Transcript: Budget Speech

Opening, quorum concern and adjournment for register

00:10:15Good morning councillors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen in the gallery. May we...

00:12:02Uh, good morning, councillors. It is hereby notified that the continuation of the 30th Ordinary Meeting of the City of Johannesburg Municipality to debate the budget speech and consideration of reports will be held on Thursday, the 29th of May, 2025 at 12:00 at the Constance Connie Bapela Council Chamber in Metropolitan Centre, Braamfontein. And the first item of the agenda is opening.

00:12:33Thank you, Secretary to Council. I'm worried again about the quorum. Councillors, it's 12:06. Let me just give 15 minutes for councillors to go outside and sign the register. Then we will resume. It's 12:06, we'll resume at 12:20.

00:12:57Please go outside and sign the register while we wait for other councillors to come in.

00:14:29Eh, Zigebe, you look dope, my brother.

Singing in the chamber while waiting

00:22:15isiZulu[inaudible] uvalo. Asinalo uvalo lomhlaba esiwufunayo. Uvalo, no no no. Asinalo. Uvalo, no no no. Asinalo. Uvalo, no no no. Asinalo uvalo lomhlaba esiwufunayo. Abanye bethu esiwufunayo. Asinalo. Abanye bethu esiwufunayo. Asinalo.

00:22:45isiZuluAbanye bethu esiwufunayo. Asinalo uvalo lomhlaba esiwufunayo. Abanye bethu esiwufunayo. Asinalo. Abanye bethu esiwufunayo. Asinalo. Abanye bethu esiwufunayo.

00:23:12isiZulu[inaudible] no no no. Asinalo. Uvalo, no no no. Asinalo uvalo lomhlaba esiwufunayo. Abanye bethu esiwufunayo. Asinalo. Winnie Mandela. Winnie, Winnie Mandela. Wena uyisotsha la kwaMkhonto. Baba we, yo yo yo.

00:23:41isiZuluAwu, Winnie. Winnie Mandela. Wena uyisotsha. Baba we, yo yo yo. Awu, Tutu. Tutu. Awu, Tutu. Wena uyisotsha. Baba we, yo yo yo.

00:24:11isiZuluAwu, Tutu. Tutu. Awu, Tutu. Wena uyisotsha. Baba we, yo yo yo. Awu, Winnie. Winnie Mandela. Wena uyisotsha. Baba we, yo yo yo.

00:24:41isiZuluAwu, Tutu. Tutu. Wena uyisotsha. Baba we, yo yo yo. Awu, Winnie Mandela. Wena uyisotsha. Baba we, yo yo yo.

00:25:09isiZuluDubula! Zasha! Zasha! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Boph' izandla izinyawo Msholozi! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Boph' izandla izinyawo Msholozi! Kuyasha!

00:25:36isiZuluKuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Boph' izandla isimo sibhedile! Kuyasha!

00:26:01isiZuluBoph' izandla isimo sibhedile! Kuyasha! Imali iningi! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Boph' izandla isimo sibhedile! Kuyasha!

00:26:29isiZuluBoph' izandla isimo sibhedile! Kuyasha! Imali iningi! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha! Kuyasha!

00:26:52isiZuluZiyakhala! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Ziyakhala! Zasha! Imali yethu! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani!

00:27:22isiZuluSiyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga!

00:27:49isiZuluUzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga!

00:28:15isiZuluNoma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga!

00:28:36isiZuluNoma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani!

00:29:00isiZuluNoma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani! Uzozwa la! Noma kunjani!

00:29:28isiZuluNoma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Noma kunjani! Siyayibanga! Hhayi, awu ngithi sizoqubula! Hhayi, suka sambe! Hhayi, hhayi! Sizoqubula! Hhayi, suka sambe! Hhayi, hhayi! Sizoqubula! Hhayi, suka sambe! Hhayi, hhayi! Suka sambe! Hhayi, hhayi! Suka sambe! Hhayi, hhayi! Suka sambe! Hhayi, hhayi! Suka sambe! Hhayi, hhayi!

Resumption, protocol, quorum and apologies

00:31:40Councillors. Councillors, let's settle down. It's 12:25.

00:32:10Councillors, we are resuming with business of the day.

00:32:16To the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Dada Morero. To the Whip of Council, Councillor Nkosiphayo Zungu in his absentia. To the Chair of Chair, Councillor Vonani Marema. All political party leaders and whips. Members of the Mayoral Committee. Chairperson of the Section 79 committees. Fellow councillors,

00:32:44Acting City Manager, Mr Tshepo Makola. Secretary to Council, Mr Andile Gobinca. Officials of the City of Johannesburg. Residents of the City of Johannesburg. Members of the media. Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to the continuation of the 30th ordinary Council meeting of the City of Johannesburg Municipality where councillors will be debating the budget speech

00:33:13and the budget reports.

00:33:22Councillors, we have 219 councillors who are represented here, 219. Please if you have not signed, go outside and sign, but for now we do form quorum and we will continue.

00:33:40Eh, councillors, we proceed with applications for leave of absence.

00:33:47We have received an apology from Councillor Mpolobosho due to urgent private business. Are there any further apologies? I'll start with Councillor Avant-Smith.

00:34:01Good morning, Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Um, we have Councillor Landis, Councillor Harman, Councillor Mohamed, Councillor Stewart Marais, Councillor Roberts, Councillor Dewes, Councillor Suddaby and Councillor Ramaru off, um, today. And then for late arrival we have Councillor Chame and Councillor Crichton. Thank you.

00:34:24Noted, Councillor. Councillor Mogapi, followed by Councillor Mposula.

00:34:32Greetings, Speaker. Greetings, everyone. From the EFF we've got Councillor Makhafola, who's ill health. And we've got, eh, late arrivals, it's Councillor Seerane and Councillor Raseruthe. Thank you.

00:34:47Noted, Councillor. Councillor Mposula.

00:34:53Thank you, Speaker. Good morning. Um, Councillor Shadrack Mkhonto, um, family bereavement. Councillor Genevieve Durand, ill health. Eh, Councillor Mandla Nyaqela running late. Thank you so much.

00:35:13Noted, Councillor. Councillor Simonse.

00:35:18Good morning, Madam Speaker, or good afternoon. Um, late arrivals will be Councillor Ponsonby, Councillor May, Councillor Cherry. Um, MMC Kunene is off with ill health. Councillor Mokwena, Councillor Wilskut is away on party business and then Councillor Kabelo Pitso is on study leave. Thank you.

00:35:42Noted, Councillor. Councillor Dammie. We have one from MMC Masuku, a late arrival. I don't see any other hand that's raised. Are the apologies noted, councillors? Thank you, councillors.

Budget debate: ActionSA (Modukanene) rejects the budget

00:36:04Eh, councillors, we proceed with, eh, the third item, which is then the debate on the budget speech.

00:36:13The first speaker on our speakers list is from ActionSA, Councillor Modukanene.

00:36:28Councillor Modukanene, you have 12 minutes.

00:36:37Thank you, Speaker. Madam Speaker, fellow councillors and the residents of our beloved City of Johannesburg. We are not gathered here today to discuss numbers in a spreadsheet. We are here to debate the soul of a city at the crossroads. The budget may be legally balanced, but morally it is bankrupt.

00:37:01We are told this is a people's budget, but let us not be deceived. This is not a people's budget. It is a political survival plan dressed in language in the language of the poor while punishing them in practice.

00:37:17The R200 prepaid electricity surcharge is legalised extortion. Speaker, let us not mince our words. This flat rate is a legalised extortion. It is a tax on poverty. It punishes pensioners in Moffat View Old Age Home whose slips show half their grant spent on electricity. It punishes the unemployed graduate trying to keep their phones charged.claim

00:37:49It punishes the backyard dweller who never asked for this, but now pays for it. We were told the poor are exempted through the ESP program. That is not factual. Residents are struggling to access the system.

00:38:07Councillor Modukanene, please hold on. Councillors, please settle down. The speaker has already started with the debate. Please let's respect every councillor represented here today. Let's settle down. Councillor Modukanene, you may continue.

00:38:22Thank you, Speaker. We were told the poor are exempted through the ESP program. That is not factual. Residents are struggling to access the system. The indigent register is broken. The most vulnerable are not exempt, they are exploited. We submitted a costed evidence-based alternative that would raise up to R4.4 billion without punishing the poor.

00:38:50A tiered surcharge based on income and usage, aggressive revenue recovery from illegal connections and chronic defaulters, a solar and wheeling monetization model, a rationalization of non-core spending. We gave you the tools to do better, you chose not to, because the truth does not fit into your patronage spreadsheet.

00:39:17Insourcing, a betrayal with a smile. Let us talk about insourcing, not as a debate point, but as a moral test. Yes, the first phase of insourcing was implemented, but that's where it stopped. The challenges we saw were not with insourcing itself, but with how it was implemented. Poor planning, a lack of transitional support, and

00:39:46deliberate sabotage by those who profit from outsourcing disrupted what should have been a groundbreaking reform. Insourcing, when done right, restores dignity, strengthens accountability, and ensures long-term saving for the city. The problem is not the model, it is the will. We are now told that National Treasury does not support insourcing.

00:40:15But let's be honest, Treasury guidance is not the constitution, social justice is. Security guards, cleaners, EPWP workers, the invisible backbone of our clinics, libraries, and council buildings, are still exploited under your watch. The truth is simple: you won't insource because contractors must eat, and they are not the ones at the gates, they the ones at the golf courses.

00:40:47Insourcing is not a pipe dream, but a resolution of this very house. A capital budget built on debt and disillusion. Speaker, we are being asked to approve a R3.5 billion borrowing spree this year alone, over R9.7 billion over the next three years, and R5 billion in debt restructuring. But where are the results from the last billions borrowed?

00:41:16Now you speak of off-balance sheet financing, the same trickery that collapsed Enron. This is not a development strategy. It is debt dependency. We say no more borrowing without delivery, no more loans without transparency. Institutional failure and bureaucratic bloat. Let's speak frankly, the city does not lack money, it lacks priority.

00:41:46You employ over 33,000 people, yet basic services collapse. The wage bill has ballooned over to over R21.6 billion, but you can't fix billing, you can't pick up the rubbish, and your call centers are still unanswered. There's no institutional review, no consequence management, and no accountability for over R5 billion in irregular expenditure.

00:42:14This is not governance, this is a job protection racket. On spatial justice and the local economy: spaza for locals. Speaker, while the Executive Mayor and MMC and MMC of Economic Development crisscross the city preaching the gospel of economic opportunity, we remind them that the true inclusion starts with enforcement,

00:42:43but they are doing the Lord's work. That I can give to them. Spaza for locals is not just a slogan, it is an economic justice intervention. The local economy is not free for all. The money meant for women like Nombuso in Ward 56 and Dithumedisane in Ward 124, the mothers who wake up before dawn to sell warm magwinya on the corners of our communities,

00:43:12that must not be hijacked. Hijacked by syndicates, hijacked by corrupt officials, hijacked by politicians protecting lawlessness. We call for compliance, not as red tape, but as a shield to protect dignity, jobs, and local ownership. Yes, we are not just rejectionists, we acknowledge the allocation

00:43:41into the city rejuvenation program. ActionSA's motion now finds budget reality. We will ensure strict oversight. Funding for the Kya Sands landfill crisis, a result of ActionSA's persistent advocacy. Procurement of red fleet fire engines, long overdue, but necessary. That progress we do acknowledge, and we are very appreciative of.

00:44:14But isolated wins do not redeem systematic regression. Our alternative is real and ready. ActionSA didn't come to oppose, we came to propose: a progressive pro-poor revenue model, a clear plan for infrastructure and investment driven by need, not optics, and institutional cleanup with a performance-based

00:44:43accountability, public participation that is real, not performative. Speaker, I have also noticed the budget in your office. It was reduced from 2.4 to 1.3. This is very concerning because oversight and governance is at the is the backbone of legislature. Speaker, the concern is our

00:45:14ward councillors' offices. They don't have furniture, it's broken, and before long they won't even be able to print proof of addresses for residents.

00:45:25SesothoKe a le buelella!

00:45:29Yes, so Speaker, please, uh, this is, uh, this is really concerning and I hope that you can you should lobby for more funds to assist our residents, to assist our councillors, more especially our ward councillors.

00:45:50Uh, Speaker...

00:46:01Speaker...

00:46:06Councillors, settle down, please.

00:46:22Speaker, this is not a protest vote. It is a principled vote. We do not stand with populism. We do not stand with paralysis. We stand with the pensioner in Moffat View Old Age Home praying the lights stay on, the mother in Diepsloot walking her child past burst pipes, the informal trader in Yeoville now taxed before she earns. We vote for them and we vote against this budget.

00:46:51Because Johannesburg is not just a city, it is a promise. A promise of dignity, of African excellence, of fairness. And today that promise needs defenders, not just approvers. We reject this budget, not in our name, not in yours, and finally together with my caucus we declare: only action can fix Johannesburg. Thank you.

Budget debate: IFP (Makhuba) supports the budget

00:47:30Thank you, Councillor Modukanene. The next the next speaker on our list is from IFP, Councillor Makhuba.

00:47:48The young recruit. Um, Honourable Speaker of Council, Honourable Chief Whip of Council, the Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance, members of the Mayoral Committee, the IFP caucus led by MMC Mabaso, honourable councillors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

00:48:14isiZulusanibonani.

00:48:16Madam Speaker, the Inkatha Freedom Party has noted that this year's budget of R89.4 billion is the greatest that the city has ever received. We welcome the fact that the city managed to raise its budget revenue despite the tough economic environment that it operated in. We can only hope that the additional financial resources will be used with a great sense of efficiency and diligence.

00:48:45I say this because it is also a fact that this city has often been found wanting when it comes to preventing its chronic issues of wasteful, irregular, and unapproved spending, which negatively impacts on service delivery and the well-being of Johannesburg citizens. This year's budget is suitably themed "A Financially Sustainable Joburg", and in addition to this, the MMC for Finance, Councillor Arnolds,

00:49:15said that the presented budget is not merely a budget, but a vision forged in the fire of public participation, grounded in the demands of our people, and propelled by the spirit of renewal. The IFP is not opposed to any of these pronouncements, but we only urge that they must be followed through with a renewed spirit that is just as resolute when it comes to implementation. The truth is that

00:49:45people of Joburg are now weary and have grown impatient of tales about the city's vision that never materialize into visible outcomes of service delivery. This much was evident as we listened through their concerns voiced out during the IDP hearings in recent weeks. Across the city, residents expressed their yearn for this municipality to meet their needs like water and sanitation,

00:50:14electricity, shelter, municipal roads infrastructure repairs, which have been delayed. Such delays in service delivery are no better than a denial of services. I am raising this, uh, sorry, Speaker, this budget does not also show much appreciation on intergovernmental relations. There is no proper alignment with other spheres of government like the GNU, the GPU, particularly on their program called TISH,

00:50:43which speaks to your township, informal settlements, and hostels. I am raising this at the backdrop of the fact that the budget allocated for the Department of Human Settlements, on a face value, is sufficient to make a difference. However, a lion's share of it is ring-fenced for 10 key projects, which make it difficult to make a difference on long-forgotten areas. BFI is a necessary funding method to support infrastructure development

00:51:13linking with new mega projects, but it does create financial risk for other mega projects. It is a method that should be replicated in all mega developments to secure and ring-fence funding. It would have been prudent if this budget was explicit on how much has been allocated to hostels, retirement villages, and the revamping of flats for greater accountability.

00:51:41We are, however, optimistic that the increased budget for capital projects that will address deep infrastructure backlogs, where Joburg Water is allocated R5.6 billion and R4.6 billion allocated to City Power over the next three years. These allocations will certainly go a long way to address the urgent need to maintain the deteriorating water and electricity infrastructure, and add on more

00:52:10of it, particular in underserved areas of the city. We also welcome the prioritization of the battle against potholes in the city, noting particularly the announcement to fund the resurfacing of municipal roads in the city, which will help a great deal to commuters and businesses that heavily rely on the use of the road infrastructure and public transportation.

00:52:40The IFP also commends the efforts made by the city with regards to ring-fencing the resources that cater for indigent and poor members of our great city. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the IFP remains committed to serving the people of Johannesburg, and we're always prepared to put the interest of the citizens first above all else. Our vision is clear: we are determined

00:53:08to ensuring that this city remains the prosperous metro with an accountable Government of Local Unity that truly works for its people. The IFP supports this budget. I thank you.

00:53:28isiZuluSiyabonga,

Concern over absent senior management

00:53:29Councillor Makhuba. GOOD, Councillor Cook. Councillor Cook, before you start, Councillor Maila.

00:53:43Uh, thank you very much, uh, Madam Speaker. I am rising to express my concern that I do not see any member of the senior management team in front of us, especially the Acting City Manager and the Group Chief Financial Officer. I thought it was important for them to be in the house so that they take note of the comments and the contributions from members. Thank you very much.

Budget debate: GOOD (Cook) criticises the budget

00:54:22Your concern is noted, Councillor. I'm sure the executive have heard you loud and clear. GOOD, Councillor Cook.

00:54:33Speaker, yesterday the MMC of Finance delivered the 2025/2026 City of Joburg budget speech. As GOOD, we had hoped that the MMC would deliver a positive and optimistic budget which would assure the residents of Joburg that their voices were being considered and that the city was addressing the litany of pressing issues which face Joburg residents daily. Instead, we received what only could be considered as an angry campaign speechclaim

00:55:02that delivered regurgitated buzzwords and highlighted that overburdened residents will have to cough up more while the city continues to deteriorate. Speaker, the residents of Joburg know that budgets are about numbers, not about fancy words. However, instead of delivering a budget that was full of numbers and the details to back those numbers up, residents had hundreds of lofty hyperbole and promises strung together in an unappetizingclaim

00:55:31word salad, which passed blame on Joburg's chaos back to the residents like a hot potato. Speaker, when numbers were mentioned, they were rattled off in quick succession with no justification and plan on how these numbers will be achieved, before heading back to more waffle. Speaker, the MMC noted that the city's degradation is caused by illegal dumping, informal invasions, vandalism, cable theft, and bylaw non-compliance,claim

00:56:01and that this erodes dignity, drives away investment, and costs the municipality millions of rand. If the MMC was honest, she would have noted that while these issues do contribute to the problems the city is facing, the biggest problems the city is facing, um, is political bickering, financial mismanagement, a complete breakdown in service delivery, and corruption which steals directlyclaim

00:56:27from the poor and brings Joburg to its knees. The city writes off hundreds of millions of rands every year due to irregular and wasteful expenditure and corruption. How is it that the MMC of Finance can spin it to blame residents for Joburg's degradation? GOOD would like to assure the residents of Joburg, all of the residents of Joburg, you are not the problem, this Council is.claim

00:56:55The MMC further mentioned that it is not enough to deliver services, we must protect them. Speaker, please could you let the MMC know that to protect services, you must be delivering them first. It is also noted that the MMC mentioned that dreamers flock to Johannesburg. It is true the City of Gold has attracted dreamers. I am one of them. I moved to Johannesburg in 2012 to chase my dreams.claim

00:57:25But like residents of Joburg will now admit, our biggest dreams have become our worst nightmares! Joburg is crumbling and deteriorating at an accelerated rate, and opportunities are drying up for those who are not politically connected. Speaker, we have heard of an institutional review for years, but nothing has been presented to this house. Instead, in yesterday's speech, we learned that employee-related costsclaim

00:57:54are now at 25% of the city's budget, exceeding R21.6 billion. While residents suffer with a complete breakdown in service delivery across the city, the city continues to prioritize salaries for the connected few, rather than focusing on what matters to the 6 million residents of Johannesburg. Speaker, Joburg's 2025/2026 budget fails the most vulnerable and continuesclaim

00:58:22to cripple the already overburdened and financially struggling resident. It is a budget that clings to old habits while ignoring the public frustration and the need for a pro-poor reform. The city's R84.8 billion operating revenue and R80.7 billion expenditure projections are based on flawed assumptions, including unjustifiable tariffs and an underperformance in collections. Rather than cut waste and inefficiency,

00:58:51the administration chooses to shift the financial burden to the already struggling communities. Despite numerous commitments from the executive and public outcry, the R200 prepaid electricity surcharge remains in the budget. This charge punishes low-income residents who rely on prepaid meters to avoid debt. It's a regressive and, frankly, a brutal measure. Residents across Johannesburg make the decision every day

00:59:19whether they are going to buy bread or units of electricity. We are aware of major infrastructure backlogs. Water and electricity infrastructure is crumbling, potholes are getting bigger, traffic lights are not working across the city, and Joburg Water has a backlog of R27 billion in infrastructure backlogs. This budget does not address this and continues to underfund the most critical issues. How can we justify cutting R2.5 million in road infrastructure

00:59:49when the number of potholes and traffic light issues are increasing? Speaker, GOOD has raised concerns about the Mayor's bomb squad, which is now being referred to as the Inner City...

01:00:00war room. Yesterday we heard that this war room is operational. In fact, we heard there are multiple war rooms. Where are these war rooms? What are they costing? Who is operating them? And why as we as Councillors still not able to see these plans? Speaker, the Mayor showed us in his Soka that he can send an email. Perhaps him or the MMC of Finance could send an email to all of us as Councillors indicating what are these war room plans and what it's costing.

01:00:30In closing Speaker, we've heard of many issues, but the real issues of the people of Johannesburg have not been addressed. What about the concerns of residents of Westbury, Coronationville, Riverlea, Westdene, Brixton, Melville, Ennerdale, Lawley? The list goes on.

01:00:49Councillor time is up. You have exhausted your 6 minutes. Thank you.

01:00:54isiZuluMakhosi.

Budget debate: APC (Mokwena) offers implementation proposals

01:01:00We move over to APC Councillor Mokwena.

01:01:11Councillor Mokwena?

01:01:12Eh... Eh, thank you very much, eh Speaker.

01:01:18isiZuluEh, ngiyabonga kakhulu.

01:01:21And also greetings to you, the Executive Mayor.

01:01:25isiZuluCouncillor Mokwena, maybe yima ngiyasokola ukukuzwa. Uma ungasondela phakathi phambi kwe-mic.

01:01:30isiZuluOkay, ithi ngime so. I think ya.

01:01:32isiZuluIngcono nyana.

01:01:32isiZuluIngcono kakhulu.

01:01:37isiZuluEh... I'm sure ngiyazwakala.

01:01:41isiZuluIngcono.

01:01:42isiZuluOkay. Eh, bengisasho ngithi

01:01:46greetings to you eh Speaker, the Executive Mayor, MMCs, Chief Whip in his absentia, Chair of Chairs, fellow Councillors, our guests and and residents. Eh Speaker, as the APC, we want to take this opportunity to really appreciate and thank the Group Finance team, the MMC of Finance under the leadership of the Executive Mayor, for crafting this budget under difficult conditions.

01:02:15It's extremely difficult because, for example eh Speaker, it's a situation where you need to spend R50 of revenue to cover R100 of expenditure. So, a strong balancing act was required and they did that. So, we understand and also appreciate for that. So, eh just back to MMC for Finance. MMC, the budget process is one side of the coin. It's done now.

01:02:45You presented very well. We have seen the synopsis and extract of the budget, and give us a net surplus of 4.1 billion. Now, the other side of the coin is the implementation of the budget that would then give us the actual financial performance and financial position. The net surplus that is showing now, it might change into a deficit or shortage position. So, that must be avoided by a combination of the following. On the revenue side, we really need to think

01:03:15deep and consider to establish a finance company eh like a city bank. And I raised this before. That finance company will take advantage of the flow of money and generate interest revenue for the city. On the other hand, we need to strengthen the municipal trading entities and assets to diversify our revenue generation. On the expenditure side, we as APC, we propose

01:03:46that we need to implement eh the budget in compliance and within the prescripts of the law and regulation, eh such as MSA and MFMA, eh etc. So, we also... There should be no deviation from the approved budget, so that eh there are no cost escalations and infrastructure project cost does not exceed the allowed eh eh and allocated budget.

01:04:18The third point is that on the activities as per the approved performance plan, must be achieved to avoid unnecessary delays in rollout of planned infrastructure projects. The best team must be used at all levels to deliver infrastructure projects that are that are planned currently. Eh point number four is that there should be adherence to sound financial management. There should be financial discipline,

01:04:49and we must make it sure that that financial discipline is maintained at all level. The available money must be spent appropriately. Speaker, you see, in the past, eh myself and Umkhonto weSizwe would have said eh each bullet must take us forward. But now times have changed. We are saying that each rand must take us forward. So, eh as APC our we further recommend that there should we should move as close as possible to ward-based

01:05:19budgeting, so that most of the key priorities are budgeted for in all the wards. The ward-based budgeting that we are saying, we are referring to that it should be a combination of equitable allocation, and also proportional allocation of budget to all the wards. We also recommend strengthening of social audits, eh tracking and evaluating of performance in the rollout of infrastructure project projects, so that the projects are delivered

01:05:51as expected in terms of the quality of work and the time frame, and also meet the expectation of our people, who should always be at the center of everything that we do. So lastly eh Speaker, in terms of the overall eh financial performance and position of the city, we must strive to retain the surplus position so that we always eh eh eh maintain a positive liquidity position to avoid a situation where we fail to meet our short-term commitments eh eh and obligations.

01:06:22Eh with those few eh inputs, eh thank you very much, Speaker.

01:06:26isiZuluIzwe lethu.

Budget debate: DA (Santana) presents alternative budget

01:06:32Thank you, Councillor Mokwena. DA Councillor Santana.

01:06:41Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Johannesburg residents, esteemed colleagues and the members of the media, as the Democratic Alliance we the we understand unwaveringly for good governance, accountability, fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment and economic justice. Today I present the DA's assessment of the City of Johannesburg's 2025/2026 to 2027/2028 medium-term budget

01:07:13grounded in our commitment to build a prosperous, inclusive and world-class African city. Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa's economic heartbeat is in crisis. Systemic inefficiencies, misplaced priorities and a lack of accountability have eroded its potential. Our infrastructure lies in neglect, leaving the forgotten residents and ratepayers of Orange Farm, Soweto, Lenasia, Roodepoort, Randburg, Sandton,claim

01:07:43Alexandra and Diepsloot to burden, sorry, to bear the burden of the city's failing in delivery. Madam Speaker, the operating budget proposed by the MMC for the 2025/2026 projects a revenue of 84.8 billion, a 9.3% increase, and expenditure of 80.7 billion, a 7% increase for the 2024/2025 financial year. The tariff hikes included the property rates at 4.6,claim

01:08:13electricity at 12.41, water at 13.9, sanitation at 13.9, refuse at 6.6. Madam Speaker, the DA rejects this business as usual approach. We place undue strain on residents already grappling with economic hardships. Our alternative budget prioritizes fiscal responsibility, economic justice, and we are proposing the following: a revenue of 83.6 billion,claim

01:08:44which represents 7.9% increase, and expenditure of 79.9 billion, an increase of only 6%, aligning with inflation to ease the financial burden. The tariff adjustments that we are proposing is as follows: property rates, 0% increase, reflecting stagnant or declining property values due to infrastructure decay. Electricity, 12.41%, aligned with aligned with the pass-through cost.claim

01:09:15Water, 13.9 aligned with the pass-through cost. Sanitation, 4.6%, linked to property rates for the residential users as it is a flat based on property size. Refuse, 4.6, balancing affordability and service delivery. Madam Speaker, we also propose target adjustments to the revenue and expenditure line items. Revenue enhancement: increase the fines and penalties and forfeits by 150%claim

01:09:46through rigorous bylaw enforcement, boosting compliance and revenue without burdening residents. Sweat the city's assets to unlock untapped revenue streams, reducing reliance on tariff hikes as well. Expenditure savings: cap employee-related cost at 4.6% in line with inflation, and dissolve non-performing municipal-owned entities' boards to curb wasteful expenditure. Reduceclaim

01:10:15Councillor remuneration increase to 3%, reflecting fiscal restraint. Maintain debt impairment at 0% increase by enhancing revenue collection strategies. Cap other losses at 0% by addressing technical and non-technical losses at City Power and Joburg Water. Madam Speaker, on that basis, we still land up with a surplus of R3.7 billion before capital transfers and taxation.claim

01:10:47Additionally, we reject the network capacity charge for customers not directly supplied by City Power, or reliant on its network. This charge ranging from R70 to R280.30 excluding VAT requires clarity and public consultation to ensure fairness. The DA budget is a blueprint for economic recovery prioritizing affordability, accountability and service delivery for all residents.

01:11:16Moving to the capital budget, the proposed capital budget of 8.7 billion is funded as follows: the City of Johannesburg loans at 42%, representing 3.5 billion. The COJ cash at 7.5% of only R650 million of our own cash. National grants at 41.8%, reflecting 3.6 billion. Provincial grants at 0.1, which is the 10.7 million, and others at 10.4

01:11:46of 903 million. Madam Speaker, this heavy reliance on loans at 42% burdens future generations with debt. Historically, the city balanced funding was one-third loans, one-third cash and one-third grants. The DA proposes a leaner 7.9 billion capital budget as follows: COJ loans at 31.4%, dropping it to 2.5 billion, COJ cash increasing it by 11.4% to 900 million,

01:12:16and the provincial grants and national grants, um national grants at 45.6 at 3.6 billion remains unchanged, the provincial grants at 0.1 at 10.7 million remains unchanged, and other at 11.4% at 903 million remains unchanged. Madam Speaker, our budget prioritizes infrastructure investment across all 135 wards of the City of Johannesburg ensuring equitable development. By aggressively collecting

01:12:46the 12 billion in outstanding property rates owed by residents, business and government, we will increase the COJ's cash contributions towards infrastructure, reducing debt and fostering sustainable growth. Madam Speaker, moving to the public consultation outcomes, we as the Democratic Alliance are extremely concerned that not all residents' comments were recorded during the public consultation process. We do however support the the calls from the improvements of the Municipal Standard

01:13:17Chart of Accounts implementation recognized by National Treasury that it's only partially compliant, and that undermines transparency and accountability. Madam Speaker, moving to the the capital funding plan, we as the Democratic Alliance will not support any additional long-term or short-term loans until a detailed report is provided on existing loans, including terms, interest rates, related capital projects. We also

01:13:47request a workshop on the public participation program for Councillors to ensure transparency and the understanding of what the city intends to do. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the DA's vision of Johannesburg is rooted in our core values: good governance, fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment and economic justice. Our alternative budget delivers affordability, accountability and equitable growth. We will not burden residents with excessive tariffs or future generations with unsustainable

01:14:17debt. Instead, we will sweat assets, ensure enhance revenue collection and prioritize infrastructure to build or rebuild a Johannesburg as a world-class African city. Together, we can create a Johannesburg that works for all, a city of opportunity, fairness and prosperity. I thank you.

Budget debate: COPE (Mokome) on sport, arts and culture

01:14:49Thank you, Councillor Santana. COPE Councillor Mokome.

01:15:04Thank you, Madam Speaker, and good day. Executive Mayor Councillor Dada Sello Morero, Chief Whip of Council Councillor Sthembiso Zungu, members of the Mayoral Committee, Chair of Chairs Councillor Adolphus Marema, Chairpersons of Council Committees, fellow Councillors, leaders of all political parties, Acting City Manager

01:15:35Mr. Tshepo Makola, Secretary to Council Andile Gobinca, Group Chief Financial Officer Mr. Tebogo Moraka in absentia, I was made to believe, senior managers and officials of Council, residents of the City of Johannesburg, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, good day.

01:16:04SetswanaMosakgotla a ketswe molomo ka gore molela phofu ya gaabo ga a tshwe lentswe.

01:16:15Loosely translated: that that is closer to your heart remains your passion and obsession. Madam Speaker, Congress of the People, COPE, supports the collective declaration of the people's budget for a city that works as a cue from the Mayor'sclaim

01:16:45directive of the City of Johannesburg that we all want to see. But Madam Speaker, we must be realistic in terms of our mandate relating to the sustained service delivery and good governance as part of the critical pillars of Mayoral priorities. The Departmentclaim

01:17:15of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Heritage had a shortfall of 53.1 million from the previous financial year. This resulted in underperformance by the entity, and repairs and maintenance services were not optimally carried out. Yes, Madam Speaker, the budgetclaim

01:17:46reflects a city that is getting organized, that is tracking performance, and that is building trust. Madam Speaker, on a daily basis, we carry those cries for help from our communities: a vandalized swimming pool in Ennerdale Extension 9, repairs and maintenance at the multipurpose center in Orange Farm,claim

01:18:19Arthur Ashe Tennis Court in Moroka Jabavu is being vandalized because there's no security on the complex. Once again, Moroka Jabavu Boxing Club wall has recently collapsed, and this needs urgent attention in terms of repairs and maintenance. Thank you, Madam Speaker, that the Johannesburg City Library has been allocatedclaim

01:18:5028 million for completion, completion which we anticipate to be completed by the end of August 2025. Johannesburg Art Gallery has been allocated 40 million, finally, and scheduled for completion in November 2026. We also note, Madam Speaker, the construction

01:19:22of a swimming pool in Cosmo City, which adds to our service delivery mandate. Yes, indeed, we also appreciate the work that has been done at the Matholeville Multipurpose Center. I thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

01:19:46SesothoRe a leboga Councillor Mokome.

Budget debate: FF+ (Boer) rejects the budget; interruptions

01:19:49Freedom Front Plus Councillor Boer.

01:19:54Good morning, Madam Speaker, all protocol observed. Um, before I start with the debate, I want to thank you for your um acknowledgment of Ascension Day today, that you shifted the time of the meeting to accommodate us for that. The Freedom Front really appreciate this. Um, and I want to ask your staff to keep it in their planning for next year that we do not have a meeting on Ascension Day. Um, we would really appreciate that.claim

01:20:24But Madam Speaker, to come back to the debate, um this the MMC was so right to say that the budget of the City of Johannesburg is probably the most important budget in South Africa next to the national budget. Um, we are the biggest metro, and the whole country is looking at Johannesburg for hope. And this budget, Madam Speaker, was a budget of missing opportunities. It was a budget as if we doing businessclaim

01:20:55as usual. We taking money from our residents. Uh, it's the easy place to grab money, and we did not think out of the box. Um, there was no thinking about how can we address the financial strain of the city. We did not address non-revenue water. We did not address infrastructure decay. We did not address the non-payment of services by many of our residents.

01:21:26We did not address, thinking back that 3 years ago, we were collecting a billion rand a year on traffic fines. This has reduced to 150,000 because AARTO is not working, post office is not working, and we do nothing about it. Madam Speaker, this budget does not create hope for any of our residents. It does not create investor confidence. It does not create employment. In fact, it will make the unemployment rate in our city higher.

01:21:57There is no confidence from any investor to come and invest in this city, a city with infrastructure falling apart, a city where charges are so high it is not just workable for any business to come and invest in our city and create employment for our workers. What does this budget do? It does create further financial strain. Our ratepayers are already burdened, and now we are imposing an average

01:22:28increase on the monthly bill by 9%. Where must they get this money from? And that will increase unemployment as well because many of our residents will have to get rid of our domestic workers, our garden workers, because they just cannot afford them anymore. So even more people are going to apply for ESP. Madam Speaker, where are we going to? The MMC said in her budget

01:22:58speech, the city is still bearing the scars of apartheid. And Madam Speaker, with all respect, I am not insensitive about the wrongdoings of apartheid. But we must tell ourselves, before 1994, Johannesburg had no informal settlements. We are blaming apartheid on spatial planning.

01:23:20Councillor Boer, please hold on. Councillor Ngwenya.

01:23:39Eh Madam Speaker, eh today here we're talking about budget speech. I'm not sure whether I heard yesterday eh anything related to apartheid or something. So, I just want to get an understanding from you, Madam Speaker, to then say is it then allowed for a continuation of u-Councillor to continue and allowed to talk of such, or alternatively, maybe he went to overseas and speak there overseas and stuff.

01:24:12Thank you so much, yeah.

01:24:13isiZuluHawu Councillor Ngwenya. Asimuphe ithuba

01:24:17so we can

01:24:19isiZulusim-understand-e ukuthi uthini. Angithi i-speech sakhe makachaze,

01:24:22let him deliberate on his speech and continue, then we'll understand what he's saying. Councillor Boer, we stopped your time at 2 minutes 34 seconds. You can continue.

01:24:36Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I said, we are not insensitive about the wrongdoings of apartheid. Um, but you must also bear in mind that the city was planned as one municipality, Johannesburg Municipality. We had a Sandton Municipality, we had a Randburg Municipality, we had a Roodepoort Municipality, and we even had a Midrand Municipality. Now we have combined this all together into one metro, and that is causing part of our spatial planning issues that we do have.

01:25:06But Madam Speaker, the city is bearing the scars of 30 years of ANC government and outdated ideologies of affirmative action, cadre deployment, BEE being black elite empowerment. Those ideologies are not creating jobs for our people. They do not produce cost-effective services, but as our attorney friend in Vryheid says, it's make a few people

01:25:36stinking rich. Those are the scars that our city is bearing today. And the MMC was talking about high impact. High impact is a is a new word. Yes, this budget will have a high impact on already suffering residents who have to deal with broken infrastructure, potholes, no water, no electricity, and now they are expected to cough up additional funds. This budget will have a high impact on our residents in

01:26:07Ivory Park, Diepsloot, Alexandra, because there is no hope for them for their desperate situation. Their situation is going to get worse. Madam Speaker, this reminds me that the Bible said that it is better not to make a promise than to make a promise and not fulfill your promises. And our budget speech was full of promises that they are not going to be fulfilled. This MMC referred to a political contract.

01:26:39The budget is a political contract between the GNU and the residents. And what does the GNU offer? No hope, no improvement in our desperate situation. They promise further financial strain on residents. They promise increased poverty. They promise increase in unemployment. They promise decrease in service levels, and they promise further infrastructure. And to the residents of our city, do you want to accept this contract? No. The Freedom Front reject this

01:27:09unacceptable. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:27:19AfrikaansBaie dankie, Councillor Boer.

01:27:23MMC Tshwaku, I hope you're not going to ask anything related to his speech. It's done and concluded,

01:27:29isiZuluangithi MMC?

01:27:30No, I think I was late, Speaker. I wanted just to ask if there's any white genocide in South Africa, and if he's going to relocate to America. Sorry about that, Speaker. I was, yeah, I was late.

01:27:38isiZuluHawu, MMC Tshwaku. Ungayimoshi, MMC, no. Ungayimoshi, MMC Tshwaku.

Budget debate: ACDP (Mkhonza) questions transparency plans and rejects budget

01:27:49The next speaker is from ACDP, Councillor Mkhonza, and I'm I've been notified that yesterday was your birthday. You didn't tell us before we started with our budget speech, but I hope you had a very pleasant day and many more blessed years ahead. Councillor Mkhonza, you have 6 minutes.

01:28:11Yeah, thank you very much, um Madam Speaker. Shalom, shalom. Um Madam Speaker, allow me to first acknowledge our Almighty God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Thank you once again, Madam Speaker. Greetings to all Councillors, the ACDP constituents, the residents of our beloved city, Johannesburg. I greet all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.

01:28:40Amen. Um allow me to first eh also quote from my guiding eh manual, the Bible, in the book of Proverbs 14:23. It reads as follows: if you work hard, you will have plenty. If you do nothing but talk, you will not have enough. Madam Speaker, we hope that the MMC and her team are not just talking. Congratulations, MMC Arnolds, on your maiden budget speech. All the right words were said,

01:29:11the revolutionary phrases were trotted around, and the obligatory reference to apartheid was not forgotten. Um allow me to to to start by appreciating the intention um MMC for transparency in financial and performance eh reporting in an effort to win public trust. We applaud the intention to introduce, one, monthly publication of revenue and expenditure performance;

01:29:42two, detailed quarterly SDBIP reports with variance explanation; three, strengthening of internal audit and capacity and reporting; four, enhanced Forensic Investigation Services, GFIS, for dealing with fraud, corruption and maladministration. Lastly, we also appreciate the intention to of empowering Councillors with

01:30:00intertools. Now, let us focus on these ideal intentions per point. The monthly publications, after how many months MMC of the actual revenue and expenditure will this reports be published and which platforms will be used? We are asking this because as Section 79 Committee of Finance, we are struggling to get Section 71 reports within 10 days, let alone monthly.

01:30:24Two, on detailed budget quarterly SDBIPs, where will these be published and do we have a user friendly platform to access these reports? On internal audits, kindly furnish us with the tangible plans on how will this be done and by when. On enhanced GFIS, will the GFIS first start by investigating the illegal and Nicodemus, Nicodemus appointment of Ms. Helen Botes and others?

01:30:55Number five, on credit control, you did not speak much about the uncontrollable gross growing debtors book. Will you please briefly talk to this? Number six, infrastructure development is core. How do we plan to achieve this when we have a person who dismally failed at JPC in the name of Ms. Helen Joseph?

01:31:18Botes! Botes! Hey! Botes! Okay. Reduce Okay, reduce illegal connections.

01:31:34How do we plan to do this whilst planning to electrify informal settlements instead on formalizing them? Are we promoting illegal immigrants or what? On GBV and by-law enforcement, Madam Speaker, the MMC did not speak much about the disturbing pandemic against women and children. The unsettling mushrooming of children who are supposed to be at school.

01:31:58Infants and women begging at intersections must be treated as GBV. It is unacceptable that women and children are dropped off at intersection in the morning and collected in the afternoon. We turn a blind eye. The MMC does not say how much is committed to the JMPDs.

01:32:19Now, the budget speech is about a high level snapshot, the metro's, of the metro's income and expenses. I want to focus again on the one element, the retention of the 200 surcharge on prepaid electricity. Nothing is mentioned about the charges levied on post paid customers. Currently the average charges are as follows on electricity.

01:32:44Service charge is R235.79, network charge of R763.77, on water, demand management levy R322.97, on refuse, removal bin of R139.

01:33:06The average home pays an average of R1460 in surcharges. Add this to the cost of electricity, water, refuse and removal and VAT, then the average household has to pay nearly 6000 per month. In the current economic climate with an employment rate at 32% and a growing class of the working poor, these charges are excessive and certainly not pro-poor.

01:33:34The proposed increases are unaffordable and totally unacceptable. The ACDP calls for a review of the funding model because the current model is strangling those who do pay,

01:33:46One minute remaining.

01:33:48while no workable solution is tabled to broaden the pool of payers and to spread the burden of financing the city on all our citizens. The ACDP does not support the so called people's budget. I thank you.

Budget debate: ANC (Simelane) supports the budget

01:34:07Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. ANC, you are going to have two speakers as per changes instead of one. I'll start with Councillor Simelane and your allocated time, Councillor Simelane is seven minutes.

01:34:29Thank you, Speaker. I greet you, Speaker, Mayor,

01:34:38SesothoBra seilora Morero.

01:34:43Speaker, a budget of progress, not promises. Honorable Speaker, Executive Mayor, members of Council, I rise today not only as a councillor, but as the voice of the youthful township constituents, a community that knows the hardship of reality of broken systems and the cost of being overlooked.

01:35:11Today we are resolute to support the 2025/2026 budget because we see a budget that recognizes our daily struggles and is intentional about confronting them. This budget does not exist in isolation. It reflects the heart of our city.claim

01:35:31The 2025/2026 IDP, what we see is a budget aligned with ambition. From the IDP strategic focus, strategic focus on sustainable service delivery, inclusive economic growth and infrastructure led development, this budget takes a significant step in operationalizing that vision. Speaker, 5.6 billion for water infrastructure and 4.6 billion for electricity signals more than numbers.claim

01:36:03It is a direct intervention in our township where water tanks have become the norm and candlelight is not a romantic choice, but a survival tactic. The focus on infrastructure development as committed in both the IDP and the budget provides mechanism to accelerate backlog, eradicating and improving turnaround in high risk areas like ours.

01:36:29Speaker, the IDP is clear, service delivery must be reliable, predictable and measurable. The budget follows suit with expandable performance based services contract which we welcome. But I urge the Council to ensure local contractors and cooperatives are empowered, especially in township based maintenance.

01:36:51Introduction of real time tracking of service complaints is commendable, but this tool must be not locked behind bureaucracy. It must be ward accessible, enabling councillors to monitor turnaround times, escalate unresolved issues and rebuild trust. Let's close the gap between allocation and application.

01:37:13Speaker, I commend the emphasis on grid resilience and pipeline upgrades, but there is a caution. Our township must not only benefit from this investment, they must be prioritized. We must provide clarity where, when and how this billions will reach us.

01:37:33And let us pilot community energies cooperatives under the energy mix program. Microgrid solutions powered by local youth could help decentralize our resilience. The budget reflects the IDP promises, but delivery must reflect urgency. Youth unemployment stands at around 30%. This budget shows some intent to alleviate youth unemployment. The IDP and the budget speak

01:38:01The IDP and the budget both speak to a job intensive growth and digital infrastructure investment. Let's make this real through expansion of township business hubs where local youth can access funding, Wi-Fi and mentorship. The 59 million public employment grant is welcome. However, we propose a policy amendment. Direct 30% of that funding to youth led ward based service teams,

01:38:28trained, registered and monitored via councillor led committees. Our plan is to ensure that grants are impactful. Speaker, both the IDP and the budget commit to a smart city. I support the continued rollout of free Wi-Fi, but let's demand that all township schools, clinic and libraries be prioritized in phase one of this digital rollout by way of intergovernmental arrangement where possible.

01:38:55As we talk of hosting G20 and U20 summits, let's not forget our own youth who are still disconnected. Let's invest in their digital literacy now. A smart city must include its poorest. The IDP call for active citizenry, citizen and good governance. This budget begin to support it.

01:39:21The idea of real time dashboard and committee level performance reporting must not remain a pilot. I call for ward based IDP feedback platforms, a monthly opportunity where residents score the city delivery. It cannot be that we engage community when there are issues. We must be proactive. If we are building a city of the future, let's also build a citizenship of responsibility.

01:39:48In closing, Honorable Speaker, we support this budget not out of blind loyalty, but because it genuinely speaks the language of the IDP. It aligns planning with delivery. It speaks to transformation, not just in theory, but in spend, and yet support its silence. Our job is to ensure this budget reaches the informal settlement, the unemployed graduate,

01:40:17the small business,

01:40:18isiZulukoSoweto, koOrange Farm, Alex, eStwetla, kanjalo kanjalo

01:40:22Speaker. And the child who does homework under a candle. We support this budget because we believe in Johannesburg. But ANC support it on one condition, that we deliver not just services, but hope to our people. Speaker, as the ANC, we support this budget. Thank you.

01:41:03isiZuluNgithuke nibe nomona.

Budget debate: UIM (Abdool) supports pro-poor budget with cautions

01:41:05isiZuluSiyabonga

01:41:05Councillor Simelane. UIM, Councillor Abdool. Councillors, let's settle down.

01:41:20Good afternoon Madam Speaker, EM, fellow councillors, our guests in the gallery and community online. Madam Speaker, I do appreciate the fact that the theme of the budget is called the people's budget because that is what the UIM is all about. We also appreciate the fact that it focuses on people, business and municipality and is fully funded. We appreciate the three pillars:

01:41:46service delivery, financial sustainability and by-law enforcement. Regarding the revenue outlook, kindly, I'm going to reiterate it again, kindly add the recycling industry in the light of the fact of unemployment and the fact that it is a R25 billion industry in South Africa and worldwide we look at a R101 billion industry by the year 2032.claim

01:42:12Illegal dumping will be eradicated and if regulated properly, the city will be kept clean by residents because they gain financially from it. In this building alone, we are using tons and tons of paper that is being discarded. We can really make use of this. Let's make rubbish work for the city. Youth unemployment, youth development must be in all sectors.claim

01:42:38The bulk of the responsibility to address unemployment is actually that of national government, but right now I will not go into that. Thank you so much for the EPWP initiatives. However, not all youth is interested in that. We have creatives, technical youth, sports lovers whom we should develop in our theaters, stadiums, etc. Where are the youth development initiatives in the Joburg theaters?

01:43:04We have so many stories to tell, but most of the theaters are focused on putting up shows and creating revenue and also boasting of a clean audit. If we don't develop the creatives, who will tell our Pan-African stories, our indigenous stories and our true South African stories? The budget for theater should include audience development, technical skills, storytelling development, decor, etc., and the theaters must be brought to the people in the communities and all regions.

01:43:34Also create opportunities for our youth in these war rooms, Joburg market. Our youth are interested in stuff like coding, droning, IT, culinary, etc., etc. Also include them in the walk-in centers. Again, the word apartheid comes up. Let us not continue the apartheid legacy of grooming our youth to be servants only, but to be skilled, professional and business owners.

01:44:00The following entities, and it's actually sad that they are not really sitting in this building, they have received a fat budget: City Power, Johannesburg Water, JRA. We don't want any more stories of unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

01:44:16AfrikaansOns is nou moeg daarvan.

01:44:18We have had it with all of that. Consequence management must rain down on those departments like a ton of bricks. And let's not have electrification of informal settlements infringe on the electricity and water supply of established townships like what happened in Kathrada, Newclare, Westbury and Waterval. It creates unnecessary tension amongst residents.

01:44:47It might have been a typing omission, but nowhere do I see anything about fixing municipal flats in certain wards. For each new formalized settlement where people are placed, there should also be space for graveyards because it is a problem when we have three to four funerals simultaneously in one row, not to mention the roads leading to these informal settlements.

01:45:16We cannot have a situation again where R313 million is sent back to National Treasury because it was not utilized properly. Let us not make it a question of, oh, we are sending back money because just to show that we are not guilty of wasteful expenditure.

01:45:34AfrikaansGebruik die geld. Gebruik dit vir ons gemeenskap, gebruik dit vir Johannesburg.

01:45:38In fact, the city must ensure that every current infrastructure first is in place before just embarking on formalizing informal settlements. Correcting historical justice means delivering to all communities and all wards, unlike the councillor who told someone in Ennerdale that, sorry, you are not black enough.

01:46:00isiZuluUsile wena!

01:46:03It is indeed a pro-poor people's budget. However, we must be careful that we do not do it at the cost of people who actually fund this budget. And that is the working class, middle class, upper class citizen who also needs to make ends meet. Too much pressure will cause... Kindly speak when you are behind the mic. Don't do that in between someone else's speech.

01:46:29Too much pressure will cause an explosion and at some point it will explode. It is the responsibility of 270 councillors to be the gatekeepers and custodians of not only this city, but also the residents and this budget. Dream only works when the team works, and I thank you.

Budget debate: UDM (Zigebe) on Africa Day and budget analysis

01:46:57Thank you, Councillor Abdool. Councillor Magwentshu, you have decided to give your six minutes to Councillor Zigebe. So Councillor Zigebe from the UDM, you have 12 minutes.

01:47:14Finally, I have time. Madam Speaker, let me greet you first. But before I continue,

01:47:26isiXhosakukho abantu abanesibindi apha.

01:47:30Councillor Boer mentioned apartheid in the same breath as Alexandra. And Alexandra is a legacy of apartheid.

01:47:41isiXhosaHayi uze nenye

01:47:42Councillor Boer.

01:47:45isiXhosaAkazanga nenye, uze nenye namhlanje. Kodwa ke masiqhubeke.claim

01:47:50Madam Speaker, the Executive Mayor, Mayoral Committee, Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, Section 79 Committees Chairpersons, councillors, sixty-two council, okay others are not here, I'm not going to greet them. Fellow Africans, residents of the City of Johannesburg, members of the media, distinguished guests, I greet you all. Madam Speaker, before we speak of budgets and plans, allow us to first pause to honor Africa Day.

01:48:20We gather just days after the 25th of May, a date that holds sacred meaning for this continent. It marks the birth of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, forged by the courage of Pan-African visionaries such as Kwame Nkrumah, Haile Selassie and Julius Nyerere, who declared that Africa would no longer be the footstool of empires,claim

01:48:42but the foundation of its own freedom. Yet for us as Africans, this is not merely a political history. It is a spiritual legacy. In African indigenous spirituality, we understand that land, leadership and destiny are not transactional. They are sacred. We speak of ubuntu not as a metaphor, but as a cosmology that reminds us,

01:49:03isiXhosaumntu ngumntu ngabantu, ukuzenza ikroti uyakulonwabela.claim

01:49:08That principle must animate everything we do, especially in this chamber. Africa Day is therefore not just an annual ritual. It is a call to memory, to humility, to courage and most importantly, restoration of the nine ethers Africans to their spiritual hierarchy. It reminds us that Johannesburg is not just a city of commerce and concrete. It is a Pan-African metropolis built by Mozambican miners, Sotho teachers,

01:49:37Venda healers, Zulu activists, Tsonga entrepreneurs, Xhosa poets and

01:49:43isiXhosaiimboni zakwantu.

01:49:44As we reflect on the 2025/2026 budget, we must ask: does this budget honor their sacrifices? Does it respond to their cries? Does it restore what was forcefully taken from them? Certainly, below is the expanded in-depth analysis of the budget speech by the MMC. Madam Speaker, the budget tabled before us is a blueprint forged in adversity

01:50:11with a total value of 89.4 billion. This is not a bureaucratic exercise in line with item allocations. It is a statement of direction. The MMC of Finance has not only presented a budget. It is a declaration of confidence in the city's ability to drive transformation under economic constraint. In an environment where national GDP growth is projected at just 1.7% and Treasury is holding back on major expenditure growth,

01:50:38this city has managed to secure a 4.1 billion operating surplus. This is remarkable, especially when balanced against the challenges of inflationary pressures, fuel price volatility and constrained municipal revenue. But beyond the numbers, what truly matters is the alignment of this budget with developmental intent. It is rooted in the National Development Plan which demands inclusive economic growth, the District Development Model

01:51:06which insists on cross-sphere cooperation and the Joburg 2040 Growth and Development Strategy which locates us firmly in a long-term vision of resilience, equity and smart urbanism. This is not just a numbers exercise. It is a public intent made visible. Let us be frank. Johannesburg is in pain, and our residents feel it in the most basic of ways, when electricity cuts out during exam season,

01:51:34when roads become rivers every first rain, when a job application requires Wi-Fi you do not have, when refuse piles up for days and service complaints are met with silence. And yet in the same budget we find the beginning of solutions. For instance, the 6.4 billion is allocated to repairs and maintenance, 7% of the total property, plant and equipment base. That is above the national benchmark

01:52:00and signals a pivot to asset sustainability. The projected reduction of non-technical electricity losses from 28% to 25.8% shows a serious attempt to recover hundreds of millions lost to illegal connections and aged transformers. The capital commitment of 26.2 billion over the medium term represents a scale of investment that shifts urban trajectories. So yes, the challenges remain,

01:52:26but the presence of pain does not negate the possibility of progress, solutions with soul, a call to governance with ubuntu. In this section, I will move from critique to construction. We need revenue diplomacy. Instead of relying only on disconnections and legal summons, we propose a new approach: revenue diplomacy. Create community ombuds offices

01:52:53with trained mediators to resolve disputes, especially in Soweto, Alexandra and parts of the inner city where billing legacies remain traumatic. Introduce graduated debt relief incentives for consistent low-income payers. Enhance the rollout of prepaid smart meters, not just for control, but with real-time consumption education tools embedded. Restoring financial sustainability

01:53:19must go hand in hand with restoring trust. With increased investment in infrastructure repairs, the city must now shift from reaction to prediction. Use AI and GIS tools to create an infrastructure stress index across regions, identifying water, road and electricity assets with highest risk. Establish a rapid response maintenance corps in partnership with local artisans and SMMEs trained and certified by the city.

01:53:47If we can anticipate failure, we can prevent disaster. That is the future of sustainable urban maintenance. Madam Speaker, too often women, youth and people with disabilities are mentioned in symbolic terms. This budget must change that by demanding measurable outcomes. 5% of the capital budget must be ring-fenced for projects targeting accessibility, inclusive entrepreneurship and women-owned SMMEs.

01:54:13Mandate that every opportunity center offers program in South African Sign Language, caters for disabled learners and has mentorship circles for young women entrepreneurs. GEODI mainstreaming should not be a footnote. It must be a qualifying condition for all capital projects. A growing city must not only create jobs, it must institutionalize job creation.

01:54:37We propose a formal municipal jobs pact signed by all city entities, departments and private contractors requiring that no project above 5 million is approved without a local labor plan. Incentives for cooperatives and informal economy actors to register and participate in subcontracting, enhanced linkage between EPWP and long-term employment pathways, especially in green energy, digital services and public health.

01:55:06We must shift from creating jobs to embedding employment in every line of city expenditure. The 2025 budget rightly celebrates the role of the war room, but centralized intelligence must be democratized. Establish regional people's oversight forums, as some regions have begun, chaired by ward councillors and composed of community organizations, youth reps and technocrats.

01:55:34These forums should monitor each capital project, receive monthly progress reports from contractors, engage in participatory budgeting ahead of the next cycle. Additionally, the IDP dashboard currently being piloted should be expanded into a civic-facing app where residents can track project milestones, complaint resolution rates, ward-specific capital and operational allocations. This is how we move from consultation to governance,

01:56:01the highest form of democracy. Madam Speaker, in a society where institutions are fragile, corruption is rampant and delivery is uneven, the most valuable currency is trust. The budget makes strides towards rebuilding that trust through a 2.3 billion Urban Settlements Development Grant that is tied to clear delivery frameworks by publishing monthly revenue and expenditure reports, a victory for transparency,

01:56:27through alignment with the 10-year Financial Development Plan, ensuring debt, liquidity and investment patterns are not left to chance. But now we must go further. We must publicly name and sanction underperforming contractors, enforce budget-linked performance bonuses for senior managers based on SDBIP delivery, publish quarterly public delivery scorecards so that trust is earned, not assumed. Trust in government must move from rhetoric to measurable reliability.

01:56:57Madam Speaker and honorable members, Johannesburg is not just another city. It is the bellwether of our national future. If Johannesburg works, South Africa has a chance. If Johannesburg leads, Africa can rise. Let us then pass this budget with both sobriety and hope. Let us affirm its potential, even as we strengthen its accountability mechanisms. Let us move beyond promises to implementation and beyond policies into performance.

01:57:23Let this budget not just fix the past, but it must build the future because the Africa we deserve does not begin in Addis Ababa, in Abuja or Abidjan. It begins here on the streets of Joburg with the choices we make today.

01:57:37yoAṣẹ.

01:57:38Thank you ATM for the extra minutes.

01:57:44isiZuluBuya, buya singene esitofini.

01:57:46isiZuluSiyabonga

Budget debate: AIC (Mhlongo) supports the budget

01:57:47Councillor Zigebe. AIC, Councillor Mhlongo.

01:57:57Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon to yourself. Good afternoon to the Executive Mayor, Councillor Dada Morero, the Chief Whip of Council, Councillor

01:58:09isiZuluNyamakayishi

01:58:10Zungu, COC, Chair of Chairs, Councillor Marema, members of the Mayoral Committee, chairpersons of all Section 79, fellow councillors, esteemed residents of the City of Johannesburg, good afternoon to all of you. Madam Speaker, I rise today with pride, not only as a councillor

01:58:39of this esteemed chamber, but as a proud member of the African Independent Congress. I rise in support of the 2025/2026 budget as tabled by our own, by our very own MMC for Finance, Councillor Margaret Arnolds. Good afternoon to you, my Treasurer General, a leader who has demonstrated not only technical competence,

01:59:05but political courage and clarity of vision. Honorable Speaker, this is a budget that does not flinch in the face of complexity. It is a budget that confronts our city's challenges directly with honesty, data, discipline and most importantly, hope. It is grounded in the political realities our people face every day, while lifting their eyes to a more just,

01:59:35sustainable and inclusive Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, we in the AIC welcomes the 89.4 billion budget as a progressive, balanced and forward-looking response to the intersecting crisis of service delivery backlogs, infrastructure decay, economic stress and community frustration.

02:00:00[inaudible] But more than that, we recognise this as a people-centred instrument of transformation. We are particularly encouraged by the strategic capital investment programme with R26.2 billion committed over three years, prioritizing electricity, water, roads, housing, and smart infrastructure. These are not just budget line items, they are building blocks of dignity.

02:00:28Madam Speaker, we come from communities that have been neglected and forgotten in the past. Townships like Orange Farm, Kaalfontein and parts of Lenasia South. The budget directs billions towards these very regions. That is spatial justice in action. That is what we in the AIC have always fought for. Development that reaches the margins, not just the centers of power. We also support the decisive infrastructure interventions to

02:00:59stabilize the city, City Power and Johannesburg Water. A city without stable electricity and clean water cannot function. The 4.6 billion for energy and 5.6 billion for water infrastructure is not a cost. It is an investment in economic growth, safety and human development. The budget also responds to the cries of our people for better accountability. Through smart

02:01:28meters, improving billing systems, the war room and new service charters. The city is sending a clear message delivery will no longer be an optional. It will be monitored, measured and enforced. Speaker, I must also commend the leadership shown in aligning this budget with national priorities and leveraging our participation in the Presidential Working Group. For too long, Madam Speaker, local government has

02:01:56worked in silos. This budget represents a turning point, cooperative governance in action, national, provincial and local arms of government rowing in the same direction. As the AIC, a party rooted in justice, equity and accountable development, we also welcome the strong message sent by this budget on urban renewal, informal settlement upgrades, job

02:02:26creation and youth empowerment. The expanded EPWP investment in innovation hubs and opportunity centers show that this administration is not leaving the youth behind. Speaker, some will claim this budget is ambitious. We say let it be ambitious. Johannesburg is not a small town. It is Africa's largest city south of Sahara. It demands bold thinking, coordinated planning,

02:02:55and courageous leadership. This budget has all three. Councillor Arnolds has not just presented figures. She has presented a clear, credible and constructive roadmap for the City of Johannesburg. As the African Independent Congress, we stand fully behind her, and we call on all parties across the city to support this budget, not for the sake of politics, but for the people who sent us here.

02:03:21In conclusion, Madam Speaker, let me just take this opportunity to thank Team South Africa and the President of the Republic of South Africa for their visit in Washington.

02:03:3730 seconds remaining.

02:03:39Madam Speaker, South Africans need Madam Speaker, South Africa needs jobs. Not political statements that don't put bread on their tables. We need investment in this country. Without that visit to reset our relationship with Washington, that was not going to be easy or possible, Madam Speaker.

02:04:01Councillors, Councillors, Councillor Zitha there at the back.

02:04:05Madam Speaker, in those words, Madam Speaker, let this budget be the start of new chapter. A chapter defined by integrity, inclusion and implementation. The AIC supports the 2025/2026 budget in full. We say enough delays, let's deliver now. I thank you. Thank you so much.

Budget debate: PA (Simonse) acknowledges but does not blindly support

02:04:32Thank you, Councillor Mhlongo. PA, Councillor Simonse.

02:04:46Greetings, Madam Speaker.

02:04:48Councillors, please settle down. Councillor Simonse, you may continue.

02:04:55Thank you. Greetings, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, fellow councillors, the Joburg 10 under the capable leadership of MMC Kunene in his absentia. Madam Speaker, allow me, before I proceed, let me just address Councillor Fatima, through you, Councillor Fatima, there's two Ward Councillors in Ennerdale, which is Ward 7 and Ward 121. Your statement cannot be as an Ennerdale Councillor said so. Thank you. Please refrain from doing such in

02:05:27the future. Allow me to begin by thanking the MMC Arnolds for delivering 2025-2026 financial budget speech. We appreciate the efforts and the work that has gone into preparing this budget. But Madam Speaker, while the budget is describing a fully funded, I express my deep dissatisfaction and disappointment, quoting, "a fully funded, pro-poor and pro-growth budget." This budget is truly fully funded, then I mustclaim

02:05:57ask, why is it that continually it's continuously to failing to be failing our majority of the residents across the city? Why do we see the same communities benefiting repeatedly while others remain left behind, forgotten and neglected? 25 billion has been allocated to the electricity and 20 billion to water. On the surface, this sounds very substantial, but when we examine the impact on the ground, it becomes clear only certain areas will benefit while othersclaim

02:06:27continue to live in the dark and without clean reliable water. A budget can be fully funded on paper, but meaningless if the funds are only for a few. This is not something new. This is a pattern of selective service delivery that has plunged us for years. Every budget promises changes, but for the communities on the outskirts, that changes never arrive. The promises is made and broken year after year. Madam Speaker,

02:06:56this budget feels more like a public relation tool than a roadmap for equitable development. It's a pacifier designed to calm the frustrated or rather not to fix the root problem. Let's speak plainly. Communities such as Ennerdale, Meriting, Finetown, Davidsonville, Cosmo City, Ivory Park, Alexandra, Westbury, Rabie Ridge, we are once ignored. Once again, these communities are forgotten and excluded from both plans

02:07:25and progress. Take into consideration Meriting, for example, remains in desperate need of electrification. Yes, it's not even acknowledged or on the council's plans. How can we claim progress when the entire communities aren't even on maps? So I ask again, are we going to decide are we going to be making decisions based on what is best for the City of Johannesburg, or are we going to prioritize visibility, popularity and political optics? That being said,

02:07:56I must commend MMC Kunene for his hands-on leadership. With limited resources, he has managed to achieve visible impact. He did not sit behind his desk. He went out from Region A to Region G, ensuring that JRA is doing their work. We've seen the difference, fewer flooded roads as the rainy season approached, and immediate intervention in areas like Rabie Ridge and Diepsloot, places that has been neglected for far too long. This is

02:08:25the kind of leadership we should expect from everyone seated in this chamber, result-driven, not rhetoric-driven. But one man cannot fix the city on its own. The entire council must act with the same urgency and accountability. We must ensure all entities are equipped and empowered to serve every corner of Johannesburg, not just selected wards or favorite constituents. We can no longer hide behind the excuse that the city doesn't have money, not when we are told that it's a fully funded

02:08:55budget. This is not resourced. It is how we choose to allocate and prioritize them. To this end, we propose the future allocations including communities auditing to ensure no region is left behind of the service delivery matrix. We need data-backed fairness focused planning that truly serves all. As the Patriotic Alliance, we acknowledge this budget, but let's make it clear, we do not offer

02:09:25blind support. We will be watching closely, demanding transparency and holding each and every MMC and department accountable. Promises made must be promises delivered. As the PA caucus, we are not here to just clap hands for speeches, we are here to deliver results, and we will not rest until every Johannesburg resident is seen and heard. Let the people of Johannesburg get what they deserve. Let's not fail them once again. Saloot, ons mense!

02:09:53AfrikaansSaloot!

Budget debate: Al Jama-ah (Gwamanda) supports the budget

02:09:59Thank you, Councillor Simonse. Al Jama-ah, Councillor Gwamanda.

02:10:14Thank you very much. Should I say outgoing Speaker of Council?

02:10:33isiZuluHola Gwami! Hola Gwami, hola! Hola Mpintshi, hola!

02:10:41isiZuluIkati lakho siyahamba njalo.

02:10:44And the outgoing Mayor.

02:10:53And let me take the opportunity to acknowledge the Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg, and his members of the Mayoral Committee, Chairpersons of Section 79 Oversight Committees, the Chair of Chairs, the Chief Whip of Council, the head of administration in his acting role and administrators, the residents in the City of Johannesburg

02:11:22and all councillors, good afternoon. Madam Speaker or Chair, let me begin by welcoming the presentation by MMC Councillor Margaret Arnolds, with an appreciation to the manner in which it was delivered as a maiden finance speech. But Madam Speaker, in fact, I wanted to

02:11:52isiZulutake this opportunity, Executive Mayor, ukuthi sikukhalele njengo Mayor. Ukuthi nathi usizwe izikhalo zethu.

02:12:04This is because I'm not going to be debating the budget directly, but to request that a R8.9 billion budget requires for us to conclude on the process of the appointment of a city manager to ensure accountability and to ensure efficiency. Which brings me to this point. As a councillor,

02:12:34I respect my political opponents. And suffice to say, in as much as it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, Executive Mayor, but I admire the approach that the Democratic Alliance take towards their constituencies. They are deliberate, they are direct, they are unapologetic. And I would like to propose that we consider, if we are to deal with the issue of the spatial injustices of the past,

02:13:03and for us to ensure that words like historical injustice are not used against us anytime in the future. The second and fundamental to this item becomes our voter representation, and how we represent them in council as part of the government of the day. Do we as the majority find expression in the political

02:13:33statement embedded at the heart of the budget or proportionally with the affluent in a balance that speaks to service delivery areas of common interest? This is a people's budget as tabled by our MMC of Finance. And the last time I checked, I was a person myself. Yet MMC, I'm grappling with how to relate to the characterization

02:14:04of our budget. This, Madam Chair, I'm saying at the backdrop of the questions that our constituency that I am directly accountable to are asking. Madam Speaker, what is the status quo of the City of Johannesburg, and does our budget respond to it? We welcome the focus

02:14:35on the vision of the city, the measures encapsulated in our spending to ensure financial prudence, the reduction of technical and non-technical losses in both our revenue drivers, which is electricity and water. And that we are prioritizing our constitutional obligation of local government.

02:15:07Madam Chair, I'm deeply concerned, in particular about our youth, our mothers, our sisters, and children who are all victims of the circumstances that this cruel world has chosen for them. We are deemed a murder capital in the world. Gangsterism is rife, with our streets depicting a scene from a zombie apocalypse.

02:15:37And this is due to substance and drug abuse in our townships. The future of young people looks bleak, yet the Department of Health and Public Safety are allocated a combined budget that is less than that of ITC in the city. A large percentage of households in previously disadvantaged communities

02:16:07that still resemble the remnants of apartheid in a form of concentration camps are affected by drug addiction in one form or the other. The City of Johannesburg, Madam Chair, with its R89.4 billion budget, and 17% contribution to the GDP of the country, is in itself an enabler.

02:16:39But we need to ask ourselves a question of what is the city or government enabling? Is it enabling an environment for our residents and business to thrive, or is it an enabler of violent crimes, theft, lawlessness, and that continue in our townships and suburban areas unabated?

02:17:0630 seconds remaining.

02:17:08In conclusion, Madam Speaker, let me take the opportunity to indicate that as Al Jama-ah, we do support this budget, and we will continuously endeavor to make meaningful contribution because the City of Johannesburg is our home. The City of Johannesburg is a beacon of hope for many out there. As Al Jama-ah,

02:17:38we support this particular budget. Thank you.

Budget debate: PAC (MMC Nkokou) supports the budget

02:17:46Thank you, Councillor Gwamanda. PAC, MMC Nkokou.

02:17:52Councillor Gwamie.

02:17:57Let me thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm going to go straight to my speech, trying to save time. Executive Mayor, honorable councillors, fellow Africans. Let me begin by commending the Executive Mayor and MMC for Finance, not only for tabling a bold and fully funded budget,claim

02:18:27but more importantly for affirming with clarity that Johannesburg is not merely a South African city, but a Pan-African metropolis. This recognition is not ceremonial. It is a conscious political act. It acknowledges that Johannesburg destiny isclaim

02:18:57intertwined with that of the continent. As PAC, we welcome this framing. It echoes the vision of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, who reminded us that the African continent, it is one indivisible whole. Johannesburg must now lead as an economic engine for a liberated

02:19:29and united Africa. In this light, the 2025/2026 people's budget is not just a financial document. It is a continental commitment aligned with with agenda of 2063 and the rebirth of a city long demanded by its people. The budget is rightly presented

02:19:59as a people's budget, one born out of deep public engagement with over 20,000 voices shaping the Integrated Development Plan. It's a rallying cry for renewal and delivery. It dares to position Johannesburg not just as a city of survival, but as a city of solutions. We welcome its

02:20:29R89.4 billion scale, its R8.7 billion capital program, and especially its 3 billion allocation to historically underserved regions like Orange Farm, Diepsloot, and the inner city. It is a redistributive and spatially just approach that we have long called for. We celebrate 40 million allocated for long overdue completion of Johannesburg

02:21:00Art Gallery. It's very important. It's very important. I want those ones to listen to this. Those ones, you know those ones? They think they know everything. And to the 28 million that will see the Johannesburg City Library reopen by August 2025. These are not mere buildings. They are sanctuaries of memories and imagination

02:21:30for African working class. We also note the pro-poor thrust of this budget, from the Expanded Social Package to the rates rebate for pensioners, for free basic services extended to vulnerable households. These are victories for politics of justice, not charity, and must be defended. However,

02:22:01as a movement of the people, the PAC, we must raise constructive and principled critiques. Region F, while justifiably receiving attention, cannot monopolize cultural investment. Regions like Region G, home to vibrant but neglected communities in Lenasia South and Orange Farm, need a cultural infrastructure just as urgently. Let the decentralization

02:22:32of development be real, not rhetorical. The community development facilities, including the multipurpose centers and informal sports grounds, remain in a state of despair across several wards. We urge that the same energy and capital commitment shown for flagship projects be extended to these everyday public spaces. The success of this budget depends not on allocation alone,

02:23:03but on implementation. Too often, underspending and procurement delays mute the transformative power of otherwise sound plans. We call for enhanced contractor oversight, quarterly implementation audits, and community-based monitoring mechanisms. Finally, we support the alignment with the Presidential Working Group on District Development Model. We caution against

02:23:33the technocratic centralism. Communities must not only be consulted, they must be

02:23:4030 seconds remaining.

02:23:41creators in this transformation. Madam Speaker, the budget arrives just days after Africa Day, ahead of Johannesburg hosting of key G20 and U20 events. Let us ensure that we do not simply showcase the aesthetic progress to the world while township streets remain dark, libraries closed, and young people jobless. The Joburg we want must rise not only in Sandton,

02:24:06but in Soweto, Orange Farm, and Eldorado Park too. To support this budget is to believe in Johannesburg potential as

02:24:14SesothoMMC, nako ya hao e fedile.

02:24:16Amen.

02:24:17Amen, MMC, amen.

02:24:18Amen. From Cape to Cairo, Morocco to Madagascar. Izwe lethu! No settler shall claim even a square inch of our land. Izwe lethu!

02:24:31Thank you, MMC. EFF, Councillor Nkosi.

02:24:43Greetings, Speaker.

02:24:45isiZuluBefore uqale, Councillor Nkosi, MMC

02:24:51isiZuluCouncillor Nkosi, ngicela ume kancane.

02:24:55SesothoNo, we forgot, Madam Speaker, to mention gore Councillor Mgcina, MMC, o mfile 2 minutes to finish my statement. We forgot to mention that.

02:25:06MMC Mgcina, did you give him 2 minutes? You donated your 2 minutes?

02:25:14SesothoMMC, o sa batla 2 minutes ya hao vele?

02:25:19isiZuluCouncillor Nkosi, ngicela uhlale phansi. Akaku-disclose-anga ukuthi u-MMC Mgcina umupha i-2 minutes, which means MMC Mgcina, you've got 13 instead of 15. Please time the 2 minutes. Okay, MMC, you may continue.

02:25:35Thank you, thank you, thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for correcting that. Madam Speaker, this budget arrives just days after Africa Day and ahead of Johannesburg hosting of key G20 and U20 events. Let us ensure that we do not simply showcase the aesthetic progress to the world while township streets remain dark, libraries closed, and young people jobless. The Joburg we want must rise not only

02:26:07not in Sandton alone, but in Soweto, Orange Farm, and Eldorado Park. To support this budget is to believe in Johannesburg potential as a frontline of African dignity. But to critique it is to remain loyal to the people who trust us to do better. Let us remember, Joburg we want is not separate from the Africa we want. It is a foundation. It is the test.

02:26:37It is our collective opportunity. On behalf of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, I support this budget with vigilance, with solidarity, with revolutionary hope. I thank you. Izwe lethu! From Cape to Cairo, Morocco to Madagascar, no settler shall claim even a square inch of our land. Africa for Africans. Izwe lethu! Thank you very much.

Budget debate: EFF (Nkosi) raises concerns

02:27:12Thank you, MMC. EFF, Councillor Nkosi.

02:27:15Greetings, Speaker. And Speaker, we saw you at the soccer with your red dress, and yesterday you looked ravishing in that black and red dress. We see you, Speaker. I'm not recruiting you, Speaker, mntanami, ngiyakuncoma nje. Mara mawufuna ungeza. Dankie. Greetings to the resilient and committed hardworking 29 battalions of Economic Freedom Fighters, led by our caucus leader, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku and Thabisa

02:27:48Mogapi. Greetings to the City of Joburg staff, most notably the cleaners, security, as well as general workers. Greetings to the media and the public at large. Speaker, our courteous disposition should not be taken as a form of being hypnotized to such level that we forget that we are the Economic Freedom Fighters, committed in our belief of being the vanguard of the communities that we serve and that has brought us here in council to represent them. In essence, Speaker,

02:28:17we will never sell out on the poor, marginalized, and downtrodden members of our society. There will be no coercive force, manipulation, nor cajoling that will convince us otherwise in our cause to fight for the indigent residents of Johannesburg. Speaker, in 1989, Brazil introduced what is known at the time as participatory budgeting, ensuring that even the poorest citizens, social representatives, and any community structures are involved in controlclaim

02:28:47of any capital budget interventions. This, in our view, meaningful participation, and so it was very worrying that the MMC of Finance against our beloved city The Finance bemoaned that our participatory budgeting, namely the IDP, was not well attended. This is an indictment against our beloved city, and as the Economic Freedom Fighters, we would like to have a meaningful participation where all community structures are overtly invited to such forums.

02:29:17The numbers of each IDP sessions are reported here in council in various Section 79 committees, and we must say this is not good. Speaker, the EFF has a concern about the CoJ's approach on the intergovernmental relations. The District Development Model was meant for all three spheres of government not to sit in silos in terms of planning, budgeting, and monitoring. As councillors of Johannesburg, and one needs to consider that we are now a multi-party form of government,

02:29:47inclusivity is of utmost importance. Similar to the points raised on participatory governance, which must embody feedback, transparency, as well as meaningful participation, CoJ will come up with

02:30:00an effective and efficient government. So all IGR forums should take heed of the autonomy of this council as envisaged in section 151 of the constitution. We therefore seek well coordinated feedback from the administration, the Mayoral Committee as well as the Legislature on any IGR forum so that council can also assert itself on any CoJ matters. Speaker, we are now

02:30:25we are now introduced to the presidential working group and we are told it's a new era of alignment, hang on. As councillors, we are not yet aligned to the IGR and DDM model. We must never have this view of having too many policies and frameworks and being empty on service delivery because that is what matters here. Speaker, responding to the G20 Summit and U20 Summit, the urgency that we are giving to our visitors must be the same urgency that we give to the residents of this city.

02:30:57We mustn't be like people who when visitors come they now clean up their dirty house when important visitors come, they want to hide the cockroaches, the rats, etc. The summits must find us ready and the same urgency we give to the visitors is the same urgency that we must give to the residents of Johannesburg. Speaker, South Africa has endeared themselves to the UN 17 sustainable goals and we gave, which gave us this neo-liberal NDP and through that gave us GDS 2040 that the City of Johannesburg keeps on repeating on reports and we have not been given any feedback on the progress of its goal. In essence, Speaker, we have no monitoring and evaluation of the GDS 2040. We also feel that it's long overdue, the City of CoJ needs a new policy to replace the GDS 2040, it is clear that the policy objective will never be achieved in its deadline of 2030.

02:31:54The budget speech mentions the Agenda 2063 and yet it fails to provide an alignment with PIDA, Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa. Speaker, because we are avid readers and listeners of the news we listen carefully to the President of South Africa when he addressed the Sustainable Infrastructure Symposium and he mentions the regional cooperation and integration as envisaged in the PIDA. But Speaker, is the CoJ at a level to competently interpret, align, involve and provide the necessary feedback so we can be a world-class city?

02:32:27Speaker, now that we have addressed the policy issues, let us now look at the budget. On the capital budget, Speaker, if you look at the capital project from a year-to-year comparison, you would note that there's an anomaly. The anomaly is that you have three elements there of loans, cash reserves, CRR as well as the capital grants and contributions. If you pro rata, you will see that the cash has been drastically reduced and is not a good showing, and that this may also affect our credit rating seeing that we are constantly borrowing.

02:32:56On the safety and health and social development, Speaker, safety and health and social development portfolio remains very important within the CoJ. We therefore raise concerns on the budget it has been allocated. The safety department is not only labour-driven, it is also intelligence-driven as well as technologically driven. The IOC is sitting at 165 million in terms of cost and yet we are given, we are allocated 17 million. The department's challenges and needs are constantly communicated from wardens, patrollers, need for cameras, two-way radios, etc. Yes, it is funded, but it's not enough. We ask that we increase our appetite for safety that is being called by the residents of Johannesburg and those that visit the country as we remain the host to such forums as the G20. So we can never ignore the plights of the citizen when it comes to their safety. We remain hopeful that the safety is, the safety that was raised in SOCA is given the urgency it requires. We ask that the Health and Social Development Portfolio which is the custodian of the ESP is also should be looked at in terms of budgetary requirements. Speaker, we get it that the MMC of Finance is saying that the budget is fully funded however we have reservation that the budget is pro-poor.

02:34:13Before the MMC of Finance get agitated, let us put it into perspective. In the annexures of the Division of Revenue Bill, you will note that the City of Johannesburg has not been allocated many of the poor, of the pro-poor grants that are easy money that the CoJ can receive from Treasury and it will definitely benefit the poor. Please go through the DOR, the Division of the Revenue Bill Annexures and try and plot a recovery plan for the grants that have been taken away. You can use the IGR forums and the relevant procedure towards Treasury to recover and most importantly use the grant. We propose having a task team that will only concentrate on the management and use of the grant as it was not being used.

02:34:56Speaker, on the incorrect billing, the budget speech did not address the incorrect billing, which is a very serious issue. Recently the CoJ lost a case in Midrand, Waterfall on a billing issue. This not only affects us on a legal basis, it affects our revenue collection and renders the collectible versus the uncollectible statistics incorrect. It is not accurate. We therefore have an inaccurate budget. As to how much this affects the numbers will be for the finance team to find the root cause of the incorrect billing. It will be prudent, Speaker, that we look at each and every revenue item and see where the uncollectibles are emanating from, whether electricity, water, etc.

02:35:42Speaker, the EFF has raised a motion that all SASSA card carrying members should automatically qualify for an ESP.

02:35:5030 seconds remaining.

02:35:51And we implore the city, the CoJ, to make concerted effort and aggressive, to issue to drive this pro-poor issue. We welcome the tariffs and also we have raised, what do you call it, a motion on land audit. We ask that we look at that land audit and we remain hopeful that the safety portfolio as well as the Health and Social Development Portfolio budgetary concerns are addressed and taken seriously. We note the item, thank you.

Budget debate: ANC (MMC Mgcina) supports the budget

02:36:21isiZuluSiyabonga, Councillor Nkosi. ANC, MMC Mgcina.

02:36:49You are in a city of short people.emotive

02:36:54The Mayor is short. About three MMCs are short so we are all short, but we are perfectly made by the Lord. That's how God wanted us to be. So he loves us like this.emotive

02:37:10Greetings, Madam Speaker, Councillor Mthembu. Honourable Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Enock Sello Morero. Honourable Chief Whip of council, Councillor Sthembiso Zungu. Honourable Chair of Chairs, Adolphus Marema. Honourable fellow MMCs in the Government of Local Unity. Honourable fellow councillors who are in this chamber. Leaders of all political parties in council. The Acting City Manager, oh, he was here, but he left. The esteemed guests, members of the media, residents of our great and vibrant City of Johannesburg, ladies and gentlemen.

02:38:09isiZuluSanibonani.

02:38:11isiZuluYebo.

02:38:13isiXhosaMolweni.

02:38:15SesothoDumelang.

02:38:16SesothoAhee.

02:38:18Good afternoon.

02:38:19Good afternoon.

02:38:20AfrikaansGoeienand.

02:38:21AfrikaansGoeiemiddag.

02:38:23AfrikaansOh, middag.

02:38:25I was taking my chances, MMC. It is really an honour and a privilege that I stand before you today tasked with the responsibility to deliver a message that without any fear or favour or fear of contradiction and without any shadow of doubt as the ANC caucus in this august chamber, we welcome the 2025/2026 budget speech as presented by the MMC of Finance, Councillor Margaret Arnolds, yesterday.

02:39:05We recognize that this budget marks a critical step in shaping the financial direction of our beloved city, not only for the year ahead, but also for the betterment of the lives of our residents. Firstly, I extend my sincere appreciation to the MMC for Finance and her team, as well as the Executive Mayor for their diligence in crafting a budget that seeks to address both our immediate needs and our long-term objectives.

02:39:43The MMC and her team have heeded the call made by the Executive Mayor, Councillor Sello Morero, during his State of the City Address on the 7th of May, in which he recommitted that this administration will do everything in its power to respond to the city's restoration and revitalization. In his marching orders to all of us, Speaker, the Executive Mayor committed to the upgrading of bulk infrastructure, improving access to water and energy security, as well as economic growth and job creation, tackling issues such as crime prevention, traffic management, and ensuring basic services like waste collection and road maintenance are actually improved.

02:40:44Therefore, Madam Speaker, this budget is more than just numbers on a page. It is the foundation upon which we continue to build stronger communities, improve essential services, and drive economic growth. Johannesburg is a city of ambition, resilience, and opportunity.

02:41:09With the financial framework presented by the MMC yesterday, we are reaffirming our commitment to the responsible governance, sustainable development, and inclusive service delivery to all our residents. Among other things, Madam Speaker, this budget aims to respond to bulk infrastructure corrosion, to stem water losses and stabilize our water resources over the next three years. It aims to establish or to stabilize electricity generation and expand electricity availability to areas in which large-scale development is envisaged.

02:41:52Madam Speaker, again, through this budget, we will improve transport mobility for scores of residents through the acquisition of more buses, and we will improve our rapid response to disaster and emergency incidents through the acquisition of more fire engines. We are also poised to improve our safety and security through installation of more CCTV cameras across the city, and we will also equip our JMPD officers with state-of-the-art equipment and more personnel in their fight against crime.

02:42:33We will also ensure, Madam Speaker, that all CAPEX projects currently under construction are completed, and we will also be looking at increasing our revenue base supported by infrastructure expansion. This budget, Madam Speaker, also serves as a guiding tool to ensure that every rand allocated is spent with transparency, of course, efficiency, and a focus on delivering tangible benefits to all residents of our city, as directed by the various IDP sessions that we conducted throughout the city. And the attendance to those IDPs was quite impressive, I must say, Madam Speaker.

02:43:29As we move forward, we must continue to work together as government, as business, and communities, as well as all our stakeholders to bring this budget to life in a way that will truly serve our people. The success of the financial plan outlined by the MMC yesterday depends not just on the policies outlined, but on our collective effort to implement them with dedication and accountability, Councillor Echeozonjoku.

02:44:04Let us, through you, Madam Speaker, let us embrace the opportunities this budget presents, tackle the challenges with determination, and continue striving for a Johannesburg that is safe, prosperous, and thriving for all. With that said, Madam Speaker, once again, I wish to reaffirm that as the ANC caucus, we officially accept and welcome the 2025/2026 budget speech as presented by MMC Finance, and furthermore, reaffirm our commitment to executing our vision as the Government of Local Unity with integrity and purpose for the betterment of all our residents of this, our great world-class city, and for the attainment of the Joburg we all want to see in the future.

02:45:06And with that, MMC, I want to appeal with the Fabulous 44 to support this particular budget because it is going to address all the issues that they've raised in their inputs. So, Fabulous 44, please let's support this budget. It is indeed a progressive budget for the residents of our city. I thank you.

02:45:48isiZuluSiyabonga, MMC Mgcina.

MMC Finance begins response; microphone problem

02:45:54Councillors, we're now on the third item that is the responses by the MMC Finance.

02:46:05MMC Arnolds.

02:46:26Yo!

02:46:33I didn't say your name. I said, "Yo!"

02:46:38I didn't say your name. Speaker, please protect me from the opposition leader. I can't say her surname, but it's Belinda.

02:46:51Thank you, Speaker, for the opportunity. Speaker, I first of all want to say I'll start at the end. Thank you, MMC Mgcina, for reaffirming the ANC caucus support to this budget. Thank you very much.

02:47:10MMC, please hold on. Councillor Mosehla, I don't know if you're indicating for water or you want to say something.

02:47:21SepediGa o je serious.

02:47:23isiZuluHawu, hawu.

02:47:27SepediKa emiša letsogo so just for water?

02:47:31SepediCouncillor Mosehla, ke point of order?

02:47:34Yes.

02:47:35SepediOkay, a re kene ko tabeng.

02:47:37It's not in fact a point of order, it's a request. The MMC is not audible. I think there's a problem with her mic. Thank you.

02:47:48Okay, thank you, Councillor Mosehla. MMC Arnolds, don't you want to use this one here?

MMC Arnolds responds to budget debate: surcharge, borrowing and indigent register

02:48:15Mosehla was helping you. You need to be audible.

02:48:19Okay, thank you, Speaker. I think I've got a voice that doesn't even need a mic, but now I'm audible and Mosehla is not even looking at me.

02:48:33AfrikaansOns kom van een plek af so dis oukei.

02:48:37Madam Speaker, let me start off with the R200 surcharge, which was labelled a legalized extortion, tax on poverty. The surcharge is not unique to Johannesburg. It is not unique to Johannesburg and has been implemented by other metros in line with NERSA requirement of cost of supply study to inform tariff structure.

02:49:09The amount levied by Joburg has not changed from prior and remains lower than other metros. When I came into council, there was a mayor that ensured that we don't do what we are doing now, and he withdrew the surcharge and it slept over until 2020 when COVID caught us and we could not implement it, and we are implementing it now. It is also meant to bring equity as those conventional meters are contributing, Councillor Mkhonza, more to the network maintenance than the prepaid meters customers.

02:49:51The indigent register not working, as mentioned yesterday, I don't think it's so far away, yesterday. It's not even 48 hours. We are reviewing, emphasis on the word reviewing, the indigent policy to be more inclusive and expand eligible customers. GICT is also working on upgrading the system for registering of ESP.

02:50:223.5 billion borrowing, it has been clearly articulated in the speech that the borrowings are based on an engagement already quite advanced with Development Finance Institutions, committed to funding our water,

02:50:39Afrikaansons kla mos daar's nie water nie,

02:50:41electricity,

02:50:42Afrikaansons sê dis donker,

02:50:44infrastructure which will drive security of supply and reduce losses. Reference of off-balance-sheet funding acknowledges that we cannot do it alone, but we have to partner with the private sector who have an interest in the city to drive economic growth.

02:51:05AfrikaansOns wil groei hê.

02:51:08Salaries, the percentage is well, good, the percentage is well within the National Treasury benchmark of between 25% and 40%. Good, the inner city war rooms are not the bomb squad. JRA has been allocated 915 million for CAPEX, which is higher than the 807 million for 2024/2025, but precisely to ensure increased allocation to resurfacing and to address potholes.

02:51:47Thank you very much to the IFP for your positive inputs. But I also want to say we didn't elevate the BFI funding for Lufhereng. In the current year, 2024/2025 allocation is 654 million. 2025/2026 allocation, 963 million. 2026 and 7 allocation, 1.2 billion and the allocation for the next outer year is 217 million. To the APC, thank you so much, Councillor. And if everybody understands from where you are speaking, I think you should give them your business card when you walk out here. We appreciate your constructive input and will commit to ensuring tight oversight on the implementation of the budget program and consequence management for all the underperformed areas.

MMC Arnolds responds to DA, FF Plus, ANC, UIM, UDM and EFF

02:52:53I'm not going to respond to the DA, Madam Speaker, because the DA unveiled their own speech. The DA gave us a DA budget speech. So I cannot comment on a DA budget speech. Until I have the budget speech in my hands, I will be able to comment.

02:53:16The response to Freedom Front Plus,

02:53:19AfrikaansBoer, jy is my maatjie, maar kom ek sê gou,

02:53:23there's been informal settlements before 1994. In Orlando, there was also a shanty town. It's not true that the first camp, this is not true because in Soweto, the first camp was in 1986.

02:53:40AfrikaansHere, toe's ek nog jonk.

02:53:42And it was called Mshenguville. Ivory Park was in 1990. So it's not true if we say there were no informal settlements before. Zigebe, I must not use this thing. It is not correct to say the budget, Freedom Front Plus, does not focus on aging infrastructure and reducing non-revenue water. The budget is aligned to the trading services reform, and we will be voting for something later today on the trading services, to ensure that we see turnaround in the trading services. A primary response of the reforms is to ensure the turnaround of City Power, Joburg Water, and from next year, it will also be Pikitup, as part of the reforms we table before this council today for approval.

02:54:43Today we have included in the council document for approval also the performance of the PIAP that shows the plans to turnaround in the next six years. So whoever comes into government will not be able to take it away from the table and say it is a vanity project. And I'm not certain if all of you went through your documents.

02:55:10To the ANC, our central service delivery app being delivered for GICT will enhance transparency and oversight and reporting, and allow all of us to be able to track service delivery implementation. The rest, okay. UIM, flats and old age homes, there has been an amount allocated to them, it's 18.9 for the next three years. To the UDM, your comments were basically in support and emphasizing the need that we ensure the alignment of our processes to ensure achievement of the plans.

02:55:55To the EFF, I'm very serious now. Public safety, there is funding, but we also realize that it's not enough. We urge the department, we urge the department to bear with us just a little longer within the constraints of our resources. Our plan that as we improve the performance of our revenue generating, which will avail more money in future towards public safety and many other pressure points. The pro-poor mention was made of the additional pro-poor grants outlined in the DORA. We can confirm that the budget has included all grants that a metro like Joburg is eligible to receive. The grant spending is monitored twice a month by the GCFO as the chair of the Portfolio Review Committee to ensure that we have no grants taken back or unspent at the end of each year. All SASSA eligible for ESP should be applying for the ESP.

02:57:10I think, Madam Speaker, I've spoken to everybody. Councillor Gwamanda, Kwame, we are noting all your issues and we will also work on it. Councillor Nkokou, definitely, I think you had a big jump on your budget and we hope to see that the work is being done in that areas. Councillor Simonse, I just said to the Mayor as well as to MMC next to me, Mgcina, that yes, I do, and I do note that we have left out areas like Ennerdale, and I know you are the ward councillor there, and you know that we have heard you, so we will look into it.

02:58:03To those who have not attended the IDP, it's very difficult to speak to you to tell you what happened at the IDPs. But I also want to say, Executive Mayor and Madam Chair, there are a lot of councillors that are not in support of this budget today, but they are being assisted by the MMC's office with all the complaints that they bring to us, and we ensure that their customers, their clients, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg is looked after. I thank you.

02:58:38Thank you, MMC Arnolds.

Cllr Ngwenya's note on public safety and health

02:58:50Councillor Ngwenya.

02:58:57Madam Speaker, thank you so much. No, I just wanted to make a note, Speaker, that while the MMC is indicating to us that on public safety as well as health, there must be a little longer wait, then it must be then acknowledged that on the ground, that little longer wait will then be felt on the ground and not aligned to what the SOCA has indicated. I'm just making a note, you allowed it.

02:59:25isiZuluHayi bo, Councillor Ngwenya.

02:59:29SesothoRe ya qetile, MMC.

02:59:31Yeah, it's just making a note, Speaker, it's just a note.

02:59:33Ha, Councillor Ngwenya. No, we can't, Councillor Ngwenya, nyalo.

Executive Mayor's comments on the budget and the R10 demonstration

02:59:43Councillors, we will now hear comments by the Executive Mayor.

02:59:49Executive Mayor, Councillor Sello Dada Morero.

03:00:17Uh thank you Speaker of council. Councillor Nobuhle Mthembu. Thank you Chief Whip of council. Councillor Zungu. The Chair of Chair Councillor Marema. Members of the Mayoral committee. Leaders of different caucuses and leaders of political parties.

03:00:48Our guest in the gallery and residence of Johannesburg.

03:00:52SepediKea le dumedisha.

03:00:56Good afternoon to all of you. Mme Gertrude Shope once said I quote. Every generation has got a responsibility to know what it's mission is. Mine was to liberate the country and what is yours close quote. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

03:01:30Fellow councillors do we understand our mission? According to the constitution of the Republic of South Africa we have a responsibility to provide democratic and accountable government for local communities and ensure the provision of services in a sustainable manner promote social and economic development and encourage community involvement.

03:02:01This is our business and nothing else. Both the state of the city address and the budget speech delivered by Councillor Margaret Arnolds did exactly that. It is important to understand what it means to build a Johannesburg that represents its residence. The planning and budget processes for the year under review 2025 to 2026

03:02:34makes it clear what residence want to see. They want to see restoring of law and order through by law enforcement and crime prevention. Traffic lights functioning, traffic fines given to offenders, opportunities created for young people, street lights, lights kept on.

03:03:01We started with implementing the accelerated service delivery. Residence asked for more to be done then we re-imaged the city so that we can understand what more needs to be done. This process resulted in the launch in the high impact service delivery program which is giving us results in the following areas. In region F which is the inner city area ward 59, 60, 64,

03:03:3266, 63, 65 and ward 123 and 124 we have cleaned daily supported by building inspectors program. Region B cleaning results can be seen in ward 69, 86, 87, 98, 99 and 102. Region D significant work is currently taking place in Kliptown ward 22 and it's surrounding areas.

03:04:08We are cleaning the city street by street. Fellow councillors the 89.4 billion is the largest budget ever seen in the city of Johannesburg thus far. This is a serious budget and MMC Arnolds proposed the 80.7 billion is allocated for operational expenditure

03:04:35and 8.7 billion for our capital expenditure. What we do with this money is a serious balancing act. To illustrate my point let us bring this reality closer to home. Councillor Marema. The day before yesterday it was payday.

03:05:06What did you do with your money? Madam Speaker, just for a second please allow me to demonstrate what I did with my money.

03:05:29isiZuluSengiqalile futhi.

03:05:34How much was it?

03:05:35Councillor Marema if you don't mind you can come and help me.

03:05:48Soliciting bribes.

03:06:09isiZuluHey siyayicela ngapha emuva, siyayicela ngapha emuva, [inaudible].claim

03:06:23When you're overpaid that's what you can do.

03:06:26isiZuluEyi!

03:06:30Come this side, the opposition should get more.

03:06:51isiXhosaMina ingxaki zam zininzi zifuna more than R10.

03:07:56Thank you, Madam Speaker. At this stage I distributed R10 to each one of you. Andclaim

03:08:11Speaker?claim

03:08:13in the midst of my financial obligations.claim

03:08:16Speaker?claim

03:08:20Oh, there's a hand from Councillor.

03:08:21Where's Oh, Councillor Amad?

03:08:26Thank you, Speaker. So, I have a question. Uh those who are doing oversight on the executive can they take this money? Section 79. Can they take it?

03:08:38Councillor Amad, you know you interrupted the Executive Mayor. Let's give the Executive Mayor his time to respond.

03:08:47Okay, I'll declare it Speaker. Thank you so much.

03:08:50SesothoTanki majoro.

03:08:52Yes, you must declare please even though it's below the R1000 threshold, but please declare. Executive Mayor you may continue.

03:08:59Thank you, Madam Speaker and fellow councillors. In the midst of my financial obligations I'm sure my family may have an issue with me for what I have just done. I withdrew money to give to our councillors. Please look at the R10 note that is in your hand or your table. With R10 you must eat, drink,

03:09:30travel, pay someone for parking and invest for your future. Which one do you start with? Eating and drinking keeps you alive. Coming to work provides job security. Paying for parking is paying for a service you received and investing helps to create a sustainable life.

03:10:01What will you do first? Putting together a funded budget is about making hard choices. As we listened to the debate some of you across the floor are arguing that we shouldn't be building a new infrastructure because we'll not be able to maintain it. Some of you are arguing against our proposed tariff structure

03:10:33and others want to see more development in their wards. Councillor Boer when you say those people who are we referring to? You are indeed a beneficiary of the apartheid transformation program. How can you refer to black people as those people?

03:11:03This is wrong. Our wounds from the past still exists. Please do not open them. Your ancestors used race to control access to South Africa's productive resources and access to skills which resulted in an inequitable distribution to the majority who are black and African.

03:11:34To date

03:11:38Executive Mayor please hold on. Councillor Boer.

03:11:45Madam Speaker, I want you to look back in my speech. I never used the word those people. I would never have done that, thank you.

03:11:59Noted Councillor Boer.

03:12:02To date the South African economy still excludes the vast majority of its people from ownership of productive assets and the possession of advanced skills. We are trying to change this story. This is a South African story and Johannesburg is part of South Africa. This is indeed a difficult balancing act.

03:12:34Fellow councillors through the city's performance report we know and understand what the previous budget bought us. We also know that we alone will not solve challenges affecting Johannesburg. We know our challenges and we are solving them together. It is for this reason that the SOCA acknowledged the work we are doing with the private sector.

03:13:06We acknowledged the capacity our workforce and reflected on aligning both our political and administrative capacity to deliver on the strategic direction of the city known as the integrated development plan. We welcomed the presidential support package and we look forward to the additional support that will be provided by the bomb squad.

03:13:36Next week I will be announcing the terms of reference of the bomb squad. Does this budget represent a Joburg we want to see? Well let us unpack it further. The budget is buying us sustainable services which is allocated 54.6 billion aimed at distributing electricity, water and providing shelter. Economic growth which is allocated 9.2 billion

03:14:06which is gearing us on growth path to achieve our 3% GDP target which must include jobs building a digital public infrastructure bringing fresh produce to the market supporting business and attracting investments into the city and integrating our transport system. Social services which is allocated 12 billion aimed at helping us build safer, healthier and cohesive city.

03:14:37Good governance which is allocated 13.6 billion which must help us to build a capable and developmental city that looks after its workforce, fights corruption and keeps us on our toes to remain accountable and looks after our strategy and our balance sheet. The SOCA to the media. The SOCA reflected on some private sector commitment we have received

03:15:08as the city of Johannesburg and this commitments directly respond to strategic objectives of the presidential package. As a responsible city we must create an enabling environment so that we can benefit from the 1 billion partnership from the Johannesburg parks alliance. The 10 mega liter reservoir estimated at the cost of 40.3 million fully funded by the private sector must become a reality.

03:15:38The 27,000 jobs created by the Steyn City must become a reality. Lastly our Lanseria smart city district development model catalytic project must happen as in yesterday. The media is wondering if the budget is aligned to SOCA. When I read and listened to our fellow councillor also known or AKA Councillor Sharon I could see the city.

03:16:09I could see the city implementing our energy sustainable strategy that tries to ensure the delivery of conventional power and integrate new distributed energy generation and energy storage facilities into our energy mix. Investing in deprived and marginalized areas with the goal of addressing deep infrastructure backlogs and transform the settlements into livable, connected and economically viable communities.

03:16:40Revitalizing the inner city by restoring Joburg's urban core. Implementing the Lufhereng mixed use development is the flagship human settlement intervention in the city. The city delivering at least 43,000 subsidized housing opportunities to residence of Johannesburg. Electrifying informal settlements led by City Power. The electrification of informal settlements remains a top priority with 296 million

03:17:11allocated to be focused on connecting to the grid areas such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park and Kya Sands. Building resilience and reliability of water security through Joburg Water which commands the largest average capital allocation. This program is delivering a series of large scale interventions aimed at securing Joburg's water future.

03:17:41Implementing Johannesburg Roads Agencies multi-year infrastructure program. JRA is tasked with preserving and upgrading the backbone of the city's mobility network. This includes concluding the reconstruction of the phase one of Lilian Ngoyi road by August 2025. Tarring of gravel roads in township areas and the rehabilitation of storm water infrastructure. This interventions will reduce flooding,

03:18:11enhance connectivity and ensure that residence in underserved areas are better integrated into the city's transport grid. Upgrading Pikitup's landfills rehabilitation and waste infrastructure to support Joburg's transition toward a circular economy. The city's social and community capital strategy is coming to life. Upgrading the Jabulani precinct

03:18:42which is a cultural and civic repositioning program. Implementing the Orange Farm renewal program. Supporting the Grand Central mega housing development aimed at delivering 83,000 mixed housing opportunities. This is a first for South Africa. Operationalizing the integrated intelligence operation center. To the City Manager and administrative team,

03:19:11all this infrastructure investments must be maintained. As such, as we welcome the increase in the repair and maintenance budget we must get to reach the 10% budget allocation that we can take care of our infrastructure. Failure to do so will result in consequence management. Our aging and new infrastructure are the backbone of the Joburg's economy.

03:19:42The economy of Africa depends on us and we shall not fail. Our deepest to the residence of Johannesburg. Our deepest condolences go to the family of our beloved Kobus. After winning the Oscar for the best international feature film in 2006 Presley Chweneyagae said, I quote. Us communicating and wanting to be South African

03:20:13each and every day give us pride for our country, close quote. We must be proud of who we are. Our space and surroundings are a reflection of our pride. It is for this reason we must never tire and we must always communicate. Through communication we will eventually see the Joburg we all want to see. Fellow councillors,

03:20:43as we celebrate and recognize Africa let us pay our final respect to one of our giants of African literature Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o who passed on yesterday. Your literature liberated the minds of many Africans and for this we thank you. In conclusion, whilst we'll take care of the IDP and budget

03:21:16as entrusted by the Municipal System Act 32 of 2000 which guides us to establish a simple and enabling framework for the core process of planning, performance management, resource mobilization and organizational change which underpin the notion of developmental local government. For you as voting councillors, let us support

03:21:49the budget and please use your R10 wisely. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Points on the R10 and caucus break request

03:22:18Thank you, Executive Mayor. I think the color of the day today is green seeing that the R10 is green you're giving out.

03:22:26Speaker. Speaker.

03:22:28I've noted the hand from Councillor Modukanene and Councillor Mogapi.

03:22:45Councillor Pietersen you'll be the third one. Councillor Modukanene, we'll start with you.

03:22:55Thanks, Speaker.

03:22:56Executive Mayor, are you still handing out money in council?

03:23:06Executive Mayor. Let's hear our colleagues then you'll collect the money afterwards. Councillor Modukanene.

03:23:22Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, Action SA is asking for a 15 minutes caucus break.

03:23:31I'll get back to you Councillor Modukanene. Councillor Mogapi.

03:23:34Okay.

03:23:35Councillor Pietersen.

03:23:38Uh thank you Speaker. Um I just wanted it to be noted on record that thanks for the Mayor's gesture, but these bros did not get that R10. Hopefully that's not a reflection of the budgets uh intentions.

03:23:52He's taking it back. So everyone who received it, the Executive Mayor is taking it back.

03:23:57Thank you.

03:23:59Councillors, it's 15:17. I will grant that 15 minutes caucus break then people who want to grab food lunch is ready. You can go grab food and Action SA you can have your caucus break and also go grab food. We'll resume at 14:20. 14:20, 4:20 please be back in the council 16:20. Eish, yeah no. 16:20 please be back in the council chambers.

04:03:00Thank you, Ma'am.

04:29:02Twenty-one.

04:32:50Councillors, let's settle down so we can resume with business of the day.

Resumption and tabling of recommendations to council

04:33:17Uh welcome back councillors. We resume with recommendations to council and that is our fourth item.

04:33:28Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Dada Morero.

04:33:35Madam Speaker? My hand is up. My hand is up, Madam Speaker.

04:33:43Please table.

04:33:45Thank you, Speaker. I hereby stand to

04:33:49table items for council consideration and approval. Thank you.

04:33:54Thank you, Executive Mayor.

Item 1 debate: DA and ActionSA on the 2025/26 IDP and business plans

04:33:58On recommendations to council, the first item is the 2025/26 Integrated Development Plan Review, and the 2025/26 Departmental and Municipal Entities Business Plans.

04:34:12Councillors, can you please settle down? We have resumed with business of the day. Please settle down at the back there.

04:34:27The first speaker on this item is from the DA, Councillor Hooper.

04:34:43Good day, Speaker. I rise to speak on Item 1. We do support

04:34:47Please hold on, Councillor. Councillors, can you please settle down? We are about to table very important items. Please settle down. Councillor, you can continue.

04:34:58Thank you, Speaker.

04:35:00Speaker, we do support some aspects of the proposed IDP and the business plans for the city's departments and municipal entities,

04:35:08but we are concerned about the significant obstacles to enacting and implementing these plans across the city. Speaker, how can these plans be effec- effectively implemented when the city's revenue streams are affected by a resident flight, are rate rate-paying residents leaving the city? They deserve basic services, but don't get them because there's no single online performance management system unlike other metros in our country.

04:35:33As we know, some employees are not effectively monitored and don't have performance scorecards.

04:35:40Residents must understand that while their own businesses and large firms, small businesses and large firms implement company-wide performance management and employees have scorecards that they're measured on, many departmental and MOE employees in the city of Joburg are not managed and monitored effectively. And if they are, it is often a tick-box exercise. Managers Managers and directors cannot determine where coaching, mentoring, and training is desperately required

04:36:08for themselves or their subor- subordinates. There's no city-wide system for performance management linked to the new SAP system and Microsoft Power BI system. This is very worrying when it comes to monitoring and evaluating these business plans and also ensuring employees are actually looked after and cared for.

04:36:29Speaker, the other main issue with the IDP itself is the horrendous public participation processes. This is yet another tick-box exercise. Residents were not notified in advance, and the advertising is often insufficient to ensure sufficient inputs from residents and various stakeholders, whether through online submissions or in- or in-person submissions at the IDP sessions, which are actually often poorly recorded at those public IDP sessions.

04:36:58Sub- Some submissions disappear or are merely ignored. For example, many residents submitted lengthy arguments on how and why fluctuations in rates negatively affect their standard of living. Some areas requested projects with evidence and data on the benefits to the area and the city, but got nothing, while other areas will be getting numerous large-scale infrastructure upgrades.

04:37:25Clearly, there's no neutral data-focused prioritization process or process of ranking according to risk and benefit when it comes to projects and the provision of bulk infrastructure. Another serious concern I must mention is the shoddy facilities and buildings the city's departments and entities must work in and work from. They are unmaintained, and JPC's auditing and management of the city's properties and buildings is absolutely shocking and appalling.

04:37:55Investigations and serious consequence management is required. How can these business plans be implemented and actioned on the ground when the employees of the city are being neglected and abused? Speaker, we note the item with the above-mentioned reservations. I thank you.

04:38:30Thank you, Speaker. Uh greetings to you, Honourable Speaker, members of council, fabulous 44, uh most importantly, fellow residents of Johannesburg. I rise to deliberate on the city's 2025/2026 Integrated Development Plan and the associated business plans of our municipal departments and entities.

04:38:57As ActionSA, we recognize the significance of the IDP not just as a statutory document, but as a blueprint of the city's intentions, its priorities, and its promise to the people of Johannesburg.

04:39:14Uh we have resolved to note and support this report,

04:39:20but let me be clear, our support is conditional. It is critical, watchful, and deeply rooted in the lived realities of our communities. Speaker, ActionSA's manifesto is clear. Where municipal entities underperform or duplicate functions, they must be reintegrated into the city's central administration. We cannot continue funding bloated and failing entities while residents live with poor

04:39:49outages, water cuts, and uncollected waste. Entities like City Power, Joburg Water, Pikitup have become expensive, more concerned with self-preservation than public service. Their business plans are full of forecasts, but lacking in impact. This fragmented structure is inefficient, costly, and often unaccountable.

04:40:18ActionSA therefore, one, reiterates our policy call for rationalization of municipal entities, and two, demands that a clear performance framework be established where failure leads to integrat- reintegration, no more funding.

04:40:38An Integrated Development Plan means nothing if it does not reflect the priorities of the people it's meant to serve. We must ask, um have the voices of all communities been truly have have uh have the voices of all communities truly been heard? Do the budget allocations reflect historic backlogs and inequalities?

04:41:03ActionSA calls for a truly inclusive development model, one that puts basic services, local jobs, and community safety at the core, not at the periphery. Speaker, we support this ID- IDP because we believe in planning,

04:41:22but we will hold this administration accountable every step of the way. We do this with clear demands. One, reintegration of non-performing municipal municipal entities, two, enforcement of accountability, and three, uh re- uh relentless focus on restoring the dignity of every resident of Johannesburg. We believe in Johannesburg that works and that with a government that delivers. I thank you.

04:42:00isiZuluHlala phansi Nkunyeni.

Item 1 debate: IFP and ACDP

04:42:04Thank you, Councillor. IFP, Councillor Manganyi.

04:42:15Honourable Speaker, members of the Mayoral Committee, councillors, officials and citizens of Johannesburg.

04:42:24TshivendaNdi masiari.

04:42:28As the Inkatha Freedom Party, a partner in this Government of Local Unity, we rise today not only as members of the governing side, but as custodians of accountability. We believe that when we govern, we must do so with integrity, clarity of purpose, and a deep respect for the people who entrusted us with this mandate. Speaker, we have engaged with the business plans tabled before us, in particular that of the Department of Social Development and Human Settlement,

04:42:58and we carefully examined their alignment with the city's Integrated Development Plan and the GDS 2040. Madam Speaker, a well-structured Integrated Development Plan aligned to strategic priorities is meaningless without a budget. Councillors, please.

04:43:18Madam Speaker, a well-structured Integrated Development Plan aligned to strategic priorities is meaningless without a budget that articularly- adequately meets the needs of the residents. Speaker, too often we see business plans that are ambitious on paper, but fall short in implementation due to weak performance monitoring, poor budgeting discipline, and a lack of impact assessment. This is where the gap between policy and real service delivery widens.

04:43:47It is for this reason, Speaker, where alignment exists, as the IFP, we'll acknowledge progress. The Social Development Department focus on poverty alleviation, skills development, and food security is commendable, and the ESP, though it is strained, is a mechanism that works. This directly speaks to the IDP objectives of restoring dignity to the vulnerable. We also commend the inclusion of programs on youth development,

04:44:16early childhood development, GBV response, and disability inclusion. These are not only aligned with the IDP, but they embody the values of Ubuntu and community resilience that the IFP deeply upholds. Having said that, Speaker, the IFP is concerned about the youth migration. With 47% youth unemployment, we need bold, innovative interventions, not just policy acknowledgement.

04:44:41The Social Development Plan Business Plan mentions migration migration pressures, yet provide no scalable solutions to improve service planning in migrant-dense regions. Madam Speaker, we cannot continue to have well-written IDPs and disconnected business plans. The IFP calls on the City Manager and the MMCs to ensure that each department's business plan must have a direct metric showing how it responds to the IDP and GDS 2040 outcomes.

04:45:10The department must publish quarterly dashboards measuring the progress of uh strategic interdepartmental project must become the norm, not an exception. A silo approach will fail in this city. However, Speaker, as IFP, we are honoured to lead the Human Settlement Department, a critical driver of dignity and spatial justice. The Human Settlement Business Plan reflects strong alignment with the IDP and GDS 2040, especially through the following priorities:

04:45:42On the service delivery of housing, we are fast-tracking formal housing solutions in high-demand regions and informal settlement. This speaks directly to the IDP's focus on sustainable human settlement and uh spatial transformation. On pipeline, including social housing, mixed-use development, and RDP rollouts designed to restore the dignity of thousands of residents still living in substandard conditions. On the

04:46:08upgrade of informal settlements, Speaker, we have developed a multi-year plan for informal settlements upgrade with clear timelines and community engagement built in. This reflects a deep commitment to IDP priority of resilience, livelihood, and sustainable urban environments. In closing, Madam Speaker, the IFP will continue to support developmental government. We stand for service delivery for the poor, for the vulnerable, for a city that leaves no one behind.

04:46:36But the support is not a blank cheque, Speaker. We will govern with our eyes open and our conscience clear. Let us correct where we must, deliver to the people, deliver to the people, the people of Johannesburg what they deserve, a city of opportunity, dignity, and a shared prosperity.

04:46:54TshivendaNdo livhuwa, Speaker.

04:46:55Please councillors, let's respect each other while we're on the podium, please.

04:47:04isiZuluSiyabonga, Khansela.

04:47:06ACDP, Councillor Rohlssen.

04:47:20Speaker, someone's mic. Okay. Thank you very much uh Madam Speaker. Um greetings Madam Speaker and all protocols observed. Uh the ACDP notes the uh 2025/2026 IDP and entity business plan that they are tabled and uh the ACDP supports the entity business plans and IDP with reservations. I thank you.

Item 1 debate: DA Cllr Christians on public participation and the R10

04:47:47Thank you, Councillor. DA, Councillor Christians.

04:48:13Thank you, Speaker. Good afternoon, everybody. I hope you're all awake after that uh very huge uh finger lunch we had. Madam Speaker, today's debates are around the budget of 2025, and I want to start with the words used by the MMC for Finance: fully funded, pro-poor, and pro-growth.claim

04:48:18Thank you, Councillor. ActionSA, Councillor Aphane.

04:48:37She then went on to say that this budget was born from listening, shaped by nearly 20,000 voices through one of the most comprehensive Integrated Development Plans, IDP. 20,000, that's the figure that was used. Madam Speaker, 20,000 of 6 million is nothing more than 0.3333%.claim

04:49:08Now, how is that the voices of the people in a comprehensive public participation process? Madam Speaker, the other words used by our MMC is also words such as good governance, accountability, and credibility. Now, credibility from 0.333% is not that credible, is it? Also,

04:49:36when we look at the data given to us, because it was said this is a data-driven budget, we are coming to these conclusions because of the data we are given. The data in the reports does not show 20,000. It shows first round of 5,342, a second round of 4,768. That, unfortunately, and I was hoping that the MMC on Finance could have had her people audit it, it only gives you 10,110,

04:50:06which still does not read around 20,000, unless around 20,000 could mean anything from 1 to 19,999. But that is not credible at all, Madam Madam Speaker, and I think this then puts a whole lot of different perspective on the entire budget in terms of credibility. Accountability. I'm glad that in the actual speech, it says we do not have systems in place to monitor, to track.

04:50:33But there are systems in place, but usually they fall down because we do not pay for it because we don't have money. Yet we are saying we are have a fully funded budget. A fully funded budget just means that, it's a budget. Does not mean we have the money. And we can't go on increasing budgets when we don't have money, which we've seen in the previous financial year. So, when it comes to tech, I'm glad that you are now catching up with the City of Cape Town because there's already apps in place where councillors can monitor the day-to-day service delivery.

04:51:08So, if you want a technology hub, just go to the City of Cape Town. It's not bad governance. It's actually good governance to ask for help. There's no problem there at all. So, we're very happy to share what we have there. So, when it comes to the service delivery app, are we going to pay service providers once again, or do we actually have in-house capacity? The grant performance dashboard, isn't it a bit too late? Because you're already saying we couldn't spend the grant, it's going back,

04:51:37but now you're saying, hey, let's put a dashboard in place. Uh you should have had that already. Service failure tracking system. The service tracking failure system has been there for the last 30 years. It's been failing and failing and failing. Why do we need it now? We know exactly where it is. The residents are telling you where it's failing. Start listening to them. So, when it comes to accountability, and this is the part where we really need to look at,

04:52:06accountability is such that when you got a mayor who actually stands up eventually and puts something on the table in front of councillors before a vote, is that good governance? Is that ethical governance? No matter what it is, it can be 1 cent or 50 cents. What are we teaching officials? And this is why we failing as a city, because of ethical standards.

04:52:32Madam Speaker, we saw very quickly after Mr. Mayor, and I think you know exactly who to speak to when it comes to that, as soon as that went down, people asked for a caucus break. So, obviously, mindsets were changed, Mr. Mr. Mayor. So, just imagine the ethical response we're sending to people. What is the morality we are sending, Mr. Mayor? Think about that, Mr. Mayor. And this is why we put a motion of no confidence in the executive, in the Speaker, because we are failing the citizens of the city.

04:53:05We cannot say we are credible, we are doing proper public participation.

04:53:08Councillor Christians, please hold on. Chairperson Raphadu?

04:53:14Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think all of us uh were here in this house, and uh Councillor Christians' allegation that people were bribed is unbecoming, and he should withdraw that unless he has evidence to substantiate what he has what he says, sorry for that, what he says. Because allegations without any evidence is very wrong. So, Councillor Christians needs to withdraw that or substantiate what he's saying right now. Thank you very much.

04:53:46And he must bring back that money then.

04:53:51And he must pay the City of Johannesburg so that we have money to render these services that he's complaining about because he owes the city.

04:53:59Councillor Raphadu. Councillor Raphadu.

04:54:06SesothoMara, Councillor Raphadu.

04:54:08Uh, Chairperson. Chairperson, it's fine.

04:54:12It's fine, Chair.

04:54:13It's fine. I'll speak to you. It's fine, Chairperson.

04:54:16No, thank you. He must pay the city for us to have money to render services. Thank you.

04:54:25Councillor Christians, you have five seconds.

04:54:33Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, it's very simple. Words such as accountability, credibility, and integrity do not fall within this budget. That's why we cannot support this process. I thank you.

04:54:43Time's up. Thank you.

Item 1 debate: UDM supports the IDP amid disputes over IDP attendance

04:55:01UDM, Councillor Zigebe.

04:55:08Madam Speaker, you know,

04:55:12Councillors, DA councillors, Chairperson Raphadu, between the two of you, caucus leader. Councillor Zigebe, you can continue.

04:55:25Madam Speaker, you know, when you are an ancestor, some of the things you just lose them on the way. Because

04:55:34isiXhosakaloku ushiywa nayi technology nangamaxesha,

04:55:37left behind.

04:55:39isiXhosaThina

04:55:40we are here because we are wildest dreams of our ancestors.

04:55:44isiXhosaUyayiqonda mosi?

04:55:45And also, just to address one thing, 20,000 on against 6 million people, when you did not even attend one IDP session,

04:55:58isiXhosaucinga uba ngubani lo

04:55:59who'll rally the community to attend when you are not there, but you are speaking for

04:56:05Please hold on.

04:56:06for for the people.

04:56:07Only one. One from the Democratic Alliance.

04:56:10Point of order, Madam Speaker. We have the attendance registers. He must bring it to this council about the attendance of councillors. 80% of DA councillors attended all the all of it.

04:56:20Councillor Echeozonjoku, it's indeed, Councillor Echeozonjoku, you can't respond. Councillor Echeozonjoku, you can't, honestly. You can't. Please sit down. Please sit down. Uh-uh, Councillor, you're out of order. Sit down.

04:56:37He's misleading the house.

04:56:38Sit down. You are out of order now.

04:56:41isiZuluHayi bo.

04:56:46Councillor Zigebe.

04:56:50isiXhosaMnco, mnco bethuna.

04:56:54Crying from the trench. I was chairing the the the sessions. I was the chairperson of the sessions, Speaker. I was, it's fine, it's fine, let me deal with this. I was a chairperson of those sessions. I attended all those sessions and you were never there. So,

04:57:14isiXhosamasingalinge sizokuqhathwa,

04:57:15we were there, we saw what happened. It's fine.

04:57:18isiXhosaHayi ke wena

04:57:20Councillor Echeozonjoku, we won't go back and forth about this one. We will not go back and forth about this one, so please put your hand down. Councillor Zigebe, you have 4 minutes and 56 seconds. You can continue.

04:57:33Hayi, Speaker, you can't take you should take 1 minute instead of, because she was speaking.

04:57:38No, we stopped the time. When there's a point of order, we do stop the time.

04:57:42Replay it back and give me my 55 seconds.

04:57:46We do stop the time. The team here knows exactly what they're doing.

04:57:50The team is busy on the other side, looking on the other side.

04:57:51Please continue and ignore the other side. I'll deal with them.

04:57:56Don't worry, your vote of no confidence is not going to pass. Madam Speaker, there are moments in a city's life when the when the choices before it are not just technical, but more, but moral. Moments when the weight of budgets budget tables, line items, and scorecards give way to a deeper question: What kind of city are we building and for whom? When you do not even attend IDP sessions. Madam Speaker, Item 1 is a resolution that speaks to our core Integrated Development Plan and the business plans

04:58:28of our municipal entities and departments for the 2025/2026 financial year. But let me say, this is not just a procedural vote. It reflects our collective conscience, not on the other side, though. Colleagues, I begin by saluting the architects of this IDP. There is a clear and deliberate alignment between the GLU's 11 priorities and the GDS 2040 outcomes and the key focus areas of the National Development Plan. We see a strengthening of priorities such as basic service delivery,

04:58:56economic revitalization, smart city transition, and youth empowerment. The IDP rightly recognizes the need for integrated spatial transformation, particularly in Region G and Region A, which remained underserved. The budget also begins to shift funding away from maintenance-only models to productive infrastructure investment, something that was long overdue. However, alignment is not implementation, and we must have the humility to say we still fall short of turning intent into impact.

04:59:28Madam Speaker, from in-depth analysis and studying of 38 documents, each page reviewed, each KPI assessed, I have found both progress and pain. 7 out of 12 entities still rely on more than 60% of their income from grants, which makes our delivery vulnerable and vulnerable to national fiscal shifts. City Power, responsible for a bulk of energy infrastructure, projects over 2.1 billion in CAPEX, but continues to face a deficit due to-]

05:00:00theft, and high non-technical losses with a revenue recovery rate under 78%. Pikitup entrusted is entrusted with citywide cleanliness spends more than 65% of its OPEX on wage-related costs, leaving little room for innovation, technology adaptation, and recycle scale up. Metrobus and Johannesburg Property Company received qualified audit outcomes and continue to operate in less than 60% of critical vacancies filled.

05:00:30The City's Group Governance Unit, meant to ensure enterprise and wide performance, does not yet have a fully operational performance dashboard that integrates real-time metrics across entities. Some entities report strategic goals, yet lack KPIs with baselines and targets. This is not planning, this is wishful thinking dressed as work. Four entities had unresolved issues from the AG's 2023-2024 audit findings.

05:00:56The ombudsman office, crucial to citizen redress, operates with just 1.5 million in CAPEX, while dealing with more than 2,500 complaints per annum, over 13% of which are own initiative investigations. If we are serious about responsive governance, we cannot underfund accountability mechanisms. And yet, Speaker, let me be very clear, with all the challenges we are faced with, there is hope, not in vague optimism, but in visible progress.

05:01:24Development Planning reports a 97% alignment with its with its KPIs and GDS 2040 indicators, and leads the city's urban densification in informal settlement regulation efforts. JOSHCO is now targeting 4.5, 4,500 new affordable housing units in the year, with 40% allocated to youth-headed households. The Johannesburg Roads Agency, once paralysed by project roll-overs, now reports a new project prioritisation

05:01:52matrix and a three-tier maintenance model to reduce downtime by 18% citywide. The city's Smart City strategy, through Group ICT, ICT Office, will roll out over 500 additional public Wi-Fi access, Wi-Fi access points, focused on under-connected areas in Ivory Park, Diepsloot and Orange Farm. Hope, Speaker, is when departments like Social Development,

05:02:16with limited resources, manage to disburse over 1,500 million in poverty relief, while maintaining compliance with Treasury guidelines. Hope is when the EPWP programme targets 35,000 job opportunities, and transversal departments finally beginning begin to integrate Circular 88 indicators across portfolios. Hope is not the absence of problems, it is the presence of leadership. Hope is not running away from accountability,

05:02:44and choose to identify as opposition and sowing confusion, even amongst one's caucus, but getting into the kitchen while hot and stay... Why?

05:02:53isiXhosaKutheni nibetha i-ASA uba iwu...

05:02:5630 minutes left?

05:02:57isiZuluKodwa-ke,

05:02:59Madam Speaker, so we need to...

05:03:04But still, Madam Speaker, we rise. Let it be said that when Johannesburg stood at the brink of uncertainty, we chose not the path of despair, but the road of difficult progress. Let us rise today, not as politicians, but as custodians of the public good. Let us rise to support this item, because behind every line item is a household waiting, a worker hoping, and a child dreaming. And in the end, that is why we govern. Thank you.

Item 1 debate: EFF

05:03:35Thank you, Councillor Zigebe. EFF, Councillor Radebe.

05:03:52Thank you, Madam Speaker. And revolutionary greetings to the 29 committed battalions of the Economic Freedom Fighters under the leadership of our caucus leader, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku and caucus whip, Thabisang Mogapi. Speaker, the EFF takes itself seriously as the vanguard of communities, and as such, we will always be on the side of the poor and the marginalized members of our society.

05:04:17There are overt intentions to discredit the EFF, not only within the country, but it has now been taken to international arenas. The EFF remains the only voice of the poor and the marginalized people of our society, and therefore, this strategic intent will never work. We say, "A luta!" to the only Commander-in-Chief that turned the Oval Office into the cinema.emotive

05:04:39isiZuluBabambe, spithiphithi!emotive

05:04:43Speaker, the EFF receives the 2025-2026 Integrated Development Plan review as an opportunity for serious political reflection and bold planning, not just for compliance, but for transformation. As articulated in our seven cardinal pillars and People's Manifesto, we believe that development must be people's led, redistributive, and driven by a revolutionary state that prioritizes the poor and the working class.claim

05:05:09The people's plan, as this IDP is titled, must begin by accounting for the material conditions of Johannesburg residents. In Region G, informal settlements continue to mushroom. In the CBD, infrastructure is collapsing. In Soweto, power outages are now a routine. Yet, the IDP continues to project ambitions disconnected from these urgent realities. Speaker, the IDP commits to infrastructure upgrades in identifiedclaim

05:05:38growth nodes and nodal review zones. But what about the underserved areas? We demand a bias toward communities historically excluded, like Orange Farm, Kya Sands, Zandspruit, and Ivory Park. The CAPEX allocation continues to favour transformation zones rather than marginalized areas that need most urgent redress. Only 30,000 indigent households are formally registered, yet over 700,000 households live in poverty. This is a scandal.

05:06:08We demand an urgent digital overhaul of the indigent register and a broader reach of the expanded social packages. We have reviewed the business plans of key municipal entities. Most entities make progressive commitments on paper, but they are often unfunded or delayed. City Power continues to experience load reduction, network failure, and financial distress. Metrobus faces an aging fleet and infrastructure backlog. JOSHCO has limited stock expansion for social housing, yet the backlog is growing.

05:06:38While we reiterate the insourcing of all security staff, we also call for the centralization of all security contracts under the Public Safety. This will ensure quality control, legal compliance, and professional standards across all departments. Furthermore, there must be a dedicated IDP-linked budget for bylaw wardens, pothole repairs, and traffic light restoration. These are core indicators of a functioning city. We demand the introduction of e-health systems

05:07:07to streamline patient records and clinic efficiency. Community health volunteers must be recognized, formally included in planning, and compensated. It is unacceptable to exploit women's unpaid labour under the guise of community service. Entities such as the Joburg Market and JDA commit to inclusive economic growth through agri-hubs and green jobs. We call for concrete targets for youth employment, SMME procurement, and EPWP absorption into permanent posts. The Johannesburg Tourism Company

05:07:38plans to develop the Johannesburg Tourism Master Plan, destination marketing campaigns, and establish safety units under JMPD. These initiatives must prioritize township tourism and include funding for artists, community heritage projects, and support to theatres. JOSHCO and JPC must fast-track the release of land for affordable housing. The Southern Farms mega projects and restructuring zones must be guided by inclusionary housing principles. No more delays while people wait on lists that don't move.

05:08:08The five-year scorecard and Circular 88 indicators are progressive, but reporting remains poor. Entities must present quarterly performance reports to councils. No performance, no budget. Speaker, we support the tabling of this IDP review, but let it be known that the EFF's approval is not blind. It is a conditional commitment. We will monitor every promise, we will measure every department, and we will not rest until Johannesburg becomes a city of justice,

05:08:38dignity, and revolutionary delivery. I thank you.

Item 1 debate: ANC

05:08:57Thank you, Councillor. ANC, Councillor Sindani.

05:09:15Thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor, greetings to you, Honourable Speaker, Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, the citizens of Johannesburg, our visitors on the gallery, the ANC caucus and the house at large, you are all greeted. Let me first thank you, Speaker, for allowing us to observe

05:09:47the Ascension Day. We really appreciate that. Once again, let me join the Executive Mayor on condolences to the Women's League, once a Women's League President, uMam' uGertrude Shope, who passed on at the age of 99 years old, and our very own Cobrizi, an award winner, uPresley, who passed on at the age of 40 years.claim

05:10:16May the Lord comfort their families. Yesterday, we have received the people-centred budget from the very progressive MMC of Finance, Councillor Arnolds. The city is led by progressive MMCs, and that's such a budget that was tabled yesterday. To substantiate this progressiveness, from March 29 to 10th of May, 2025,claim

05:10:46city conducted regional summits and targeted stakeholders' engagement from 16 April to the 6th of May to enable communities to submit their inputs into the budget and proposed tariffs. This budget is informed by consulting, and thus it becomes people's budget. The only reason you cannot support this budget,claim

05:11:15it will be because you don't want to be viewed as in support of the progressive MMCs, which might taint your political career, considering that some political parties are a one-man show. So your job will be on the line, so that's why you might not want to support us. This budget creates confidence, it brings hope to the poor, and it also encourages those who are not sure if they should move from other cities

05:11:46to come to Johannesburg. The IDP is a roadmap to restoring Johannesburg, focusing on equity, inclusivity, and responsiveness. Here is a summary of key points. Key focus area, prioritizing historically undeserved communities, underserved communities,

05:12:15ensuring no area is left behind. We are fostering accountability and empowering communities. We are building partnership to share Johannesburg development priorities. Speaker, I have already heard the issue of about 20,000 and 6,000 and what-not and what-not. Considering that the African National Congress has a number of ward councillors, it is our responsibility to go back to them and make sure that

05:12:46they still participate and make sure that they still understand why this IDP, it is important. But if you don't have a ward councillor, then it will be difficult for you, if not impossible, to bring the community so that it becomes inclusive. Finally, Speaker, as the ANC, we note and support and ask the house to vote for this item. Thank you very much.

05:13:28isiZuluSiyabonga, Khansela Sindani.

Item 1: MMC Arnolds' reply and vote

05:13:31MMC Arnolds.

05:13:41Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I want to start off, and I greet everybody in the house once again. I want to start off with saying that this was the highest, the very highest that the IDP was attended. We had 10,000 people coming into halls. Madam Speaker, you were there, and we had people online,claim

05:14:10and that makes the 20,000. And I will repeat, there is some of you that was never in the hall, at the centres, or even online. Because I know that, Madam Speaker, you are very well aware that I was part of the onlines, and I was part of those that were there, and I chaired almost eight of those meetings.claim

05:14:38And I want to say that there was one area... I'm being intimidated, Madam Speaker. Councillors, please, it's her time now. It's the MMC's time. Madam Speaker, we can bring registers, and I can count, and I can tell you all the faces that were at the IDPs. Madam Speaker, I also want to say that not even the time when the DA led,claim

05:15:08did they even make 8,000. So I want to bring that to this house. Madam Speaker, I want to say to Councillor Alexander, please go to page 306 and look at KPI 53, and then we can debate between the two of us. The IDP and business plans priorities are definitely looking at the marginalized

05:15:38areas, and so does the budget. I want to say to the UDM, as well as to the EFF, that your inputs were thoroughly engaged, because you read the documents, and you gave constructive input that can only enrich the City of Johannesburg. I would also want to say to the IFP, thank you so much for your inputs, and we note your inputs. To ActionSA, we note that you say you are supporting the budget,

05:16:09and we also note that it was not on the basis of a R10 that was handed out, because you returned your R10s. I want to thank the ANC, because it's always a caucus that reads through the... I also want to say to... You see, you've taken my time.

05:16:39I also want to say thank you to the... MMC Arnolds, please hold on, I see a hand from Councillor Christians. Councillor Christians, what's your point of order?

05:16:56Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, just to get clarity, the MMC said page 353, because the document on Annexure A only goes to 343, then jumps to 390. There's no 353. Thank you.

05:17:13Listening is a skill. It's a big skill. I never said 353, Madam Speaker. I said 306, and I said go to KPI 53.

05:17:26Afrikaans306 en en 53. Luister is 'n

05:17:32skill. Your residents are watching you. Madam Speaker, I said 306. I have it here, and I have it as I wrote it down. Madam Speaker, I want to say thank you to the ANC for their input and their support, because they always go through their reports, and they come here with responses that is progressive. I thank you. Madam Speaker, before I sit down,

05:18:03I want to say that there was a councillor that said the 0.333% doesn't work. If we can go back, I sat at the back, there where the councillor is sitting, and Councillor Nkokou was told that your party of 0.33333% will never pass a motion of no confidence, and we saw

05:18:33that a mayor of the DA was taken out. I thank you.

05:18:49Thank you, MMC Arnolds. Councillors...

05:19:01Councillors, the recommendation is on page 1.8. Is the item agreed to? Agreed! Agreed! Agreed!

05:19:17Councillors, the recommendation is on page 1.8. Is the item agreed to?

Previous item carried; DA dissent noted

05:19:41Councillors, the yeses have it. Councillor Christians?

05:19:51AfrikaansDankie,

05:19:52Madam Speaker, our very own Da Gama. MMC Arnolds, please check... Okay.

05:19:58Thank you, Madam Speaker. Speaker, in terms of Rule 84, can the dissent of the Democratic Alliance be noted? Thank you.

05:20:06It's noted, Councillor Christians.

05:20:11isiZuluPhansi uPhezu Kwakhe!

Item 2: SDBIP tabled; ActionSA speech

05:20:31Councillors, we move to Item 2 on recommendations to council, and that is the tabling of the 2025-26 Institutional Service Delivery Budget and Implementation Plan, which is the SDBIP.

05:20:48Thank you, Secretary of Council. The first speaker is from ActionSA, Councillor Coverdale.

05:21:00Thank you, Speaker. Good day, Madam Speaker, the formidable 44, distinguished guests, and the public at large. Madam Speaker, I was surprised by the antics of the mayor. He gave out R10s to councillors, but not all councillors received. This is exactly the state of our city. Only a selected few receive service delivery. When everybody doesn't receive,claim

05:21:31you just get allegations flying around loosely, as we have just witnessed. Madam Speaker, I stood here a couple of months ago agreeing with the Service Delivery Budget Implementation Plan. Item noted. It is positive and addresses some of the current challenges in the City of Johannesburg. How the transportation matter will be solved is a challenge, as

05:22:00their budget has been decreased. Our poor roads. ActionSA has said that it will work with the GNU on a case-by-case basis, as we have. But even though we note this report, we must highlight the increased burden placed upon the residents with the electricity surcharge amount of R200.claim

05:22:30The electricity surcharge amount that must be reversed. The Big Brother principle in the book 1984 is being applied, whereby you implement a surcharge and then make it look good by not increasing it. The truth is, it should never have been there from the start. Why should the citizens of Johannesburg be burdened withclaim

05:23:00extra cost to obtain services? It's preposterous. If we are such a world-class city, should we not be the first to remove this cost? Lead by example. We cannot continue saying that other cities are paying for it, so we should do the same. Instead, we should be saying that we have removed our surcharge, others should follow suit. That is real democracy.claim

05:23:30Only then can you call it the people's budget.

05:23:33AfrikaansJulle het blatant gelieg!

05:23:43AfrikaansMejuffrou Speaker, net soos ons Liewe Jesus moes hel toe gaan om sy mense vry te stel, moet ActionSA met die regering werk om herstelling te dwing. Dit is nie verandering of flip-flopping nie, maar dit is moedig. Wat verkeerd is moet ons blootlê, en wat reg is sal ons ondersteun.

05:24:14AfrikaansHerstelling benodig samewerking. Die DA het hulself in 'n enkel doos geplaas wat vasgebind is met ysterkettings. Hulle kan, hulle kla en hulle oordeel net sonder oplossings. ActionSA is gewillig om te help. As ons hulp sal aanvaar word. Ons advies is, verwyder die R200 fooie.

05:24:43Councillors, councillors, please.

05:24:46AfrikaansOns advies is, verwyder die R200 fooie. Ons volk is gatvol. Ons volk soek net dienslewering, dienslewering, kragtige dienslewering.

Point of order on translation of Afrikaans

05:24:59Councillor Delano Coverdale, please hold on. Councillor Sifumba, your point of order, please. Councillor Delano, please switch off your mic.

05:25:14AfrikaansDankie baie,

05:25:15Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I stand to actually caution you because

05:25:21Afrikaansek kan nie hoor wat die

05:25:23councillor

05:25:23Afrikaanshet gesê nie.

05:25:25Can we have translation,

05:25:26Afrikaansasseblief?

05:25:31Noted, Councillor Sifumba. And we've explained this numerous times in the past. If someone stands up and speaks in Sotho, they are allowed to speak in that language. Yes, I made a previous ruling on that, and I'm sure you can remember it clearly. Councillor Coverdale, please continue. You have four minutes left.

05:25:55Madam Speaker, it is time.

05:25:57isiZuluYisikhathi sokwenza. Yisikhathi se-action!

05:26:01Let us collectively hold accountable who should be held accountable. The Service Delivery Budget Implementation Plan can work now. It could have worked previously in upgrading and maintaining the city, if the governments of the day didn't sabotage themselves through corruption and derelict to duties.

05:26:30Also, if other parties didn't sabotage them through greed and jealousy. The key has always been management and implementation. Stop sabotaging, start implementing.

05:26:44AfrikaansGoeie dag,

05:26:45isiZulusiyabonga,

05:26:45and I thank you.

Item 2: ACDP input

05:27:03Thank you, Councillor Coverdale. ACDP, Councillor Mkhonza.

05:27:14Madam Speaker, thank you so much. Before I start, I'd raised my hands right at the beginning to ask you to please excuse Councillor Mkhonza. He had to leave in an emergency. So with your permission, I'll read his speech or parts of it. Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on Item 2, tabling of the 2025-2026 Institutional Service Delivery Budget and Implementation Plan. The persistent service delivery challenges stem from a lack of effective implementation,

05:27:49which is a direct reflection on the responsibilities of our administrators and entities. It is imperative that we treat performance agreements and the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plans with the utmost seriousness. They should not be reduced to mere compliance exercises under Section 57 and the performance management regulations. Instead, we must enforce strict consequence management to ensure accountability. Whilst we acknowledge the great intention of the

05:28:20SDBIPs, in an ideal world, like strong regulatory and policy frameworks, we raise the following concerns for serious consideration. Critical administrative and technical vacancies or roles or posts must not be reserved for cadres, despite mismanaged city's infrastructure are still appointed. We believe that the percentage target for

05:28:50property, plant, equipment should have been set at 8% or more and not wait for the fourth quarter. Weak internal controls affecting financial accountabilities, where UIFWs are unacceptably high, and this has to stop. For us to meet a 30 days target on cash cost coverage ratio and the current ratio, we need to mention a few. Internal controls must be strengthened.

05:29:19Total water and electricity losses must be prioritized. We note and we will monitor the intention to increase revenue collection target to 91% in the upcoming adjustment budget. Procurement and supply chain inefficiencies, which delay projects, and there's no consequence management, such as in the Bree Street, Lilian Ngoyi inefficiencies. We urge the city to utilize the SDBIPs to

05:29:49improve internal capacity on revenue collection and debt management, especially from the internal customers. We believe that even government institutions, like the provincial government...

05:30:00must be pursued for non-payment. It's crucial that we move beyond the survival mindset and strive for excellence in government. To both the city manager and the executive mayor, decisive action must be taken in instances of misappropriation of funds or non-performance. We cannot afford to have managers who are merely placeholders, signing off on documents without conducting thorough due diligence.

05:30:24We call on all our administrators and entities to prioritize the implementation of council programs and projects that will enhance service delivery and restore dignity to our communities. The successful implementation of the plans is something we eagerly anticipate as it holds the potential to significantly improve our service delivery outcomes. In conclusion, we further propose that the principles of performance management

05:30:50that is strategic congruency, reliability, acceptability, specificity and validity be applied, especially the strategic congruency and reliability as a start. I thank you.

Item 2: DA criticises SDBIP indicators

05:31:08Thank you, Councillor Harris. DA, Councillor Jacobs.

05:31:23Madam Speaker, we gather here today to scrutinize the 2025/26 Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan, a crucial document intended to operationalize our Integrated Development Plan and annual budget. However, it is immediately clear that this SDBIP rests on a fundamentally flawed budget

05:31:48misaligned with the genuine priorities and critical needs of our city's residents. Firstly, let us remind ourselves that a well-crafted SDBIP must clearly translate the IDP and budget into measurable outcomes-based service delivery targets.

05:32:06It should outline detailed monthly projections of revenue, operational capital expenditure, and link these directly to strategic priorities. Priorities such as infrastructure upgrades, public safety, economic growth, and sustainable service delivery.

05:32:25Instead, this document, despite its glossy appearance, fails to provide the tangible, actionable indicators required for effective oversight and accountability. The overarching failure of this SDBIP lies in its reliance on vague and process-orientated KPIs, rather than clear outcomes-based indicators.

05:32:49For example, in critical areas where residents require such as water supply, electricity supply, and infrastructure improvements, we find superficial performance measures. The SDBIP does not address chronic service delivery failure with meaningful targets and remedial actions.

05:33:09Instead, it sets vague goals like monthly reporting or conducting meetings, neither of which directly improve service delivery for our residents. Allow me to highlight specific flawed KPIs set out in this SDBIP.

05:33:27When we look at electricity infrastructure, they list percentage of completion of monthly meetings as a KPI. Madam Speaker, how does holding monthly meetings reduce power outages or stabilize electricity supply? This is not a performance outcome. Reducing power outages and stabilizing supply is.

05:33:47Then we look at water supply, which has monthly reporting on reservoir levels as a KPI. Madam Speaker, merely reporting on reservoir levels does not guarantee water supply and address systematic breakdowns at places like Commando, Midrand, Sandton, Soweto and Deep South systems. Then we look at road maintenance

05:34:10which has a number of potholes reported monthly as a KPI. Merely reporting potholes is meaningless if there is no correlated KPI that ensures actual repairs, quality assurance or improved road conditions. We can go on to public safety

05:34:28which has a monthly count of patrols as a KPI. However, counting patrols offers no assurance of actual crime reduction or improved public safety outcomes. This SDBIP does not articulate how these activities will translate into tangible improvements in service delivery.

05:34:48Councils and residents require real measures, such as actual percentage reduction in outages, the time frame for infrastructure upgrades, or clear commitments to restoring basic services swiftly and effectively. We can go on and on about KPIs that do not translate into clear improved service delivery outcomes for our residents.

05:35:11The fact remains that this SDBIP in its current form will result in current service delivery and infrastructure failures to persist within the city. This reinforces the need for the motion of no confidence as the Executive Mayor and the executive that he leads has no plan, no political will to turn this city around.

05:35:33In stark contrast, let us consider municipalities governed by the Democratic Alliance. The City of Cape Town, Midvaal, and uMngeni serve as prime examples of well-governed municipalities where budgets align closely with community priorities and SDBIPs contain clear, measurable, outcomes-based indicators.

05:35:56These municipalities achieve high levels of service delivery precisely because the SDBIPs reflect genuine accountability and meticulous planning. In DA-governed municipalities, we see KPIs dealing with aspects such as water supply reliability, which measures the actual percentage of days of uninterrupted water supply;

05:36:18electricity stability, which sets reduction targets in outage frequency and the duration of outages. Road infrastructure quality, which measures the percentage of roads resurfaced annually coupled with quality assessments done. These KPIs reflect accountability for tangible service delivery improvements, ensuring residents experience meaningful and measurable enhancements in their quality of life.

05:36:43The Democratic Alliance is not merely pointing out flaws, we are presenting a proven good governance model. Where we govern, budgets are prioritized to address the most pressing community needs. Our SDBIPs serve as a genuine road map, clearly connecting budget decisions to tangible service delivery outcomes.

05:37:03Next year's local government elections offers Johannesburg residents a critical opportunity. It is an opportunity to demand real accountability, to prioritize infrastructure and service delivery, and to embrace governance that puts residents' lived experience at its core. The DA governs better,

05:37:21delivers reliable quality services and prioritizes the needs of residents in a transparent manner. Only the DA can turn the City of Johannesburg around, ensuring our residents experience dignity, stability, prosperity that they deserve. The Democratic Alliance stands ready to rescue the City of Johannesburg. We have a plan,

05:37:42we have capable leadership and we have the political will to save our city. I thank you.

Item 2: FF Plus withdraws; UDM speaks

05:37:56Thank you, Councillor Jacobs. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

05:38:03Madam Speaker, Councillor Boer had to withdraw due to religious responsibilities. We withdraw the speech. Thank you.

05:38:13Noted, Councillor De Lange. UDM, Councillor Zigebe.

05:38:28Madam Speaker, instead of going to the US, they must go to Cape Town. We're at a crossroad of responsibility and possibility. The tabling of the 25/26 Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan as we are a city where over 30% of the population is under the age of 35, a city where over 50% of the households are women-headed,claim

05:38:52a city where thousands live with disabilities, often silenced by systems that were not built with them in mind. This year we commit that no one gets left behind. The 2025/26 budget stands at a total revenue projection of 84.8 billion with anticipated monthly collections ranging from 6.7 to 8.85 billion.claim

05:39:14Our fiscal discipline projects a healthy 8.2 billion surplus, creating room for meaningful reinvestments. Top revenue contributors remain electricity tariffs at 31.4%, water and sanitation at 23.6%, property rates at 20.6, uh 20.6%. But this must come with accountability and affordability.claim

05:39:35We must not allow efficiency to come at the expense of the of the vulnerable. We must safeguard our indigent policies, social rebates, and ensure access to essential services without entrenching debt traps for the poor. We are making fiscal room, but it must be it must translate to social return. The numbers are clear and we are sure of impact.claim

05:39:57EPWP work opportunities will be created with quotas earmarked for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. The Human Settlements Directorate through JOSHCO will deliver housing opportunities with a focus on family on family, special needs, and youth friendly units. Public health targets include upgrading 15 clinics and launching three new mobile health outreach unitsclaim

05:40:19for informal settlements. The Social Development Department will expand safe spaces, shelters and substance abuse facilities with an earmarked 120 million investment. Madam Speaker, we have a committed we have committed a 8.7 billion capital budget which will power transport infrastructure at 573 million for safer roadsclaim

05:40:41and expanded BRT services; on City Power it's 1.36 billion for substation for substation upgrades, smart metering, and ending energy insecurity in informal settlements; Johannesburg Water at 1.7 billion to address aging pipes, water losses, and sanitation; digital infrastructure at 420 million to bridge the digital divide,claim

05:41:03because digital poverty is the new apartheid. And through the Urban Settlement Development Grant, we are co-financing inner city renewal projects that prioritize inclusivity and universal design. This capital investment must serve both Sandton and Soweto, Eldorado Park and Ennerdale, Diepsloot and Doornfontein equally. The SDBIP is fully aligned with Section 53 of the Municipal

05:41:25Finance Management Act and guided by Circular 13. This year we commit to quarterly public reporting, monthly budget tracking, and performance-linked contracts for all Section 57 managers. But oversight must not be technical alone, it must be a democratic it must be democratic. Finalizing a community monitoring dashboard

05:41:47open to the public where every ward can track delivery in real time. We govern not by decree, but by dialogue. Let me now speak directly to a matter I hold close to my heart, the inclusion of gender, youth, and people with disabilities. The SDBI the SDBIP must not merely mention GEOD, it must it must mainstream it.

05:42:07Finalize gender-responsive budgeting frameworks so allocations reflect the lived realities of women and LGBTQI residents; work with SMMEs units to ensure 30% procurement targets are accessible to youth and disability-owned enterprises; expand skills development centers, including Matholesville, to train young women and men in re- in renewable energy,

05:42:28ICT, and artisan trades. Mapping accessibility of all new infrastructure, starting with our clinics, transport systems, and customer service centers. We cannot continue to build a city where a young person must beg at the robots instead of coding in a lab; where a wheelchair user must fight potholes just to reach a clinic;

05:42:48where survivors of GBV are retraumatized by silence, stigma, or bureaucracy. Let this budget mark a turning point from tokenism to transformation. Let me be clear, this plan is not without risk. We still face revenue leakages and under- uh and under-collections. Aging infrastructure threatens service delivery

05:43:09and service delivery stability. Community unrest and criminality can derail even the best-laid plans, and yes, bureaucratic inertia often delays implementation. But leadership is not about avoiding storms, it is about steering through them with resolve and unity. Madam Speaker, to lead is not to speak optimistically

05:43:30while ignoring pain. To lead is to name the pain, but still chart a path forward. So I say this, the budget is sound, the plan is credible, the commitment must now be non-negotiable. The 2025/2026 be the year that the people of Johannesburg see change, not just hear about it. In the words of Steve Biko, and I quote, "The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor

05:43:52is the mind of the oppressed," close quote. Let this SDBIP be the weapon of the empowered, not the oppressed; of those who build, not those who break. In closing, to every resident, this is your budget. To every department, this is your mandate. To every councillor, this is your moment. Let us govern as if history is watching,

05:44:13because history is watching. A city that works for all, let's deliver it. Ke a leboga.

Item 2: EFF conditions its support

05:44:23isiZuluSiyabonga Khansela Zigebe, EFF Khansela Radebe.

05:44:37Uh thank you Speaker. Uh Speaker, let me start by saying the EFF approaches this Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan with seriousness it demands. The SDBIP is not just a management tool, it is the soul of service delivery.

05:44:58It reflects whether the aspirations of the IDP and the promises of the budget are turned into tangible results. It is where vision meets action, or fails to.

05:45:16Speaker, we are here today not simply to note a document, but to assess whether the city is capable of delivering a just and equitable and effective plan to serve the people of Johannesburg. The SDBIP must translate political commitments into reality, not remain a box-ticking exercise.

05:45:37We note that this SDBIP is aligned to the IDP and the medium-term revenue and expenditure framework. That is the first requirement, but alignment alone is not enough. What matters is whether performance indicators, timelines, and outputs speak to the lived realities of our people.

05:45:57We need a people-driven SDBIP, one that is relevant in Zandspruit, responsive in Ivory Park, and rooted in the daily struggles of Eldorado Park. Speaker, this SDBIP projects revenue of 84.8 billion and an expenditure of 80.7 billion for the 2025/2026 year.claim

05:46:18But too often we hear of revenue targets being missed and departments failing to implement capital projects. What we need now is discipline, discipline in spending, discipline in delivery, discipline in leadership. We are particularly concerned that some departments continue to underperform, especially where services are most needed.

05:46:39Infrastructure backlogs, delays in maintenance, and lack of coordination between core departments and entities result in disjointed service. It is unacceptable that departments still fail to meet their own key performance indicators. It is equally troubling that departments continue to chase

05:46:58the same annual targets without adapting or responding to new challenges. Speaker, we call for the following specific actions. Firstly, all service delivery targets for frontline services like clinics, waste removal, pothole repairs, electricity, and water outages must be reviewed monthly and submitted to council for oversight. The community must not be surprised

05:47:20by poor service. Let us restore confidence through transparency. Let the SDBIP become a tool of truth, not just compliance.

05:47:31Secondly, departments must shift from vague performance indicators to measurable, time-bound outcomes. A clinic established must mean a functioning clinic with personnel, medication, and operating systems, not just a building. A road resurfaced must mean full functionality, not partial patchwork.

05:47:54Thirdly, the city must ensure that the capital budget of 8.7 billion is fully spent within the financial year. We must not see fiscal dumping or rollovers because of poor project management. We want quarterly reports tabled with details of capital expenditure by regions and ward. Let the communities see that the development is not only promised,

05:48:15but also delivered. Fourthly, all departments and entities must integrate Expanded Public Works Programme targets into SDBIP deliverables. Youth unemployment is a crisis. Every department must contribute to meaningful, sustained work opportunities, not token engagements.

05:48:34The youth of Johannesburg cannot wait. They need purpose, they need income, and they need their dignity.

05:48:42Five, we reiterate that security contracts must be centralized under Public Safety. This is crucial for coordination, legal compliance, and standard enforcement. Fragmented contracts lead to fragmented accountability. It's one city, one standard.

05:49:01Six, we demand a dedicated budget line and reporting for bylaw wardens, community health volunteers, and e-health implementation. These are the true engines of grassroots service delivery. The volunteers who keep our communities informed and connected must be recognized, paid, and included in planning. Seven, revenue collection

05:49:20strategies must be practical and humane. We must collect from those who can pay, not punish the poor while big businesses delay or dodge payment. We must strengthen enforcement mechanisms for defaulting high-value accounts, but also implement relief for indigent households and improve transparency in billing. Eight, we want the departments to report on their role

05:49:42in building local economies. What procurement goes into township businesses? What space is given to informal traders? What opportunities exist for cooperatives? Service delivery is not separate from economic transformation, it must be integrated.

05:49:58Nine, the SDBIP must SDBIP must make provisions for real-time community engagements. Dashboards, mobile apps, ward-level scorecards, these are not luxuries, they are essential for participatory democracy. All councillors must have access to a simple dashboard showing service backlogs,

05:50:18delivery timelines, and complaints logged. Number 10, we demand consequence management. Officials and contractors who miss targets or deliver shoddy work or waste resources must be held accountable. Without consequences, the SDBIP becomes a hollow instrument. Speaker, the EFF supports

05:50:38the tabling of this SDBIP, but we also do so with our eyes wide open. We are not romanticizing this process. We are tracking it, we are documenting it. We will not hesitate to demand answers, raise questions, and table motions against those who fail to deliver. Let this SDBIP not just live in folders,

05:50:58let it live in the streets of Alexandra, the clinics of Orange Farm, the roads of Diepsloot, and the homes of every resident who dares to believe in a better Johannesburg. We support because we demand better. We support because we will hold you to your word. I thank you, Speaker.

Item 2: ANC supports SDBIP

05:51:21isiZuluSiyabonga Khansela Radebe, ANC Khansela Buthelezi.

05:51:33Thank you, thank you, Speaker, and good afternoon to you, the Executive Mayor, the City Manager in absentia,

05:51:44our Mayoral Committee, the Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, and the fellow councillors. I rise on item two. The idea, Speaker, here was just to stand up and ask for the support from the house.

05:52:01But I'm tempted to say a few things after having listened to some of the speakers here. We were in power for only 22 years, and our constituencies decided to take a particular posture. However, we have municipalities that are led

05:52:21by people who were in power for more than 300 years. And when democracy dawned, they diluted their names to other names, but kept the same people who were running the previous system. So we cannot now act as if we don't know where they come from. And they can even refer to such municipalities as the best municipalities

05:52:42simply because they have diluted themselves. We still know them.

05:52:52One of the two, the second part that I wanted to speak on, is the fact that we are actually governing at a time where we have a GNU. The funny part about the GNU is that it is actually constituted by quite a number of parties that contest each other going to elections.

05:53:12As and when they engage on the issues, they just want to make sure that they protect their current constituency, however they build on that very same constituency to have more numbers. So it cannot be a surprise also if you find our partners speaking in a manner that might be speaking in, simply because they also want to appear relevant for the next 26/27

05:53:33local government elections. It is a very silly season, Speaker. However, we hope with what has been proposed under the conditions by the team that has worked very hard, I believe that they have worked tirelessly, they had sleepless nights trying to get everything in order. So ours is to actually appreciate and support.

05:53:54However, as I close, I would like to appeal to officials. If we have done our part, it becomes their part to also implement, and implement to the T. It cannot be correct that we come here,

05:54:12deliberate on the matters, then when someone is supposed to execute the task, it's not implemented as per. However, to those who are in areas that were once advantaged, allow us from those areas that you used to call them dump sites

05:54:31to actually develop so that they can match your standard. And maybe that will allow us, the have-nots, to also find a bit of a small gap between those who don't have. With that, let's support the SDBIP. Thank you very much.

05:55:02isiZuluSiyabonga Khansela Buthelezi.

Item 2: Finance MMC replies; item noted

05:55:06MMC Arnolds.

05:55:13Councillor Buthelezi, thank you very much for that input. It's truly appreciated and thank you once again for supporting the SDBIP. Madam Speaker,

05:55:27Afrikaanslaat my toe om in Afrikaans te praat. Raadslid Coverdale, die aanvullende fooi of die toeslag is nie deel van die SDBIP nie. As ons dit reg het, dan was u totaal uit lyn uit.

05:55:48To the ACDP, we note your responses as said, this budget is not a promise, it is a contract between the people and its government.

05:56:01Madam Speaker, the SDBIP does deal with the requirements as stipulated by the MFMA, Circular 13, and has all the indicators that are allied to the that are aligned to the IDP.

05:56:21There's Circular 88 KPIs which can be can be looked at, and these come from National Treasury. Madam Speaker,

05:56:33Afrikaansek wil ook sê, Kaapstad is nie so goed nie. Kan ons asseblief gaan kyk wat gebeur het met 'n sekere dame in Kaapstad, en ons kan kyk dit is hooflyn in die nuus.

05:56:50AfrikaansEk praat te veel Afrikaans vandag en ek het valse tande.

05:56:57Madam Speaker, I would also want to say that we agree to the EFF that the SDBIP must be aligned to the needs of our people, and yes, it is aligned. We are also happy to hear that all eyes will be open and we will be on our toes.

05:57:18We won't be tiptoeing, but will be on our toes to ensure that this government does give to the people that it has signed its contract with at the SDBIP. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

05:57:37Thank you, MMC Arnolds. Councillors, this item is for noting. Is it noted? Sorry, Councillor Echeozonjoku, I didn't see your hand there.

05:57:52Madam Speaker, I'll withdraw. I see I see uh MMC Jack Sekwaila is awake now, so it's fine, I'll withdraw.

05:58:03Hey, Councillor Echeozonjoku. Councillor Christians.

05:58:09Thank you, Madam Speaker. In terms of Rule 84, can you note the dissent of the Democratic Alliance? Thank you.

05:58:15Your dissent is noted. Councillor De Lange.

05:58:20Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just for the record, note the serious concern of the Freedom Front for the minutes. Thank you.

05:58:28That's also noted. All right, thank you, councillors.

Item 3: Medium-term budget package introduced; ActionSA speech

05:58:35Uh councillors, we proceed with item three, which is the 2025/26 to the 2027/28 medium-term budget and related documentation for the City of Johannesburg, read with item 3A, and that's your 2025/26 to the 2027/28 medium-term operating budget and related documentation,

05:58:57also read together with item 3B, and that's 2025/26 to the 2027/28 medium-term capital budget, also read with item 3C, which is the report on outcomes on public consultation on the proposed 2025/26 budget and its revenue-raising measures and technical evaluation led by the National Treasury,

05:59:18also read with item 3D, which is authorization to approve the 2025/26 draft rates policy and draft rates policy bylaws, also read with item 3E, which is tabling of the trading services A3 performance improvement action plans during the budget approval process in line with the trading reforms requirements

05:59:38for council approval, and lastly read with item 3F, which is the funding plan for medium-term capital budget for 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial year. Thanks.

05:59:51The first speaker is from ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

06:00:00isiZuluNgibonge, Speaker.

06:00:02Speaker, the first sign of self-hate is when you fail to do your own dirty work and have to rely on a baseless, frivolous motion sponsored by the dissenting alliance. I'd also be bitter if I was unceremoniously stripped of the mayoral, mayoral chain.

06:00:22isiZuluIzofika kumnikazi, Speaker.

06:00:26Members of Council, fellow residents of Johannesburg, I rise on behalf of ActionSA not just to critique, but to offer constructive values-driven analysis of the 2025/26 city budget. We acknowledge positive steps, but we also highlight systemic, systemic issues that continue to plague this municipality.

06:00:49These are not simply financial problems, they are moral and leadership failures, and the residents of Johannesburg are the ones who pay the price. We acknowledge the positives. Approximately 60 million rand for inner city rejuvenation. We welcome this. Though we note it is a far cry from the bold inner city vision implemented by former mayor, President Herman Mashaba who reclaimed hijacked buildings and repurposed them into affordable rental housing.claim

06:01:19Crime, poor lighting and unmaintained infrastructure are driving businesses and residents out of the inner city. Without deeper structural reform, the allocation is symbolic, not transformative. mSCOA implementation. Finally, Johannesburg aligns with National Treasury. While we welcome the long overdue reform, we must ask, why did it take this long to become compliant?

06:01:45Now that mSCOA is being implemented, ActionSA expects line-item transparency, especially for capital projects and a public dashboard for residents. 20 million for e- for e-procurement. This is this is a smart investment in digitization and anti-corruption. We commend it. As ActionSA, we support the move towards a transparent, technology-driven city.

06:02:10But for this to work, SCM processes must be streamlined and procurement planning must be proactive, not reactive. 70 million rand to fix the billing system. A step in the right direction, once again. Since ActionSA assumed the chair of the Section 79 Finance Committee, we've seen increased urgency in addressing billing failures. This is not just coincidence, it's accountability through leadership.

06:02:37Holding electricity surcharge constant. We appreciate no increase, but let's be clear, the 200 rand surcharge must go. It penalizes the working poor and should be replaced by fair usage models. Holding the prepaid surcharge at 200 rand is not pro-poor, it is tone deaf. You've passed

06:03:00you've passed through Eskom's 12.40 12 12.41% tariff hike, and now you boast that keeping a regressive surcharge in place is an achievement. The surcharge disproportionately affects the working poor. We cannot speak of transformation while residents are punished for simply trying to cook, clean, and stay warm. Key gaps and our recommendations. Innovation hubs.

06:03:25Very ambitious, but hollow. We see CAPEX funds allocated towards innovation hubs, but the question remains, what skills will be developed? What jobs will these hubs create? With youth unemployment at record highs, we need delivery, not buzzwords. These hubs must partner with real employees, with real employers and accredited training bodies, report impact indicators quarterly, feed into Joburg's SMME and township economies. This is why uh ActionSA

06:03:56believes in spaza for locals. Skills development, rhetoric versus results. Repeated findings show poor absorption of EPWP beneficiaries into formal employment. What's missing is skills pipeline for training uh to placement. ActionSA recommends linking opportunity centers to sector-specific upskilling, offering work readiness and entrepre- entrepreneurship in incubation in every region. Billing war rooms and dashboards.

06:04:26Data must serve the people. The budget mentions war rooms and dashboards, but now ax- but how accessible are they to residents or even councillors? We are losing millions through refunds for unspent mismanagement grants, delays in resolving billing queries, failure to track projects in real time. ActionSA demands dashboard access- a- accessible online, mobile, and in com- and and in community service centers.

06:04:53Real ti- real-time tracking of the 200 million rand uh collected daily. SLA-based targets for resolving billing disputes with legislated timelines. Supply chain management procurement planning and reckless borrowing. Madam Speaker, we have observed irregular supply chain management processes, lack of procurement planning that aligns with service needs. Funding strategies that rely heavily on debt with limited clarity on repayment, impairment, and pre-approval frameworks.

06:05:24If the plan is to fund this budget through loans, then show us the repayment plan. Let's not mortgage the city's future with reckless borrowing or backdoor bailouts. Wasteful expenditure, 2 million rand down the drain. ActionSA takes a serious takes serious issue with 920 and uh 542 million on roadshow marketing for IDP sessions. Did we Did we Did we

06:05:50Did we need nearly a million rand to market public meetings? Where's the report showing each to uh showing reach or impact? 998 million 363 on the State of the City Address. This was not the State of the City, it was the state of excuses. Few residents knew what happened. What about the YouTube YouTube views? Negligible. This two This 2 million rand could have bought 200 new prepaid meters.

06:06:19IDP must inform CAPEX, not the other way around. We are concerned that many projects in this budget appear repurposed from previous years with limited linkages to actual IDP consultation outcomes. Did we really take the community into consideration? Did we ask, what does Orange Farm need? What does Yeoville need? What keeps small businesses afloat in Diepsloot? We recommend that CAPEX projects be validated against ward-level IDP feedback.

06:06:48The regional forums publicly publicly track which projects were approved versus funded. ActionSA's position, leadership through accountability. We acknowledge improvements. We see signs that are uh We see signs that our pressure is working, but until the following are addressed: the electricity surcharge is scrapped, billing war rooms become community tools, borrowing becomes disciplined and transparent, wasteful PR stunts are ended, security guards and cleaners are insourced.

06:07:18We are shocked that once again the budget ignores the insourcing of security guards. These workers protect our assets, our clinics, our people, yet we yet we outsource them to companies that strip them of dignity and pay them next to nothing. Under Mayor Mashaba, this pro- this process became uh this process

06:07:44under Mayor Mashaba, under Mayor Mashaba, this process

06:07:51Councillors, councillors, please.

06:07:54Thank you, thank you current thank you current Speaker. So ActionSA cannot support this budget, current Speaker. We will continue to lead with ideas, facts, and fearless accountability. Thank you.

06:08:17MMC Arnolds.

DA request for caucus break refused

06:08:18No, it's nothing to do with his speech, with his speech. I just quickly want to go out to the ladies. Uh MMC Masuku is noting for me,

06:08:28Okay.

06:08:29please. Otherwise, I have to get a diaper.

06:08:32All right. Hey, MMC Arnolds, you could have just left it that you are going to the ladies. Now our minds are everywhere. Um

06:08:45isiZuluKhansela Nkonyeni, siyabonga. Uqonde. Uqonde, Khansela.

06:08:52Councillor Rahn.

06:08:55Thank you, Madam Speaker. Would it be possible to please, for the DA to have a five-minute caucus break? We've just need to have a quick discussion and then we'll be back in the room. Thank you.

06:09:04Um

06:09:06It has previously been allowed before we go to a decision and the debate has obviously been closed now.

06:09:10No, Madam Speaker, once the debate has started, we've never taken a caucus break. A debate has been opened, Councillor Rahn. I don't know what you are talking about, that it has previously been allowed, 'cause I don't remember doing that. Yes, I made a ruling. So I don't know what you're talking about there. The debate is opened, and when the debate is open, there's no caucus break.

Item 3: ACDP opposes rates policy and budget

06:09:39So Councillor Rahn, I'll continue to the second speaker from ACDP, Councillor Harris.

06:09:49Uh greetings again, Madam Speaker, MMCs, fellow councillors. I was going to make a very flowery technical speech, but um on second thoughts, I thought, you know, everything about this item rests on item 3D, which is the authorization to approve the 2025/26 draft rates policy and draft rates policy bylaws, because

06:10:19we're asking our residents to dig deeper into their pockets, and is it going to be of any point to talk about all of the other items that we are hoping for and promising and all of that kind of stuff. But I want to quote an extract from a City Power quality survey, which reads, and I quote, "According to the survey,claim

06:10:48municipal services have been in decline in satisfaction over time. For street lighting, only 37% of at most 44% of the respondents are satisfied with the streetlights where they live. Only 22% of 2023/2024 respondents are satisfied with the cost of municipal services. Only 17 or at most 26% of respondents in 2023/2024claim

06:11:18are satisfied with the way they are billed for municipal service." According to the survey, municipal services has been in decline in satisfaction over time. Now, if we were to extrapolate these figures over the core departments and entities, then I think this house is going to be in serious trouble if we are going to be saying to our residents,claim

06:11:47pay more while you get less satisfactory services. There's a second quote from an unnamed resident who submitted an objection to the increases. I acknowledge you, sir or madam, and I trust your anguish will ring in this chamber, and I'll quote: "The proposed tariff increases are unaffordable. The City of Johannesburg is charging fixed charges of some 1,300 rand per month before I've even switched a light onclaim

06:12:18or turned a tap on. This is too onerous for the average citizen. At the same time, whole suburbs are pitted with potholes and leaks, and water services delivery is patchy, with long and recurring periods of nightly water shedding." I can add to that that it is a new normal now in Ward 82, particularly, and Ward 68, Ward 69,

06:12:49it is a new normal now for residents to chase after water tankers and practically come to blows to get the tankers to come into their streets. Is this what we are asking our residents to pay more for? I'm not sure, really. There is a stock response I've seen in the one of the annexures why the budgetary increases are mandatory, and it says that it's to The determination of tariff increases is linked

06:13:18to the city budgetary requirements. Have we forgotten of the budgetary requirements of the citizens who sent us to this chamber in the first place, or does that not matter? Are we confined or we straightjacketed by the Municipal Budgeting Reporting Regulations and by the National Treasury guideline notes? Let's just cut to the chase. Whilst the prepaid surcharge is debated, a massive swathe of postpaid paying captive

06:13:49citizens are told to dig even deeper into their pockets by approving the rates policy. We agree the city is not in the business of charity, pun intended, but surely citizens deserve more than a cursory response. They cannot be used in a box-ticking exercise. These budgets are seemingly business as usual budgets. They lack innovation, creativity, and most importantly, empathy with residents who are crushed

06:14:20under an ever-increasing cost of living burden. If we'd even seen one mention of the of a waste-to-energy project, I think that would have been good enough for me, because we are disposing of millions of tons of waste, and yet there's waste-to-energy technology freely available Well, not freely available, but available. The skewed allocation of resources is a deep concern as well. Granted, residents of informal settlements must have their dignity restored.

06:14:51It cannot be, though, at the expense of the working poor, the elderly, and the thousands existing in council-owned stock. As part of the enhanced service delivery promises, it would have been good to have information about the bomb squad and their relationship with the war rooms, their terms of reference, and I'm glad to hear that the Executive Mayor alluded to this earlier, and how they are funded. The ACDP notes these reports, but we do not support them in their current form, and I thank you.

Item 3: DA objects to missing annexures and loan plan

06:15:27Thank you, Councillor Harris. DA, Councillor Santana.

06:15:33Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, obviously I rise to speak on all five of those items, but I would like to just say the MMC of Finance alluded to the fact that she was not going to respond to the Democratic's alternative budget. But the issue wasn't my fault, it was actually her fault. Because it wasn't for me a lack of trying for her in trying to get hold of her. What I'd get told every time was, I will call you. It's like the proverbial thing, the check's in the mail. I'm still waiting for that call.

06:16:04So with all due respect, the reason why I was forced to do and implement what I needed to do was because if we actually had the meeting, I would have sat with her and gave our budget and our comments and what we thought the city could do, because largely this is the City of Johannesburg and we are for all residents, like we keep on alluding to in this council, is for all residents. But do you exclude the biggest opposition party in council, i.e., us as the Democratic Alliance, the second biggest after the ANC,claim

06:16:36and you ignore us? So what you get is what you got. So Madam Speaker, so Madam Speaker, quite frankly, I don't feel threatened by what she's done at all. I actually feel sorry for our residents, because again, it's still business as usual and not unusual. And just to add clarity, what I've done in this budget with the limited information that I had, I also passed it to National Treasury, just for your information.

06:17:06So what I'm trying to say to you is that sometimes we actually need to listen to each other. And actually, I'm going to thank you that you did listen to what I said to you about the charge that are going to body corporate between the 70 rand and the 280 and the 280 rand, because I've just seen at half past five that City Power sent out communication that that was in error.claim

06:17:36But I have another problem. That means I can't place reliance on the information that's provided to us to even pass in council. Because if we can't even look at our at our at our budgets that are presented to us, because I went through the budget book, it means the budget the budget book and that is flawed. Madam Speaker, I'm going to move to the to the main the remaining items. The one is the public participation

06:18:05Councillor Santana, please hold on. Councillor Masuku, point of order.claim

06:18:09isiZuluNga- Ngakhuluma.

06:18:13No, thank you, Speaker. Uh just a humble request, can Councillor Santana speak through you and not directly to MMC Arnolds? Thank you, Speaker.

06:18:24Noted, Councillor Mazibuko. Councillor Santana, I'm sure you've heard her.

06:18:28Noted. Thank you, Chair, and my apologies.

06:18:30Maybe also your posture. Maybe look at me, 'cause I think that's the issue, when you look directly at the MMC.

06:18:38But she looked at me. That is okay. Anyway, let's carry on. Um Madam Speaker, with regards to the public participation outcomes and the allegation that there were no DA councillors present, we can confirm that out of the 42 ward councillors of the Democratic Alliance, 33 of them were online or in presence. Over and above that, Madam Speaker, and I can allude to this because I was on one of the meetings where, and Councillor uh

06:19:13Zigebe can also Sorry, I've just mispronounced your name, but sorry, Chair. Um can also allude to the fact that I tried to ask a question, and councillors were denied asking questions. But actually, what I was trying to do was trying afford the MMC to see how the public participation was going to work with business, 'cause I was on the business meeting. I wanted to see what was in the plan and what were we going to ask business in terms of helping the city.

06:19:42That request was denied. So unfortunately, it's not that I'm trying to slate anybody, I'm trying to assist the city in doing what's right for our residents. So the other issue is that most of the the public uh comments were also not part of those documents. There's quite a few missing, specifically from residents. I've seen from JPOMA, I've seen from JoburgCAN, and from the the Rates Watch, but I haven't seen from all the other residents that have been submitted. So again, the documents are not complete.

06:20:14Moving to the draft rates policy and bylaws, I'm happy to say thank you for actually listening to JPOMA and making some of the alterations that were required to be done on the rates policy. It's showing our initiative. So thank you for that. And I also applaud the fact that we've also put on hold the non-maintenance rates at this point in time until further um public consultation and more and how this issue's going to roll out. So again, I will give feedback when it's allowable.

06:20:43Coming to item 3E, the trading services performance improvement action plans. We cannot support this item as it stands right now for two reasons. The performance improvement action plan resolutions uh resolutions are without a comprehensive review of the City Power and Johannesburg Water's ability to meet National Treasury's eight minimum access indicators.claim

06:21:11The absence, again, of annexures A, B, C, D, and E renders this report incomplete, and approving it would violate our fiduciary duty. We call for a detailed exposition from the City Manager on how these entities will meet these indicators amidst the financial and capacity constraints. So again, Madam Speaker, you're asking us to approve information that we do not have.claim

06:21:39Finally, coming to the medium-term budget funding plan. Again, I've mentioned this when I spoke in our alternative budget. We are requesting a report on all the current loans that the city has, indicating the terms, the interest rates, the related capital projects that are aligned to them, and obviously the where we are in terms of how many years are still outstanding and the monthly payments per month.claim

06:22:06And then again, also I'm going to highlight, please can we have a uh for councillors, I'm doing this again to educate all of us, how do we envisage the public-private partnership programs to play out in the City of Johannesburg? Again, request for councillors' engagement on that and or education and or training. So Madam Speaker, that's me. It uh So item F was the the funding plan in the medium term. Again, we do not supportclaim

06:22:36the three and a half billion rand. We do not feel that the city has um sufficient cash to actually meet those obligations. And per our um per our budget that we put forward as the Democratic Alliance, we thought that 2.5 was more manageable. And I'll end there. Thank you very much.claim

Item 3: PAC MMC for Community Development outlines facilities

06:22:59Thank you, Councillor Santana. MMC Nkokou from PAC, you've informed me that you and UDM have agreed that you'll take the six minutes, combine it with your six minutes, so your time allocated is 12 minutes. You can start, MMC.

06:23:32SesothoEh e re ke go leboge wena Modisammogo wa dipuisano tsa dikgotlha. Ke dumedise ratoropo Sello Morero. Ke dumedise Molaodi wa Lekgotla Rre Magaishi Zungu. Ke dumedise Rre Modula Setulo wa Ditiilo Rre Khanselara Marema.

06:23:56SesothoKe dumedise borre botlhe ba di chairperson le bomme Mgcina. Ke be ke dumedisa le makhanselara otlhe a Afrika mo ntlong e ya Afrika mona. Lotlhe MaAfrika dumelang le baagi ba rona ba Afrika, dumelang lotlhe.

06:24:12Eh, Madam Speaker,

06:24:16isiZuluHhayi, ungajansi wena.

06:24:18Eh, the 2025/2026 budget speech

06:24:28MMC, please hold on. Uh Councillor Echeozonjoku. MMC, please switch off your mic. Thank you.

06:24:36Madam Speaker, we feel left out. MMC Nkokou is greeting everybody,

06:24:43Ah!

06:24:43but he hasn't even attempted my surname.

06:24:47Councillor Echeozonjoku, you just want to disrupt MMC. MMC, please continue.

06:24:53SesothoMadam Speaker, batho ba itumetse. Go tlhokagala re dumedise batho ba tshwanele. Mme we,

06:24:58uh the 2025/2026 budget speech has not has not only recognized our community development agenda, it has reinforced it. It is indeed a people's budget responding to the heartbeat of our city, affirming that a city cannot thrive without investing in its cultural institution, recreational space,

06:25:28community hubs, and public memory. New community facilities for growing city. We are excited to announce the scheduled opening of number of newly built community facilities, which include: Number one, Ivory Park swimming pool and Drieziek MPC swimming pool, completion by 31st July 2025, ready for use by the 1st of September 2025. Thank you.

06:26:03Drieziek, okay, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

06:26:06SesothoWa bona ke le, puo ya sekgowa e re phazamisa rona ba bangwe.

06:26:10Um, Matholesville MPC library, completion by 31st August 2025. Kaalfontein MPC multipurpose court and library, completion by 30 June 2026. This is our government by Africans for Africans.

06:26:35isiZuluIzwe lethu!

06:26:36Afrika! These are achievements, eh? The Joburg Central Library, which was partially opened in March this year, will now be fully completed and operationalized, an emblem of the city rebirth as an African center of excellence. Let me also assure this house and our communities, Cosmo City swimming pool remains a priority.

06:27:07Once the additional of 20 million in funding is secured, the department is ready to complete without delay. Community safety and infrastructure maintenance. We welcome ring-fencing of 6.4 billion for repairs, maintenance across the city. We anticipate that a portion of this budget will channel the revitalization and security of our community facilities,

06:27:39particularly those constantly targeted by vandalism and theft. Honoring memory through cemetery restoration. In a city like Johannesburg, shaped by gold, labor, struggle, and migration, our city cemeteries are living archives. This department will invest 5 million to upgrade and preserve key heritageemotive

06:28:10cemeteries such as Avalon and Braamfontein, both deeply tied to the legacy of apartheid resistance and racial segregation. We are proud also to announce the digitization of cemetery records, a long overdue project now being implemented in this financial year. Urban greening and climate resilience. We are greening Johannesburg from ground up.

06:28:41Greening.emotive

06:28:42SesothoKe rona ba.emotive

06:28:43We are working.emotive

06:28:44SesothoLona a le na chance lona.emotive

06:28:46With 20 million dedicated to tree planting, over 100 million for horticultural maintenance, our city will become cooler, greener, more sustainable. Informed by our commitment at Africa Forum on Urban Forests hosted in March, the program will focus on underserved area where greening is both environmentalemotive

06:29:16and social justice. To mark Mandela Day on 18 2025, 18 July 2025, we'll unveil an Extreme Park project in a living symbol of our commitment to public space transformation and healing.emotive

06:29:35SesothoE jwale MaAfrika, le utlwile?emotive

06:29:37Your government of the people by the people. Joburg Zoo, education and conservation through innovation. The Joburg Zoo is leaping into the future through a groundbreaking partnership with Microsoft to launch a virtual zoo. This will bring wildlife education into the homes of millions using technology to inspireemotive

06:30:00conservation and wonder. Additionally, we are initiating a major upgrade of our gorilla enclosure aligning it with global animal welfare standard to enhance the lives of these majestic and endangered being. In closing, this is not a record for achievement. It's a record of our commitment. We are turning budgetsemotive

06:30:31into buildings, words into action, spaces into sanctuaries for the people of Johannesburg. Let me end Let me end with the words of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, the defier of undeffiable. The future of Africa lies in the hands of Africans.emotive

06:30:57SesothoMaAfrika ga ba nkutlwe. MaAfrika ga ba nkutlwe maan. E re ke e betse ga ntle ke i ketlile so that e ke e kene mo e kene ha ntle.emotive

06:31:05The future of Africa lies in the hands of Africans. This budget shows that the hands of the people are at work, building, shaping, restoring and dreaming. Let me continue to build a Joburg we want. Let us continue to build a Joburg that we want. MaAfrika let me remind youemotive

06:31:34you are the descent of the greatest man in the world ever. You build Europe and America through a whip of the most evil man in this world ever. Even the Satan is scared of him that, that's why you see them they are all they don't go to heaven or they don't go to hell because Satan is also scared of this people when they come here they will take my kingdom and take over and burn me and do that horrible thing that they've been doing to Africans to me. So I don't want them. In heaven they don't want them so they are all ghosts if you go at night now you will see them.emotive

06:32:09for doing what they did to our people. So now you build Europe, you build America under a whip of them. So what is Joburg? I trust you. You are going to build this Joburg. I believe in you. I trust you. Let's come together, let's build. Izwe lethu!emotive

Item 3: EFF conditionally supports budget

06:32:55Thank you, MMC. EFF Councillor Nethamba.

06:33:07Thank you, Speaker.

06:33:08isiZuluAsibonge M'Afrika.

06:33:10Greetings to the Speaker and revolutional greetings to the fearless and committed 29 battalion of Economic Freedom Fighters under the leadership of our caucus leader Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku and the Chief Whip Thabiso Mogapi and all councillors and all the people in the gallery and those watching at home. I greet you all in the name of expropriation of land without compensation.

06:33:36Speaker, this budget arrives at a time when people of Johannesburg are losing faith not just in the service delivery, but in the government itself. The EFF approaches this item with both principle and responsibility. We will support this budget, but only with a firm expectation for delivery, accountability, and transformation. This 80 billion operating budget and 17 billion capital plan is a powerful tool if used correctly.

06:34:07If misused, it becomes yet another document collecting dust while the poor queues for the water, the elderly battle with darkness, and the unemployment loses hope. We welcome the intent behind the budget, but it must now speak to action. First, we commend and increase allocation towards infrastructure and basic service, but let us clear, forfeiting grants such as a municipality infrastructure grant due to

06:34:38underspending is unacceptable. The city must build internal capacity to spend, monitor, and report on its conditional and unconditional grants in line with treasury expectation. Secondly, we support and reverse draft rates policy, particularly the expanded rebates for pensioners and the continuously of indigent support. But indigent relief must not be based on outdated register. The indigent database must be digital updated quarterly,

06:35:10and indigent with service billing system. Third, on tariffs, while electricity, water, and sanitation hikes partly driven by the national utility, we remain concerned about the impact on the poor. The 13.9% increase in water and sanitation and 12.4% in electricity are well above inflation. The EFF insist that the pro-poor protection be actively applied, including targeted subsidies and

06:35:42greater use of expanded social packages ESP benefits. Fourth, the security of this city is collapsing. While we call for the full insourcing of all security personnel, as per the EFF commitment to a decent work and job security, we also demand an immediate policy shift. All security contract currently scattered across the department and entity must be centralized under the department of public safety. This department is the best place

06:36:16to monitor compliance with the law and ensure that private security contract meet professional and regulatory standards. Additionally, we call for a dedicated budget line for bylaws wardens. This wardens are essentially for the enforcement of the municipality bylaws from illegal dumping and hawkers management and they must be properly trained, equipped, and deployed across all regions. Fifth, service delivery depends on visibility.

06:36:48We want to see a dedicated budget for repairing potholes and fixing traffic lights not just in the CBD, but in every township, suburb, and informal settlement. The chaos on roads is reflection of the government that has stopped caring. This budget must reverse the trend of not caring. Six, on health, the EFF demands a clear budget for e-health platform to digital to digital patient records,

06:37:20streamline clinic operation and strengthen health services. Community health volunteers, many of whom are women working in informal settlement, must be recognized and paid. These volunteers are the front line of our health system and the city cannot continue to explore their unpaid labors. Seven, we must deal decisively with a revenue. In Johannesburg, revenue base is shrinking, not because people are unwilling to pay,

06:37:50but because enforcement is weak and the system are disjointed. The EFF calls for a deliberate and data-driven strategy to improve revenue collection, including enhancing billing accuracy difficult at this time and to comply to comply with with with collecting revenue in all the subregions. We also note the creation of a new incentive in the CBD

06:38:22rejuvenated clause, clause 6.21, which we consciously welcome, but the EFF demands that such incentive be up accessible to the real inner city developers, not just large corporate, but CIDs, NGOs, and black owned corporates working on a high affordable and social housing. Speaker, this is not just a financial document. It is a lifeline to the people of Johannesburg

06:38:53and we and so we support it not with a blind loyalty, but with revolutionary discipline and conditional expectation. We demand: One, full spending of all conditional and unconditional grants, no rollover. Two, expansion of indigent and pensioners protection based on accuracy and updated data. Three, centralization of all city security contractors under the public safety with compliance oversight.

06:39:24Four, dedicated budget for bylaws wardens and potholes, traffic signals, and mobile e-health service. Five, a clear committed to paying health volunteers as part of a just dignified public health system. Six, revenue reform, including enforcement, improved billing, and incentive for profit payment. Seven, rollout of additional special economic zone in all seven regions

06:39:54linked to job creation and spatial justice. Speaker, the EFF supports this budget because it provides a base to build from, but we will not hesitate to expose failures, delay, and confront corruption. We will hold this administration to every cent. The people of Johannesburg deserve no less than this. I thank you.

Item 3: ANC supports budget

06:40:28isiZuluSiyabonga Khansela. ANC Khansela Modupi.

06:40:42SesothoKe o lebohe motsamaisi wa dipuisano ka ha re ya lekgotla lena. Majoro wa rona Ntate Dada Morero. Motlatsa sephadi Ntate Zungu. Modulasetulo wa bodula ditulo Ntate Marema.

06:41:06SesothoBa lekgotla mmoho le nna, baeti ba rona hodimo moo, setjhaba sa Johannesburg ka kakaretso ke ya le dumedisa.

06:41:20Madam Speaker, I rise here today as a humble servant of the people, coming from the African National Congress. Yes, the ANC, which is not a mere administrator of municipal governance, but also a custodian of the working-class historic mission to liberate itself from capitalist domination.

06:41:51The ANC notes and fully supports the 2025/2026, 2027/2028 medium-term budget and related reports, not because they serve capital, but because they are instruments in the class struggle. They represent a material intervention in the lived conditions of the majority, our weapon against neoliberal neglect,

06:42:24market tyranny, and the structural underdevelopment inherited from [inaudible] capitalism.

06:42:33SesothoNtate Majoro

06:42:35exercise. No. We categorically reject this illusion. [no speech] accumulation and redistribution. Between private wealth [no speech] between bourgeois interest and proletarian survival. Let us speak in concrete terms.

06:42:5884.8 billion in projected revenue. This is a wealth produced not by CEOs or corporate shareholders, but by the hands of the working class, the unpaid labor of men and women, the sweat of municipal workers, blue-collar workers, drawers of wood in Orange Farm, Diepsloot, Soweto, and Hillbrow. 80.7 in expenditure.

06:43:29This is not a concession. It is a partial repayment of historical debt owed to the poor. 8.7 billion capital budget in 2025/2026, increasing to 9.02 billion the following year, an act of economic insurgency aimed at breaking the spatial and infrastructural legacy of racial capitalism. Comrades and compatriots, fellow

06:44:00councillors, and the rest of the citizens of Johannesburg, these figures are not abstract. They represent real structural shifts. 1.43 billion to the city Johannesburg Road Agency to retar roads not for luxury vehicles, but for the barefoot children of Orange Farm and the kombi drivers of Zandspruit, and of course, I believe that Page Street in Yeoville, which is my ward by the way, will also be resurfaced.

06:44:321.21 billion to Pikitup because the sanitation of Alexandra and Yeoville is not just a mere public service, it is a class warfront. Clean streets in Sandton are not progress. Councillors, may I be protected this side? Councillors, please let's listen to the councillor that is standing. Let's give him an opportunity

06:45:03to share with us his speech. Councillor, you are protected. You may continue. 1.2 billion to Pikitup because the sanitation of Alexandra and Yeoville is not just a mere public service. It is a class warfront. Clean streets in Sandton are not progress if sewage still flows in Protea South. 343 million to City Power, not for the elite,

06:45:32but to electrify the informal settlements that are a result of abandonment by capital and racist-motivated neglect by colonial planners, which Councillor Boer, of course, from FF Plus seek to cast away in his regard as an apartheid apologist. We must also remind ActionSA that while their Mashaba played a theatrical populism in the inner city,

06:46:03he never reclaimed even a single building. The current GLU led by the progressive Mayor Dada Morero has reclaimed three buildings in the inner city.

06:46:19SesothoMashaba wa lona

06:46:20was just a populist of empty rhetoric. Just making noise like the tale full of fury and signifying nothing. This budget also mobilizes 9.7 billion in the long-term public borrowing over three years, not as a surrender to capital markets, Councillor Lunga, but as a necessary lever to finance socialist-oriented construction

06:46:53in zones where private investment has refused to go. But, Councillor Arnolds, we must also confront the internal contradictions of our own terrain. Revenue collection is weak, not because the people don't care, but because structural unemployment, wage stagnation, and exploitative landlords drain every cent from the working poor.

06:47:24Yet we still say, where there is capacity to pay, let the people pay. Pay your water not as a consumer, pay your electricity not as a consumer, but as a co-architect of the future that will give us a national democratic society. Councillor Nkonyeni, you know ActionSA has got a tendency of trying to appeal to the people through populism.

06:47:58You should stop misleading the public. Stop misleading our people. Poor people are exempted from R200 surcharge. In case you do not know, let us school you. In the City of Johannesburg we've got what we call ESP. In full, Expanded Social Package, whereby the poor who have, of course, applied for the ESP,

06:48:30are exempted from this R200 surcharge. So you want to become the advocate of the poor by misleading them, saying that the poor and the working class

06:48:42SesothoKhansela, Khansela ke kopa o eme hanyane.

06:48:48Please switch off your mic.

06:48:50SesothoKhansela Modupi, ke kopa o time mic hanyane.

06:48:54Thank you, Madam Speaker. My colleague is referring directly to a councillor and not going through you. You told one of my colleagues to stop it. Now you letting him do what he wants. Councillor, sit down. Councillor, I can only take one point of order, colleagues, councillors.

06:49:20SesothoKhansela, o tla bua through nna. Ke lebohe, ke lebohe motsamaisi wa dipuisano ka kgotla. Motsamaisi wa dipuisano,

06:49:31this budget is not an end in itself. It is a tool. It is aligned with the Division of Revenue Act, ensuring over 14.6 billion in national transfers, public wealth reclaimed and redirected toward the people. And it emerged through mass-based consultation, from ward committees to public hearings in every region. This is the people's plan, shaped in the dialectic between state and society. But we must go further,

06:50:01beyond service delivery to structural transformation, beyond redistribution to decommodification, beyond governance to class power. As the ANC, we reaffirm that public ownership of the means of service delivery is non-negotiable, that working-class neighborhoods must be the first, not last, to receive infrastructure, that capitalist rent-seeking must be expelled from our procurement systems, and wealth must be returned to those who produce it.

06:50:33This is the progressive developmental path, not one managed by the invisible hand of the market, but one directed by the clenched fist of the masses. Let us pass this budget not as a as technocrats, but as revolutionaries. Let it be recorded in the annals of this council that in 2025 we chose not profit,

06:51:00but people.

06:51:02SesothoKe ya leboha motsamaisi wa dipuisano.

06:51:04Thank you. Wena you were singing for your supper.

06:51:17SesothoRe a leboga Khansela Modupi.

Item 3: Finance MMC responds and asks house to adopt

06:51:20MMC Arnolds.

06:51:31Here I am. Madam Speaker, can I start by responding to Councillor Nkonyeni. Councillor Nkonyeni, we agree that the insourcing was not implemented or done properly. As at the time there was a mayor called Mayor Beaumont. Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, not Beaumont. Mayor Mashaba.

06:52:05So it was not implemented properly, and we do believe that it should be implemented properly, and we do agree that the public safety is also the custodian of the securities. Apologies for calling Beaumont out, but he did look like the mayor at the time. Madam Speaker, let me also go to, and thank you, Councillor,

06:52:36for suggesting, for the suggestion for a better alignment. I thank you for that. To Councillor Harris, the inadequacies of service delivery in relation of the tariff increase. We acknowledge that there is a lot we need to do to meet all expectations of the residents, to also realize the aspirations of the Joburg that we all want.

06:53:08This is why we work together with everybody, every stakeholder, and we say no one will be left behind. Councillor Santana, and I'm not making an excuse for not meeting with you, but I think I should also say that the people on this side also only saw me or spoke to me a day before the budget. As I said yesterday that we worked, reworked, and did what we had to do

06:53:40to get to this. I'm not sure, I can't pronounce his surname, the other deputy minister, what's it, Sun, Sun, Sunray, what? Sunrise, what? Sunray. I don't know, but I am certain, I don't, I'm not certain whether he has given you an ear on your budget that you gave him, because we heard nothing about it. I also want to say the public comments were referenced in the reports,

06:54:11in the contents of the thematic areas, and we did not respond to each and every one. We responded as they would, some of them were duplicated. To the EFF, I would love to say the increase is well above inflation, and it is informed by the pass-through cost from Rand Water and Eskom, as well as ensuring tariffs that are cost-effective and alignment with cost of supply studies and other comments.

06:54:46We also note, Councillor Afrika, we also note your inputs, and we believe that they are very important inputs, and it shows the strides that this government of local unity is making. Once again, Councillor Modupi, I want to say that thank you for your inputs. They were, they are really valued, and I think they speak to exactly the budget, and it shows that some of us read and some of us don't.

06:55:16I thank you, Madam Speaker, and I ask this house to adopt this budget. I thank you. Thank you, MMC Arnolds. Councillor Santana, I hope you are not responding. Now is not the time to be responding. Speaker, all I want to do is, sorry, all I want to do is MMC Arnolds in the last council sitting said she didn't have my email address, so I'd like to just give her my business card. Thank you.

Item 3: Division of the house

06:55:47MMC Arnolds, you and Councillor Santana, I think you just should see each other outside this council chamber. Councillors, the recommendation on page 3A.30 to 3A.31, 3B.21, 3C.15 to 3C.16, 3D.11, 3E.4 to 3E.6,

06:56:17and 3F.11 to 3F.12. Are the items agreed to? Agreed? No! Okay, Councillors, we are going to divide the house. All those in favor or in support of this items, please raise your hands.

06:56:58The bell, five minutes. Okay, lower your hands.

06:57:31All political party whips, please go fetch your councillors outside. All political party whips, please fetch all your councillors who are outside.

07:00:40All right, councillors, I hope everyone is inside the council chamber. Let's settle down so we can start with our voting process.

07:01:09Councillors, all those in support or in favour of this item and its content, please raise your hands.

07:03:40Councillors, you can lower your hands. Thank you. All those against this item and its contents, please raise your hands.

07:05:10Councillor Raphadu.

07:05:11SepediBare o nka video.

07:05:12Are you? Councillor Echeozonjoku.

07:05:40Ai, councillors, councillors, please. There are people looking at us. Come let's calm down. Councillors.

07:06:08Thank you, councillors. You can lower your hands. All those who are abstaining in the voting process, please raise your hands. Zero. Okay, let's give legal a couple of minutes to consolidate the results.

07:07:09Councillors, the results are as follows. All those who are not in support of this item and its contents, it's 104. All those in support, it's 144. Therefore, the medium term budget and related document for the City of Johannesburg passes.

Item 3: Dissents and attendance register request

07:07:31In terms of rule 84, please note our dissent.

07:07:35Councillors!

07:07:38Madam Speaker, in terms of rule 84, please note our dissent.

07:07:39Let's settle down.

07:07:45Councillors, let's settle down.

07:07:47Parks!

07:07:56Councillor Christians.

07:08:09isiZuluAyi, hlala phansi.

07:08:43Councillor Christians.

07:08:45Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in terms of rule 84, the Democratic Alliance would like to to record their dissent on this item and the fact

07:08:54Councillors.

07:08:56and the fact that there were annexures missing, so we could not make an informed decision. Thank you.

07:09:03We have noted your dissent, Councillor Christians. Councillor De Lange.

07:09:14Councillor Christians, please switch off your mic.

07:09:25Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just for record purposes on item 3, all the way down from item 3 to 3F, if you can just register the Freedom Front's dissent for the record. Thank you.

07:09:40Your dissent has also been noted, Councillor De Lange. Ah, Councillor Rahn. What is it now?

07:09:59Yeah. Madam Speaker, just for record purposes, please could we have

07:10:02Councillors, I can't hear Councillor Rahn. Councillor Rahn.

07:10:07Please for, just for our record purposes, please could we have the attendance register for today supplied to us afterwards? Because we started off with 219 today, and we're now on 148. 248, yeah.

07:10:20Secretary to council, you can continue.

Item 4: Special adjustment budget; ActionSA and ACDP

07:10:23Uh councillors, we are now on item 4, and that is the special adjustment of the operating and capital budgets uh for the 2024/25 financial year as a result of the national government grant review.

07:10:37The first speaker from our list is from ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

07:10:48isiZuluEh ngibonge, Speaker. Speaker, ngiyamangala ukuthi uMMC wangempela ubani, ngoba bakhona abaphendulayo engathi bama-MMCs athi. Kodwa,

07:11:02through you, Speaker, through you, Speaker, eh i-SAP has been allocated a R100 million for i-upgrade.claim

07:11:11isiZuluNgisho lokho

07:11:12because there was a backlog in ESP eh of more than 1,000, and also a backlog in ama-pensioner rebates. So i-ESP has not actually been functioning, because the the register also needed to be audited. And as a result, there were residents that were burdened by the surcharge.claim

07:11:39isiZuluNgalokho ke, Speaker,

07:11:41eh ActionSA would like to note this item.

07:11:43isiZuluNgiyabonga.

07:11:47isiZuluSiyabonga, Councillor.

07:11:49ACDP, Councillor Harris, because Councillor Mkhonza is not here, are you the one who's going to be representing him again? Okay, no problem.

07:11:59Thank you so much, uh Madam Speaker. Um just to head off those who are intending to uh raise objections for me misleading the house, I'm going to read the whole speech. Uh thank you and shalom, shalom, shalom, Madam Speaker.

07:12:20Allow me to first acknowledge our Almighty God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to all councillors, ACDP constituents and the residents of our beloved city, Johannesburg. I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, eternal King Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen. Amen. Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on item 4,

07:12:48the special adjustment of the operating and capital budget for the 2024/25 financial year as a result of national grant review. Allow me to quote from my guiding manual, the Holy Bible: Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge, but a close-minded fool who refuses to learn displays his foolishness for all to see, and that's from Proverbs 13:16. Madam Speaker,claim

07:13:17the background information or summary on item on this item states: On 25 March 2025, a Government Gazette number 52381 was issued by the Minister of Finance, whereby existing grant allocations were adjusted in terms of section 18 and 19 of the Division of Revenue Act. The following grant allocations have been adjusted for the City of Johannesburg: infrastructure skills development grant increased byclaim

07:13:47500,000, the operating budget. The urban settlement development grant increased by R33.7 million as capital expenditure. The neighborhood development partnership grant, which is public employment grant, increased by R3.9 million, which is an operating budget. The public transport network grant decreased by R258 million with a capital budget reductionclaim

07:14:17of R208.5 million. As the ACDP caucus, we submit, Madam Speaker, that the budget of 25 March 2025 was withdrawn. As a result, there is no need for budget adjustments until after the new bill is passed. The Public Finance Management Act allows for continued spending based on the previous year's budget if parliament has not passed the new budget by the 1st of April. The adjustment may be made to align spending with the final approvals.claim

07:14:48The ACDP does not approve this item or report. God bless and protect Africa, especially the people of Sudan, representing the largest and fastest displacement crisis in the world. The largest humanitarian crisis ever recorded. Over 12 million people are displaced and leaving 34 30.4 million in needing humanitarian aid or support. We continue to pray for the shalom peace of Jerusalem, the people in Gazaclaim

07:15:18and surrounding areas, the resilient people of Israel as we declare Jeremiah 1:19: They will fight against you, and but they shall not prevail, for the Lord is with you. I thank you so much.claim

Item 4: DA attacks financial management and grant cuts

07:15:36Thank you, Councillor Harris. DA, Councillor Kreusch.

07:15:43Thank you, uh Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 4, all protocol observed. To quote the Sowetan, 29 May 2025: The City of Johannesburg has failed to provide quality annual financial statements. This is according to the Auditor-General, Tsakani Maluleke, who said out of the eight metros in South Africa, only the City of Cape Town received a clean audit.claim

07:16:12The metro also received a clean audit the previous year. To quote her: Joburg is a big city, the biggest in the country and on the continent. There should be no difficulty in assuring the necessary skills and capabilities to complete financial statements, Maluleke said. Maluleke said the biggest contributors to unauthorized expenditure was the City of Joburg at 2.7 billion, the City of Tshwane at R2.15 billion, and the Nelson Mandela Bay by 1.4 billion, and we note that they're all ANC-run municipalities.claim

07:16:44In the 2023/24 financial year, 219 municipalities spent R1.47 billion on financial reporting consultants, and of these, 130 still submitted financial statements that still had errors in the areas where consultants did work, she said, adding that this indicated that what they spent was not effective. We included a similar message to the ineffective use of financial reporting consultants in the 2013/14 general report, and little has changed in the decade since then.claim

07:17:12The report also states that by June 30th, 2024, Buffalo City, City of Ekurhuleni, and eThekwini each had their credit ratings downgraded by at least one of the rating agencies, all ANC-run municipalities. We can clearly see where the problem lies. Today we have seen a budget, but can't cannot be trusted, particularly because of the poor financial skills of the financial department as indicated by the Auditor-General today. So, it's no point if you're going to get a budget of even R100 billion and still failclaim

07:17:43in terms of managing that and having good, stable financial controls. Not only that, the fact that the track record has indicated that this hasn't improved over even 30 years. So what is going to be different this time around that hasn't been different for the previous 30 years of any ANC-run municipality? And I would say nothing, zonke. Nothing will be different. Turning to item 4, as stated by the previous councillor, 25th of March, the Government Gazette issuedclaim

07:18:13by the Minister of Finance, uh whereby existing grant allocations were adjusted in terms of section 18 and 19 of the Division of Revenue Act. The following grant allocations have been adjusted for the City of Joburg: infrastructure skills development grant increased by 500,000, and urban settlements grant decreased by 33, call it R34 million. The neighborhood development partnership grant increased by three, call it 4 million, and the program project preparation support grant increased by 26 million.claim

07:18:40The real kicker is the public transport network grant, which decreased by 258, call it R260 million, and a reduction of almost R50 million, and a capital budget reduction of totaling R208 million. So what does it show us? Elections are around the corner, and again, national government, through its grant money and through the local legislature of Johannesburg, wants to fund jobs for votes. It wants to be seen as providing work. Again, the adage that government is an employment agency, where clearly economic and fiscal reform with sound financial management would provide work for all.claim

07:19:11Instead, the answer is simply tax, and we saw that failure to launch with the insensitive and ill-conceived VAT increases. It also shows that National Treasury took the unspent budget from previous financial year and reallocated it. What that means is that the poorly run Rea Vaya is further hamstrung by a substantial cut in its budget. It also shows that the USDG grant, which will be cut by 33 million, so again, roads will not be prioritized. So let's look at the operating judgment, uh adjustment budget.claim

07:19:40Transfers and subsidies, uh R90 million, uh uh was a decrease. Economic development, the neighborhood development grant, uh there was an increase of 4 million, and the kicker was that the public network grant was decreased by about 49, call it R50 million. And you'll see by all of these uh adjustments that again it's money for jobs, and less money for capital infrastructure, as we see money move from capital to operational budgets. So the residents again suffer collapse of infrastructure, particularly bridges, which have only a 6% in good order, according to the Mayor's own figures on Friend Online.

07:20:14The capital adjustment budget for 2025, 25 uh 2024/25, uh decreased by R242 million due to the decrease in public transport network grant. Now, this is amazing because this is grant money, it's mahala, and yet we see the purse shrinking from grant money because of possibly the fact that R313 million was returned in the last financial year. The 2025 capital budget for the transport department decreased by 208 million,

07:20:43uh uh decreased by R208 million to 354 million. So in other words, what happened is that we dropped from just over R550 million to a paltry R350 million, and that's due to the reduction of the public transport network grant. And what are the hitters there? Rea Vaya auto fare collection is going to be decreased by R130 million, noting that it was initially about R460 million in the budget, and the advanced public transport management system is also going to decrease by about R40 million. And that does affect the Rea Vaya 1C,

07:21:14as well as 1A and 1B, which are literally trying to recover from their own malfeasance and maladministration. The capital budget of JRA decreased by R5 million due to the reduction of the urban settlements development grant, and that affects basically gravel to tar in various uh under-developed areas. But again, the residents will suffer. They will have to cough up the shortfall in the lost grants. You see, the GNU, which is the ANC, EFF, PA, UDM, ActionSA, micro-mini parties, don't care about the ratepayer,

07:21:44the resident who faithfully pays their rates and yet receives little or nothing in return. Even a shameful PR exercise of high-impact service delivery are shamefully low-impact, as bridges and traffic signals remain dysfunctional. Dear citizen and ratepayer, the GNU don't care. They just want your money. They ignore you. I ask you to ignore them come 2026. And according to the Sowetan, 30th of April 2025, the City of Johannesburg has lost R313 million from its public transport network grant that funds the Rea Vaya bus system due to non-compliance and poor passenger numbers.

07:22:16And so we ask what is going to improve in the next financial year, noting the loss of this grant money. And the transport management uh the transport department managing the system has not spent a cent of its R546 million budget this year. This was revealed in a recently tabled report at the Johannesburg council, which was revealed that Rea Vaya is faced with a myriad of issues, including poor revenue. In a recent interview with Sowetan, city financial uh the city's finance MMC, Margaret Arnolds, revealed that Joburg's revenue collection debt was between 50 and R63 billion. That's revenue

07:22:50debt collection, and it is down. And yet we're somehow going to hope that we're going to do some magic with this recently passed budget. Okay, so again supporting the notion that the GNU and the Mayor are incapable of running this city. And here are some facts from the Auditor-General following the municipalities following the municipalities that had clean audits. Only 34 municipalities out of 300 had clean audits, and of them, most were in the Western Cape, in fact 20.

07:23:18The Eastern Cape had four, Gauteng had one, KZN had four, Mpumalanga two, and the Northern Cape had three. And of those 34 municipalities with clean audits, 21 are DA-run municipalities. So what does that tell you about a DA-run municipality? It's efficient, it's accountable, and it allows for things to be done in terms of service delivery. Even a pro-poor budget can happen under a DA government. That means that the balance of towns across this country,

07:23:49over 260 of them, are punished by weak ANC governments that barely improved over 30 years. It was the DA that saved you from the oppressive VAT increases, when three Afrikaners and one Englishman saved the day in the White House. Unfortunately, the EFF, you didn't crack an invite to that one.

07:24:05Councillor Kreusch.

07:24:06You see that you cannot trust the GNU. It's schizophrenic, racial activist and skibidi band.

07:24:10Councillor Kreusch. There's a point of order, Councillor. Chairperson Raphadu. Councillor Kreusch, please switch off your mic.

07:24:22Thank you, Madam Speaker. Please, man, can you tell the councillor not to shout at us? He can make his speech in peace. Thank you.

07:24:34Councillor Kreusch, please continue with your speech.

07:24:38I'm so sorry that I'm passionate about what I believe in, that it's also I've got a bit of a hearing problem, so I need to hear myself speak. Anyway, to quote the Bible, which we've quoted a lot of today, Luke 9:62 says: Jesus replied, No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. It suggests that if you start a task or a journey, you should not focus on completing it and not be distracted or discouraged by looking back

07:25:09at the past. Now, thank you so much, Executive Mayor, for this R10. I will make sure that it is given to someone who needs it. But here's an illustration. In 1992, the dollar would cost R2.80. That means this R10 would buy three US dollars. Now, in 2025, a dollar would cost you R17.93, which means that this R10 only buys you 56 cents.

07:25:40This is indicative of 30 years of ANC rule.

07:25:42Councillor Kreusch, please hold on. There's another point of order.

07:25:53Oh, sorry.

07:26:00Councillor Telekoa.

07:26:02All right, eh thank you, Speaker. Eh point of order on the councillor. He cannot be comparing eh 1992, eh that was when we had apartheid.

07:26:14Councillor Telekoa, are you debating? We're not debating speeches, hhai.emotive

07:26:16Eh listen, it was apartheid, yes, apartheid was uh in the UN

07:26:23Councillor Nethamba will get an opportunity to respond akere?

07:26:26SesothoO tla bua

07:26:27in his speech. Councillor Kreusch, you've got 54 seconds left.

07:26:35No, well, I have about I've only got 8 minutes here, and I'm owed 11, so it's actually about 3 or 4 minutes, and I've been timing myself. Anyway, the point is that popcorn only pops when it's hot, and the popcorn is popping because it's hot. We will never support this budget and its related items, nor its Mayor or the lack of fiscal discipline. You see, only a DA government will save the city, only a DA government will save this country with an equal opportunity, open society built on freedom, fairness, and opportunity, and diversity. I thank you.

07:27:08SesothoMara se teng le sena sentse a se sa theoga.

Item 4: UDM supports adjustment budget

07:27:16Councillor Kreusch, you've just indicated that the admin staff sitting next to me that are busy with the timer are not doing things correctly, and I would like to put it on record that's not the truth. There's the laptop. I think they are well-qualified to do the job. They've been doing it for such a long time. We'll move to UDM, Councillor Zigebe.

07:27:43Eh, Madam Speaker, I'm not a Bible person, but because in my earlier life I was raised as a Christian before I denounced it for African indigenous spirituality. But now I'm reminded of a scripture when I was an evangelist then in the NIV version, Acts 26:24: At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. You are out of your mind, Paul,

07:28:15he shouted. Your learning is driving you insane. Speak, uh you know, it's it says that you you consume something for a long time, even if it's lies, and you end up believing it yourself, and it drives you insane. The adjustment budget is a mirror reflecting how we respond when national government uh trims its sails, when grants are reallocated, and when service demands increase under threatening our belts.

07:28:48The city's revenue has been revised downward by 18.9 million, adjusting our total budget from 89.22 billion to 89.20 billion. On the face of it, this means mo- this this means uh this seems modest, pardon me. But as any budget analyst will tell you, those marginal figures carry real weight when they are tied to critical grants and underperforming programs. A 20 a 258 million reduction in the public transport network grantclaim

07:29:19with 208.5 million from capital and 49.5 million from operating budgets, a reduction of 33.7 million in the urban settlements uh development grant, and um 26 million into the program and uh project preparation support grant, 4 million into neighbor neighborhood development partnership grant, 500,000 into the infrastructure skills development grant. We must read these not as arbitrary reallocations,claim

07:29:51but as signals from National Treasury. That sharpens our oversight responsibilities, because it is not just about losing money, it is about losing opportunity. Despiteclaim

07:30:00Despite these reductions, the city still projects a surplus of 5.7 billion after capital transfers and 2.16 billion before grants and taxation. This fiscal stability should not be dismissed. It is the result of internal efficiency gains and stringent cost controls. Yet behind these numbers lie serious trade-offs. We are not just accounting for figures, we are accounting for the lives that those figures affect.claim

07:30:28A 258 million cut in transport funding is not just a line item. It is a delay in bus shelter construction in Soweto. It is a postponed depot upgrade in Orange Farm. It is a commuter in Ivory Park arriving home late again in the dark because public infrastructure is not keeping up with their journey. It is here where leadership must rise and not to blame. We welcome the 500 million smart meters grant Schedule 6Bclaim

07:30:55as part of the debt relief support program. It promises to address technical losses, improve revenue collection and restore the sustainability of our trading services. We must maintain gender responsive budgeting beyond compliance into transformation. For instance, public employment initiatives must have a minimum threshold of youth and women beneficiaries. Budget votes for housing and safety must

07:31:21be tracked for their impact on GBV prevention infrastructure, safety shelters and inclusive planning. The 26 million increase to the City Manager's PPP WSG is welcomed. This injection must be ring-fenced for projects that are shovel-ready, have community buy-in and reflect the priorities of the under-serviced wards, especially informal settlements that continue to experience poor sanitation, unsafe road access and flooding.

07:31:48We are dispelling the myth that the city is retreating from infrastructure investment. Even with the 242 million reduction in capital grants, the adjusted capital budget still stands at 7.49 billion. Over 2.7 billion will be financed through borrowings and 1.2 billion from internal funds. This is not austerity. It is strategic rebalancing. We are keeping the capital

07:32:15program alive, albeit leaner, while preparing for a stronger rebound in the outer years. We are governing with purpose in times of constraint. Colleagues, if governance was easy, everyone would get it. Those who are claiming they are getting it right in Cape Town,

07:32:32isiXhosawuu shem bayayithanda igwaba.

07:32:35Just last weekend Speaker, I was in the City of Cape Town for a wellness conference on ADHD and my, yo!

07:32:44isiXhosaUhambe uyotshona eKhayelitsha,emotive

07:32:46go to Langa and go to the black communities. Spatial disparities and imbalances of the past are still glaring.emotive

07:32:52isiXhosaKodwa uza aphaemotive

07:32:53and telling us about numbers, about your audits and whatnot forth. But our people are living in sewer, and our people are living on top of each other because they are black.emotive

07:33:03isiXhosaSo ungalinge usizele ngalonto apha.emotive

07:33:05Please. People still live in shacks on top of each other. But nywe-nywe-nywe benchmark with Cape Town because we govern better.emotive

07:33:12isiXhosaHambani kaloku niyohlala eCape Town.emotive

07:33:14Madam Speaker, our duty is not to pursue what is easy, it is to pursue what is necessary. Yes, this budget has challenges, reduced grants.

07:33:23isiXhosaQhubeka, uqhubeke, uqhubeke, okusalayo ndiyaqhuba.emotive

07:33:26Um uneven grant performance and rising service delivery pressures,emotive

07:33:31but it also reflects discipline in debt management, vision in reprioritization and unyielding commitment to not betray the hopes of the people we serve. Let us adopt this budget not as a final answer, but as the next courageous step in rebuilding Johannesburg fairer, faster and more just. Cape Town is better in the city, but not where informal settlements are. Right now our people are living in squalor and they are poor and everything.emotive

07:33:59And you are coming here and telling us that you are providing services.emotive

07:34:02isiXhosaYhu hayi shem!emotive

07:34:05We approve, thank you.emotive

07:34:08isiXhosaBaxelele Mpondomise, baxelele Mpondomise.

07:34:15isiZuluSiyabonga Khansela Zigebe.

Item 4: EFF analysis and Telekoa exchange

07:34:17EFF, Councillor Nethamba.

07:34:28Thank you, Speaker. Eh greetings to the resilient, committed, hardworking 29 battalion of the Economic Freedom Fighters led by our caucus leader, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku and our Chief Whip Thabiso Mogapi. I greet you all in the name of expropriation of land without compensation. The EFF identify itself as the vanguard of the marginalized and the poorest community who do not always have the voice in this budget.

07:34:56They've entrusted us to represent them and we raise in their name today. Speaker, let us not look at the capital budget adjustment in isolation. A proper analysis of the trend from the previous years reveals that something is missing. From 2021 to 2022 to 2023 to 2024, loans have typically accounted for 21 and 28% of capital funding.claim

07:35:27However, in this adjustment budget, loans now account for 36.4%, which is well above the historical range. Similarly, grants and contributions previously ranged from 36 to 41%, but in the adjustment, they now account for a massive 47.67%. Meanwhile, the cash contribution has plunged to 16.29%,claim

07:35:56down from 3.1 billion to just 1.2 billion, a drastic 62% decrease year-on-year, not 162% as earlier misunderstood. Still, it remains significant regression. This composition clearly shows the city's increased dependence on the national transfer and loans while depreciation in the revenue.claim

07:36:26That is not sustainable, certainly not empowering. The reduction in cash contribution indicates the city's declining capacity to self-finance capital projects. This is not only reflected internal revenue collection challenge, but also the underperformance in using available grants, Speaker. The 2024 and 2025 adjustment shows that over 318 million in Public Transport Network Grantclaim

07:36:56funding was forfeited, which includes 208.5 million in capital projects scrapped or delayed, 49.5 million in operating funding pulled, and additional deferred spending on critical infrastructure like Rea Vaya buses, depots and route expansion. Let us be clear, this is not simply an accounting shift. These are actual service delays,

07:37:26roads unpaved, jobs not created. Speaker, we should also reflect on the 500,000 increase in Infrastructure Skills Development Grant redirected to the City Power, not to capacitate Group Corporate and Shared Services, but to support technical hiring externally. While the intention may be constructive,

07:37:55the gesture is too small to offset the massive impact of capital and underperformance budget. Speaker, it is not too late to course-correct. The council must demand that all future adjustments be tabled with full grant performance data, realistic recovery strategy and a strong accountability measure for departments that repeatedly underperform. We do not reject grant adjustment,

07:38:27we reject underperformance. Let us move beyond paperwork and towards people-centered planning. I thank you.

07:38:42isiZuluAsibonge Shuduki!

07:38:46isiZuluSiyabonga Khansela. ANC Khansela Ngema.

07:38:52Uh Speaker.

07:38:56isiZuluIma kancane Khansela. Khansela ubani?

07:39:00Uh it's Councillor Telekoa, Speaker.

07:39:02Telekoa, sorry Councillor.

07:39:03Yeah, but eh Speaker, they gave me another minute to finish off.

07:39:10Hold on, hold on.

07:39:18So I wanted to still address

07:39:21Councillor, one minute, ne? Because he did not use his whole time. But in future, please give me a heads up before.

07:39:28Alright, thank you very much. Eh Speaker, I wanted to address Councillor, is it Kreusch, through you. Eh Speaker, he referred to 1992, of which we are talking about the Afrikaner rule, that was declared a crime against humanity by the UN. So how do you address us and

07:39:55Councillor Telekoa, please hold on. Sorry Councillor, I can't see your name tag from here.

07:40:01If you don't know me now, you'll never know me, Speaker. Let me just say that the Councillor is out of order because Councillor Kreusch has done his speech already. I don't think we should go down that route. Thank you.

07:40:19Yeah, it's an EFF time, not a DA time. So we can say whatever we want to say. And these things of these other ones

07:40:31Councillor, please speak through me.

07:40:33Okay, through you. These things of other ones who wants the apartheid back, it won't happen. Our life started in 1994. All this time we were suffering as black people. We couldn't have loans, we couldn't have anything. And now they are trying to compare the year 2025 with the apartheid rule that they enjoyed. And while some of us were suffering, there were many atrocities, people were killed.

07:41:00And today you want to compare that to the democracy. What kind of inhuman is that? So they should stop comparing apartheid with the current democratic rule. I thank you.

Item 4: ANC notes report; MMC Arnolds replies

07:41:19ANC, Councillor Ngema.

07:41:26Eh greetings Speaker. Eh greetings to our Executive Mayor, um and all the councillors present in the house. Uh Speaker, I think it's proper that I reserve my speech. It's so painful to look on my other side of the of this um eh chamber, looking at the painful facesemotive

07:41:56of our defeated councillors. Uh I'm going to reserve my speech, but also to thank our GLU partners for believing in this um uh budget. Um and I'm sure the people of the City of Johannesburg are watching. And they are so disappointed at seeing um um the people who do not believeemotive

07:42:26um in this budget. And I'm sure that when the voting time comes, they will vote correctly. Um Speaker, um I think like I said, I want to thank all the GLU partners for supporting and believing in this budget. Um I therefore, on behalf of the African National Congress, um note the report. I thank you.

07:43:02isiZuluSiyabonga, siyabonga Mfowethu!

07:43:07Thank you, Councillor Ngema. MMC Arnolds.

07:43:19isiZuluHayi no, usirephrezentile ngapha e-backline. Thina sidlala inombolo 5.

07:43:31Councillor Ngema, please switch off your mic.

07:43:39Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um I want to start off by saying I don't see Councillor Harris.

07:43:50AfrikaansHet jy net so kort soos ek geword? O, okei. Ek sien jou nou daar agter.

07:44:01Um Madam Speaker, through you, Councillor Harris, the gazette of 25 March 2025 is not withdrawn. Only provincial allocations were affected, not national, and it was regularizing final allocations for 2024/2025. Madam Speaker, I'm not certain, but I think the people acrossclaim

07:44:32are well aware of a certain person in Cape Town called Patricia van der Ross. That was removed without her knowledge, and that was also removed for some corruption. And she's now going to Heideveld.claim

07:44:51AfrikaansSo ons is nie so skoon as wat ons sê ons is nie.claimemotive

07:44:58Madam Speaker,

07:45:00Afrikaansuh-uh, niemand het gepla toe julle praat nie.

07:45:03Madam Speaker, please protect me. And then it is that the DA Councillor, I can't pronounce that surname. Kreusch, Kreusch?

07:45:16AfrikaansUh-uh, ek kan nie sê kry ek brein nie. Ek maak nie daai, ek maak nie treine nie.

07:45:22The DA Councillor said nothing substantial in relation to the item. He instead made a political speech praising his apartheid masters for the privilege he enjoyed during apartheid, and that time is over. Madam Speaker, I would also want to emphasize that all projects, including those funded through grants, will be monitored closely in both implementation

07:45:54and in spending. Councillor Ngema, thank you very much for calling on everybody to vote for the item. Councillor Zigebe, thank you for your inputs. They were really progressive, and they are really taking this Government of Local Unity somewhere and not leaving us on the road. I thank you.

Item 4: Division of the house and result

07:46:27Thank you, MMC Arnolds. The recommendations are on page 4.7 to 4.8. Is the item agreed to?

07:46:41No!

07:46:50Councillors, we are going to divide the house. For 3 minutes. We'll ring the bell for 3 minutes. Chairperson Raphadu.

07:47:03Speaker, as we are about to divide the house, please can you start with those who are dissenting first so that they don't come back and vote. Because they are chance takers, we know. After they've been moered, they come back and want to cry, please. Can we start with the dissenters first so that we see who is dissenting here. Thank you very much.

07:47:24isiZuluBathi uwumphathiswa wesikole, shaya isigubhu. Shaya isigubhu.

07:48:45Councillors, we are going to start with the voting process. All those in support of item 4.

07:49:07isiXhosaSicela ama-dissenters of Joburg kuqala.

07:49:11isiZuluKhansela Mnyameni bathi bacela uhlale phansi,

07:49:14please.

07:50:43Councillors, you can lower your hands. All those councillors against this item, please raise your hands.

07:51:10AfrikaansHand op.

07:51:40The vote is not a secret.

07:52:52Councillors, you can lower your hands. Councillors, all those who want to abstain from the voting process, please raise your hands. I see two from the back there. We see two hands at the back there. Are you councillors abstaining? Yes, they are abstaining.

07:53:30So there's no councillors that are abstaining.

07:54:32Councillors, the results are as follows: The noes is 101. The yeses is 144. Item 4 passes.

Dissents, announcements and adjournment

07:54:51Uh councillors, we are now on announcements and closure.

07:54:58Councillor Christians, we did not see your hand there.

07:55:02No problem, Madam Speaker, thank you. The Democratic Alliance would like to note their dissent in terms of Rule 84. Thank you.

07:55:09Your dissent is noted. Councillor De Lange.

07:55:13Thank you, Madam Speaker. Register our dissent for the record. Thank you.

07:55:17Your dissent is noted. Councillors, please be reminded that the next ordinary council meeting is scheduled to be convened on the 25th and 26th of June 2025. The meeting is adjourned. See you then.