Council approves 2024/25 African Development Bank loan: 137 for, 98 against

African Development Bank loan approved

At the 40th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting on 18 June 2025, Council approved Item 1, the 2024/25 African Development Bank loan funding, by 137 yes, 98 no and 0 abstentions. 18 Jun 01:45:35 18 Jun 03:05:17 The DA asked under rule 94 for its dissent on Item 1 to be recorded, and the Speaker noted it. 18 Jun 03:05:17

ActionSA said the 15-year African Development Bank loan would cost nearly R5 billion in total, including a R28.7 million front-end fee, and said it rejects the loan. 18 Jun 01:45:35 18 Jun 01:46:39 The DA said the African Development Bank loan would effectively be used to settle the R2.8 billion short-term DBSA loan due on 30 June, and did not support Item 1. 18 Jun 01:45:35 18 Jun 01:52:31 The ACDP and the Freedom Front Plus also opposed the African Development Bank loan, with the ACDP citing about R63 billion owed to the city. 18 Jun 01:45:35 18 Jun 01:54:36

The UDM supported the African Development Bank loan but proposed a public quarterly loan dashboard and a multi-party oversight task team. 18 Jun 01:45:35 18 Jun 01:58:49 The EFF said it supports the Item 1 recommendation but will keep watch, demanding a loan oversight committee, transparent procurement and quarterly reports. 18 Jun 02:19:22 The AIC, COPE, ATM, PA and ANC also supported the African Development Bank loan. 18 Jun 01:45:35 18 Jun 02:03:26 18 Jun 02:50:14 18 Jun 02:55:05 18 Jun 03:00:17 The MMC for Finance said the African Development Bank loan is part of the approved capital budget and that debt to revenue stays below the 45% ceiling. 18 Jun 01:45:35 18 Jun 03:00:17

Acting arrangements report noted

Council noted Item 2, a report on acting arrangements for senior managers, when the Speaker ruled the yeses had it on voices, with no numbers announced. 18 Jun 03:39:05 The DA asked under rule 84 for its opposition to Item 2 on acting arrangements to be recorded. 18 Jun 03:39:05

The DA rejected the acting arrangements report, raising concerns about Helen Botes and citing a culpable homicide docket and SIU findings. 18 Jun 03:18:16 The Freedom Front Plus rejected the acting arrangements report, saying repeated three-month extensions show no progress in filling the City Manager and COO posts. 18 Jun 03:24:42 On the acting arrangements report, ActionSA recommended that recruitment be completed by the end of September 2025 and that these be the last extensions. 18 Jun 03:13:41 The EFF, which noted the acting arrangements report, said 17 of 22 senior posts are filled and demanded monthly progress updates. 18 Jun 03:34:16

Opening, quorum, breaks and an ill councillor

The 40th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting opened with a moment of silence for Ward 130 Councillor Buthelezi, whose passing the Speaker announced. 18 Jun 00:08:31 The Speaker allowed time for councillors to sign the register, then reported 183 councillors present, confirming a quorum. 18 Jun 00:11:35 Council granted 30-minute caucus breaks to the ANC and the PA. 18 Jun 00:31:10

EFF Councillor Zitha's speech on the loan was stopped when Councillor Mmbengwa fell ill, and the Speaker adjourned for about five minutes. 18 Jun 02:07:40 Councillor Modupi and others asked that proceedings stop until news came about Councillor Mmbengwa, and MMC Kunene appealed for 30 minutes out of ubuntu. 18 Jun 02:23:14 The Speaker called a 10-minute break, saying Councillor Mmbengwa was in an ambulance. 18 Jun 02:31:41

Rules Committee, promises and announcements

Councillor Raphadu complained that parties announce dissent only after a vote, and the Speaker said the Rules Committee would discuss the matter the next day. 18 Jun 03:12:13 promise MMC Kunene committed to consulting communities on their priorities before carrying out Operation Restore in their areas. 18 Jun 02:50:14 promise The Speaker announced the ordinary council meeting for 25-26 June 2025 and a councillor safety briefing with JMPD straight after the sitting, which the DA said its caucus would not be required to attend. 18 Jun 03:43:59 promise