Friday, 17 January 2025 · 2 h 32 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
34th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting
AI draft.Written by AI from the livestream and not yet checked by a person. Use the timestamps to check anything before you quote it.
- Governance and appointments
- Budget and finances
- Services, housing and development
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (4)
- ◯Quorum count (3)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (2)
Chapters, decisions and procedure are AI drafts from the livestream; topic tags are AI judgments (a chapter with several shows its strongest). Services, housing and development covers water, electricity, roads, housing, waste, safety, health, planning and community facilities.
Summary
Council ratified the appointment of Mr Makola as acting City Manager at its 34th Extra-Ordinary meeting, passing the item 139 for, 60 against and 41 abstaining. 01:57:02 The vote was repeated after MMC Arnolds pointed out that the first announced tally of 139 for, 81 against and 40 abstaining added up to 260, against 240 councillors on the register. 01:31:10 01:47:46 After the second vote, MMC Arnolds said the figures added to 240, not 242, but the Speaker ruled the item passed, with 2 councillors who were outside the chamber not counted. 02:14:00
The DA argued that Section 54A gives only council, not the executive, the power to appoint an acting municipal manager, and recorded its dissent under Rule 84 on both votes. 00:51:03 01:03:14 01:31:10 01:57:02 ActionSA asked for recommendation three to be removed and recruitment of a permanent City Manager added, while speakers from the ANC, EFF, FF+, UDM, ATM and ACDP backed the appointment. 00:51:03 00:57:53 01:08:11 01:14:02 01:17:44
MMC Masuku cited 2013 council delegations giving the Executive Mayor authority to appoint an acting City Manager, and said the executive will bring a report to start appointing a permanent one. 01:25:26
Earlier, the Speaker granted all caucuses a 30-minute break at ActionSA's request over Cllr Boer's objection, and the DA's Cllr Christians asked that the dispute go to the Rules Committee. 00:10:36 The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Cllr Nonkumbi, Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee, who died during recess, and quorum was confirmed with 172 councillors present. 00:00:00 00:01:47
AI draft from the record of this sitting (Claude Opus 5.5), checked against the chapters; every sentence links to the moment. Report an error
This week in council: Acting City Manager Makola ratified 139 for, 60 against after vote is repeated
In brief
Chapters
20What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:00:00
Opening, welcome and moment of silence
The Speaker opened the 34th extraordinary council meeting and welcomed councillors back from recess. A moment of silence was held for Cllr Nonkumbi, Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee, who died during recess. Condolences were also extended to the families of musicians Winnie Khumalo and Victor Doc Shebeleza and of Olga Meshoe Washington.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:01:47
Quorum verification
The Speaker allowed 10 minutes for legal to verify the number of councillors present. Legal reported 172 councillors present, so quorum was confirmed and business proceeded.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:02:32
Applications for leave of absence
Caucus representatives tabled apologies, late arrivals and early departures for various councillors. The Speaker noted each, and council approved the apologies as submitted.
HarrisACDPAvant-SmithDammieANCMogapiEFFDe LangeFF+MashalaActionSASimonsePA
Report an error - 00:07:20
Executive Mayor's New Year address
The Executive Mayor greeted councillors and residents for the new year. He spoke of the city's infrastructure refurbishment challenges, commitments to invest and raise capital, and the need to deal with illegal land invasion.
Report an error - 00:10:36
Caucus break request on acting City Manager item
ActionSA asked for a 30-minute caucus break before the acting City Manager item. Cllr Boer objected, but the Speaker granted the break to all caucuses until 10:45. The DA's Cllr Christians disputed the ruling and asked that the objection be sent to the Rules Committee.
LebatlangActionSABoerFF+ChristiansDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:49:57
Resumption after caucus break
The Speaker called councillors to settle after the break. Cllr Lebatlang reported that ActionSA had deliberated, and the council resumed on the appointment of an acting City Manager.
Report an error - 00:51:03
Debate: DA and ACDP on acting City Manager
Cllr Christians (DA) argued that Section 54A requires council, not the executive, to appoint an acting municipal manager, and said the DA would propose amendments. Cllr Harris (ACDP) welcomed Mr Makola's appointment and offered advice on accountability and avoiding politicisation.
ChristiansDAMosehlaEFFHarrisACDP
Report an error - 00:57:53
Debate: FF+, UDM on acting City Manager
Cllr Boer (FF+) recalled that his party opposed Mr Brink's 2023 appointment on procedural grounds and supported Mr Makola's appointment. Cllr Zigebe (UDM) called the appointment pragmatic and temporary, and urged a transparent, merit-based recruitment of a permanent City Manager.
Also discussed: Item 11 debate: FF+, IFP, EFF, Al Jama-ah and PA (30 October 2025) · Item 60: FF+ and DA on the City Manager recruitment (27 February 2025) · Item 11 debate: smaller parties on the City Manager appointment (30 October 2025)
Report an error - 01:03:14
Debate: DA caucus leader on legal concerns
Cllr Echeozonjoku (DA) said the court ruling invalidated Mr Brink's appointment and that Section 54A gives only council power to appoint an acting city manager. She objected to the report being for noting and to the absence of a recruitment process recommendation, and urged amendments.
Report an error - 01:08:11
Debate: ATM and ActionSA
Cllr Magwentshu (ATM) supported the appointment and called on the Executive Mayor to appoint a permanent city manager within two months. Cllr Lebatlang (ActionSA) asked that recommendation three be removed and that recruitment of a permanent city manager be added, saying ActionSA could not support the report as it stood.
MagwentshuATMLebatlangActionSA
Also discussed: Item 11 debate: smaller parties on the City Manager appointment (30 October 2025) · City Manager appointment report: IFP, DA amendment proposal and ANC MMC (26 March 2025) · ActionSA: Cllr Chuma will abstain and asks for a revised report (8 May 2025)
Report an error - 01:14:02
Debate: EFF and point of order from DA
Cllr Raseruthe (EFF) supported Mr Makola's appointment and criticised the DA over the earlier appointment process. The DA's Cllr Echeozonjoku raised a point of order that he was misleading the house, and the Speaker ruled that it was his speech and he should continue.
Also discussed: Point of order by Cllr Rahn on racial remarks (8 May 2025)
Report an error - 01:17:44
Debate: ANC
Cllr Raphadu (ANC) used a Cinderella analogy to criticise the DA's court case over Mr Brink's appointment. A DA councillor raised a point of order, which the Speaker rejected, and he concluded that the ANC supports Mr Makola's appointment.
Report an error - 01:25:26
MMC Masuku's response on delegations
MMC Masuku said the city did not challenge the ruling and explained that recommendations two and three differ: two ratifies the acting appointment and three caps it at three months. She cited the 2013 council delegations (page 37.20) giving the Executive Mayor authority to appoint an acting city manager, and suggested a review through the Section 79 oversight committee.
MasukuANC
Report an error - 01:31:10
First vote on acting City Manager report
The Speaker put the item to a vote by show of hands, with councillors asked to be seated in the chamber. Results were announced as 139 for, 81 against and 40 abstaining, and the item was declared passed. The DA recorded its dissent under Rule 84.
ChristiansDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 01:47:46
Tally discrepancy challenged
MMC Arnolds pointed out that the tallied votes added up to 260, which did not match the 240 councillors recorded in the chamber. The Speaker agreed the numbers did not add up, and the vote had to be repeated, with a headcount considered.
ArnoldsAIC1 unidentified
Report an error - 01:50:06
Register and headcount dispute
Councillors were asked to sign the register again, and the count rose from 240 to 242. The Speaker first asked legal to do a headcount, then decided to vote again and conduct a headcount only if the totals did not balance.
EcheozonjokuDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 01:57:02
Second vote on acting City Manager report
The vote was repeated by show of hands and, after legal tallied, the result was 139 for, 60 against and 41 abstaining, totalling 242. The item passed and the DA again recorded dissent under Rule 84.
ChristiansDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:14:00
Disputes over the count after second vote
MMC Arnolds said the figures added to 240, not 242, and noted that two councillors had gone to smoke. Cllr Mmbengwa appealed that the administration not be run by the courts, and Cllr Echeozonjoku said the DA wanted good governance and took no pleasure in litigation. The Speaker ruled that councillors outside the chamber did not take part in the vote and the item stood.
ArnoldsAICMmbengwaANCEcheozonjokuDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:19:38
Announcements and adjournment
The Speaker reminded councillors that the Ordinary Council meeting is scheduled for 30 January 2025. She thanked councillors and adjourned the meeting.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:30:00
Later recording segment: finance debate remarks
A segment recorded after adjournment features a DA councillor, thanked as Cllr Kreusch, speaking on the city's finances. Cllr Zama of the IFP congratulated MMC Arnolds on her appointment and said the IFP supports the report with strict budget monitoring. She raised concerns about a new loan of over R2.5 billion and uncollected debt of over R50 billion.
Also discussed: Item 1 debate: ANC and MMC Finance support (18 June 2025)
Report an error
Promises
1Commitments with a date, an amount or a 'we will'.
On 5 November 2026 (when this page was built): 0 overdue, 0 due in the next 30 days, 1 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
No dateLoyiso Masuku · MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services (by surname)
Latest: Said done at a later sitting, 2 December 2025 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 8 later sittings
“bring a report to start the process of the City Manager to be appointed.”
- Late or droppedResumption and withdrawal of Items 4 and 18 · 30 January 2025 · and 2 more moments that day
- Done, they sayCity Manager appointment report: IFP, DA amendment proposal and ANC MMC · 26 March 2025 · and 1 more moment that day
- Late or droppedItem 17: EFF and ActionSA on vacancies and the City Manager post · 2 September 2025
- Late or droppedItems 19-20: City Manager's Office report introduced · 29 September 2025
- Late or droppedItems 36 to 40: EFF and start of FF+ contribution · 30 September 2025 · and 3 more moments that day
- Done, they sayWelcome, purpose of the meeting and membership changes · 23 October 2025 · and 1 more moment that day
- Done, they sayItem 11 debate: smaller parties on the City Manager appointment · 30 October 2025
- Done, they sayItem 72: amendment of legal services contract A834 · 2 December 2025 · and 1 more moment that day
Decisions
4What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:07:17
Applications for leave of absenceapproved
Council approved the apologies for absence, late arrival and early departure as submitted.
- 00:13:33
Caucus break request before acting City Manager itemapproved
The Speaker granted a 30-minute caucus break for all caucuses over Cllr Boer's objection, and the DA's dispute of the ruling was recorded.
- 01:46:55
Appointment of an acting City Manager (first vote)approved
Announced as 139 for, 81 against, 40 abstaining, but the tally of 260 exceeded the register, so the vote was repeated.
- 02:12:46
Appointment of an acting City Manager (ratification of Mr Makola)approved
After the repeat vote the result was 139 for, 60 against and 41 abstaining; the item passed and the DA's Rule 84 dissent was recorded.
Attendance and conduct
38Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 32
- Party business (1)
- Mkhonza
- Other reason (14)
- Chabalala, Dewes, Fourie-Shawe, Mohamed, Rahn, Mnisi*, Papo, Matabane, Mphefo, Dlamini, Marumo, Bolani, Makhafola, Mchunu
- Ill health (2)
- Amod, SB Molefe*
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Warned or stopped by the chair 5
- 00:54:00
Christians: Chair gave a speaking-time warning.
- 01:16:12
Echeozonjoku: Chair declined her request and told the speaker to continue.
- 01:16:45
Raseruthe: Chair told the speaker to address her through the chair.
- 01:19:45
Chair rebuked DA members for interjecting during another speech.
- 00:49:57
Chair asked councillors to settle down after the caucus break.
Sound or equipment problem 1
- 01:54:55
A councillor's open microphone was being streamed.
Transcript
276Every line, linked to the video.
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