Thursday, 27 February 2025 · 3 h 4 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
28th 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
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (9)
- ◯Quorum count (1)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (3)
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
The 28th Ordinary Council Meeting, held on the day of the adjustment budget, ended without a result on the Operating Adjustment Budget when the Speaker adjourned for grave disorder during the vote. 00:33:36 02:46:09 Some councillors answered no when Item 56A was put, and Legal's body count and a show-of-hands vote were disrupted as councillors moved around. 02:46:09 Before the vote, the Speaker refused an ANC councillor's request for a one-hour caucus, ruling that established practice is to continue once debate has opened. 02:40:34
In debate on Item 56, the FF+, DA, GOOD and ActionSA opposed the budget, the UDM and ANC supported it with concerns, and the EFF backed the operating budget but rejected the capital budget. 01:48:21 01:54:37 01:59:44 02:06:22 02:12:05 02:18:53 02:23:51 ActionSA objected that the electricity fixed charge, which it put at R230, was not scrapped or reduced; the MMC for Finance said the surcharge is common in metros. 02:12:05 02:31:59
Council approved the start of recruitment for a City Manager on voices, with the Freedom Front Plus recording its dissent. 01:43:13 Cllr Masuku said a two-month finish could not be guaranteed and promised a report on acting arrangements for senior managers at the March 2025 Council. 01:43:13
The meeting started late because an earlier Special Council Meeting ran over, and a quorum check found 211 councillors present. 00:05:45 00:10:42 00:28:37
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: Speaker adjourns council for grave disorder during Operating Adjustment Budget vote
In brief
- 9 decisions: 5 approved, 2 deferred or withdrawn, 1 noted or other, 1 rejected.
- 2 promises on record, including: The Executive will bring the quarterly report on acting arrangements for senior managers, including ratification of Section 56 appointments, to the March 2025 Council meeting.
- 1 quorum count.
- 28 apologies read out. Not ready when called: 1; Warned or stopped by the chair: 7; Sound or equipment problem: 1.
Chapters
22What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:05:45
Opening, notices and councillor safety announcements
The Speaker opened the 28th Ordinary Council Meeting, noting it would start late because the earlier Special Council Meeting ran over. She told councillors how to get help if their safety is threatened and that the Integrity Commissioner will administer a pledge through Section 79 committees. She also said work is under way to improve security at the Council precinct and that the chamber had no water.
Report an error - 00:10:42
Elevation of agenda items and procedural queries
The Speaker agreed to the Executive's request to elevate Items 60, 56 (with 56A, 56B, 56C), 58, 59, 57 and 55. She also agreed to the Legislature's request to elevate Item 61 (Changes in Membership) and the three motions. Cllr Christians asked about the pledge and for the order to be repeated, and the Speaker repeated it. Another DA councillor objected that the Integrity Commissioner's terms of reference do not cover the pledge. Legal was given 10 minutes to verify quorum and the sitting adjourned until 11:30.
MthembuActionSAChristiansDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:28:37
Quorum confirmed and applications for leave of absence
Legal reported 211 councillors present, so there was a quorum. Parties submitted leave applications and late arrivals, including illness, maternity leave and early departures. The Speaker asked the house to approve the apologies, including two from the ACDP.
BoerFF+MogapiEFFAvant-SmithMakhubaIFPSimonsePAMokomeCOPEDammieANC1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:33:36
Executive Mayor's opening statement
The Executive Mayor addressed Council on the day of the adjustment budget, built around the 5.8 million residents of Johannesburg. He cited Auditor-General concerns on non-technical electricity losses and said water supply had recovered to just over 90%. He described an integrated service delivery war room, said President Ramaphosa had agreed to visit the city, and referred to G20/U20 hosting.
Report an error - 00:46:40
Confirmation of minutes, written questions and tabling of reports
Council took the minutes of the fifth special meeting, the 27th ordinary meeting (both 30 January 2025) and the 35th extraordinary meeting (21 February 2025). No councillor asked to amend them. Written replies were said to be loaded on the drive. The Executive Mayor and the Chair of Chairs tabled the Executive and Legislature reports.
Report an error - 00:48:52
Withdrawal of Item 52
The MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services withdrew Item 52 (Amendment of the Development Lease Agreement in respect of Erf 56) on behalf of the Executive. He confirmed it was the only item withdrawn.
MasukuANC
Report an error - 00:49:42
Item 60: caucus break requested before debate
Before debate on the recruitment of a City Manager, an ActionSA councillor asked for a 15 to 20 minute caucus break. The Speaker granted 15 minutes. The break ran far longer, and Cllr Christians complained that the bells could not be heard outside. ActionSA's chief whip then reported back and apologised.
LebatlangActionSAChristiansDAMthembuActionSA
Report an error - 01:14:06
Item 60: FF+ and DA on the City Manager recruitment
The Freedom Front Plus supported the recruitment but wanted a five-person panel with a councillor designated by Council itself. It also said the acting Chief Operational Officer appointment had been illegal. The DA backed the recruitment while calling for a fair, transparent process and recalling the court ruling that set aside the previous City Manager appointment.
Also discussed: Debate: FF+, UDM on acting City Manager (17 January 2025) · Item 11 debate: FF+, IFP, EFF, Al Jama-ah and PA (30 October 2025) · Item 2 debate: Freedom Front Plus rejects (18 June 2025)
Report an error - 01:23:02
Item 60: UDM, IFP, ActionSA, EFF, ATM and ANC support
The UDM, IFP, ActionSA, ATM and ANC supported the item, and the EFF said it supported a panel of five. Speakers stressed good governance, national advertising and a speedy process. The ATM asked that it be finalised within two months, and the UDM noted the panel comprises the Executive Mayor, a councillor designated by Council and three external experts.
ZigebeUDMManganyiIFPChumaActionSAMagwentshuATMNguseANC1 unidentified
Report an error - 01:37:45
Item 60: MMC Kunene and points of order
The MMC for Transport defended the Government of Local Unity against DA claims and said the MMC responsible for human resources normally sits on the panel. He withdrew a remark after a DA point of order. Cllr Echeozonjoku and Cllr Christians raised further points of order, and the Speaker ruled that he had already withdrawn.
KunenePAEcheozonjokuDAChristiansDA
Also discussed: Items 3-6: EFF and ANC speakers, point of order on ClearVu remarks (26 March 2025) · Items 21-23: Closure by MMC Mgcina and DA point of order (30 September 2026)
Report an error - 01:43:13
Item 60: MMC reply and approval
The MMC said Recommendation 3 already provides a five-member panel and that the acting-arrangements report is due at the March Council. He said the process depends on outsourced competency assessments and vetting, so a two-month finish cannot be guaranteed. The Speaker closed debate, declared the item agreed, and noted the Freedom Front Plus's dissent.
MasukuANCBoerFF+MthembuActionSA
Report an error - 01:48:21
Item 56 (with 56A, 56B, 56C): Freedom Front Plus opposes the adjustment budget
The Secretary to Council read out Item 56 with 56A, 56B and 56C. The Freedom Front Plus objected that bulk electricity purchases were adjusted too little against income, debt impairment was cut by R1.3 billion, and the Red Fleet allocation was reduced. It said the budget remains unfunded and will not support it.
Also discussed: Item 1 debate: ACDP and Freedom Front Plus oppose (18 June 2025) · Item 1 debate: Freedom Front Plus (3 July 2025)
Report an error - 01:54:37
Item 56: DA rejects the adjustment budget
The DA said councillors were asked to approve the budget without the second-quarter and Section 71 reports. It criticised cuts to water, sewer and Metrobus capital spending and called the projected surplus misleading. It rejected the budget and the funding plan.
Report an error - 01:59:44
Item 56: UDM supports the adjustment budget with concerns
The UDM welcomed higher revenue and the larger projected surplus but raised concern about rising liabilities and falling cash reserves. It called for smart metering, tied borrowing, private-sector partnerships and ward-based oversight. It was told twice that its time was nearly up.
Report an error - 02:06:22
Item 56: GOOD unable to support the adjustment budget
GOOD said the budget assumes optimistic revenue collection and relies on internal transfers. It listed cuts to public safety, housing, water and sewer, and BRT projects. It said it cannot support the budget in its current form.
Report an error - 02:12:05
Item 56: ActionSA rejects the budget over the electricity surcharge
ActionSA rejected the adjustment budget because it did not scrap or reduce the electricity fixed charge, which it put at R230. It cited the Executive Mayor's July 2024 commitment to review the charge. It proposed cutting the fixed charge to R150, savings measures, and revenue offsets.
Also discussed: Adjustment budget debate: ANC rejects (Councillor Mahlangu) (27 March 2025)
Report an error - 02:18:53
Item 56: EFF position on 56A, 56B and 56C
The EFF supported the operating adjustment budget but called for risk mitigation and monitoring of controls. It rejected the capital adjustment budget as a bare list of increases and decreases without analysis. It said it supported the recommendations on long-term borrowing in the funding plan.
Report an error - 02:23:51
Item 56: ANC supports the budget with serious concerns
The ANC said it supports the operating and capital adjustment budgets and the funding plan, but with serious concerns. It noted the R2.1 billion surplus, the employee-cost overexpenditure and the capital projects that were cut. It urged other parties to support the budget.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:31:59
Item 56: MMC for Finance replies and tables the budget
The Speaker asked whips to call councillors back for voting. The MMC for Finance responded to the parties, citing higher electricity and property-rate revenue, a stretch collection target of an extra 2%, and the surcharge being common in metros. She said the adjustment budget needed no rebasing and tabled it for approval.
Report an error - 02:40:34
Dispute over a caucus break and the Speaker's ruling
An ANC councillor asked for a one-hour caucus to speak with other parties after the debate on Item 56 closed. Cllr Christians objected that this would set aside a prior ruling. The Speaker ruled that the established practice is to continue once debate has opened, and that Item 56 had been elevated at an MMC's request. Several councillors, including the MMC for Finance, argued over precedent.
DammieANCChristiansDARaphaduANCAmadAl Jama-ahArnoldsAICMthembuActionSA
Report an error - 02:46:09
Item 56A vote attempt and adjournment for grave disorder
The Speaker put Item 56A (Operating Adjustment Budget) to the house, and some councillors answered no. Legal tried to confirm a quorum by body count while councillors moved around, and a show-of-hands vote began. At 02:53:58 the Speaker adjourned the meeting because of grave disorder.
Report an error - 03:00:00
Resumed debate: criticism of the coalition and the budget
The recording resumes mid-speech, with a speaker criticising the DA and the IFP's position in the coalition. The Chair then recognised a councillor named Geoffrey Ngobeni, who quoted Chinua Achebe and said the budget lacks technical detail on service delivery. He cited the budget speech read by the MMC for Finance, which he named as Julie Suddaby, as showing a gap between the IDP and the budget. The recording ends mid-sentence.
1 unidentified
Report an error
Promises
2Commitments 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.
Date passed; a later sitting said doneLoyiso Masuku · MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services (by surname)
01:44:21· by March· Report an error
Latest: Said done at a later sitting, 8 May 2025 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 2 later sittings
“that report is due for Council in March”
- Late or droppedCouncillor Boer's Rule 35(2) request on Helen Botes' acting COO appointment · 27 March 2025
- Done, they sayActionSA: Cllr Chuma will abstain and asks for a revised report · 8 May 2025 · and 2 more moments that day
No dateYongama Ludwe Zigebe · UDM
02:02:43· by quarterly· Report an error
Not raised again in 33 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“We'll demand quarterly financial reports as a norm from each department”
Decisions
9What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:10:42
Elevation of agenda itemsapproved
The Speaker acceded to the Executive's request to elevate Items 60, 56 (with 56A to 56C), 58, 59, 57 and 55, and to the Legislature's request to elevate Item 61 and the three motions.
- 00:28:58
Quorumquorum confirmed
Legal reported 211 councillors present, so the meeting continued; a body count was planned for the budget vote.
- 00:33:13
Applications for leave of absenceapproved
The Speaker asked Council to approve the apologies as submitted, including two from the ACDP.
- 00:47:06
Minutes of the fifth special, 27th ordinary and 35th extraordinary meetingsapproved
No councillor proposed changes, and the Speaker declared the minutes confirmed.
- 00:49:01
Item 52: Amendment of the Development Lease Agreement in respect of Erf 56withdrawn
The MMC withdrew the item on behalf of the Executive, and the Speaker noted it.
- 00:50:40
Caucus break request before Item 60approved
The Speaker granted a 15-minute caucus break at 11:55, though the break ran much longer.
- 01:48:06
Item 60: Commencement of the recruitment process for the City Managerapproved
The Speaker declared the recommendations on page 60.8 agreed, and the Freedom Front Plus recorded its dissent at 01:48:33.
- 02:43:36
Request for a one-hour caucus after the Item 56 debaterejected
The Speaker ruled, citing the rules and established practice, that Council would continue with the item and proceed to voting.
- 02:46:09
Item 56A: Operating Adjustment Budgetdeferred
Some councillors answered no, and the vote and quorum count were disrupted; no result was announced before the Speaker adjourned the meeting for grave disorder at 02:53:58.
Attendance and conduct
37Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 28
- Ill health (9)
- De Lange, Liebenberg, Molefe*, Nkwanyana, Truluck, Dammie, Sekwaila, Kwapeng, Unidentified councillor*
- Other reason (2)
- Molala, Fourie-Shawe
- Private business (1)
- Dewes
- Bereavement (1)
- Zungu
- Family responsibility (1)
- Maluleka
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Not ready when called 1
- 01:29:54
Magwentshu: Called to speak, he asked to be skipped for a moment and speak after another councillor.
Warned or stopped by the chair 7
- 01:17:30
The chair asked councillors to limit movement while a speaker is on the floor.
- 01:47:57
Boer: The chair refused Cllr Boer a response after the MMC closed the debate.
- 02:06:15
Zigebe: The chair told Cllr Zigebe his speaking time had ended.
- 02:22:42
The chair asked councillors to respect the speaker on the floor.
- 02:43:08
The chair asked councillors to let Cllr Raphadu speak.
- 02:47:06
Christians: The chair refused to take further points from Cllr Christians during the count.
- 02:47:58
Amad: The chair refused to take Cllr Amad's hand during the count.
Sound or equipment problem 1
- 02:24:03
Nhlapo*: The chair asked Cllr Nhlapo to switch off her microphone.
Transcript
364Every line, linked to the video.
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