Executive Deputy Mayor approved 107 for, 87 against; Soweto Gateway 170 for, 39 against

Executive Deputy Mayor approved on a division

At the 35th Ordinary Council Meeting on 29 January 2026, council approved Item 20, the establishment of an Executive Deputy Mayor, on a division: 107 for, 87 against, 37 abstaining. 29 Jan 06:05:00 The ACDP's late request to abstain on Item 20 was refused because voting had closed, and the DA's opposition to the Executive Deputy Mayor item was recorded. 29 Jan 06:05:00

For the DA, Councillor Christians argued the city cannot afford the Executive Deputy Mayor post, which he estimated would cost about R10 million to set up. 29 Jan 05:45:30

ActionSA said it was not opposed to a Deputy Mayor in principle and proposed a cost-neutral model in which the Deputy Mayor also holds an existing MMC portfolio. 29 Jan 05:50:48 The EFF said it could not support Item 20, citing the lack of a clear service delivery rationale, performance indicators and oversight mechanisms. 29 Jan 05:55:59 On Item 20, COPE supported, GOOD was not persuaded at this stage, the ATM noted the report and the FF Plus criticised the timing and cost. 29 Jan 05:36:09

Soweto Gateway and Wanderers lease

Item 9, on Portion 159 of the farm Diepkloof 319-IQ (Soweto Gateway), was carried on a division by 170 for, 39 against and 23 abstentions. 29 Jan 03:51:06 Cllr Mabuza of the ANC said the total financial offer to the city for the Soweto Gateway land is R44 million. 29 Jan 03:31:38 The EFF's Cllr Mkasi said the EFF supports long-term leases but rejects any sale of municipal land, and that the EFF rejects Item 9. 29 Jan 03:20:38 MMC Mnisi said Item 9 is about Section 33 MFMA compliance, not a new land disposal, and that no transfer of municipal ownership would be done on Item 9. 29 Jan 03:45:25 promise

Item 10, the amendment of the Wanderers development lease on Portion 420 of Syferfontein 51-IR, was agreed on voices. 29 Jan 04:05:44 Cllr Bolani of the ANC said the 1991 Wanderers lease runs to 2040 at R49 per annum, and that JPC would negotiate a rental of at least 30% of net premises rental. 29 Jan 03:38:31 promise

Plans approved, reports and motions deferred

Item 6, the City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan 1.0 for 2024/2025, was carried on the voices, with the DA's opposition recorded under rule 84. 29 Jan 01:33:07 Item 8, the recalibration of open space standards for inner city rejuvenation, was declared agreed, with the DA's opposition recorded under rule 84. 29 Jan 03:03:10 Item 7, the 2024/25 employment equity, gender and disability report, was agreed, with the Freedom Front Plus recording that it does not support it. 29 Jan 02:33:34

The partial draft 2024/25 Integrated Annual Report and the Group Governance Assessment Report were taken for noting only. 29 Jan 00:49:29 The Speaker, Cllr Arnolds, said debate on the draft Integrated Annual Report and the Group Governance Assessment Report, with the MPAC oversight report, would happen at the March 2026 council sitting. promise 29 Jan 00:49:29 All motions were deferred until further notice pending advice on a request for a secret ballot. 29 Jan 08:06:39

Quorum count, written replies, disputed remark

A quorum count at the 35th Ordinary Council Meeting found 196 councillors had signed the register and 174 were counted in the chamber, so the meeting proceeded. 29 Jan 00:02:42 Cllr Christians reported that written-reply documents on the drive would not load beyond page one, and the Speaker said IT would be asked to deal with the issue. 29 Jan 00:48:03 promise

During debate on Item 7, Cllr Boer of the FF+ described the Employment Equity Act as one of the ANC's racist laws. 29 Jan 02:00:32 Cllr Boer refused Cllr Raphadu's request to withdraw the remark on the Employment Equity Act, and the Speaker said she would listen to the recording and deal with it. 29 Jan 02:04:28 promise