R2.8 billion DBSA loan: 164 for, 62 against; Patrick Jaca approved as Chief of Police

Loan, Mayor's powers and committee chair votes

At the 27th Ordinary Council Meeting on 30 January 2025, Council approved Item 7, a R2.8 billion short-term DBSA loan for 2024/25, by 164 votes to 62 with no abstentions. 30 Jan 04:07:49 The Speaker ruled that Item 7, the DBSA loan, needed 136 councillors' support under section 160(3)(b) of the Constitution; the DA and FF+ recorded dissent. 30 Jan 04:07:49

MMC Arnolds said the previous R2.4 billion DBSA loan was repaid in full on 25 June 2024, and that the new rate is three-month JIBAR plus 2.30%, lower than 2.55%. 30 Jan 04:04:12 On the DBSA loan, the DA said it could not support it because the report had no repayment plan, while GOOD cited the floating JIBAR-linked rate and the 30 June 2025 repayment date. 30 Jan 03:46:58 30 Jan 03:34:41

Item 10, adjusting the Executive Mayor's powers and functions including the debt write-off delegation for R3 million and above, carried with 135 in favour, 97 against and 4 abstentions. 30 Jan 02:01:25 The DA, EFF and ActionSA opposed Item 10 on the Executive Mayor's powers, with the DA citing bypassing of Section 79 committees. 30 Jan 02:01:25 Cllr Wissler (ActionSA) was elected Chairperson of the Section 79 Public Safety Committee with 169 votes to 67 for Cllr Maila (DA). 30 Jan 00:48:40

Chief of Police appointment and other items

Council approved Item 17 on the Chief of Police (JMPD), agreeing recommendations supporting the appointment of Mr Patrick Jaca; no numbers were announced. 30 Jan 01:33:11 Parties spoke in support of Mr Patrick Jaca's appointment, while the DA's Cllr Maila called the process problematic, citing SAMWU and director objections and Mr Jaca's age and retirement. 30 Jan 01:01:51 MMC Masuku said retirement ages depend on the pension fund and range from 55 to 70, and committed to mandating the Local Labour Forum to work on a streamlined retirement process. 30 Jan 01:33:11 promise

Item 9, the Zandspruit Urban Development Framework 2024, was approved with MMC Mgcina's amendment correcting the benefiting wards to 97, 101 and 114. 30 Jan 05:23:04 MMC Mgcina apologised for the wrong Ward 137 reference in the Zandspruit framework and said it would be corrected immediately. 30 Jan 05:23:04 promise Cllr Boer (FF+) withdrew his motion to rescind the renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled, and the Speaker noted the withdrawal. 30 Jan 06:57:31

Late start, motions dispute and withdrawn items

The 27th Ordinary Council Meeting was delayed by a Special Council Meeting, and Legal confirmed 202 councillors present, so there was a quorum. 30 Jan 00:01:46 30 Jan 00:06:10 Cllr Kunene (PA) argued under rule 67 that a motion cannot be voted on once its seconder has withdrawn; the Speaker said only the mover can withdraw. 30 Jan 02:30:00 The Speaker ruled that Cllr Mgcina's and Cllr Da Rocha's motions were compliant and would go straight to a vote without debate. 30 Jan 02:38:26

During the voting process on the two motions, councillors repeatedly raised points of order and gathered at the podium, and the Speaker adjourned for 15 minutes so whips could meet her. 30 Jan 02:43:24 After the adjournment, MMC Masuku withdrew Item 4, the MSCOA compliance status report, and Item 18, City Manager recruitment, on behalf of the executive. 30 Jan 03:04:11 An automated check linked the Item 18 withdrawal to MMC Masuku's 17 January 2025 statement that the executive would bring a report to start appointing a permanent City Manager, rating it late or dropped. earlier promise 30 Jan 03:04:11

Special Council Meeting tributes to Amod and Nonkumbi

The 5th Special Council Meeting on 30 January 2025 was held to officially remove the names of the late Councillors Amod and Nonkumbi from the chamber in the ritual of ukusula igama. 30 Jan 01:22:58 Cllr Lebatlang (ActionSA) asked the MMCs for Public Safety, Transport and Economic Development to take up Councillor Nonkumbi's Ward 59 priorities, including the MTN Rank upgrade and safety around Joubert Park. 30 Jan 00:14:48 Cllr Modupi (ANC) said ANC members would be working together with Councillor Nonkumbi's branch. 30 Jan 01:13:46 promise

Mr Simphiwe Hlahla spoke for the Nonkumbi family and thanked the council for its support, and Ms Somaya Steenkamp spoke for the Amod family. 30 Jan 01:33:52 30 Jan 01:41:10 The Speaker gave caucuses a 10-minute break from the 5th Special Council Meeting to sign the register for the ordinary council sitting. 30 Jan 01:45:42