Thursday, 27 February 2025 · 1 h 43 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
6th Special 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.
- Services, housing and development
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (3)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (1)
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 sixth special council meeting was held in honour of the late Councillor Z. E. Mathe of Ward 24, who died on 17 February 2025. 00:09:28 01:07:03 Officials were instructed to blow out the candle on his seat as part of the ukusula igama ritual, officially removing his name from the chamber. 01:07:03
The Executive Mayor was absent, and MMC Mnisi delivered the condolence message on his behalf. 00:12:00 00:15:22 Caucuses offered condolences in turn; the ATM said government failed to protect Councillor Mathe, and the UDM criticised those in the chamber who opposed protection for ward councillors. 00:37:17 01:02:57
MMC Tshwaku, speaking for the EFF, said a getaway car linked to the killers was intercepted through the TRU and Vumacam, and that the case is with the Hawks. 00:47:26 He promised a camera and two radios for each VD on the road into Ward 24, in memory of Councillor Mathe. 00:47:26
Mr Scebiso Masondo, Mathe's nephew, described repeated attacks on him from 2017 onwards, said the council did not protect him, and asked the City to protect its councillors. 01:20:55 The Speaker agreed councillors need better protection and closed the meeting, saying it had run out of time; councillors were given 15 minutes to sign the register for the ordinary council sitting. 01:35:53
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
Chapters
20What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:08:02
Opening, procession and prayer
The Speaker was welcomed into the chamber while councillors and guests stood, except for the bereaved family. A moment of silence was observed for prayer and meditation.
Report an error - 00:09:28
Notice of the special sitting and Speaker's acknowledgement
The Speaker notified the meeting as the sixth special council meeting, held in honour of the late Councillor Z. E. Mathe. She reflected on his passing and on the loss of two other councillors in under two months. She thanked the Mathe, Sibisi and Ndabathi families for attending.
Report an error - 00:12:00
Applications for leave of absence
Caucus whips gave apologies and late arrivals. The ANC reported that the Executive Mayor and the Chief Whip were absent on private business and bereavement. The ACDP added two apologies. The Speaker asked council to approve or note the apologies.
MthembuActionSAAvant-SmithDammieANCSimonsePAMakhubaIFPMogapiEFFHughesACDP
Report an error - 00:15:22
Condolence message by the Executive Mayor (delivered by MMC Mnisi)
MMC Mnisi stood in for the absent Executive Mayor and paid tribute to Councillor Mathe as a dedicated public servant and champion of service delivery. He extended condolences on behalf of the City, the Council and residents.
Report an error - 00:18:29
Condolence message by the African National Congress
MMC Mgcina spoke for the ANC and described Councillor Mathe's work in Ward 24 and his courage in the face of intimidation. She offered condolences to the family and the ANC region and pledged to honour his memory by continuing his work.
Report an error - 00:26:32
Condolences: ACDP
Speakers were limited to 3 minutes each. The ACDP extended condolences to the family and the ANC caucus and offered a prayer.
Report an error - 00:29:46
Condolences: ActionSA
ActionSA offered condolences and described Councillor Mathe as a champion of service delivery who served until the end. The speaker used the image of the thorn bird and quoted scripture.
Report an error - 00:33:06
Condolences: AIC
The AIC speaker paid tribute to Councillor Mathe as a servant leader of Ward 24 who was among his people. The speaker was visibly emotional and called on the council to continue his mission.
Report an error - 00:37:17
Condolences: ATM
The ATM passed condolences and said government failed to protect Councillor Mathe when red flags were present. It called on the house to honour him by serving the people of Johannesburg.
Report an error - 00:40:11
Condolences: COPE
COPE acknowledged the Mathe, Sibisi and Hlabathi families and offered condolences in Setswana. The speaker closed with the Catholic Calming Prayer and the Serenity Prayer.
Report an error - 00:44:10
Condolences: DA
The DA caucus mourned the violent death of Councillor Mathe and quoted scripture for comfort. It said his memory should be honoured by building a city where leaders serve with integrity and citizens are free from fear.
Report an error - 00:47:26
Condolences: EFF (MMC Tshwaku)
MMC Tshwaku, speaking for the EFF, recalled Councillor Mathe's cross-party work and his role in the creation of the Tactical Reaction Unit. He said a getaway car linked to the killers was intercepted through the TRU and Vumacam, and the case is with the Hawks. He said a camera and radios would be provided in Mathe's memory.
Report an error - 00:51:52
Condolences: IFP
The IFP offered condolences in isiZulu to the family, the ANC and the people of Ward 24. The speaker said the killing shows leaders are not safe, and quoted Psalm 34:18.
Report an error - 00:55:08
Condolences: PA
The Patriotic Alliance extended condolences to the family. It said councillors are not safe from the communities they serve and urged that his legacy inspire service with passion and commitment.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:57:48
Condolences: PAC (MMC Nkokou)
MMC Nkokou spoke for the PAC and described Councillor Mathe as a warrior for his community who embodied Ubuntu. He urged councillors to honour him by continuing to serve the people with integrity and determination.
Report an error - 01:02:57
Condolences: UDM
The UDM mourned the violent passing of Councillor Mathe and said the killings of councillors must end. It criticised those who opposed protection for ward councillors in this chamber and urged action to protect public representatives.
Report an error - 01:07:03
Speaker's closing remarks and removal of the late councillor's name
The Speaker thanked the parties and recounted that Councillor Mathe was sworn in on 5 November 2021, served Ward 24 and died on 17 February 2025. His funeral was on 23 February 2025. She said the meeting was also held to officially remove his name from the chamber in the ritual known as ukusula igama, and officials were asked to blow out the candle on his seat.
Report an error - 01:12:30
Songs and tribute
Councillors and guests sang struggle and farewell songs in isiZulu in honour of Councillor Mathe. No formal business was conducted.
Report an error - 01:20:55
Comments by family representative
Mr Scebiso Masondo, Mathe's nephew, spoke for the Mathe, Sibisi and Nhlabathi families. He described repeated attacks on Mathe from 2017 onwards and said the council did not protect him. He asked the City to protect its councillors and asked the MMC for Housing to ensure houses are built for the Motsoaledi community.
Report an error - 01:35:53
Announcements and closure
The Speaker thanked the family representative and agreed that councillors need better protection. She said the meeting had run out of time and that councillors would have 15 minutes to sign the register for the ordinary council sitting. Everyone was to stay seated until the family had left.
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 dateTshwaku
Provide a camera and two radios for each VD on the road into Ward 24, in memory of Councillor Mathe.
Not raised again in 33 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“we said that we're going to uh give him a camera and two radios”
Decisions
3What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:14:21
Applications for leave of absencenoted
The Speaker noted the apologies and late arrivals from the caucuses and asked council to approve or note them, with no vote recorded in the transcript.
- 01:09:58
Removal of the late Councillor Z. E. Mathe's name from the chamber (ukusula igama)carried out
Officials were instructed to blow out the candle on his seat as part of the protocol ritual officially removing his name.
- 01:36:34
Closure of the sixth special council meetingclosed
The meeting ended after the family left, with councillors given 15 minutes to sign the register for the ordinary council sitting.
Attendance and conduct
18Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 17
- Ill health (4)
- Dewes, Fourie-Shawe, Kwapeng, Molefe*
- Bereavement (1)
- Zungu
- Private business (1)
- Morero
- Other reason (1)
- Molala
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
MMC or Mayor not present for their business 1
- 00:14:37
The Executive Mayor was absent for his message of condolences; MMC Mnisi stood in.
Transcript
259Every line, linked to the video.
Show the full transcript(259 lines, AI transcript) or open it on its own page.