CCTV by-law report passes: 158 for, 54 DA and ACDP dissenting, 136 needed

CCTV by-law report passes with 158 in support

The 35th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting on 21 February 2025 had one item: the Public Safety Committee report on public participation for the CCTV by-law. 21 Feb 00:00:00 21 Feb 00:11:50 The Speaker declared the CCTV by-law report passed with 158 councillors in support, above the 136 required, with 54 DA and ACDP councillors dissenting. 21 Feb 00:52:07 The Speaker reached 158 by deducting the DA's 51 and the ACDP's 3 dissenting councillors from 201 present online and adding the two in the chamber; no abstention figure was announced. 21 Feb 00:52:07

The DA asked that its dissent on the CCTV by-law report be noted because of a lack of clarity on tariffs, and the ACDP said it would vote against. 21 Feb 00:41:50 Cllr De Lange (FF+) argued that the quorum figure set at the start of the meeting could not be increased, which other councillors disputed. 21 Feb 00:43:31 The chair did not accept Cllr De Lange's guidance and ordered a recount of members present by party. 21 Feb 00:43:31

Debate and MMC on the CCTV by-law

The MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Tshwaku (EFF), said the CCTV by-law aims to regulate the installation, operation and maintenance of CCTV cameras while protecting privacy. 21 Feb 00:33:36 Cllr Tshwaku said the IIOC system would be upgraded by the end of April so the city can receive feeds from private cameras as well as Vumacam. promise 21 Feb 00:33:36 Cllr Tshwaku said the city currently receives a feed from 6,500 Vumacam cameras. 21 Feb 00:33:36

Cllr Wissler (ActionSA), the member in charge, reported that the committee received about 30 submissions on the proposed CCTV by-law. 21 Feb 00:13:36 According to Cllr Wissler, themes in the CCTV by-law submissions included transparency, benefits beyond crime prevention, and legal and privacy concerns such as POPIA compliance. 21 Feb 00:13:36 Cllr Zitha (EFF) and Cllr Nair (ANC) both called for CCTV cameras to be spread equally, including in townships and informal settlements. 21 Feb 00:24:29 21 Feb 00:28:17

Quorum, Teams and the caucus break

At the 35th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting, held virtually on Microsoft Teams, the ANC reported 49 verified members online with others still struggling to connect. 21 Feb 00:00:00 21 Feb 00:02:43 An EFF member reported that Councillor Raseruthe could not log in, and Cllr De Lange said he was using his daughter's Teams account. 21 Feb 00:06:39 21 Feb 00:02:43 The Secretary announced 189 councillors present and declared a quorum; the count was later corrected to 188, and the quorum still held. 21 Feb 00:06:24 21 Feb 00:06:39 Cllr Zigebe (UDM) asked whether the DA's two-minute caucus request counted against its speaking time, and the chair answered that the DA had not used its two minutes. 21 Feb 00:30:04 Councillor Maila (DA) was not available when called because the DA was still in caucus, and later withdrew from the speakers' list. 21 Feb 00:30:04

Moment of silence and adjournment

The 35th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting opened with a moment of silence for Councillor Zakhele Mathe (ANC), who died. 21 Feb 00:00:00 Before adjournment, a memorial service for Councillor Mathe was announced at Power Park, and Council was reminded of the Ordinary Council meeting on Thursday 27 February 2025. 21 Feb 00:53:12