanent appointment by the city of a fully qualified chartered accountant as the training officer. Qualified chartered accountants do not come cheap. Group governance"},{"start":4121,"end":4148,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"has not divulged what the cost per chartered accountant retained on the program is to the city. Nor has it shared the reports which it is required to provide to SAICA for accreditation monitoring or the training office reports which SAICA provides to the city training officer with the trainees initial assessment of competence and assessment of professional competence results with councillors. The city"},{"start":4148,"end":4176,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"is required to report to SAICA on, one, the IAC APC pass rates which should exceed the national rate which is about 60%. Two, the percentage of trainees absorbed into permanent finance posts in the city or its entities within 12 months. And three, the reduction in external cost consultant costs for the preparation of the annual financial statements versus the internal audit"},{"start":4176,"end":4204,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"hours delivered by trainees. If these figures were made available to councillor to council, whether the academy is truly delivering value or is simply an expensive vanity project which should be jettisoned at the first opportunity could be determined. In 2022, it was reported that of a recent intake of 18 accountants, only two were retained. The department has not released the actual retention figures"},{"start":4204,"end":4234,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"despite these being reported to SAICA, but it is estimated that only between 10 and 15% of the academy's trainees are retained after completion of their articles. Many trainees move to the private sector or to National Treasury. This means that the city expends considerable resources on training chartered accountants, but other institutions are the beneficiaries. Although the SAICA training office has been"},{"start":4234,"end":4261,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"in place for 10 years, Auditor-General reports still contain material findings and the city continues to use external consultants to prepare its annual financial statements despite the availability of the trainee accountants. This is unlike the situation in eThekwini where considerable use is made of the trainee accountants. The recent 2026 business plan for the Group Governance Department"},{"start":4261,"end":4290,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"revealed that the operational budget which covered all departmental programs, including the Academy of Chartered Accountants was projected at R72 million for 2026/27, R76 million for 27/28, and R80 million for 28/29. A considerable portion of the budgeted amounts can be attributed to the Academy of Chartered Accountants training program. There is debate within the"},{"start":4290,"end":4319,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"accountancy profession whether it is desirable that chartered accountant training is done at a company, bank, or in the public sector instead of at an auditing firm. Although although there is the same ethics requirement, if you are working in the public sector for the city, you are inside the emp- the employer and thus exposed to ethical threat. It is not conducive to the development of an ethical and independent"},{"start":4319,"end":4350,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"culture. If you are working in an audit firm, your client is not your employer and you have partner protection. The situation becomes even more awkward if your employer is subject to qualified audits as is the case with the city. A chartered accountant is not an internal bookkeeper. A chartered accountant is a professional who holds a public interest duty, to uphold ethics, to report irregularity,"},{"start":4350,"end":4363,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"to qualify financial statements even when it embarrasses management. When you make the employer the training office, you make the fox the teacher of the guard dogs. Given the city's adverse audit reports"},{"start":4363,"end":4395,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Marais, can you just hold on? There's some noise there, and we can even hear how you arguing. Colleagues, no, it's not on. And it's somewhere there where Councillor Jwanis is, and the councillor that's laughing is with him in it."},{"start":4395,"end":4398,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Again. Thank you, Councillor Marais, please carry on."},{"start":4398,"end":4427,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh thank you, speaker. A chartered accountant is a pro- a professional who holds a public interest duty, to uphold ethics, to report irregularity, to qualify financial statements even when it embarrasses management. When you make the employer the training office, you make the fox the teacher of the guard dogs. Given the city's adverse audit reports, can we say that we"},{"start":4427,"end":4447,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"are the right institution to teach ethics? It is time that the desirability of retaining the Academy of Chartered Accountants training program be reconsidered. This city cannot afford to maintain programs and projects which do not deliver real value. I thank you."},{"start":4447,"end":4469,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Marais. Councillor Hadebe, EFF."},{"start":4469,"end":4473,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"st","text":"Aitsiba!"},{"start":4473,"end":4501,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Um greetings to the EFF caucus leader, caucus whip in uh absence, committed EFF councillors, fellow councillors, officials, guests, and most importantly, the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, we stand here today to debate this item. Uh"},{"start":4501,"end":4531,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we oppose it, not because we are against training chartered accountants, we need them, but because this report fails key test of the good governance it claims to promote. The EFF 2026 local government elections manifesto commits municipalities to build capable, professional, and ethical administrations staffed by qualified financial"},{"start":4531,"end":4559,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"managers and other skilled professionals and to improve municipal financial management. We support professionalization, but professionalization without transformation, accountability, and proper governance is not enough. First, speaker, on governance, we are weakening controls. The 2016 policy required the city manager to appoint the steering committee. The revised section"},{"start":4559,"end":4589,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"9.2 gives that power to the group head, group governance, while group governance itself responsible for uh, sorry, while group governance is itself responsible for the program. It cannot be a player and a referee. Where is the independent check and balance? Second, speaker, on transformation, the original policy contained designated group under the Thuthuka Bursary Fund. Those provisions are removed, while the revised policy requires"},{"start":4589,"end":4618,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"a endorsed postgraduate qualifications recognized by SAICA. We must ask what does this to the what does this does to the child from Soweto, Eldorado Park, or Alexandra, who has the ability, but not the money to cross that financial academic barrier. The EFF manifesto commits municipalities to fair and transparent access to training opportunities, bursaries, internships, and skills development for young people. Transformation cannot simply disappear"},{"start":4618,"end":4646,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"from the policy. Third, on finance and performance, there is no accountability. The revised policy itself says, the academy must strengthen financial management, audit readiness, governance, and supply of scarce skills, then show council these results. How many trainees entered since 2016? How many completed and passed the professional assessment? How many were trained, retrained, and retained by the city? What has the program cost?"},{"start":4646,"end":4675,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And what is the city's current SAICA accreditation prog- uh uh sorry, what has SAICA's current uh SAICA's accreditation quota? The policy says intake cannot exceed the approved quota, but council is not told what that number is. The policy also creates real costs, SAICA fees, monitoring and moderation visits, assessor and reviewers training, rotations and support costs, participation municipality entities must also carry cost. Where"},{"start":4675,"end":4682,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"is the consolidated funding model showing that entities already under financial pressure can afford these obligations? Fourth, on process"},{"start":4682,"end":4684,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"30 seconds."},{"start":4684,"end":4712,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Sure. On process, speaker, CA 2025 became effective in January 2022, yet we are aligning the policy in 2026. Council should see the latest SAICA monitoring on or moderation findings and confirmation that accredited accreditation remains in good standing. Recruitment is also narrowed to city platforms and social media, whereas the old policy provided the broader university engagement. That may shrink"},{"start":4712,"end":4720,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the talent pool instead of widening opportunity. Before we support, we require the SAICA"},{"start":4720,"end":4737,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Hadebe. I assume Councillor Mokoena is not in the house from the ANC, so we are moving. MMC Masuku."},{"start":4737,"end":4766,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thanks, speaker. The the comments are noted and the request by the respective councillors to uh uh bring the supplementary information required. We don't have a problem, we'll do that. We will augment the report and we can always bring it. Uh just to indicate that we don't just decide and make a policy reviewal. We are guided by SAICA. There are certain recommendations that they make to all institutions, so we follow"},{"start":4766,"end":4786,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"that. So we don't we don't thumb suck what we put. So we do reviewals in line with what they prescribe, but the points are noted and we will include the requests and look at how we can better improve and um uh bring it back um for for council. Thanks, speaker."},{"start":4786,"end":4800,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Deputy Executive Mayor. The recommendations is on page 35.25, is the item agreed to? Thank you. STC, next item."},{"start":4800,"end":4817,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Item 36 is acceptance of the HIV/AIDS conditional grant from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury to implement the HIV and AIDS door-to-door HIV education program and AIDS council coordination for the 2026/27 financial year."},{"start":4817,"end":4826,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much. Uh Councillor F Mkhonza from the ACDP."},{"start":4826,"end":4851,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yes. Um shalom, shalom once again, Madam Speaker. Um thank you very much. Um Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on item 36, acceptance of the HIV/AIDS uh conditional grant from Gauteng uh Provincial Treasury to implement the uh Madam Speaker, there's some noise this side, please uh protect me, this side of the DA."},{"start":4851,"end":4857,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And I can hear that, councillor. Can we please stop that?"},{"start":4857,"end":4887,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Um let me start again. Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on item 36, acceptance of the HIV/AIDS conditional grant from Gauteng Provincial Treasury to implement the HIV and AIDS door-to-door HIV um education program and AIDS council coordination for the financial year 2026/2027. Um let me quote Proverbs 17:22, it says, a merry heart does good,"},{"start":4887,"end":4915,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Madam Speaker, the ACDP caucus welcomes the conditional grant from the province, which amounts to R35,178,000 for the continuation of the ihlomile door-to-door HIV/AIDS education program. This is consistent with the ACDP policy um that states, quote, health outcomes cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader socioeconomic"},{"start":4915,"end":4945,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"realities facing our communities. The health of our residents is directly linked to economic productivity, household stability, educational attainment, and overall quality of life. A healthy population is better positioned to contribute meaningfully to economic growth and social um development, unquote. On 31 July 2025, Madam Speaker, um the province provided R33,300"},{"start":4945,"end":4977,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and uh 630 uh thousand, and the ACDP caucus proposed the following um control measures, um that all councillors have access to the monthly reports for us to monitor the progress and effectiveness of these um grant allocation. And also that the field workers are not abused the same way the Free State municipality did, uh not used as campaign tool by"},{"start":4977,"end":4977,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"paying some"},{"start":4977,"end":4978,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"40 seconds."},{"start":4978,"end":5005,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"by paying some uh 67 uh thousand and others as low as two 2,000. And we we further ask that there must be equity in spreading the grant amongst all the wards. Now, the question is, when we read this um report, we did not see the breakdown of the previous um conditional grant allocation, how was it spent, was it spent all of it? And in the absence"},{"start":5005,"end":5024,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"of that, the ACDP caucus might be tempted um to refer this to the Madlanga Commission to follow the money because um it looks like uh these conditional grants are"},{"start":5024,"end":5053,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillors, I am noticing that we are moving our names from one seat to another seat. Your name has been placed where you are on this computer, so please stop doing what we are doing by moving our names, remain on your seat. The seat that you have been given, you are designated"},{"start":5053,"end":5062,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"to that seat. Thank you. Councillor Zigebe."},{"start":5062,"end":5091,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, speaker. The struggle against HIV is one of South Africa's greatest public health achievements, but it is not yet a victory we can declare complete. Statistics South Africa estimates that 8.15 million people were living with HIV in 2025, representing 12.9% of our population. Among adults aged 15 to 49, prevalence was estimated at 18.1%. Um behind every figure"},{"start":5091,"end":5121,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"is a person who needs testing, uninterrupted treatment, and freedom from stigma. The UDM supports accepting this R35.178 million conditional grant, cuz Jozi Ihlomile takes health um education into undeserved uh to underserved um rather communities instead of waiting for residents to find the health system. It re- its reach across seven regions, 74 wards, and 100 sites, supported"},{"start":5121,"end":5138,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"by 692 field workers, that is significant. It also creates livelihoods while strengthening the response to HIV, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections. However, speaker, we must be rigorous about what success means. The target is to reach almost 3."},{"start":5138,"end":5162,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Zigebe, just stop, I'm going to stop your time. To those councillors that are leaving, and everybody else, when we go for lunch, please sign the second register. Please do that. Thank you. Councillor Zigebe, you may go on."},{"start":5162,"end":5190,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The target is to reach almost 3.3 million people in more than 1 million households. That is ambitious and welcome, but a knock on a door cannot become the final measure of impact. Council must receive evidence of how many people were referred, tested, linked to treatment, and retained in care. We must know whether young people, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and other vulnerable groups are reached without discrimination. Confidentiality must"},{"start":5190,"end":5219,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"be protected because careless a careless household disclosures can expose a resident to stigma, violence, or exclusion. The funding model requires disciplined oversight. 70% is reserved for door-to-door education, 20% for AIDS council coordination, and 10% for administration. Every rand must follow that purpose. Monthly reports should be reg- regionally disaggregated, independently verified, and placed before the oversight committee. Ward councillors and"},{"start":5219,"end":5229,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"committees must support coordination, but health services must never be politicized. Recruitment, site selection, and access must be fair and based on public health need."},{"start":5229,"end":5230,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"40 seconds."},{"start":5230,"end":5247,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Education is essential, but education without available testing, medicine, and functional referral pathways creates awareness without a solution. The city must therefore connect every campaign to clinics, mobile services, social support, and reliable follow-up. I thank you."},{"start":5247,"end":5258,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Zigebe. Councillor T Mposula from Action SA."},{"start":5258,"end":5289,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Greetings, Madam Speaker, uh Deputy Executive Mayor, MMCs, fabulous 44 councillors, residents of Johannesburg. Uh as Action SA, we support and welcome this conditional grant. Uh we are aware of the scourge um and the people living with um"},{"start":5289,"end":5317,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"HIV uh in the City of Johannesburg. Uh we have got 692 um residents, uh this is an estimation of people who are living with HIV um in the City of Johannesburg. And uh Madam Speaker, 93% of them, they are aware of their status um and 73% um are uh on um ARVs, and"},{"start":5317,"end":5346,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"this is due to the work of the field workers, you know, the Jozi Ihlomile door-to-door um team that educate our communities um regarding the scourge, you know, uh of HIV, and educating our people, you know, in terms of testing, um preventing, and uh taking treatment. And it is very important uh for um EPWPs"},{"start":5346,"end":5375,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and uh Jozi Ihlomile group, you know, to ensure that they are properly capacitated so that they can continue uh the groundwork. And Madam Speaker, as we are, you know, discussing these things, it is disturbing that um the the residents, you know, are looking at us, you know, to you know, to discuss this important matters, and you find uh some councillors who think that, you know, this is the playground, this is kindergarten, and it is"},{"start":5375,"end":5400,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"really, really uh unfortunate and disturbing. And I like what uCouncillor Mkhonza has said, um and I'm not going to repeat his words. Uh really, it is disturbing, you know, the the the residents, especially of Ward 130, um they are looking at the proceedings in shame, they ask themselves, what is it that we have voted for? And we have got a a you know, a computer councillor in this uh"},{"start":5400,"end":5428,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"member a Councillor Zwane who's servicing the residents of ward 130. Yet we have got a councillor who's playful you know, and who's not you know addressing the issues of the community. And in our community we have got challenges. We have got clinics like Zola Clinic you know. With a number of complaints about that clinic and we're trying to find mechanisms and solutions to ensure that these facilities are working."},{"start":5428,"end":5457,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And we really ask the councillors who have been voted for our people to ensure that when they come here they address the issues of the people, instead of fooling around and waste everyone's time. Really it is embarrassing. If I was a member of ANC I was going to be embarrassed to have a councillor of this calibre. We need to take the residents of Johannesburg serious. We are here and we mean business when we are here. And as Action SA we are saying we're a government in waiting."},{"start":5457,"end":5482,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Herman Mashaba is going to be the mayor and we are going to ensure that you know, we put systems in place. We are going to ensure that we serve our people, that is why we are checking even the quality of the councillors that we are bringing in this place. We don't just bring any Dick, Tom and Harry to come and represent you know, the residents of Johannesburg. Uh winds of change are blowing. Thank you so much, Madam Speaker."},{"start":5482,"end":5486,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"st","text":"Wa gafa sana. Wa gafa sana."},{"start":5486,"end":5506,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Ntwele. Councillor Ntwele, are you in the house or not? It's your chance to speak. You are on the agenda."},{"start":5506,"end":5531,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh thanks very much Speaker. Um Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, members of the Mayoral Committee, councillors and the resilient people of Johannesburg. I rise today on behalf of the Economic Freedom Fighters to address this house on the issues that touches the uh the very core of our societal well-being,"},{"start":5531,"end":5559,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"our public health and economic survival of our people. We are here to deliberate on the acceptance of the R35 170 000 HIV and Aids conditional grant from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury for 2026-2027 financial year. The EFF recommends the unconditional uh unconditional approval of this grant. We do so because it is addressed"},{"start":5559,"end":5586,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"um to critical um crisis ravaging our communities, the burden of the disease of the disease and then um catastrophe of the youth unemployed um unemployment. As the EFF we are we have always maintained the progressive healthcare system must be prioritized prevention over uh the progressive um"},{"start":5586,"end":5612,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"what is this? Um the healthcare system must prioritize prevention over cure. We must fight the disease at the gate of our communities before they overwhelm our under resourced clinics. Um it is for this reason that we strongly uh champion the structure of this grant which directs a massive 70% of the funds strictly to the ward-based door-to-door education programme."},{"start":5612,"end":5640,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"R26. uh R24.6 million of this grant will go straight to our communities through the Jozi Ihlomile programme. This means that our fieldworkers will be walking into the streets of our most deprived wards educating our households and protecting our youth through proactive um combination HIV/Aids prevention. Prevention is our primary shield and the EFF strongly firmly"},{"start":5640,"end":5669,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"yeah, the EFF strongly firmly uh this grant has no job creation. This initiative does not deliver health education. It delivers livelihoods livelihoods of it's certain implement of 692 EPWPs fieldworkers across Johannesburg, consisting of 588 educators, 95 wards team leaders and nine data coordinators."},{"start":5669,"end":5696,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Crucially this programme explicitly targets our youth. In this city where our youth our youth uh people are suffocated by jobless, this grant provides dignified stipends, training and employment. The EFF demands the these 694 jobs to protect and we want to see even more local youth integrated in municipal programmes. To the"},{"start":5696,"end":5727,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"marginalized residents of South of Johannesburg, those living in informal settlements and forgotten townships, look at what is fighting for you or look at what is fighting for you. As we approach the local government election we remind you to go and vote for the EFF. Only The only party that will with political um with political to with political will to transform your material condition and deliver your dignified services."},{"start":5727,"end":5749,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And um through you, Councillor uh Speaker, uh Councillor Mkhonza, I think you you must also attend the HSD committee because the reports that you want they were sent to the HSD committee. So, for you to get the report you must come to the HSD committee and then you will get the report. I thank you, Speaker."},{"start":5749,"end":5758,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Motupi from the African National Congress."},{"start":5758,"end":5762,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Honourable Speaker, I stand on behalf of Motupi."},{"start":5762,"end":5763,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, that's speaking to the mic please, Ma'am."},{"start":5763,"end":5786,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Honourable Speaker, Executive Mayor and Deputy Executive Mayor, members of the Mayoral Committee, councillors, guests of the gallery and the most important residents of the City of Johannesburg, I rise to speak on item 36."},{"start":5786,"end":5818,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The African National Congress recognizes the importance of the Jozi Ihlomile programme and extends its gratitude to all the dedicated individuals who are part and parcel in the fight against HIV/Aids. We welcome the acceptance of the R35.178 million HIV/Aids conditional grant, which will enable the city to continue its ward-based door-to-door"},{"start":5818,"end":5848,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"HIV education programme, strengthens the Aids Council coordination and expand access to critical health and social support services, particularly for young people and vulnerable communities. The programme has already demonstrated its value through the work of the hundreds of fieldworkers across all across our regions, reaching households with education,"},{"start":5848,"end":5877,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"referrals and support that contributes to reduce new HIV infection improving improving community well-being. Furthermore, its initiative creates much needed employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme, while advancing the goal of the national strategic plan for HIV, TB and STIs. We as an ANC"},{"start":5877,"end":5882,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"note and approve the report. I thank you, Speaker."},{"start":5882,"end":5895,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, Councillor. MMC Makhafola."},{"start":5895,"end":5895,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Your mic."},{"start":5895,"end":5925,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Oh, thank you so much Speaker. Um greetings to the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Deputy Executive Mayor, fellow MMCs, councillors, the guests in the gallery and most importantly the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, I stand to speak on the item 36, the acceptance of the HIV conditional grant from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury to implement the HIV and Aids door-to-door HIV education programme and Aids Council coordination"},{"start":5925,"end":5955,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"for the 2026-2027 financial year. Speaker, this report um we request approval to accept it um the R35.178 million um conditional grant from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury. The funding obviously is um uh uh provided to us to support the continuation of the Jozi Ihlomile door-to-door HIV and Aids um education programme and HIV and Aids Council"},{"start":5955,"end":5984,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"coordination. The grant has been allocated, Speaker, to the city to continue the Jozi Ihlomile programme, which provides the community with education on HIV, TB, as well as STIs, with a focus on young people, vulnerable communities. So, the residents requiring assistance therefore Speaker, from the door-to-door are referred to relevant health and social services. The main objective of this grant Speaker, is to ensure that we reduce the new infections, we improve access to health"},{"start":5984,"end":6014,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and social services through education and referral, and also strengthening communities and ward structures in responding to HIV, TB, as well as STIs. The programme was implemented Speaker, across the seven regions, 74 wards and 100 sites, um Councillor Mkhonza, and the report does um explain that in detail with 692 fieldworkers working in this current financial year. So, the fieldworkers Speaker,"},{"start":6014,"end":6042,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"conduct door-to-door education and also refer residents who require assistance to relevant services. For this financial year 2026-2027, the programme will also continue with ward campaigns, as well as regional multi-sectoral Aids Council meetings. So Speaker, speaking on this programme, so the programme has exceeded both of its main targets in 2025 and 2026, a total of 1.149 404 households"},{"start":6042,"end":6073,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"were reached against the target of one thou- 1 082 uh 400 achieving 106%. In addition, 300 and 3 659 um 233 households or people were educated against a target of 3 247 000, achieving a tar- achieving uh 1. 111% instead. So this, um Councillor Mkhonza,"},{"start":6073,"end":6102,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"demonstrates the strong reach and impact of the Jozi Ihlomile programme. So, for this financial year the Provincial Trea- uh Treasury target that was given to us is to ensure that we reach 3 295 705 people um in one thou- in 1 098 632 households. So, I want to just address a few issues that were raised by the councillors, Speaker. Um on the issue of Councillor Mposula, Zola Clinic"},{"start":6102,"end":6113,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"um we heard the concerns that were raised, but please note that um Zola Clinic is not um a municipal clinic, it is a provincial clinic. We have raised um the issues as well. We are getting them from the residents and we continue."},{"start":6113,"end":6144,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"MMC, just hold on. MMC, just hold on. MMC, MMC, just hold on. Councillor Mposula, you had your chance to speak, right? Colleagues, can you keep quiet? You had your chance to speak. The MMC is responding to everybody, so can you please keep quiet? Thank you, MMC. Can you continue?"},{"start":6144,"end":6167,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker. As I was saying, Zola Clinic is not our um local government clinic, it is a provincial clinic. We will uh continue to escalate the issue, but please do not blame us for services that we are they are really out of our control. Just to say Speaker, HIV and Aids is not a health matter, it is a community matter and all of us are affected if not infected. Thank you so much."},{"start":6167,"end":6192,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much, MMC. This This was item 36. Colleagues, if you want to I can allow you to have your discussion,"},{"start":6192,"end":6223,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but it means we stay longer. Councillor, the recommendations are on pages 36.5. Is the item agreed to? Thank you so much. I want us to check the quorum, please, because there are councillors that has left, so we must please do that."},{"start":6223,"end":6265,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And that doesn't"},{"start":6265,"end":6354,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Stop the bell."},{"start":6354,"end":6391,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Ayi, ayi, ayi, ayi. Ayi. No, no, no, no, no. Ayi, ayi, ayi, ayi. We are counting and you are walking in. Are you guys really serious, colleagues?"},{"start":6391,"end":6428,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"If you don't make a noise, you don't sit down ai no, all of uh all of you, all of us. There are others walking there and they are strolling like the malls. No, no, no, not the MMC. There's others walking. They are walking in the mall. Okay. How far are we with the counting? You added those that walked in?"},{"start":6428,"end":6535,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"There's an EFF councillor standing and window shopping. He's busy shopping and checking what he needs to buy. Ai. No, no, no. There's a time for everything."},{"start":6535,"end":6549,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, let's go to the next item. We have 151. Let's move. There's no lunch, especially not for you."},{"start":6549,"end":6560,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh councillors, we are now on item 39, which is the secondment request for vacant senior management manager positions."},{"start":6560,"end":6569,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Foley of the DA."},{"start":6569,"end":6600,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Speaker. I rise on item 39, the secondment request for vacant senior management positions. Right. The Democratic Alliance requests that the persons chosen for the HODs Public Safety and Executive Director Human Resource Settlements Human Settlements, sorry, are based on merit, capability, experience and qualifications, and not on the buddy-cader system that seems to be the norm in the City of Joburg,"},{"start":6600,"end":6630,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"jailed that even if a person is under such scrutiny and a risk to the City of Joburg, even after the Premier suspended him is now going to be appointed as the Head of Department of Public Safety. The councillors that voted yes for this item to be passed will be held accountable accordingly. A Public Safety Head of Department should be an experienced leader with a strong background in law enforcement, emergency management or public administration. Key"},{"start":6630,"end":6636,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Key qualities are: crisis management, must handle emergencies, natural disasters and public threats."},{"start":6636,"end":6642,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Mathebula, sorry Councillor Foley, please. Thank you, Councillor Foley."},{"start":6642,"end":6671,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh okay. And public threats calmly and quickly. Community trust, needs strong communication skills to build positive relationships with diverse neighbourhoods. Administrative skill, must manage large budgets, staffing and complex city or regional operations. Collaboration, should work well with local government, health agencies, provincial and national government. Some of his core responsibilities should be:"},{"start":6671,"end":6701,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"overseeing services, managing the Metro Police, Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Services, EMS, and disaster response. Policy making, create rules that keep communities safe while protecting civil rights. Resource planning, make sure that first responders have proper training, equipment and mental health support. Speaker, the Democratic Alliance notes the report, but recommends that no recruitment appointments should be made until after the elections mid-November 2026"},{"start":6701,"end":6709,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"when there will be a new DA government and administration in place. I thank you."},{"start":6709,"end":6714,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Foley. Action SA, Councillor Mabele,"},{"start":6714,"end":6742,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Um I've I've I've worked well with many of you councillors. Uh I've met um I have had established a great relationship with some of you. One which is Mr. Harris, we he has yeah, and I really appreciate I am so grateful to have met you uh and many of you colleagues. And I'm saying this, Madam Speaker, because"},{"start":6742,"end":6771,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"uh as an African National Congress I was afforded an opportunity to finish my term. I know in other uh political organizations you are given a certain you know period and and and and therefore they recall you, but I'm so grateful that the ANC has not done that. Now coming coming coming on the business of the day, uh Madam Speaker,"},{"start":6771,"end":6788,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"uh I don't know how much time is left, but I won't be long. Um yeah. Madam Speaker, uh Okay. Can I continue, colleagues?"},{"start":6788,"end":6791,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Ndema, your time is running."},{"start":6791,"end":6821,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yes, Ma'am. Uh this item, Ma- Madam Speaker, is about strengthening the city's senior management capacity. Out of 12 senior manager positions, 20 are filled, while two remain vacant: Public Safety and Human Settlement. The report proposes lawful secondment arrangements,"},{"start":6821,"end":6852,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"while the recruitment processes are completed. We must support this because Johannesburg cannot afford leadership gaps in departments that directly affects our residents. The report also confirms that the recruitment of the Head of Public Safety is underway, while Human Settlement is affected by ongoing"},{"start":6852,"end":6884,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"uh litigations. But let us also be honest about oh ok- okay let me just uh jump this one uh and say uh and to our GNU partners, we say this respectfully, partnership must not become an excuse for paralysis, where coalition uh uh politics slows down service delivery."},{"start":6884,"end":6915,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The residents are the ones who suffer. The ANC understands that governing Johannesburg is not about winning arguments in this chamber, it is about making the machinery of government work, filling critical posts, strengthening administration, and ultimately delivering for residents."},{"start":6915,"end":6947,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Therefore, as an African National Congress we support this item because Johannesburg needs fuc- functional administration, not opposition partners permanently complaining instead of governing. Uh with with uh the last words that I want to uh put across, Madam Speaker, is that as an African National Congress we we support uh this item."},{"start":6947,"end":6951,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so very much."},{"start":6951,"end":6960,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor. Um MMC Masuku."},{"start":6960,"end":6969,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much, Speaker. The comments are noted from the councillors. We ask Council to approve the report."},{"start":6969,"end":6986,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much. Um the recommendations on page 39.8. Is the item agreed to? Thank you so much. Next item. Yes, Ma'am?"},{"start":6986,"end":7008,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Madam Speaker, in light of the request by the EFF to leave uh just after 03:00 and the Democratic Alliance, from the side of the executive we are requesting that we process item 41, then uh the legislature can then uh move up their items. So, as long as we do item 41 then we are fine. The rest you can decide when we do them again."},{"start":7008,"end":7014,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. Um Chair of Chairs."},{"start":7014,"end":7042,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you. Thank you very much uh once again, Speaker. On the legislature reports I I made a an error when I was elevating there by not um elevating item 29, which is very important uh for this council. Thank you very much. So, when we deal with legislature can we uh my request would then be that 29 then 46. Thank you."},{"start":7042,"end":7063,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. Can I then ask that we do this, that we go to item 41, if the executive is fine, and then we go to item 46, and then we do item What is it, uh Chair of Chairs?"},{"start":7063,"end":7066,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"29, 46."},{"start":7066,"end":7069,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. So, which one do you want first, 29 or 46?"},{"start":7069,"end":7071,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"29."},{"start":7071,"end":7087,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"So, it's 41, 29, 46. So, we are going to do that so in order that yeah, we we we we we yeah, we'll do that. Right. Can we do that? STC."},{"start":7087,"end":7097,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh we now on item 41, which is commencement of recruitment process for the position of Group Head: Group Strategy, Policy Coordination and Relations."},{"start":7097,"end":7107,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, we start with Councillor Foley. Uh-uh. Uh-uh. Who?"},{"start":7107,"end":7108,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Should I continue, Speaker?"},{"start":7108,"end":7115,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yes, you can continue, Councillor. It wasn't meant for you."},{"start":7115,"end":7147,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker, I rise on item 41, the commencement of recruitment process for the position of Group Head: Group Strategy, Policy Coordination and Relations. Um the position of Group Head: Group Strategy, Policy Coordination and Relations reporting directly to the City Manager will become vacant on the 1st of October 2026, following the resignation of the incumbent on the 12th of August 2026. The incumbent is serving a notice period until the 30th of September 2026. So, I just have a couple of questions."},{"start":7147,"end":7179,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Why is this pe- person leaving the city? What is the problem? Is this purging in any way? For a person that has been adding value according to his colleagues, has he found it impossible to work under this administration? There seems to be a plethora of new vacancies. Is this because you know that this administration is coming to an end? For the Democratic Alliance a fit-for-purpose capable person needs to be chosen with all the relevant credentials. When Helen Zille becomes the mayor of after the me-"},{"start":7179,"end":7205,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Foley, just hold on. Colleagues at the back, please. And those that are moving out, you move out on your feet. I've never seen someone move out on his mouth. Uh-uh, no."},{"start":7205,"end":7208,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Councillor Foley."},{"start":7208,"end":7238,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"No problem Speaker. So as I was saying when Helen Zille becomes the Mayor after the municipal elections on the 4th of November 2026 and this administration fades into the sunset a new dawn of professionalism will become the norm for the City of Joburg and then and only then will it become a world-class African city that works for all in it. Most particularly the ratepayers. Speaker, the Democratic Alliance notes this report that recommends that no recruitment appointment should be made until after the elections mid-November,"},{"start":7238,"end":7244,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"when there will be a new DA government and administration in place. So thank you."},{"start":7244,"end":7273,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Councillor Foley. Um Councillor Mabelebele is not here so we moving on. Councillor Nhlapho is not here so we moving on. I don't know if Councillor Nguze is still in the house? Councillor Nguze is not in the house. Where? Okay, come Councillor Nguze."},{"start":7273,"end":7276,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Apologies you are just as short as me at the back."},{"start":7276,"end":7304,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Not exactly Speaker. Thank you Speaker. Look Speaker, I think it is not surprising uh why uh the previous speaker is positional about the City not starting with the comment uh with the recruitment process. Uh clearly they want their cadres. Uh but unfortunately when other parties are always objecting"},{"start":7304,"end":7334,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"or frankly speaking about cadre deployment, they they are always objecting. But we understand, unfortunately, we commence with the recruitment because your cadres will still be in Cape Town. So for now, allow us Speaker to to commence with the recruitment. Our position as African National Congress is the position provides strategic leadership, coordination, accountability and continuity within the organisation. The position ensures that different departments"},{"start":7334,"end":7360,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"within the City work towards the municipality's broader strategic objectives rather than operating in isolation. This is a very crucial, crucial strategic position, policy development are vital for the City. It is for that reason that the African National Congress is in support that the City must commence with the recruitment of this position. I thank you."},{"start":7360,"end":7365,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much Councillor Nguze. Leader of Executive Business."},{"start":7365,"end":7396,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you once again Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, government cannot stop operating because we are going into elections. Um recruitment is part and parcel of the process of ensuring we have a stable environment in the City. Pro um um uh Section 56 employees are professionals are professionals who are recruited by the City and um they are not attached to any political term."},{"start":7396,"end":7425,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"They are officials who come with their professionals, they uh standing, they come with their experience and therefore we must allow that process to be undertaken. Secondly, Madam Speaker, we would like to take this opportunity to take this opportunity to thank um the Head of Strategy um Zeid and we wish him well in his uh uh future endeavours. He has been with the City for 18 years, four months and as he spreads his wings to greener pastures."},{"start":7425,"end":7458,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And we do certainly wish you all the best. You have been an asset to the City of Johannesburg. You have actually contributed um to putting Joburg in the at the level of strategy. We commend you and your efforts on the GDS 2040, which was a groundbreaking um uh uh lodestar, which took the City of Joburg to greater heights and actually um um laid the foundation for other municipalities to actually be coming up with their uh strategies for 2030."},{"start":7458,"end":7486,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Want to thank you for the work that you have been doing as it relates to the ABC's of the CBP. You enforced that work and you made sure that the City of Johannesburg implements the community-based planning. You assisted us very much in the work of the IDP processes, including the reports that we just did now on the process plan. That's what we expect from officials, officials who support and lead uh with distinction. Um"},{"start":7486,"end":7515,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Zeid has led this municipality at the level of the Group Head, even during the days of uh different uh administrations. Um under Herman Mashaba he was here, are the erstwhile accidental mayor. Under Dr Mpho Phalatse he was here, and never has he once compromised never has he once compromised the work of the City, because that's what professionals do. Professionals serve the government of the day."},{"start":7515,"end":7526,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And we wish you well and we want to thank you for serving Johannesburg with pride. We ask council to allow this report. Thank you Speaker."},{"start":7526,"end":7538,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much MMC. Yeah we are crying today. The recommendations on pages 41.5 to 41.6, is the item agreed to?"},{"start":7538,"end":7539,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Agreed."},{"start":7539,"end":7544,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much. STC."},{"start":7544,"end":7553,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Item 29 is a motivation that council recover or certify as irrecoverable or regularise irregular expenditure for August 2026."},{"start":7553,"end":7566,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, let's go there. Let's get the speakers. Hey, this up and down."},{"start":7566,"end":7599,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yo! Where's item 29? Okay, there we go. Uh who's going to present to us as the acting member in charge as I don't see the Chair of MPAC?"},{"start":7599,"end":7608,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Chair of Chairs, can you present it to us?"},{"start":7608,"end":7628,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Oh yeah, no no no in terms of the rules, sorry. It must be a member. Any member from any side. Councillor Mazibuko. Yes. Thank you."},{"start":7628,"end":7644,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"No thank you Speaker. Um I rise on behalf of legislature to present item 29, motivation that council recover or certify as irrecoverable and regularise expenditure. Thank you Speaker."},{"start":7644,"end":7652,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much. Councillor Harris."},{"start":7652,"end":7683,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Madam Speaker, I rise to speak to item 29, the motivation that council recover or certify as irrecoverable and regularise irregular expenditure for August 2026. The Municipal Public Accounts Committee is tasked by its terms of reference and in terms of the MFMA with investigating all unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure. After investigating its expenditure, MPAC"},{"start":7683,"end":7714,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"must provide motivation to the council in terms of the municipal budget and reporting regulations. While the law allows for this regularisation through investigation thorough investigation has to be conducted. Steps must be taken to recover the money or institute consequence management against a responsible official or officials. With due respect to the Section 79 committee, these reports are exceedingly vague on who was responsible and the steps taken against these persons."},{"start":7714,"end":7742,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"As good stewards of the public purse, must we be content to read that the information is available and I quote, \"While the UIFW expenditure is too numerous to detail within this report, the investigative reports and the minutes of the committee meetings may be made available for inspection,\" end quote. As a disciplined member of the ACDP, we cannot in good conscience agree"},{"start":7742,"end":7770,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"to this condonation. The background information must be made available as a matter of course, not by special request a day or two before the council sitting. The minutes must reflect that the ACDP notes the regulatory framework, but we do not agree with the manner in which the background information, the potential for recovery and consequence management are presented. This report is noted, thank you."},{"start":7770,"end":7776,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much Councillor Harris. Um"},{"start":7776,"end":7782,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Raadslid Boer."},{"start":7782,"end":7783,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Goeiemiddag Mevrou die Speaker."},{"start":7783,"end":7812,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Um yes I'm also rising on item 29. It's a report that comes to council on a regular basis and yes, we I commend MPAC for trying to catch up on all those years of irregular and wasteful expenditure and cleaning up our books in that instance. As was said by the previous speaker um the information is so vague um"},{"start":7812,"end":7844,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"that it is difficult to support this item. Um yes we have to write it off or try and recover and take disciplinary actions to the to the officials that were involved in awarding those contracts. Um and you might remember that I said in council a year or so ago especially on the attorney panel contract um that one of the attorneys sent said to me the City of Johannesburg has made him stinking rich um"},{"start":7844,"end":7879,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"because he was part of the panel. And in those things there must be consequences for the officials that that were involved in the rotation strategy framework to allocate this panel. And it seems to me it's also a panel of friends of the City and they are getting money for doing absolutely nothing. Um Madam Speaker, it's hard to to support this item, on the other hand, it is going back to 2010, 2011 it's 15 years ago. Um I cannot see that we can recover anything on those on those amounts."},{"start":7879,"end":7908,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Um I see on the recommendation there's a recommendation that the Group Legal and Contracts submit rotation strategy framework for the allocation of work to the panel of attorney. And I think, it says this report must be submitted to the committee within 30 days after adoption of this report by council. Um I think and this framework should come to council as well for approval because that that is an area where big money is lost in the City. Thank you Madam Speaker."},{"start":7908,"end":7911,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Baie dankie Raadslid Boer."},{"start":7911,"end":7928,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Suda Suderby from the Democratic Alliance. I forgot the other surname."},{"start":7928,"end":7958,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Not to worry Madam Speaker. We only have one surname at a time and at this point in time uh it is still Suderby. Thank you. Uh thank you Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. I rise to speak on item 29 uh motivation that council recover or certify as irrecoverable and regularise irregular expenditure for August 2026. Let me start with reminding this house"},{"start":7958,"end":7990,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"of the law that provides the foundation for the work of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee. And I quote, Municipal Financial Management Act Section 32 Subsection 2 and point B. A municipality must, not may, not should, must recover unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure from the person liable for that expenditure unless the expenditure in the case of irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure"},{"start":7990,"end":8003,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"is after investigation by a council committee certified by the council as irrecoverable and written off by council."},{"start":8003,"end":8032,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"This is a particularly good report with which to end this political term and many thanks go to the National Treasury for hearing the concerns of the committee over the last five years and adding their weight to the situation to bring this result to bear. Had there been no threat to receiving the equitable share due to the huge amount of old outstanding matters, which still go as far back as 2010, these matters on the table today are very likely to have been served to the committee."},{"start":8032,"end":8063,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Had Circular 68 not been changed to categorically state who must sign the affidavits to explain their documentation cannot be found and what the content of those affidavits must attest to, so much more UIFW could have been condoned. Under protest, I must add. And had Circular 68 not put a time limit to when affidavits regarding missing documentation can be accepted, the next two or three political terms would continue to be fraught"},{"start":8063,"end":8096,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"with this set of circumstances. Because Madam Speaker, this administration does not does nothing because it's the right thing to do. There's a definition for that. Lack of integrity, lack of ethics and lack of morals. If it's not in law or a circular or a regulation, this administration simply does not do it. Whatever it is. No self-declared UIFW investigation report"},{"start":8096,"end":8126,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"has ever landed in MPAC. The attitude seems very much to be that if the AG doesn't find it, it never happened. The law is not seen as the absolute minimum standard, the lowest bar of achievement possible. It is seen as that's all I ever have to do. Matters have sat, and let's be honest, are still sitting at both GFIS and GRAS for more than a decade"},{"start":8126,"end":8157,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"waiting to be investigated. In the hopes that lost documentation will suffice for an irregularity to be condoned. Completed investigations have sat at a desk somewhere in the City for more than a decade expecting that resignations would obviate accountability. Since the implementation of the amended Circular 68 on the 1st of April 2026 and after the committee returned investigations"},{"start":8157,"end":8190,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"with questionable, if not outright fraudulent affidavits, none of those investigations have yet been returned to the committee. What absolutely has flabbergasted in these last weeks, even after the implementation of the amended Circular 68 redefining financial loss to include value for money, the committee receives investigation results recommending condonation of the irregular expenditure."},{"start":8190,"end":8221,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"On the basis of services and goods have been delivered, which in itself in some cases is questionable. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that the items included in this report were only made available in order to achieve yet another of National Treasury's requirements, that of substantially reducing historical UIFW. And substantially reducing the historical amounts is indeed taking place today, but not as the condonation"},{"start":8221,"end":8251,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"as recommended by the administration's lackeys, but for referral to the disciplinary board for investigation into the possibility of financial mismanagement, for the laying of criminal charges at SAPS where necessary and for recovery. Let's rest assured, in as little as three months time, under a DA government with Helen Zille at the helm, the picture will be very different. Under a DA government, the lack of documentation"},{"start":8251,"end":8281,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"will not result in no recovery. Besides which, UIFW matters won't languish, they will be investigated and dealt with immediately. Under a DA government, self-declared UIFW will consistently be investigated in year. UIFW that the AG identifies that has not been self-declared will be cause for severe discomfort. And under a DA government, value for money will be a key factor in determining"},{"start":8281,"end":8310,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"recovery of mismanaged funds, and the investigating arms of this administration should read this memo. Under a DA government, no longer being in the employ of the City will not qualify as a get out of jail free card. The Democratic Alliance welcomes the recovery of R2.2 billion from the persons liable for incurring irregular expenditure, and we look forward to hearing from the disciplinary"},{"start":8310,"end":8320,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"board and SAPS regarding further consequences for treating the residents' money with such cavalier disdain. I thank you."},{"start":8320,"end":8334,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Councillor. Um Councillor Modukanene."},{"start":8334,"end":8338,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Please switch on your mic."},{"start":8338,"end":8348,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Speaker. Executive Mayor in absentia, Members of the Mayoral Committee, fellow councillors, residents of the City of Johannesburg,"},{"start":8348,"end":8353,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"st","text":"dumelang."},{"start":8353,"end":8382,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker, today this council is confronted with a number that should make all of us uncomfortable. R2.2 billion. That is the amount of irregular expenditure that MPAC recommends must be recovered from liable officials. A further R420.1 million is recommended to be certified as irrecoverable and regularised. Speaker, this is public money."},{"start":8382,"end":8415,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It is money that belongs to the residents of Johannesburg, residents who are constantly told that there is not enough money to maintain infrastructure, repair roads, keep the lights on, fix water infrastructure and deliver the basic services they pay for. That is why we must make one thing very clear, regularisation is not absolution. The MFMA itself recognises that writing off irregular expenditure is subordinate to recovery. Speaker,"},{"start":8415,"end":8447,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we cannot pretend that this is only an administrative problem. There is political accountability too. The ANC-led coalition cannot repeatedly tell Johannesburg that there is no money while billions of rands in irregular expenditure sit on the books of the City. And the coalition partners who keep this administration in power cannot escape responsibility either. You cannot enjoy the positions the MMC portfolios"},{"start":8447,"end":8480,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and the political power that comes with being part of government and then become an innocent bystander when that government fails. If you keep a government in power, you must account for the government you keep in power. Speaker, the problem in Johannesburg is no longer that we do not know what is wrong. We know. We have investigated, we have audited, we have produced reports. What has been missing far too often is consequence management. That is why MPAC's recommendation that these matters be referred to the disciplinary"},{"start":8480,"end":8514,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"board within 30 days is important. Equally important is the recommendation requiring the chairperson of the board to come back to MPAC within 30 days and account for matters previously referred to it. Because Speaker, we cannot keep referring matters into a black hole. Where officials are liable, recover the money. Where there is financial misconduct, discipline those responsible. And where there is evidence of criminality, the law must take its course. That is how we begin"},{"start":8514,"end":8545,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"that is how we begin rebuilding a culture of accountability in Johannesburg. But Speaker, accountability does not end with officials. Political leadership must account as well. And very soon that accountability will not happen in MPAC, it will happen at the ballot box. Because the ANC and its coalition partners will soon have to go back to the very residents living with the consequences of the City's decline and ask them for another five years. And ActionSA will be standing"},{"start":8545,"end":8579,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"in those same communities saying, you do not have to accept this. You do not have to accept a Johannesburg where failing infrastructure has become normal. You do not have to accept a government that has always had an explanation for failure, but never seems to have consequences for it. You can change the government. And let me say this particularly to the coalition partners who may suddenly discover their opposition credentials when campaign season gets uncomfortable, you cannot campaign as the opposition to a government that you helped keep in power."},{"start":8579,"end":8589,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The record belongs to all of you. Speaker, ActionSA is going into this election with a very simple proposition. Give us the opportunity to govern Johannesburg."},{"start":8589,"end":8590,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"You have 40 seconds left."},{"start":8590,"end":8631,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Judge us on whether we protect public money. We are prepared to govern. So to the ANC and coalition who keep this administration in office, enjoy the protection of your numbers in the chamber while you still have them. Because ultimately Speaker, the most powerful oversight committee is not MPAC, it's the electorate. And when Johannesburg goes to the polls, residents will have an opportunity to deliver their own consequence management. ActionSA is ready to govern Johannesburg. ActionSA supports the recommendation."},{"start":8631,"end":8647,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Kayserane is not here. Councillor Mazibuko, you have to close. Yes. But you are also on the speaking list. This is my dilemma, Speaker."},{"start":8647,"end":8680,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"So please close. Without this support. Okay, no let me close Speaker. Um firstly let's recognise the work that has been done by the MPAC committee, the commitments that they've been giving us. We've been meeting quite regularly, even during um recess. And thank you to the commitment and thank you to the Chair and thank you to the supporting team. And thank you to the CM and his team for always being available. And to you Speaker as well, for always being available"},{"start":8680,"end":8707,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"to attend MPAC meetings. Um yes we observe that the we observe the comments and note that the reports might not be as detailed. However, it is through a through constant meetings as MPAC that we have found ourselves in this position. And we ask then council to approve um item 29. Thank you Speaker."},{"start":8707,"end":8727,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much acting Chair in charge. Um the recommendations on page 29.3, is the item agreed to? Secretary to Council, next item. Councillor Smith."},{"start":8727,"end":8744,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you. There's a H on the end of the Smit. Thank you. No problem. Um can we just check quorum? I think we are out of quorum at the moment, thanks."},{"start":8744,"end":8779,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, we'll check quorum, but I was going to say after item 41 46 that we we finish with item 46 and then we are going to close the meeting. And then I was going to call the Whippery to ask that we convene another meeting in September, whether it is virtual"},{"start":8779,"end":8807,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"or whether it's one-on-one. Councillor Belinda, I can't help it. Um that is how it rolled today. Um can we check quorum quickly? And please be seated, don't move. Don't even go to your neighbour."},{"start":8807,"end":8861,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"In actual fact, we can't also complain because there's a directive from SALGA that we're supposed to carry on. Yeah, so we can't even complain. And Councillor Belinda knows it because she's going to do SALGA work over the weekend."},{"start":8861,"end":8893,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"I counted. I've asked for us to remain on our seats, but some of us just don't listen. So it doesn't allow us to count properly. And it's always the usual suspects."},{"start":8893,"end":8915,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Is that councillors outside there? Jesus Christ. Just count the two of them that are also there outside, ne?"},{"start":8915,"end":8950,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Mm. Councillor Ngcina don't"},{"start":8950,"end":9105,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Karolia, can you take your seat?"},{"start":9105,"end":9112,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Colleagues we are still quorating we are 138"},{"start":9112,"end":9121,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and maybe we must continue with two more items."},{"start":9121,"end":9150,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh councilors we are on item 46 and that is a Councilor Funeral Support Policy for the City of Johannesburg."},{"start":9150,"end":9157,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay sorry colleagues, eish you people"},{"start":9157,"end":9167,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"um item 29 was not approved. We did. We did."},{"start":9167,"end":9171,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The recommendations on page 29.3 is the item agreed to?"},{"start":9171,"end":9173,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Agreed."},{"start":9173,"end":9189,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you. Item 46 was already read into record. Councilor Nokubungu can you please table the item?"},{"start":9189,"end":9191,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"Nkubungu?"},{"start":9191,"end":9195,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Greetings speaker."},{"start":9195,"end":9213,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"I blame the STC sitting next to you. You should be able to pronounce it by now. But nonetheless I stand to table this item. Item 46 on the Councilor Funeral Policy."},{"start":9213,"end":9234,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker it has been a while and I believe that after the Alderman Policy it is ideal that we finally bring this item into council. We must all understand that this is a very very sensitive matter. We've lost many of our councilors after we rescinded that policy."},{"start":9234,"end":9260,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And there was a lot of work that was put in place to make sure that we have a policy that will not contradict the MFMA and it is critical that as we close this term of office we have an existing funeral policy that is aligned to all government legislations and it's not in contradiction with the MFMA. So I'm I'm rising here on behalf of our councilors"},{"start":9260,"end":9262,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Hold on Councilor."},{"start":9262,"end":9268,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Raadslid Boer, Raadslid De Lange en Raadslid Smit asseblief."},{"start":9268,"end":9271,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Councilor."},{"start":9271,"end":9273,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Minority."},{"start":9273,"end":9288,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Speaker. Uh this this policy is a very very sensitive matter to many of us because uh dignity in our funerals as councilor means a lot to most of us. And if there are councilors who don't see the significance of this policy it is a shame."},{"start":9288,"end":9303,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"But I stand here thinking of the former chair of the Rules Committee who left us in this earth crying for this policy to be implemented. She must be proud wherever she is although it never served her on her last days."},{"start":9303,"end":9329,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"But now as councilors who remain here it is a very very very profound day to say the policy is coming to council now and a lot of work was put in place. Legislation worked very hard on this policy and I'm hoping that the council will look into the matter, debate the matter and we will leave here with an existing funeral policy. I hereby table the matter uh Speaker. Thank you."},{"start":9329,"end":9337,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Councilor in charge. Councilor Chris"},{"start":9337,"end":9339,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councilor De Lange."},{"start":9339,"end":9342,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Na die lawaai."},{"start":9342,"end":9354,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Madam Speaker I really don't know how to take this. As we have bestowed aldermanship on this day we're also passing the funeral policy. Thank you Madam Speaker."},{"start":9354,"end":9356,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"uh nee nee nee dit kan nie so wees nie."},{"start":9356,"end":9366,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councilor Christians."},{"start":9366,"end":9373,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker seeing that I'm the only speaker on this item"},{"start":9373,"end":9374,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"No you not, there's others."},{"start":9374,"end":9381,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh uh they're not in the house. They've already left. Madam Speaker"},{"start":9381,"end":9398,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we dealt with this policy in the committee this week. We were told we'll get a get it and we'll be able to discuss it just before it came through, but it went straight through to council. So it didn't give us an opportunity to ask the relevant questions."},{"start":9398,"end":9406,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And this policy has been delayed over and over again and as Councilor Nkubungu said"},{"start":9406,"end":9418,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"a lot of councilors has passed away. And they weren't afforded a burial that previous ones had uh ones had when they were in this council."},{"start":9418,"end":9430,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The dignity provided to those councilors compared to the ones after the rescission of this policy is chalk and cheese. But the rescission is what we should be discussing."},{"start":9430,"end":9444,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It was done because there is no dignity in being buried with funds that the MFMA said we should not have."},{"start":9444,"end":9459,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"If you look at this policy Madam Speaker, the report says from from legal's side that we"},{"start":9459,"end":9465,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the legal implications, the policy complies with applicable municipal policies and guidelines."},{"start":9465,"end":9488,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yet in the meeting there were contradicting views from legal that funds from departments are still funds of the city even though it doesn't come from the legislature."},{"start":9488,"end":9501,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And this is this is of concern to me because if it is that means we haven't yet corrected the part of the MFMA which says there should not be additional benefits to councilors outside what is being given to them."},{"start":9501,"end":9520,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And we haven't been given that surety because now it seems that legal wants to comply with what they've been told rather than what the legislation says. And if that is the case Madam Speaker then there is no dignity in being buried with this funeral policy"},{"start":9520,"end":9547,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"because we are doing it for ourselves. We not doing it for the benefit of the residents. So I'm not too sure whether Councilor Nkubungu has been briefed on that aspect. But if he he cannot give us an answer we cannot support this policy because it's because of the Democratic Alliance that we had to rescind the previous one because it was illegal. I thank you."},{"start":9547,"end":9560,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Councilor. You are not the only one. We have Councilor Zigebe in the here. Councilor, let me just check, EFF Mokoena is here?"},{"start":9560,"end":9562,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can I have the EFF to speak on it?"},{"start":9562,"end":9572,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you very much Speaker, we're here um to to speak."},{"start":9572,"end":9600,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Um as we wrap up the Women's Month we also celebrate the birthday of our Chief Whip uh Councilor Thabisa Mohapi, a woman of courage, a woman of strength, and a principled leadership. Chief Whip you may continue may you please continue to inspire and lead with distinction."},{"start":9600,"end":9615,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Happy birthday and happy Women's Month. Speaker the EFF rises in support of item 46 because this item is fundamentally about dignity and humanity and responsibility. When a councilor dies"},{"start":9615,"end":9633,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"we are not only losing a political representative we are losing a mother, a father, a brother, and a sister, a colleague, and a member of our communities. The family left behind deserve dignity during one of the most painful moment of their lives."},{"start":9633,"end":9658,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker the importance of this policy is that it creates a clear and consistent framework instead of leaving funeral assistance to discretion or a political favor. The city itself explained that the previous civic funeral policy was found legally noncompliant with Section 167 of the MFMA and was consequently rescinded in November 2024."},{"start":9658,"end":9690,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"This new policy is therefore an attempt to close that gap and establish a structured system for assistance to families of deceased serving uh councilors. Speaker ordinary people, our people understand this principle very well. When somebody dies you do not abandon the family simply because the person happens to hold public office. We must have rules that allow the city to respond with humanity while protecting public resources."},{"start":9690,"end":9720,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We are we also welcome the fact that the policy involves several relevant uh city departments including City Parks and Zoo, Community Development, and JMPD. But our support must also come with responsibility. The National Treasury has made it clear that councilor funeral benefits must remain within the legal framework governing councilor's remuneration and benefits and it has specifically warned municipalities against using MFMA Section 67 to fund councilor's funeral costs."},{"start":9720,"end":9740,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Therefore supporting this uh policy does not mean giving councilors an unlimited powers or authority. It means supporting a properly controlled framework framework subject to the law, proper financial controls, and equal treatment of all councilors. The EFF believes that the the public representatives must be treated with dignity"},{"start":9740,"end":9741,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker?"},{"start":9741,"end":9745,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but public money must also be treated with discipline."},{"start":9745,"end":9750,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can you just hold on Councilor? Councilor Mabuke."},{"start":9750,"end":9767,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thanks Speaker. There is a man there who just stands and faces us moving from one direction to another. Just check who is he."},{"start":9767,"end":9774,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It's a media person."},{"start":9774,"end":9781,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Are you talking about the tall one?"},{"start":9781,"end":9788,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, okay, okay. We get it. We get it. We got it."},{"start":9788,"end":9795,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We got it, Frans."},{"start":9795,"end":9799,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay you can carry on Councilor."},{"start":9799,"end":9817,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you uh Speaker. The EFF believes that public representatives must be treated with dignity, but public money must also be treated with discipline. We therefore support item 46 and call on the administration to implement this transparently, consistently, and strictly within the law."},{"start":9817,"end":9830,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Let us uh remember leadership is about serving people in life, but humanity requires us to honor people with dignity. Uh Speaker let me uh be clear."},{"start":9830,"end":9841,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The those who have appointed themselves prophets of what will happen on the 4th of November 2026 must remember that elections are decided by people not some political prophet."},{"start":9841,"end":9843,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"You have 30 seconds."},{"start":9843,"end":9864,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"On that day the majority will reclaim the right to preside over the affairs of Johannesburg not a minority determined to protect the economic legacy of apartheid. The future of Johannesburg belongs to its people and the EFF is ready to lead the struggle of our people. I thank you."},{"start":9864,"end":9868,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Councilor."},{"start":9868,"end":9873,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councilor Zigebe."},{"start":9873,"end":9883,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh before you go, Councilor Mabuke, it's a journalist. He's a journalist and he has been given accreditation."},{"start":9883,"end":9887,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"He is sitting now. Councilor Zigebe."},{"start":9887,"end":9892,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Madam Speaker how an institution honors those who served it in life reveals something of its own humanity"},{"start":9892,"end":9903,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Just hold on Councilor Zigebe. Can the Councilor that just spoke switch off his mic?"},{"start":9903,"end":9908,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councilor Zigebe can you speak?"},{"start":9908,"end":9916,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Who's Councilor Mabunda? Your mic is on, switch it off please. Thank you Councilor Zigebe you can carry on."},{"start":9916,"end":9940,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"How an institution honors those who served it in life reveals something of its own humanity when they die. A councilor is not merely a name on a party list. A councilor carries the burdens of communities and remains accountable to residents until the last day of service. When a serving councilor passes away the city has a responsibility to respond with dignity, consistency, and respect for the bereaved family."},{"start":9940,"end":9960,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"This policy fulfills that responsibility. It closes a gap created when the former civic funeral policy was rescinded and establishes a lawful, transparent, and uniform framework for memorial and bereavement support. It ensures that every serving councilor is treated with equal dignity regardless of party position or political influence."},{"start":9960,"end":9985,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We welcome its practical approach. The city will coordinate a council contribute uh coordinate a council, contribute and facilitate venue, burial, ceremonial, and public safety support through existing departments and entities. These are measured forms of institutional solidarity not personal enrichment. The policy also demonstrates responsible government."},{"start":9985,"end":10008,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Support must be provided through existing mandates, approved tariffs, lawful waivers, and proper delegations. Every contribution must be recorded, assigned its full monetary value, and disclosed in the city's annual financial statements. In this way compassion and accountability reinforce one another. As we implement the policy the administration should harmonize its title."},{"start":10008,"end":10036,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Correct the MFMA reference to Act 56 of 2023 of 2003 rather and align the cross-reference in Clause 11.1. The cover report should recognize that waived tariffs and municipal resources carry a value that must be recorded. These refinements strengthen an already sound policy. The family must remain central, its culture, faith, and burial preferences must guide the city's participation."},{"start":10036,"end":10059,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Where burial occurs outside Johannesburg the administration should clarify which support can lawfully follow the families beyond the city's jurisdiction. Speaker this is how a mature institution governs. It plans before the tragedy, applies one standard to all, and ensures that grief is met with order, compassion, and respect. The UDM fully supports the Councilor Funeral Support Policy and commends the Rules Committee"},{"start":10059,"end":10061,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"40 seconds left."},{"start":10061,"end":10085,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and the legislature for bringing forward a framework that honors public service while protecting the integrity of the city. We must also honor the chairperson the former chairperson of the Rules Committee uCouncilor Brenda Dammie who passed on fighting for this policy to see the day of light. Speaker um on the issue of uh Alderman Christians we must not mislead the house."},{"start":10085,"end":10107,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It was mentioned that if anyone has an issue in the policy in the Monday meeting that we had, the policy would be posted on the group and anyone who has a problem would then say these are the issues that I have. No one has said anything until this day. So the policy did not just jump somewhere and come here. It is in the WhatsApp group and the promise and the promise was that if there are any issues"},{"start":10107,"end":10120,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can you just hold on? Just hold on. You have 3 seconds, just hold on. I'll give you your 3 seconds. Councilor Christians."},{"start":10120,"end":10132,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Speaker. I rise in terms of Rule 72. The councilor speaking now has just misled this house. There was no policy posted on our group to comment on. Thank you."},{"start":10132,"end":10141,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"But I got the same information now now when I was asking legal and legal said they put it on the group. Councilor Zigebe."},{"start":10141,"end":10153,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Touche. So here you go. Thank you very much Speaker. I think that's that statement and your statement says it all. Some of the people are here to play games while we are busy. Thank you so much."},{"start":10153,"end":10159,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you. Pleasure ba."},{"start":10159,"end":10164,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Oh Councilor Nkubungu."},{"start":10164,"end":10169,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Speak- thank you Speaker. Councilor Ngwenya will be speaking on the item and I'll close."},{"start":10169,"end":10175,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay."},{"start":10175,"end":10199,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh thank you very much Madam Speaker. Let me first start by greeting the Deputy Executive Mayor uh Councilor Loyiso Masuku, uh members of the Mayoral Committee, Councilor Dada Morero in absentia, uh Councilor Khazamula Chauke,"},{"start":10199,"end":10220,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"chairpersons of the Section 79 Committee uh committees, honorable councilors, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Uh Madam Speaker perhaps let me abuse the 10 minutes that I have."},{"start":10220,"end":10233,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And in abusing that 10 minutes I just want to speak to the residents of Johannesburg. And let me start by saying to everyone that is here, you can fool voters for a while,"},{"start":10233,"end":10248,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but you can't fool voters forever. Perhaps let me repeat it. You can fool voters for a while, but you can't fool voters forever."},{"start":10248,"end":10271,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Madam Speaker I say this because there is a political party that I do not want to mention, but if you read between the lines you'll be able to know which political party it is. This political party in the recent times it has portrayed itself as an organization that wants to solve the issues of Johannesburg."},{"start":10271,"end":10293,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"But perhaps let's reflect to the occurrence of yesterday or let's reflect Madam Speaker. It was a councilor from this political party that yesterday wanted to disrupt this council that seeks to fight or that seeks to make sure that there's service delivery within the City of Johannesburg."},{"start":10293,"end":10311,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And as I've said that I'm not going to mention that political party, but I'm hoping everyone who is here will be able to read between the lines. And perhaps it is important to also mention that we are here and we battle ideas on how we are going to better the City of Johannesburg."},{"start":10311,"end":10330,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"But it seems there is this political party while we battle on ideas on to better Johannesburg their councilors are busy battling with their computer playing video games. So I'm saying to you Speaker and to the residents of the City of Johannesburg"},{"start":10330,"end":10361,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the DA has continuously shown them that they are not just here for service delivery. They are here to play games and flaunt on media. So I'm saying to the residents of Johannesburg on the 4th of November when you go out make sure that you vote for the party that is always here in council making sure that they fight for the betterment of the service delivery of the City of Johannesburg."},{"start":10361,"end":10383,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"And Madam Speaker allow me now to come to the item. Uh Madam Speaker I rise in support of the Councilor Funeral Assistance Policy. It is well it is well that we understand why the DA is against this policy. Perhaps it is because they have not experienced the loss of a serving councilor in the same way."},{"start":10383,"end":10387,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"The ANC Honorable Speaker has lost more than seven councilors."},{"start":10387,"end":10401,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councilor, Councilor can you take switch off your mic, take your seat. So who's going to speak on behalf of the DA? Cause I see two hands."},{"start":10401,"end":10419,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker I rise in terms of Rule 72. Madam Speaker it's actually shocking that a councilor can stand up here and say another party has not lost members in this house during this term when we have."},{"start":10419,"end":10429,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It's an indictment to our councilors. It's an indictment to the deceased family and that must be withdrawn. Thank you."},{"start":10429,"end":10436,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can we all just I am not taking a hand now. Councilor Christians"},{"start":10436,"end":10450,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"if I heard right and please I'm saying if I heard right the councilor said and I'm quoting him that maybe"},{"start":10450,"end":10460,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the DA or you said maybe the other party has not lost as many councilors as the ANC."},{"start":10460,"end":10471,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay, but it is not no, no Kyle I'm talking. I'm talking."},{"start":10471,"end":10499,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councilor Kyle I'm talking. He did not say that the DA has not lost any councilors. He said not as many and before he could finish his statement you interrupted. So maybe there was something else that he was going to say."},{"start":10499,"end":10512,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"No Councilor Councilor sometimes you know there was a councilor that stood up and said we must read between the lines. And sometimes you must listen to the unspoken words."},{"start":10512,"end":10519,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay. Councilor can you continue and your time is almost moving out. Yeah but"},{"start":10519,"end":10539,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh thank you very much Madam Speaker. I think uh this once more proves the first point that I made about the other party. Uh Honorable Speaker the ANC has lost more than seven councilors. Each one of those councilors dedicated their lives to the public service and to the communities they represented."},{"start":10539,"end":10563,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"They deserved an honorable and dignified funeral just like every other person who has served their community. Madam Speaker we are not surprised that surprised that the DA is against the policy. But uh but this policy is not about political parties. It is about ensuring that every councilor regardless of political affiliation receives the dignified recognition they deserve when they pass away."},{"start":10563,"end":10572,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Okay Councilor can you take a seat again? Councilor Christians."},{"start":10572,"end":10586,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker I rise in terms of Rule 72. Point of information. Madam Speaker there is at no point that I ever said that the DA is against this policy."},{"start":10586,"end":10619,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"My exact words were I would like when Councilor Nkubungu closes to give clarity on whether legal has given us the go-ahead since there was two different views. And that is not in the report. That is what I said. Failing that we will not be able to to support the policy. Failing that and if listening is a skill as said by the chair of chairs clearly the other side does not have it. Thank you."},{"start":10619,"end":10636,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"I think this this policy ever since I sat in Rules had a whole lot of holes. And the issue is that one it was sent because I also now received it and it was sent on Tuesday to all councilors. On Tuesday."},{"start":10636,"end":10649,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It's on the chat. I got it from the chat. And secondly it was said in the meeting that the STC can send it through to council. Thank you. Councilor can you finish off?"},{"start":10649,"end":10653,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"You are standing between us, lunch, and going home."},{"start":10653,"end":10678,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Uh thank you very much uh Madam Speaker. Let me try to be quick. I think as I respond to the councilor that raised the fact that this policy contradicts the Municipal Finance Management Act, Honorable Speaker that is precisely why this policy was drafted in the first place. We recognize the need to address the issue and to ensure that councilors can receive a dignified farewell without the acting without acting outside the law."},{"start":10678,"end":10704,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Hence the policy that is before us today has identified appropriate ways and mechanisms through which the city can provide support for a serving councilor's funeral while remaining within the MFMA and all other applicable legislation. This policy is important because councilors are elected public representatives who who dedicated their time and service to the residents of Johannesburg."},{"start":10704,"end":10731,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"When a serving councilor passes away that service deserves to be recognized and honored with dignity. The passing of a councilor is not simply a personal loss to their family. It is also a loss to the communities they represented and to this council itself. We therefore need a clear and consistent framework that ensures that every councilor who passes away receives the dignified funeral and official recognition that they deserve."},{"start":10731,"end":10756,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"What I particularly welcome about uh this policy is that it balances dignity and accountability. We are not asking the city to operate outside its laws, policies, or financial regulations. Instead we are putting in place a proper framework that will allow the city to provide appropriate support while remaining within the applicable legislative municipal uh guidelines."},{"start":10756,"end":10783,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councilors councilors give their time, their energy, and in many cases their entire lives to the communities they serve. When one of us passes away while still serving we should not leave their families to navigate through the city's processes without a clear framework or framework of support. This policy ensures that there is a consistency, fairness, dignity regardless of which political party the deceased councilor represent."},{"start":10783,"end":10800,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"At the same time it ensures that the city remains compliant with the Municipal Finance Management Act and all other applicable uh legislative acts. Honorable Speaker I therefore fully support this policy. Let us ensure that when a serving councilor passes away we are able to"},{"start":10800,"end":10815,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Today as a city, we recognise your service, we honour your contribution, and we'll give you the dignified farewell that you deserve. With that being said, Madam Speaker, we support the item. Thank you very much."},{"start":10815,"end":10822,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor in charge, member in charge, acting."},{"start":10822,"end":10849,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, thank you, Speaker. You know, after how we started this day celebrating our aldermen, I thought we'll end it in that spirit. You know, the only difference with what happened earlier on when we were honouring our aldermen is that I realized that the African National Congress is the party that has the youngest aldermen,"},{"start":10849,"end":10878,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"which is our Executive Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mgcina. I think that institution of knowledge is the one that will be relevant going forward because I trust them ukuthi they will never distort information. This policy has been in and out of the rules committee, and in that period we've experienced a loss as the Council on all ends. And it has been very sad"},{"start":10878,"end":10906,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"that even us as councillors do not have a platform to give our councillors a befitting farewell. And all those funerals were funerals that were run by political parties, and you would understand that there would be restrictions in those manners. This policy, when it came, the first draft had a broker that was willing to assist the families with an amount of up to R100,000,"},{"start":10906,"end":10938,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"but that part has been sabotaged in many ways to make sure that that part does not go through. And that money would have been money that would have been used by families to assist to give the councillors a befitting burial. And as I ask Council to approve this report, I hope and pray that the next council will relook into this policy"},{"start":10938,"end":10967,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"and that part of the broker and make sure that there's an amendment and that broker is included, that R100,000 is included, and the entire Council participates in that scheme to make sure that this policy becomes fully fledged to assist in giving our councillors something that is dignified and memorable that will last because these people have dedicated their lives to serving our communities of the City of Johannesburg."},{"start":10967,"end":10983,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"So, to the community of the City of Johannesburg, this is the policy that says let's give our councillors a dignified burial, and I urge Council to make sure that this policy doesn't fall off, it is approved today. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you."},{"start":10983,"end":11004,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you so much. Councillors, the recommendations are on page 46.3. Is the item agreed to? Councillor Smith. Avante Smith."},{"start":11004,"end":11019,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Sorry to sound like a broken record, Speaker, but there's only a 111 of us in the chamber and that Could we have that verified, please?"},{"start":11019,"end":11029,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We can't be just 111. Councillor, can I help you?"},{"start":11029,"end":11053,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker. Speaker, an hour ago, Councillor Avante Smith requested that we should have a counting in this council. An hour later, he wants us to count because he doesn't want us to proceed with this matter in question. So, this is just another tactic of trying to distort this matter at hand. Speaker, please."},{"start":11053,"end":11055,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"tn","text":"Re kgathetse. Re kgathetse. Ao!"},{"start":11055,"end":11085,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor. I've heard you. Thank you, Councillor. I've heard you. Okay, it's fine. But can you then ask the DA councillors that are standing by the door to get in? Uh-uh. Uh-uh. You are close to the door, so can you be seated?"},{"start":11085,"end":11114,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Can you be seated, Councillor? Hey, these councillors are defiant. They can be defiant. Can I get all councillors to be seated so that we can count you? Can you ring the bell?"},{"start":11114,"end":11249,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"It's even better if we ring the bell. It's much better. Those that are outside will come inside."},{"start":11249,"end":11422,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"af","text":"Daai stem is so hees gery."},{"start":11422,"end":11447,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We are 28 more than the 111. We are 139. Thank you, colleagues. Can I now read the We said yes, neh? So, colleagues,"},{"start":11447,"end":11464,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Christians, Councillor Christians. We are just going to do one more item, petitions, that doesn't have a lot of speakers. I think there's only two speakers. We're going to do petitions, we have to. Thank you, Councillor."},{"start":11464,"end":11473,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, for the record, can I please read the rule 58.1? Because the procedure followed was completely The procedure followed right now was completely incorrect."},{"start":11473,"end":11478,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Just hold on. Let me also open up."},{"start":11478,"end":11504,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Chris Avante Smith brought to your attention that there is no quorum during this meeting. At that point, you should have counted to see if that was correct. Instead, Madam Speaker, Madam Speaker, instead of that, you rang the bell. Let me read it verbatim for those who cannot read across from me and making a noise. If during any meeting, the attention of"},{"start":11504,"end":11511,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Wait, Councillor. Colleagues, allow Councillor Christians to read the entire rule. Read the rule."},{"start":11511,"end":11542,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"I am. If during any meeting, the attention of the Speaker is called to no quorum during the meeting, councillors present must be counted. And if it is found that there is no quorum, the Speaker must cause the call bell to be rung for at least three minutes. If after an interval of five minutes, there is still no quorum, the Speaker must forthwith adjourn the meeting. Madam Speaker, you rang the bell without counting. That means you have According to you, by ringing the bell,"},{"start":11542,"end":11552,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"you verified that there was no quorum. But you did not do that. So, the procedure you followed was totally incorrect. Thank you."},{"start":11552,"end":11585,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Christians, Councillor Christians, I want to say this, that when we are asked to check quorum, and legal can assist me with that, or can attest to that, I am always told, \"Speaker, ring the bell.\" No, no, no, from all sides!"},{"start":11585,"end":11612,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"I have a very good memory. From all sides I am told, \"Speaker, ring the bell.\" And can I tell you something now? When I said let's watch that councillors don't run out, I was also told from my left hand side, \"Ring the bell.\""},{"start":11612,"end":11644,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"There's one thing that you cannot take away from me. I can hear, and I can hear very far. And I can remember very, very long. I might be an elder woman today, but I have the mind and the brain of an elephant. So, I remember. So, colleagues, if it is wrong what I did, take me to rules."},{"start":11644,"end":11665,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"But I know what I did was right. We are going to have the last item, which is petitions, so that we can finish off with petitions. Yeah, this item has been approved. Am I right? Thank you. Councillor Christians, you can raise your hand. Councillor Nkonyeni, I'll come to you afterwards."},{"start":11665,"end":11672,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in terms of rule 84, please record the opposition of the Democratic Party to that item."},{"start":11672,"end":11680,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Thank you, Councillor Christians. Councillor Nkonyeni, your hand was up. You are fine? Yes, Councillor."},{"start":11680,"end":11692,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"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."},{"start":11692,"end":11696,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"zu","text":"Uyabona, Speaker?"},{"start":11696,"end":11706,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"After the items. Councillors, the Acting Sec will read the next item into record."},{"start":11706,"end":11711,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"We are now on item 40, and that is the review of the City of Johannesburg Petitions Policy."},{"start":11711,"end":11717,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Member in charge, Councillor Mabuke."},{"start":11717,"end":11730,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor and his cabinet, Deputy Executive Mayor, Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs,"},{"start":11730,"end":11762,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillor Mabuke, just hold on. Councillor Mabuke, just hold on. We are going to suspend your item. We've just had six people leaving, so it means we don't quorate anymore. Okay? Councillor Mabuke, take your seat. Six of them has just walked out. The EFF has walked out and DA has walked out."},{"start":11762,"end":11793,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"No, no, no, councillors. Can we then do the announcements? Chief Whip, you are going to call a whippery so that we can decide when we are meeting to finish this agenda, because we did not finish it, so that we are able to finish the agenda. So, today is definitely not"},{"start":11793,"end":11816,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"the last day of the Council. We are going to reconvene for Council, and my thoughts is currently that we will do it face to face and not online. The meeting is adjourned. They sent out all those councillors to go."},{"start":11816,"end":11819,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Speaker, councillors' imbizo for tomorrow."},{"start":11819,"end":11824,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Huh? Imbizo?"},{"start":11824,"end":11826,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Yeah, in the one which you have sent by the MMC."},{"start":11826,"end":11888,"video":"PWlfTsY6sJ0","lang":"en","text":"Councillors, there's a council imbizo tomorrow. So, please ensure that you all attend. We will send it to the whips of your parties. Thank you. We will send it to the whips."}]}