Transcript: 42nd Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting, Day 2

Opening and notice of the meeting

00:00:11Good morning, councillors, everybody in the gallery. Can we remain standing for a moment of silent prayer and meditation?

00:00:32You may be seated. Thank you.

00:00:57Good morning, councillors. It is hereby notified that the continuation of the 42nd extraordinary council meeting of the City of Johannesburg municipality will be held on Thursday, the 31st of July 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Constance Connie Bapela Council Chamber in Braamfontein. And the first item on the agenda is opening.

00:01:20Good morning once again, councillors. Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Morero. Whip of Council, Councillor Zungu in absentia. Chair of chairs, Councillor Marema. All political party leaders and whips. Members of the mayoral committee. Chairpersons of Section 79 committees. Fellow councillors, acting city manager, Mr. Kekana. Secretary to council, Mr. Andile Gobinca.

00:01:51Officials of the City of Johannesburg, residents of the City of Johannesburg, members of the media present, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to the continuation of the 42nd extraordinary council meeting of the City of Johannesburg municipality. Please note that the executive has requested that items 92 and 93 be elevated to be considered first, and I've acceded to the request.

Attendance register and quorum

00:02:22Further note that MMC Masuku requested that item 33 be moved back and considered when she arrives. At this point, I will allow 10 minutes for councillors to ensure that they sign the attendance register for this meeting before we verify the number of councillors present so as to confirm a quorum. I thank you, councillors. Can we do that, Legal?

00:02:47And can we all ensure that we sign the register? Yesterday, we had one person that said they didn't sign and they were sitting in the meeting. Can we ensure that we sign and less movement. Thank you. Councillor Sifumba?

00:03:04Thanks, Speaker. Just as soon as we start, could you kindly repeat what you have said about the items? We didn't get it. You were too fast. Thanks.

00:03:13I can repeat it now. Please note, the executive has requested that items 92 and 93 be elevated to be considered first. And I have acceded to the request. Further note that MMC Masuku

00:03:42requested that item 33 be moved back and considered when she arrives. I thank you.

00:04:12Councillor Christians, we're on a 10-minute break. I know what you're going to say. I can read your mind, and that's why I've done what I'm doing now.

00:13:45Colleagues, can we start settling? Our 10 minutes is gone. Uh Councillor Christians will hold me accountable. There's a little caucus outside. Can we move in?

00:14:14How many are we?

00:14:29AfrikaansDankie.

00:14:40Can we settle down? We'll see our neighbors during lunch.

00:15:10Colleagues, we when we counted, we were 151 and Legal has confirmed that people are still signing in, so at a later stage, we will give you the numbers. So we'll continue with the agenda. Thank you. So we do have a quorum. We quorate. We can carry on with the business of the day. Can we please settle?

Applications for leave of absence

00:15:39And we proceed now to applications for leave of absence.

00:15:45Councillor Avant-Smith, Councillor Simonse. Any other hands? Councillor De Lange, Councillor Mogapi, and Councillor Harris, and the councillor from Atterbury. And the

00:16:15Councillor Marema, the chair of chairs, and then Councillor Abdool, and Councillor Makhuba. You know in which way we went, right? So I'm not going to repeat. Thank you. Start with Councillor Avant-Smith.

00:16:34Good morning, Speaker. Good morning, everybody. We have LOAs for Councillor Roberts, Councillor Da Gama, Councillor Nkomo, Councillor Deppe, Councillor Dewes, and Councillor Hughes. We have late arrivals for Councillor Meyers, Councillor Pietersen, and we also have requests to leave early at 2:00 p.m. for Councillor Sekhu, andclaim

00:17:01yeah, I think that's it. Thank you.

00:17:07Good morning, Madam Speaker. Two late arrivals, Councillor Marilyn Smouse and Councillor Tibby Wilskut. And then request to leave early, Councillor Paul Mokoena and Councillor Dwayne Ponsonby by 1:00. Thank you.

00:17:27Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I will be leaving after item 37, if we can just note that for the minutes. And Councillor Paul Smit is unfortunately down with ill health. To make your life a bit easier, and for the secretary of council, page five right at the bottom, that is community developments, third quarter, January to March report,

00:17:56so if you can just remove in the block for the quarterly, that is items 54, sorry, item 83 to 86, just remove Councillor Paul Smit from the speakers list, and then on item 54, also remove Councillor Smit from the speakers list. Thank you.

00:18:28Who was after Councillor De Lange?

00:18:30It's myself, Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. Greetings, everyone. From the EFF caucus, apologies is Councillor Nkosi, ill health; Councillor Ngwenya, ill health; Councillor Molefe, also ill health. Late arrival is Councillor Nhlapo, Councillor Makhafola, Councillor Mgcini Tshwaku, Councillor Molala. As EFF, we are requesting to leave at 3:00, Speaker. Thank you.

00:19:10Who is next?

00:19:11Madam Speaker, good morning. We kindly request to leave at 2:45, that's Councillor Mkhonza and myself. Thank you.

00:19:22Thank you. Councillor Atterbury.

00:19:30Greetings, Madam Speaker. Thank you so much. We have got couple of apologies. The first one is Councillor Ayanda Mchunu, ill health; Councillor Edwin Ntshidi, ill health; Councillor Nicole Johnson, private business; Councillor Moloisane, late arrival; and Councillor Zwane, late arrival. Thank you so much.

00:20:00Sorry, Madam Speaker. Councillor Delano Coverdale will be leaving at 3:00. Councillor Zaheed, as well, will be leaving at 3:00. Thank you so much.claim

00:20:20Councillor Makhuba.

00:20:27Thank you, Speaker. For the IFP, Councillor Khanyile is out of the province. Thank you.

00:20:32Thank you. Councillor Abdool.

00:20:38Morning, Speaker. Morning, colleagues. Please, LOA for Councillor Mandla Mokoena on urgent personal business.

00:20:49Chair of chairs.

00:20:59Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker. I rise to table the following leave of absence. On late arrivals, Mayor Dada Morero, MMC Masuku, MMC Mgcina, Chief Whip of Council, Councillor Sihle Nguse, Councillor Phumlile Shange, Councillor McDonald's, Councillor Mgaga, Councillor Livhu Ndou, and I would like to mention that

00:21:29this would be the first time Councillor Livhu Ndou coming to council late. He normally arrives at 7:00 when council starts at 10:00. So he keeps time, this gentleman. Today, I wonder what happened. Councillor Modladlaba, Councillor Mngadi, Councillor Papi Chetsanga, Councillor Tebogo Mhlari, and I also want to mention that while I'm seated here, maybe one or two of those late arrival might have arrived.

00:22:00Like Councillor Mhlari, I see she's at the back there. The following are apologies for ill health. It's Councillor David Mangena, Councillor Godfrey Tshehlo, Councillor Nkokou, Councillor Magwaza, Councillor Zondo, Councillor Abram Mabuke. That's for ill health. And for family bereavement, Councillor Supe. And councillors who are asking to leave

00:22:29at 2:00 are the following councillor, Councillor David Modupi, Councillor Ricky Nair. And councillors who are not present today because they are writing exams are the following councillors, Councillor SB Molefe, Councillor Shabeen Ngoepe. I thank you, Honourable Speaker. I will definitely submit the list because I think it's a long list. I'll submit the list to your office for proper recording in case you have missed other apologies. Thank you.

00:23:03Councillor Mpolobosho.

00:23:08Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and good morning. Speaker, then I'm asking to leave then 3:00. Thank you very much.

00:23:20Chair of chairs.

00:23:23My apologies, Honourable Speaker, for what I'm doing to you. I do not intend to be disorderly. I just received another late arrival of Councillor Zandile Mothupi. Thank you.

Speaker's appeal on attendance and a reported theft

00:23:40Okay, those were the apologies from the floor, but we also have Councillor MMC Jack Sekwaila due to ill health; Councillor Mokoena from the APC due to urgent private business; Councillor Zigebe due to urgent private business; MMC Masuku that will be arriving late. Colleagues, I I think I need to say what I want to say.

00:24:11We're having this council meeting after what happened a few weeks ago. And I think it's really unfair when we have a council sitting that we, unless you are sick or you're dead, we are not around for council meetings, and this is the most important meeting, and this is where we do our business. But we are all wanting to leave at 2:00 and 1:00,

00:24:41and what o'clock, and it will make that we don't quorate. So I would ask that we do the business of the day effectively and efficiently so that by the time we leave, we have done the business of the day. We are trying to avoid to call extraordinary meetings with the cost constraints that we have. So if we can please ensure. This is part of your work as a councillor. And it's the most important part of your work as a councillor.

00:25:17I was just saying to Legal next to me, ever since I came to council in 2016, I have never missed, Councillor Sifumba, a council sitting. Never. Never ever. And yes, I know Councillor Marema as well, and Sifumba as well. So can we ensure that we are here on time and we attend these council sittings. I thank you. Then the second thing that I want to say is

00:25:47Councillor Maila has written me a message that he has lost 1,800 rand in the chamber. I'm not sure, was it during lunch or after lunch or when, but Councillor Maila, we do have cameras. We are going to look into the cameras, and we will look at who has taken it, so we will deal with that. I thought it was just right to announce it.

00:26:17Councillors. Yeah. Can we then Can we then note the apologies? Thank you.

Speakers' lists and DA caucus break for items 92 and 93

00:26:35Councillors, we're now on recommendations to council.

00:26:43Councillors, as indicated, we are starting off with item 92. Are there any speakers on 92? Good, and then any other speakers? Can we get the list? Please, apologies. So we have councillor from Good, and then who else?

00:27:09From the ANC, Speaker.

00:27:11Yes, ANC?

00:27:12Councillor Makamo.

00:27:13Makamo. ActionSA? No speaker? Freedom Front Plus? Yourself, Boer. ActionSA?

00:27:33For ActionSA, Councillor Mashala will speak. Thank you, Speaker.

00:27:36Mashala. EFF?

00:27:41Councillor Mkasi will speak on our behalf.

00:27:43Mkasi?

00:27:44Yes.

00:27:46Mkasi? Mkasi?

00:27:49Mkasi.

00:27:50Okay. DA?

00:27:55Sorry, Madam Speaker. The DA requests a 15-minute caucus break, please, so we can discuss which speaker we're going to put up. Thank you.

00:28:08Okay, let's just finish other caucuses. PA? No? The other political parties? AIC, are you speaking? AHC? COPE? ATM? IFP? Thank UIM?

00:28:39Thank you. We'll grant the 15 minutes caucus for the It's actually too long. You have a list of people that want to leave early. Okay, 15 minutes. Thank you. 10:50 we'll be back. Can we also then, whilst we do this, decide on the speakers for 93? All of us, can we bring the list of speakers for item 93?

00:42:48I see the mic over there.

00:42:51Thank you very much Speaker, uh we have worked out. Would you like me to give you the speaker's names now?

00:43:02Yeah, we have the speaker's names.

00:43:04Thank you very much.

00:43:06You can give it for the record. Can give it?

00:43:10Uh, on item 92, we will have Councillor Sekhu and on item 93, we'll have Councillor Bev Jacobs. Thank you.

00:43:20Thank you so much. Can we get other political parties to give us their names? Councillor Harris, then Councillor Mogapi, then the Mposula.

00:43:39Thank you, Madam Speaker. Please

00:43:41No, no, no. It's the first Councillor Harris, Councillor Mposula. You are last. Thank you, Councillor Harris.

00:43:50Thank you for protecting me, Madam Speaker. Um, please note Councillor Mkhonza for item 93. Thank you.

00:44:04Councillor Mogapi.

00:44:11Eh, from the EFF caucus item 91, it's Councillor Zitha. Item 92, it's Mkasi.

00:44:19Councillor, it's 92 and 93.

00:44:23Or it's 92, it's Mkasi, 93 it's Ntoele.

00:44:35Councillor Mposula.

00:44:38Uh, thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, ActionSA caucus, the speakers are as follows. Uh, item 92, Councillor Kgomotso Mashala and 93, Councillor Mposula. Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

00:44:57Freedom Front Plus, is it only 92, Councillor Boer?

00:45:02Madam Speaker, yes. On 92, I will speak on 93, we will have no speaker. Thank you.

00:45:0992, 93, no speaker. Thank you. Uh, Councillor GOOD at the back. Cook.

00:45:20Thank you, Speaker. Just to note that I'll also be speaking on item 93. So both 92 and 93.

00:45:34Okay, the speakers are as follows just to ensure we have everyone. ANC 92, Makamo, Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer, EFF, Councillor Mkasi, ActionSA, Councillor Mashala, DA, Councillor Sekhu and GOOD Councillor Councillor Cook. And then 93, the ANC's Councillor Mphaho, DA, Councillor B. Jacobs, EFF, Councillor Ngwenya, Ngwenya, Ntoele. Okay, Freedom Front Plus is not speaking, ActionSA is Mposula, ACDP Mkhonza, and then Councillor Cook again. Have I captured everybody? I've captured everybody, right? We are ready to go.

Item 92: Pikitup trading services reform strategy

00:46:39Uh, on the elevated items, we are on item 92, and that is Pikitup trading services reform strategy.

00:46:50Thank you. We'll start with Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

00:46:58AfrikaansMôre, Mevrou die Speaker.

00:47:00Uh, good morning to all councillors, all protocol observed. Um, I'm speaking on item 92 and unfortunately we haven't had a chance to go through all the annexures, but this, um, this program is welcomed by the Freedom Front Plus. It is a long overdue, um, reform that is taking place. And Pikitup is one of the entities in the city that is really trying their utmost with very limited resources, um, without having the new vehicles. Last month, two months ago, they even had no fuel to put into the vehicles to give their services and,

00:47:36and with this trading reform strategy and it has been, um, submitted to National Treasury by today and that is why it is an urgent item. Um, that will address a lot of the, the, the problems that Pikitup is facing with and, uh, Pikitup they've got such a huge responsibility in the city. Uh, and all the advantages of the, of their implementations, the, the, the gas to electricity projects, they're not reaping the benefits of that. And this, this reform strategy will enable them to get national grants to, uh,claim

00:48:13to effectively fulfill their role and their role is so important, the waste management, our landfill sites are, are full or nearing full, and we have to address the, the issue of, of waste, waste management, um, even formalizing the waste pickers. And, uh, this, this strategy is addressing all the critical issues that we have been speaking about for the past couple of months. So, the Freedom Front really welcomes this, this strategy, and we support it fully. Thank you very much.

00:48:43Thank you, Councillor Boer. EFF Councillor Mkasi. Item 92.

00:48:53Thank you very much, Speaker. Um, firstly, I would like to greet the EFF caucus leader, Commissar Dr. Mgcina, um, our Chief Whip, Councillor Thabiso Mogapi, the 29 battalions of the EFF, City of Johannesburg residents receive our revolutionary greetings. Um, as the Economic Freedom Fighters,

00:49:22we accept this item even though it came very late, um, because we put the service delivery first. Um, the most important thing that we like to make a point on is that after submitting this reform strategy to the National Treasury, we expect that all the moneys that will be granted to Pikitup, it must be utilized in fully. We do not want even a cent that will be returned to the Treasury at the end of the financial year.

00:50:03So, with that being said, as the Economic Freedom Fighters, we approve, um, the report. Thank you very much.

00:50:11Thank you to the EFF. Um, ActionSA, Councillor Mashala.

00:50:23Thank you, Speaker. I rise to speak on item 92. Madam Speaker, ActionSA is pleased to approve the Pikitup trading service reform strategy. Speaker, as ActionSA, we've been advocating for landfill air space that is nearing depletion in the city. So, we are happy that finally this is receiving the attention and funding from National Treasury and finally, waste pickers will be formalized and benefit from this initiative. Madam Speaker, waste pickers, waste picking provides job creation and poverty alleviation in times of hardships.

00:50:59Furthermore, waste pickers are the backbone of recycling in many global South African countries, so in South countries, so integrating them into formal waste management systems and providing them with better support will ensure they benefit more from their work and contribute further to a circular economy. Madam Speaker, as ActionSA, we are calling for strict priority to South Africans and that no illegal foreign nationals must benefit from this initiative. I thank you.

00:51:29Thank you, ActionSA. Councillor from GOOD.

00:51:41Thank you, Speaker. Today, this Council considers the Pikitup trading services reform strategy, a document that if handled correctly could signal a major turnaround in the way our city deals

00:51:54Just hold on, Councillor Cook. Councillor Mogapi and your neighbor of ActionSA, please colleagues. Thank you, Councillor Cook.

00:52:06Thank you, Speaker. As I was saying, uh, today, this Council considers the Pikitup trading services reform strategy, a document that if handled correctly could signal a major turnaround in the way that our city deals with waste, recycling and urban cleanliness. The GOOD Party supports the intent of the strategy. For far too long, Joburg's waste systems have collapsed under the weight of broken vehicles, blocked landfills, illegal dumping, and mismanagement.

00:52:38This is not a logistical crisis. It's a political one and it demands political accountability. But let me be clear, approving the strategy is not the same as fixing the problems. This Council must demand that Pikitup's roadmap does not become another glossy report, um, like the other ones that are gathering dust. We must monitor progress, we must enforce accountability, and we must ensure that the people of this city, especially the reclaimers and residents of underserved areas, are at the heart of this reform.

00:53:12If we do this right, Speaker, we can modernize the infrastructure in Johannesburg, we can cut illegal dumping, we can generate many green jobs, and we can clean up our city at the same time. But this will take honesty, urgency, and follow through from this Council. Thank you.

00:53:31Thank you, Councillor Cook. Councillor Sekhu from the DA.

00:53:42Thank you, Speaker. Morning, colleagues and the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Uh, Speaker, as the DA, we don't have a problem with the strategy and we acknowledge that this is a departmental strategy put forward by the executive, but, uh, it would have been a good courtesy that the executive provided the EISD Section 79 Committee with a high level synopsis so that we can, just to enable us to,

00:54:14uh, get a buy in from our caucuses. So, at the moment, it's very unfortunate that there is that lack of trust between the executive and the, and the, the sub committee, the Section 79 Committee. Thank you, Speaker.

00:54:30Thank you. The ANC Councillor Makamo.

00:54:46Uh, Speaker of Council, greetings to all councillors, Chair of Chairs, officials and residents of the City of Johannesburg. Uh, Speaker, the ANC welcome and approve the Pikitup trading reform strategy. One, on reason that the strategy will ensure that Pikitup continues to participate in the metro trading services reform program with other metros.

00:55:17Two, the implementation of the metro trading reform strategy will result in Pikitup to continue benefit on the following, to continue benefiting on the following: one, operational and financial sustainability. Two, improve infrastructure. Three, increase transparency. Four, increase transparency and governance. Four, access to incentives.

00:55:48And lastly, optimize the use of resources. I thank you.

Item 92 adoption and DA objection

00:55:56Thank you, Councillor. The recommendations are on pages 92.4, is the item agreed to? Thank you.

00:56:27Councillor Christians.

00:56:34Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there was some no's when you asked on the item and I rise in terms of rule 84 where the Democratic Alliance would like to, uh, wishes to have our party's opposition to this as these reports were received very late with a number of annexures while we understand that the principle of the strategy is accepted by Council and then goes to committee. It didn't give us an opportunity to interrogate those reports properly. Thank you.

00:57:04Councillor Christians, the speech said you are, you are fine with it.

Item 93: HIV/AIDS conditional grant from Gauteng Department of Health

00:57:13Item, uh, 93 is the acceptance of the HIV/AIDS conditional grant from the Gauteng Department of Health, uh, to implement the HIV and AIDS door-to-door HIV education program and AIDS, uh, Council coordination for the 2025/26 financial year.

00:57:35Thank you, thank you, councillors. We'll start with, uh, GOOD, Councillor Cook.

00:57:45Thank you, Speaker. Uh, Speaker, this item is more than just a grant acceptance. This item is a vote for dignity, it's a vote for jobs, and it's a vote for prevention. The Jozi Ihlomile door-to-door HIV/AIDS education program reaches where billboards, clinics, and posters cannot. It gets into people's homes, it gets into their conversations, and it gets directly into the streets of communitiesclaim

00:58:14who desperately need this help. Speaker, we cannot ignore that over 2.4 million people were reached in just nine months with this program and nearly 22,000 individuals were referred to support services. Speaker, these are not just numbers, these are interventions that may have prevented infections, they've restored hope to families, and they've linked families to the care that they need so desperately.claim

00:58:43As GOOD, we fully support the acceptance of this grant and the continuation of this program. However, our support does not mean that we will be silent on the matter. We must guard this program not only from underperformance, but from political abuse. EPWP jobs must be fairly allocated, communities must be involved, and ward councillors must be informed what's going on in their wards and the impact of this program

00:59:12must be shared here in Council. It cannot be hidden from us. Speaker, STIs and HIV are killing our people. They're killing many of our people. We must act compassionately. This program gives us a chance to do that. GOOD supports the grant acceptance.

00:59:47Councillor Mabaso, MMC Mabaso, apologies. We've closed the item, apologies. You were supposed to respond on.

01:00:00For Councillor Sekwaila.

01:00:12ACDP?

01:00:14Councillor Mkhonza.

01:00:20Yes. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

01:00:26Congratulations, once again, for taking back the speaker's seat. We have congratulated you, but congratulations once again. Allow me to first acknowledge our almighty God, eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. To also acknowledge the

01:00:52Can you speak to the mic, please, councillor?

01:00:54Okay. Can you hear me now?

01:00:55Oh, we can hear you now.

01:00:57Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was just acknowledging our almighty God, eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. To also acknowledge the executive mayor, in absentia, and with his executive, the other councillors, ACDP constituents, the residents of our beloved city, Johannesburg. I greet you all in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.claim

01:01:29Amen.

01:01:30Allow me to first quote from my guiding manual, the Bible, from the Book of Luke 16:10. "The one who faithfully manages the little he has been given will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities. But those who cheat with the little they have been given will not be considered trustworthy to receive more." Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on Item 93. The ACDP commends the Ihlomile programme for reaching 2.4 million people.claim

01:02:06As the ACDP caucus, we welcome the R33,630,000 HIV and AIDS grant from the Gauteng Department of Health, and we recommend the following control measures to be put in place. One, that all councillors have access to the monthly reports for us to monitor the progress and effectiveness. This should not be difficult to produce, as opposed to the problematic Section 71 report. That the field workers are not abused the same way the Free State Municipality did, not used as a campaigning tool by paying some 67,000, and others as low as R2,000.claim

01:02:45There must be equity in spreading the grant amongst the priority wards.claim

01:02:5229 seconds.claim

01:02:54Yes. God bless Africa, especially the people of Sudan, which represent the largest and fastest displacement in crisis in the world. The largest humanitarian crisis ever recorded. Over 2 million are displaced, and leaving 30.4 million in humanitarian aid or support. We continue to pray for the Shalom peace of Jerusalem, the people in Gaza, the surrounding areas, and the resilient people of Israel, as we declare Jeremiah 1:19, "They will fight against you."claim

01:03:36ActionSA, Councillor Mposula.

01:03:46Thank you so much. Greetings to you, Madam Speaker. I just want us to correct my surname. Yeah, because you've been butchering it from yesterday. It is Councillor Mposula.

01:03:59Councillor Mposula.claim

01:04:01Mposula.

01:04:02Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. Thank you so much. Madam Speaker, I have got a concern here. As much as we welcome and we want to approve this grant, you will notice that the letter that was sent by Treasury, and it's dated the 13th of June, 2025, it still addresses Floyd Brink. And Floyd Brink is no longer the city manager.claim

01:04:36So I just want to find out what will be, you know, the legal implications of this? Because it's a new letter that was documented on the 13th of June, and by then, you know, Floyd Brink was no longer the city manager. So I just want us, you know, to get comfort that we won't have any issues, and how are we going to rectify that? But Madam Speaker, ActionSA really approves this conditional grant of 33.63 million for the year 2025/2026 financial year.claim

01:05:18This grant will enable the city to continue impactful Jozi Ihlomile door-to-door HIV education programme, and strengthen AIDS Council coordination, aligning with the priority of delivering sustainable, high-quality services to underserved communities. Madam Speaker, the programme targets reducing new HIV infections through door-to-door, and we welcome that, and this grant will play a significant role. It integrates with National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS, TB, and STIs, 2023-2028, focusing on equitable access, resilient health systems, and community empowerment. As ActionSA, we approve this report. Thank you so much.claim

01:06:09Thank you, councillor.

01:06:13Councillor from the EFF,

01:06:18Councillor Ntoele.

01:06:26Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I would like to greet our caucus leader of the EFF, in his absentia, Commissar Mgcini Tshwaku, the chief whip of the EFF, Fighter Thabiso Mogapi, and the CIC of the social media, Fighter Tsilani Chauke, there in the gallery. Leadership. Thank you so much. Speaker, the EFF would like to approve the report. Thank you.

01:06:58Thank you, councillor. Councillor from the DA, Councillor B. Jacobs.

01:07:11Honourable Speaker, today I rise, all protocol observed, today I rise to speak on the HIV grant of 33 million from the Gauteng Department of Health. While the programme's purpose is to educate households, refer individuals to care, and integrate health and social support services into our community, the reality is far less effective. The door-to-door approach is outdated and increasingly irrelevant, with many doors, both literally and figuratively, remaining closed.

01:07:48We must ask this: is this model truly delivering results, or are we simply repeating the motions year after year? We often sit in the Section 79 committee and we talk about these results that we are getting, and they are not good. They are not good. The funding will support 661 Expanded Public Works Programmes, field workers, including educators, ward team leaders, and data coordinators. However, Madam Speaker, what we are witnessing is not necessarily community empowerment, but rather job opportunities handed to the politically connected, with little to no measurable impact on actual health outcomes.claim

01:08:35It is actually time for the ANC, EFF, and PA-led administration to reconsider how such valuable resources are used. Imagine the impact if this funding, 33 million of it, was redirected to the procurement of ARVs and other critical medication, or if we invested in digital tools and platforms that could educate thousands of residents at a fraction of a cost, efficiently, accurately, and with far greater reach. Madam Speaker, we are so tired of going through these motions over and over again, and we are not saving lives, but we are filling our pockets. Why?claim

01:09:19Why are we doing this, Madam Speaker? We accepting grants, we are stewards of this money that's supposed to be helping, and we keep on doing the same thing, expecting a different result. The Democratic Alliance stands ready to assist this administration in implementing strategies that will genuinely saves lives, and bring about our public health response to the 21st century. We cannot, in good conscience, Madam Speaker, support this item and waste more public money. I thank you.

01:09:56Thank you, councillor. The ANC, Councillor Mphaho.

01:10:07Thank you, Speaker. I rise on Item 93. The ANC fully supports the acceptance of this grant, which will provide a much needed substitute for the withdrawal of UN financial assistance. The funding will ensure our healthcare system is equipped to meet the needs of those affected. As evidenced from the report, Jozi Ihlomile has made significant stride in reaching vulnerable groups.claim

01:10:51We commend the stride made by the Jozi Ihlomile in reaching 2,470,965 people. The ANC believe that every resident of Johannesburg deserve access to quality healthcare, and we will continue to work towards achieving this goal. I thank you, Speaker.claim

01:11:19Thank you, councillor. MMC Makhafola.

01:11:34IT, can you check the mic, please? Use the one

01:11:37Thank you so much. Greetings to yourself, Speaker, and greetings to our revolutionary battalions of the EFF, led by the caucus leader, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, and the chief whip, Thabiso Mogapi. Today, Speaker, we are speaking on the HIV grant that is actually given to us by the provincial government. I stand here, Speaker, to speak about this item, to present this important item that speaks directly to the health, that speaks directly to the dignity and the well-being of our communities, and to seek council to accept this grant, because not only is it for us, but it is for the community of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, the word itself prescribes what this is about. It's saying conditional grant.

01:12:28SepediGa ke tsebe gore ke eng ge re bolela ka Sekgoa. Ge Sekgoa se palela batho ba e leng gore re lebeletše gore ba hlalosetše rena,

01:12:36it's a conditional grant. Meaning it comes with the conditions already from the province. So what is it that you expect us to do outside what is actually in the paper that we are supposed to follow? Honourable Speaker, the reality we face really is sobering. Despite many advances in medical science and public health, HIV and AIDS continues to affect thousands of individuals and families across our city, and despite the ongoing campaigns

01:13:08Sepeditše re di dirago

01:13:09in the department, such as the Close the Gap campaigns to address the grievance of those living with HIV and AIDS, we really need the support. As a municipality, we cannot afford to be indifferent, nor can we afford to be under-resourced in our response. The Gauteng Department of Health has extended a conditional grant to support municipalities in their role of fighting HIV and AIDS at a local level. This grant is specifically intended to support HIV and AIDS education programmes, including targeted door-to-door campaigns, to ensure that even the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach residents receive accurate, life-saving information and care.

01:13:53The coordination and strengthening of HIV and AIDS council structures to also enhance integrated responses between civil society, government departments, and also community-based organisations. It's also meant for capacity-building, community mobilisation, and also effective monitoring of HIV-related interventions. Council, I really would like to encourage everyone to support this initiative. This grant will empower our municipality to scale up education, to scale up prevention, and to also scale up awareness efforts, and to reduce the stigma and to improve access to vital services.

01:14:36The door-to-door campaign, the Jozi Ihlomile, as we know, in particular, it's meant to bridge the gap between clinics and communities, making our public health approach more personal, more accessible, and more impactful. I therefore humbly request the council to approve the acceptance of this conditional grant from the Gauteng Department of Health. This is not just an administrative step, it is a commitment which is aimed at saving people's life, which is aimed at empowering our communities, and also building a healthier city. Please, let's not politicise

01:15:16Sepedidilo tše e leng gore ga di hlokagale gore re di

01:15:18politicise. Therefore, Speaker, I fully support that the council please approve this report. Thank you.

Item 93 adoption and DA dissent

01:15:29Thank you, MMC. The recommendations are on pages 93.5 to 93.6. Is the item agreed to?

01:15:46Agreed.

01:15:52Councillor Niemand.

01:15:55AfrikaansJa, dankie Mevrou die Voorsittende Beampte. In terme van reël 84, vra ek dat die Demokratiese Alliansie se opposisie teen die item in sy huidige vorm op rekord opgeneem sal word in die amptelike notules van die raad. Baie dankie.

01:16:15Councillor Niemand has actually stood up on the rule that Councillor Christians always says, and they are saying that they are not agreeing with it, and that we must note the dissent of the DA.

01:16:39AfrikaansIs ek reg?

01:16:43I translated. Thank you, councillors. The item is carried. It's only the DA's dissent.

Items 21–24: Legislature and Ombudsman quarterly performance and oversight reports

01:16:56Uh councillors,

01:16:59we now go back to our agenda, as where we left off yesterday. The secretary will read into record.

01:17:10We are now back on Item 21, which is the performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Legislature Department for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March, 2025, read with Item 22, which is an oversight report of OCOL on the '24/25 third quarter budget and performance assessment report of the legislature of the City of Johannesburg for the period January to March, 2025. Also read with Item 23, which is the performance assessment report for the Office of the Ombudsman for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March, 2025. And lastly, read with Item 24, which is an oversight report of OCOL on the 2024/25 third quarter performance report of the City of Johannesburg Office of the Ombudsman for the period January to March, 2025.

01:18:00Member in charge, Councillor Ponsonby.

01:18:04Thank you, Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise to table the following items for the Oversight Committee on the Legislature quarterly performance reports on the Legislature and the Office of the Ombudsman. Item 21, performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Legislature Department for 2024/2025 financial year, third quarter, for the period January to March, 2025. Item 22, oversight report of OCOL on the third quarter budget performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Legislature Department for 2024/2025 financial year, third quarter, for the period January to March, with Item 23, the performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Office of the Ombudsman for 2024/2025 financial year, and then Item 24, the oversight report of OCOL on the third quarter budget performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Office of the Ombudsman for 2024/2025 financial year. Thank you, Speaker.

01:19:09ACDP, Councillor F. Mkhonza.

01:19:14Yes. Shalom, shalom once again, Madam Speaker. Thank you very much. Greetings once again in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

01:19:23Amen.

01:19:24Hallelujah. Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on Item 23, performance assessment of the Office of the Ombudsman for the 2024/25 financial year for the period ended January to March, 2025. Madam Speaker, we commend the office for exceeding the low target of 15% in quarter three to 45%, which is a cumulative one, we must state. Congratulations. In essence, this KPI has underperformed, as the actual performance in quarter three is 11%.claim

01:20:09So we need the office to clarify this for us, because compared to quarter two, there is a 10% decline when we do our calculations. We further congratulate the office for the achievement of KPI number nine, which was not achieved in the previous two quarters, which is the departmental invoices submitted to Group Finance for payment within 30 days of receipt. We also acknowledge and appreciate the appointment of the trainee investigators, which assist the office in prompt case resolutions. The JOSHCO team must take some lessons from this office.claim

01:20:54We will closely monitor KPI number seven, which is the CapEx budget in the fourth quarter, which has revealed a 13% decrease in spending. The regional analysis reveals that Region D has seven complaints accepted for investigations, a very low number compared to other regions. Yet this long overdue case number, which I have stated in this chamber, reference OCOJ23/0010657 of Likobakoba Company from Soweto is still pending and not yet resolved. Where is respect for human rights for these young entrepreneurs of Soweto? How do we improve the low level of trust in public institutions and politiciansclaim

01:21:4040 seconds.

01:21:41if we don't even respond to questions asked in council? Madam Speaker, we note the report, though the quarter three has shown a 25% decrease in finalisation of cases compared to quarter one, and an improvement of 15% compared to quarter two. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:21:58Thank you, councillor. Councillor Avant-Smith from the DA.

01:22:09Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today on behalf of the Democratic Alliance to address a matter of deep concern, a matter that strikes at the very heart of our democratic system here in the City of Johannesburg. The consistent failure of the legislature, and more specifically, the offices of the Speaker, the Chair of Chairs, and the Chair of Chairs to perform their constitutional duties with integrity, impartiality, and efficiency. Let me be clear, the DA supports strong institutions. We support meaningful oversight. We support transparency and accountability. But what we see in this council today is the opposite. A legislature weakened by politicisation, paralysed by instability, and failing the very people it is meant to serve under the ANC, EFF, PA, ActionSA coalition.

01:23:03The Office of the Speaker is supposed to be the impartial guardian of this council, the entity that ensures the rules are followed, that debates are fair. But what have we witnessed instead? Endless disruptions in council sittings and partisan rulings, and the selective application of the rules of order. One of the biggest frustrations facing many councillors is that letters to your office and to the office of the Chief Whip and Chair of Chairs goes unacknowledged, and worse still, not acted upon. How can these institutions maintain credibility when the speaker is treated as a political football by the government of local disunity? An area that the legislature should really take a lead in is that of ward committee meetings.

01:23:54This report clearly shows that the targets were not met for public meetings. 126 to 135 ward committees were held, where a mere 88 out of the target of 405. The lack of ward committee meetings has been an ongoing saga through a succession of speakers. Ward committees have been politically hijacked and used by members for gain or prestige, with little or no oversight or controls. Ward committees are a mechanism to assist the executive to react to and allow public participation. However, this is simply not happening.claim

01:24:34The Q3 report mentions weak management practices and low consequence management as a root cause of service delivery deterioration, pointing to leadership failures. The low rate of improvement, oh, sorry, the low rate of improvement across the implementation of the strategic risk action plan, still 60%, reflects poorly on committee performance. This clearly shows a lack of adequate oversight. The Chair of Chairs has reduced oversight to a box-ticking exercise, stripping Section 79 committees of their intended power. The Chair of Chairs is entrusted with overseeing our Section 79 committees, vital instruments for holding the executive accountable. Yet these committees are undersupported, treated with disdain by the officials, and in some cases, outright ignored.claim

01:25:32According to the third quarter performance plan, joint oversight visits and public petition responses were supposed to be prioritised, yet the record of oversight visits conducted within Johannesburg for Q3 is woefully thin, and when undertaken, little or no consequence management for the failures observed happens. Where is the accountability? Where is the performance review that residents of this city are entitled to? This council boasts about inclusivity and public engagement, but the lived experience of our residents tells a different story. Real public participation is absent in practice, but present in lip service.

01:26:14The DA receives daily complaints from residents who submit petitions, only to be met with silence. The so-called people's legislature is missing in action when it comes to listening to the people. We must ask, is this silence incompetence, or is it intentional? Whilst not forming part of this report, recently, the Region C demarcation public participation was advertised by the Speaker's office as a 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. scheduled event, where the officials left at midday, adding to the confusion and low public participation due to the last-minute changing of venues, times, and dates. A foreshadowing of the Q4 report, perhaps. Meetings with officials are either cancelled at the last minute, or even worse, called at the last minute,claim

01:27:0310 seconds left.

01:27:05Thank you, Speaker. Which hampers residents and reduces public participation to a mere tick-boxing exercise. Madam Speaker, you have the opportunity and the obligation to restore the dignity of your office. Chair of Chairs, your mandate is to oversee and to act. Use it. Don't sleepwalk through your term. And to my fellow councillors, I say, Johannesburg deserves better. If we fail in this chamber to uphold transparency and effective oversight, we are no better than the broken systems we claim to oppose. Let us get back to basics, restore the integrity of the house. Let us govern for the people, with the people, and in full view of the people. The DA notes this report with reservations. Thank you.

01:27:51Thank you. ActionSA, Councillor Atterbury.

01:28:08Can you switch on your mic, please?

01:28:11Thank you. Honourable Madam Speaker, esteemed councillors, residents of Johannesburg. These reports reflect both meaningful wins and pressing challenges across our oversight institutions. Firstly, I wish to commend the Office of the Speaker when it was under the capable leadership of Councillor Mthembu. The Speaker's office exceeded its outreach targets, conducting over 30 impactful engagements, from civic education to back-to-school drives, to promoting electoral participation. These programmes are practical demonstrations of a legislature that places people first, aligning strongly with ActionSA's visions of a participatory, responsive government.claim

01:28:59Administrative excellence was also evident in maintaining 100% compliance with council sittings, and leading the transition into a smarter, more paperless council. These initiatives brings us closer to a more modern, efficient governance model. However, Honourable Speaker, we must confront the stark underperformance of our ward councillors and committees. With only 56% of councillors holding public meetings, and less than 22 of the planned ward committee meetings convened, we are witnessing a breakdown in our most basic democratic interface.claim

01:29:41These failures are not technical, they are ethical. When residents lose access to their representatives, they lose faith in the system. ActionSA calls for urgent consequence management, and proposes integrating performance...claim

01:30:00performance-linked accountability mechanisms to safeguard service delivery. Turning to the Office of the Ombudsman, we note commendable progress. The Office achieved a 92 uh organizational performance score, resolved 62% of um accepted complaints and exceeded targets on own initiative investigations and reduced case backlogs with 45%. These metrics she is shows a commitment to addressing maladministrationclaim

01:30:34and promoting accountability. However, 140 cases remain at intake or pending. Many of these which relates to delayed service delivery, neglected infrastructure or unresolved housing issues. The Ombudsman's growing caseload reflects a symptom of failing departments, particularly the Joburg Robert Joburg Roads Agency,claim

01:31:00Johannesburg Water and Pikitup. We've therefore strongly recommend coordination between the Ombudsman, Group uh Governance and Section 79 committees to ensure timeous implementation of remedial actions. Lastly, we urge Council to fast-track filling critical vacancies within the Ombudsman's Office and finalize leasing matters to ensure full budget execution. In conclusion, we celebrate the successes of our oversight institutions,

01:31:32but we must not lose sight of the work ahead. ActionSA stands ready to support reforms that restore dignity, improve service delivery, and rebuild public trust in Joburg's governance. Thank you.

01:31:46Thank you, Councillor. DA Councillor N. Mohamed.

01:31:55Honourable Speaker, fellow councillors, officials, members of the public present in the gallery and residents of the City of Johannesburg, I greet you all.

01:32:07I hereby rise to speak on behalf of the Democratic Alliance on item 23, the Performance Assessment Report for the Office of the Ombudsman for the 2024/2025 financial year. In local government, the importance of the operating expenses budget is critical to the daily functioning of the municipality and, by extension, the Office of the Ombudsman. According to this report, only 72%claim

01:32:37of the Ombudsman OPEX budget was spent, leaving a variance of 28% underspent. On the capital expenditure budget, while the intended target was 85%, actual spending reached 87%, reflecting a 2% positive variance. However, capital spending alone does not measure performance.claim

01:33:02The underspending on OPEX, however, reflects serious concerns. Variances are seen across employee costs, con- contracted services, general expenditure and internal charges. The stated reasons for underspending include unfinalized lease agreements and unfilled vacancies. Furthermore, the Ombudsman's Office continues to face significant challenges:

01:33:30irregular billing of water and electricity, including incorrect meter charges, overbilling and delays in linking accounts to actual meter readings; persistent failure by other departments to implement the Ombudsman recommendations; insufficient skilled human capital and a lack of critical resources to fulfill its mandate; compliance challenges, particularly regarding occupational health and safety standards.

01:34:01Speaker, this reflects systematic governance failures under the leadership of the ANC, EFF, PA and ActionSA coalition, which fails to ensure cross-departmental accountability, consequence management or efficient internal processes. The way forward must be clear and decisive: strengthen OPEX budgetary controls with rigorous standarding, standard costing and variance analysis to identify

01:34:31and correct weaknesses; address the persistent vacancies by prioritizing skilled, experienced and qualified personnel, ensuring that appointments are based on merit and not cadre deployment. The Ombudsman must implement the structured formalized engagements with departments

01:34:4910 seconds left, Councillor.

01:34:51Thank you. responsible for implementing its recommendations. These departments must no longer be allowed to ignore or delay compliance. Speaker, the Democratic Alliance firmly believes that the Ombudsman's Office is a critical institution to protect the residents' rights, ensure administrative justice and strengthen public confidence in local government. But its effectiveness depends on leadership committed to consequence management, professional competence and decisive action, principles which the Democratic Alliance has demonstrated in the municipalities

01:35:35EFF, Councillor Baloyi.

01:35:44Thank you very much, Speaker. And uh congratulations on your new appointment. Uh since from yesterday, I've been trying by all means uh to respond. But let me first start by greeting

01:36:07uh our caucus leader in his absentia, and uh greet our Chief Whip and uh Mayor in his absentia, uh including all his uh executive committee members. And uh

01:36:30let me greet all those who are watching in social media and our guest. Uh Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity. Uh as I said, since yesterday, I've been listening attentively. Uh GLU

01:36:56government, it's led by charismatic leaders, not just leaders. Uh we were forced to go and learn this language so that we can challenge those who claim to be the owners of this language. Charismatic comes from the Greek words called charisma, born leaders. So, when you refer to GLU, you're referring referringemotive

01:37:26to born leaders, not just leaders that open books. Uh we were born with this in the blood. Uh let me go back and uh address the things that were labeled from yesterday that blood, GLU, all the things. Let me remind you when I stand here, spillers of the blood, remember Sharpeville massacre. Remember Steven Biko.emotive

01:37:57Remember Solomon Solomon Mahlangu, Chris Hani. And ask yourself who spilled their blood, then you'll come up with the answer. Let me uh just go back to the item. Yes, the Economic Freedom Fighters agree stronglyemotive

01:38:19Councillors, we have a councillor on the podium. We are trying to hear what he's saying. Thank you.emotive

01:38:26Yeah, I hit the nail anyway. Uh capacitation of councillors is needed as we see some are trying to distort the history of this country. Uh we need to improve on capacitation of councillors. 39 that is in the is

01:38:51a low number. I agree that we need to to to improve that. We also need to improve on the oversight visit, because the two that is there is not convincing. Uh the issue of

01:39:07Councillor, you have 40 seconds, neh?

01:39:10Oh, thank you very much. The the issue of ward councillors, those that were touched, uh the issue of challenges that are in there, the bylaws, I strongly believe that the government of GLU is going to address that because we are born leaders. Thank you very much.

01:39:30Thank you, Councillor. Uh the ANC, Councillor Lobi.

01:39:39Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, uh Madam Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor on his absentia and the Chief Whip of Council. Uh greetings to our Chair of Chairs, Councillor Marema. Greetings to all Chairpersons of Section 79 and all the MMCs that are here. Greetings to the hard-working ward councillors of the City of Johannesburg,

01:40:08the guest in the gallery, and the residents of City of Johannesburg. Eh Madam Speaker, I rise on item 21, 22, 23 and 24. Eh Madam Speaker, eh there are challenges that are faced by the legislature, as we can see the targets that are not being achieved.

01:40:39Um there is a a concern on the on on on on public meetings, eh Madam Speaker. We were supposed to be reaching the target of 100%, but it is only 56%. It means that, Madam Speaker, there is a challenge that this committee and the legislature needs to address. And that challenge, Madam Speaker, is the safetyclaim

01:41:09of councillors. Councillors cannot call public meetings because their safety has been compromised. I don't know, Madam Speaker, when is this house going to take serious the safety of ward councillors. I don't know, Madam Speaker, ukuthi does it need a certain color for us to be protected. Because by now, you were going to call it a genocide.

01:41:39Eh, but because of the other side of the house, they can call public meetings online, and us councillors who are leading in the township, we cannot do that. We really want to achieve this target to 100%, but we really need assistance in terms of that safety. Eh Madam Speaker, as the ANC, we note and approve this item. Thank you.

01:42:07Thank you, Councillor Lobi. Chair of Chairs, Councillor Marema.

01:42:19Now, thank you very much, uh Speaker. I I have the temptation to actually enter into the debate, but I I want to state categorically that uh pedestrian politics are not my things. Um the proof is in the pudding. And I think if you refer to the quarter that is before us that we have tabled,

01:42:51you would see that there are a number of challenges that are there in as far as the report and the targets that needs to be uh achieved. And we, like what Amilcar Cabral always say, that mask no lie. Uh you tell it like it is. We We We do acknowledge uh the fact that perhaps those councillors that stood up and argued that uh we are sleeping on duty, perhaps they

01:43:22No, they lack the appreciation of the standing of the City of Johannesburg be- back in as far as separation of powers is concerned. And And I want to believe that if if one, and I I I want to invite any councillor in the city here uh just to look and observe on the mechanism that is used uh vis-a-vis separation of powers is concerned. Let me make reference to this to bring it home to councillors.

01:43:53We are now currently entering into a season of what we call strat sessions or strategic planning sessions by Section 79 committees. Traditionally in the City of Johannesburg, uh committees will go out for a 2 to 3 days, uh entirely out. But if you look at the argument of the executive from where we are standing now, the executive is arguing that the city is cash-strapped. Now, if the if the city

01:44:24does not have money, it means that those uh strat sessions will only be held at the city facilities or closer by where we are as a result of the city And and which I argued uh differently, uh Speaker, I'm sure you would remember, that we are finding ourselves in that sit- in that situation precisely because the system in the City of Johannesburg, which I invite any other councillor to do

01:44:54a research on, that the sep- separation of powers in as far as budget disbursement is not as clear. Because the legislature should not be uh uh you know uh even if you are to argue cost containment, the the city itself and the legislature should have its own budget that sits somewhere that it administers, wherein the finalization of everything is from this uh uh the City Manager. But as it stands,

01:45:24we hold the executive into account, but for us to do that, we have to ask the executive for money. Now, now, if if you understand the context of separation of power that I'm trying to derive to drive to yourself, then you will retract the f- the statement that says the oversight or the legislatures are sleeping and they're not doing their

01:45:52In fact, he says we're sleepwalking,

01:45:56or sleeping on duty, which clearly indicates his lack of understanding of the stature of how separation of power in a practical context of the City of Johannesburg is concerned. And And I want to close it by saying, uh Speaker, that uh And I want to implore everybody, unfortunately the executive in their majority are not here. I want to implore everybody that going forward going forward,

01:46:25we should change that. In our budget, uh when we do budgeting, it should be stated clearly that legislature budget it's this. And use facility for strat plans, and there is a toyi-toyi and the councillor is in the strat plan, a councillor will be forced to get out of the strat plan and go and deal with the crisis in the ward. Which if you had taken them away, you would have what you call return

01:46:55on investment, fully participation that doesn't get distracted. But let me come again in the

01:47:0234 seconds left.

01:47:04Let me come again, uh uh Speaker, I'm sorry, unfortunately I don't have that much time or luxury of time, but let me come again in the issue of public meetings, that you must look at the targets that are received. Who are these councillors that are not holding public meetings? You must ask yourself that question and do a scrutiny, and you will find out who are those. Who are these councillors that are not coming into the public participations in our IDPs, in You must do that scrutiny.

01:47:33Proof is in the pudding. Now, you Lastly, lastly, lastly, lastly, that's not the only target that as far as OCoLS report is concerned. Councillors who are in arrears, do a scrutiny. Who amongst ourselves here owes the city? Do that scrutiny. Does that qualify you saying that we are sleepwalking when you owe the city? Do you know the law? Let me submit to that. Thank you.

01:48:04I ask Council to note.

01:48:07Thank you, um Chair of Chairs. The member in charge, Councillor Ponsonby.

01:48:15Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you for the inputs.

01:48:17Councillor Juwera. Councillor Kaldine.

01:48:20Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thanks for valuable, powerful inputs. The Committee recommends that Council approve these reports, and I thank you.

01:48:32Thank you so much, member in charge. The recommendations are on pages 21.7, 22.7, 23.4 and 24.8. Are the items agreed to?

01:48:47Agreed.

01:48:49Thank you so much.

Items 27–31: Economic Development department and entities performance reports

01:48:52Uh Councillors, we proceed with item 27, and that is the Performance Assessment Report for the Economic Development Department for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March 2025, read with item 28, and that's the Performance Assessment Report for the Johannesburg Tourism Company for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025, also read with item 29, which is the Performance Assessment Report for the Johannesburg Property Company for the 2024/2025

01:49:22financial year for the period January to March 2025, and also read with item 30, which is the Performance Assessment Report for Joburg Market uh for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March 2025, and lastly read with uh item 31, which is the Oversight Report of the Economic Development Section 79 Committee on the 2024/25 third quarter performance report of the Department of Economic Development, Johannesburg Property Company, Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market

01:49:53and Johannesburg Tourism Company for the period January to March 2025.

01:50:00Thank you, Secretary. Uh member in charge, Councillor Mhlongo.

01:50:10Uh thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good morning to yourself, uh good morning to the Mayor in absentia, Chief Whip of Council in absentia, Chair of Chairs, uh Section 79 chairpersons, fellow councillors and members in the public gallery. Good morning to all of yourselves. Madam Speaker, I rise to table item 27, Performance Assessment Report for the Economic Development Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the

01:50:41period January to March 2025, read together with item 28, Performance Assessment Report for the Johannesburg Tourism Company for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January-March 2025. Read together as well with item 29, Performance Assessment Report for the Johannesburg Property Company uh SOC Limited for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March 2025, read together

01:51:11with item 30, Performance Assessment Report for the Johannesburg Market SOC Ltd for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025, and uh lastly read together with item 31, Oversight Report of the Economic Development Section 79 Committee on the 2024/25 third quarter performance reports of the Department of Economic Development, Johannesburg Property Company, Joburg Fresh uh Produce Market and Joburg Tourism Company for the period

01:51:42January to March 2025 to be considered by the Council. Thank you so much, uh Madam Speaker.

01:51:50Thank you, member in charge. Can we go to the ANC, Councillor M. Bolani.

01:52:02Greetings, eh Madam Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor in absentia, greetings to the Chief Whips, greetings to the progressive eh MMCs and greetings to progressive councillor and fellow councillors and greetings to the residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, allow me to speak on item 27 and item 28 and item 29 and item 30.

01:52:31Eh our economy is growing faster than South Africa as a whole, and despite inward migration, has managed to increase employment rate compared to the country's average. We should also not be hoodwinked by that. Our fight should be against the high levels of unemployment, poverty, and one of the highest level of inequality in the City of Johannesburg. The department should focus on resourcing the opportunity centers and also have a very

01:53:01important and comprehensive program around the township economy revitalization, which is of paramount importance. Madam Speaker, Johannesburg Tourism Company should position our city as a premier destination for business tourism, while also leveraging leisure tourism benefits of increased business tourism. But of great importance, the the department should also, Tourism should also focus on the priority

01:53:33by prioritizing the cultural and heritage sites in townships. On the JPC side, the inner city revitalization, Southern Farms, Riverside, Soweto Gateway are a priority in settling housing and residential backlog. There should be a comprehensive program solving the issue of outdoor illegal outdoor advertisement because it's very important in terms of the revenue

01:54:03collection. The lesser we speak about Joburg Market, the results are out there for everyone to see. The performance of Joburg Market is one of the best entities in the City of Johannesburg.

01:54:19But also within the very same space, eh as the ANC, we feel that the entity's management, senior management should also assist us in redressing the past imbalances. Because it can't be acceptable that in this current epoch, we can't have black in general and Africans in particular involved in the market agents. Without transformation, the future of the city is bleak.emotive

01:54:48As the ANC, we would like to send a message to the GLU by quoting one of the best revolutionaries who have ever walked the mother earth, Che Ernesto Guevara. So, I'm saying this to the GLU. Quote, "I knew that the that when the great guiding spirit cleaves humanity into two antagonistic halves, I will be with the people." Close quote. We all know that the residents of Johannesburgemotive

01:55:19know what happened in the adjustment budget vote, which they will be a judge on the two antagonistic halves. As the ANC, we note the reports and its recommendation.emotive

01:55:31isiZuluAsinamona, asinanzondo, siyadumisa i-ANC.emotive

01:55:33I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:55:36Thank you, Councillor Bolani. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor De Lange.

01:55:58Can we switch off all our mics?

01:56:03Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just add uh 20 seconds there for me, please. Uh thank you, Speaker, all protocol observed. Speaker, if it comes to the department and uh Joburg Property Company, I actually wish it was still the first quarter if I look at these reports. Luckily, we're heading in the right direction because we had to adjust our investment attraction target to 19.5 billion. We're at 16 billion for the third quarter, so at least there is progress.claim

01:56:33Um the MMC um yesterday spoke about, of Public Safety, spoke about the smart cards. Unfortunately, there we are failing and we've been failing for 10 years. The target was 5,000, and we have done for the third quarter 45 only. Then um there is finally a property economic zone framework for Region E, but this is long overdue, Madam Speaker. Only now they are uh appointing a service provider to do a feasibility study. This isclaim

01:57:053, 4 years behind. This is specifically to the department. Also concerning, Madam Speaker, and I'm going to bring this into my speech, the policy, the equity policy within the city has certain guidelines. But if you look at the department, and this is quoting from the report, employed: Africans, 92%; Coloureds, 1%; Indians, 3%; Whites, 0%. It's in contradiction of the city'sclaim

01:57:35own equity policy. That is something we must sort out. On the OPEX side, huge discrepancy on the report. It said it spent um 97%. That is not true, it only spent 56% by the fourth quarter. Then Madam Speaker, there is a KPI in the Metro Centre, and it comes and it goes and it comes and it goes. It was 25%, year to date 0%, and the whole project has been moved on about 2 years from the originalclaim

01:58:05planning. It is a concern, we're all concerned about the Metro Centre. On the OPEX spend side, the target was um 87%, we're at 58%. And this is in the third quarter, again a repeat of the same issues. Then UIFWs, the target was 50%, 0% achieved. Southern Farms, Madam Speaker, it was supposed to kick off in 3 to 7 March. It didn't kick off. There's also a bit of concerns regarding that matter,claim

01:58:36that's why the report has been withdrawn. We'll take it back to Section 79. Then uh Department of Human Settlements wants to purchase 11 private properties. We couldn't get any figures out of JPC and the Human Settlements Department. Then I see Vrededorp student accommodation. Sorry?claim

01:58:5519 seconds.claim

01:58:56Vrededorp student accommodation, we're moving in the right direction. If we can't use our own buildings, give it to a 50 uh 50-year long-term lease for student accommodation. Project is about 42 billion. Further, again, equity, Madam Speaker, JPC: 95% Black, 3% Coloured, Indian percent 4, 0.76 White. This is not going to work. UIFWs, uh 0% achieved. CAPEX budget 64 million, currently we're at 25 million on that. AG findings,claim

01:59:2913 is the is the bar. We've achieved We've only sorted out one. On the market, what can I say? It's a wonderful entity, Madam Speaker. I see they're building new cold rooms, so that's also going to um increase the profitability in the market. Iclaim

01:59:49ActionSA, C. Mohlala.

01:59:57Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

02:00:00Good morning, Madam Speaker. Good morning to the fabulous 44 councillors, guests in the gallery and most importantly, good morning to the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.

02:00:24Madam Speaker, as ActionSA we approve and note the performance assessment report as items read above for the 2024, 2025 for the period of January to March financial year. Speaker, we commend the improvement, the improving performance of the JPC since Acting CEO Musah Makhunga took office, with 13 out of 19 KPIs achieved, amounting to 68%, which previously it was just a dream.claim

02:00:54Speaker, we also commend the sterling performance by the Joburg Market on owning the clean audit as a company, and also making sure that it meets their targeted KPIs at 100%. However, Speaker, we would like to stretch out on some concerns regarding the City of Johannesburg. Colleagues and residents of the City of Johannesburg, today we speak to an issue central to the future of Johannesburg,

02:01:24the inner city rejuvenation. Speaker, across our country, inner cities are in crisis. Years of poor planning, under-investment and reactive governance, and turning a thriving once thriving neighbourhood into neglected zones. Plagues by urban decay, collapsing infrastructure and unsafe living conditions. Madam Speaker,

02:01:51we have a benchmark there by the City of Tshwane, under the Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, is beginning to turn the tide after nearly a decade of decline. It shows what is possible with a political will, decisive leadership and committed to the clean governance. This is not the story of a decline, this is a call to action.

02:02:18Speaker, almost a year has passed since councillors approved a motion on an inner city rejuvenation, and yet no active construction site, no one sign on implementation. This is a failure of project management and interdepartmental coordination and political oversight. Inner city rejuvenation is not just about fixing buildings.claim

02:02:45It's about restoring dignity to communities, unlocking economic potential, and re-establishing lawful orders through the enforcement of building regulations, by-laws, and spatial development frameworks. Speaker, this administration must be reminded that rejuvenation must be driven by legal compliance, not photo opportunities. It must be measured by progress reports, not PowerPoint promises, and

02:03:15it must deliver on what matters, safe, clean, and economically vibrant spaces for the residents and businesses. ActionSA will continue to champion a Johannesburg that works not just for the few, but for every resident in every part of our city. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:03:35Thank you, Councillor. Uh, the DA, Councillor Dewes. He's not here. Okay.

02:03:52Madam Speaker, if I may. Councillor Dewes is unfortunately not here. Um, there is a precedent for somebody to step into another councillor's shoes to speak, and will you allow me to do that, please, briefly?

02:04:06I did not get all that.

02:04:08I was saying that Councillor Dewes is not here today, unfortunately, but there is a precedent in this house for another councillor, in the instance that the councillor who's due to speak is not available, for another councillor from his party to then step into that person's shoes and take up the speaking time, which if you allow me to, I would like to just very briefly. Thank you.

02:04:27I thought you was getting up to speak.

02:04:30Okay, so you're allowing me. You're agreeing.

02:04:34Yes, Councillor.

02:04:35Thank you. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:04:36You've wasted a minute.

02:04:38It's fine. I'm going to take a minute to say what I need to say, and I don't need any more than that.

02:04:42Thanks, Councillor.

02:04:44Madam Speaker, um, and the house, good morning. Um, or is it afternoon already? Um, I don't necessarily need to say much, because I feel that we from the DA in our Section 79 Committee say what's needed to be said. We deal with what we have to, and I think that we deal with it effectively. We work well with the committee and with the other parties. We work well together and with the administration. However, having said that, Madam Speaker, I'd like to say um, and make a couple of pointers

02:05:13with regards to what is happening or not happening in the city at the moment. One of the things which is happening, which I think we need to request JPC to come and talk more about, and to in fact maybe organise a session to discuss with all the councillors, this is what JPC is planning to do at the moment with the sporting facilities across Joburg. I think, you know, it would be fruitful for everyone to have a meeting so that everyone of the ward councillors then better understands what it is that JPC

02:05:43is trying to do at the moment and what the motive is at the end of the day, which is to increase money into the coffers of the city, but not by whatever means. This has to be reasonable and it has to go out for public participation, and sites need to be heard, and we then need to decide how best to deal with it going forward. So, I'm going to suggest from our side in the Section 79 Committee that we organise a session for the councillors in that regard. It would be remiss of me, Madam Speaker, further, if I did not then take the opportunity while I'm standing here

02:06:13to mention the fact that I am very concerned, as I think and hope we all are, with what is not happening or is happening next door with the Metro building. I feel that we, as a Council, are not being given the full information. I'm very concerned that things are happening of which we are not aware. We keep on asking in our Section 79 Committee for reports on what is or should be happening.

02:06:42Um, these are lacklustre in them coming forth, and we seem to be trying to draw things out and literally draw things out. Um, it's not easy to get the information that we require to better understand what is happening at the moment with the Metro building, how much money we are actually spending um in the inaction. That building has been empty now for a year and a half. Nothing's happened. We have a program as to what should be happening. We're already behind the curve on that, but we need to better understand and we need to put as much pressure

02:07:13on JPC as possible and with any other entity that is involved in the what is effectively been the decanting, is the term used, of the facilities, and how the records are going to be secured going forward, and what the plans are if we keep on um on track with these, and what the expenses are going to be incurred um at the end of the day that we need to be aware of, because we're not fully aware of that. So, Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity and good afternoon.

02:07:48Thank you, Councillor. Um, councillor from the ANC, Councillor S Mabuza.

02:08:08isiZuluMangithathe leli thuba ngibingelele uSomlomo wethu. Ngiphinde ngimbingelele uSodolobha waseGoli, nesigungu sakhe esiphakeme kushaya mthetho laseGoli. Ngiphinde ngibingelele uSoswebhu wethu in absentia as well. Ngibingelele uSihlalo ophethe oSihlalo, namakhansela wonkana, ikakhulukazi amasosha kaTambo.

02:08:33Madam Speaker, I rise on item 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. As the African National Congress, we note these items/reports. I thank you.

02:08:50Thank you, um, Councillor. The PA, Councillor Wilskut.

02:09:05Greetings, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor in his absentia,

02:09:16councillors in the in um gallery, uh, councillors, um, to Joburg nine, Joburg 10 councillors, honourable members in the gallery. As the Patriotic Alliance, we acknowledge the performance assessment report for the Economic Development Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period of January to March 2025. However, we cannot help but emphasise a pressing concern, the need to prioritise South African citizens in the distributionemotive

02:09:46of resources and opportunities. We will continue to advocate for the deportation of all illegal foreigners who unfairly benefit from resources meant for our citizens. It's time to put South Africans first.emotive

02:10:04AfrikaansOns baiza nie.

02:10:05Salute.

02:10:09Thank you, Councillor Wilskut. From the EFF, Councillor Telekoa.

02:10:33All right. Um, thanks very much, Speaker, and greetings to yourself. Councillor Telekoa is not here, but the EFF caucus is here, and it notes the reports. Thank you.

02:10:44Thank you, Councillor. Um, from the ANC, Councillor Kwapeng. I hope I've pronounced it right. Is the councillor here? Or is there a substitute for the councillor?

02:11:09Uh, greetings, Speaker. Uh, Councillor Kwapeng is not here, but the African National Congress uh notes the reports. Thank you.

02:11:18Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mnisi.

02:11:28isiZulu[inaudible] Ngicela ungishayele lobaba lo obebheda lapha phezulu.

02:11:34Thank you very much, uh, Madam Speaker. The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg in absentia, the Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, the member in charge of Economic Development Section 79, councillors, our guests in gallery. I wish to thank all councillors, Madam Speaker, who made inputs. These diverse inputs reflect our collective interest in strengthening governance and ensuring accountability to the people we serve.

02:12:08Madam Speaker, Councillor Bolani raised a very fundamental point that we need to resource our opportunity centres. The opportunity centres, Madam Speaker, are the city's most strategic transformative platforms for our communities to be empowered and for the economic inclusion. We want to commit to the councillors and the residents of the City of Johannesburg that we will work

02:12:40with the stakeholders in ensuring that we maximise the resourcing of our opportunity centres. Madam Speaker, there's a point that was raised by Councillor De Lange around the issue of the department being unable to reach, or rather achieve, the KPI of printing of cards. We have had challenges, but we have made some great strides around that, uh, Councillor De Lange.claim

02:13:12We can confirm with you that around 1,000 membership cards, or rather, informal trading cards have been printed. Uh, we don't have our own internal uh printing systems, but we are using the city's um system for us to be able to achieve this. So, we will then have an appreciation that from time to time, they are not only focusing on the Economic Development uh Department,claim

02:13:43but they also have their other work that they have to also do. Now, on the issue of the OPEX spending, I think there was an error there. Um, we'll also request that it be rectified. I think you mentioned uh 97%, whereas actually what was achieved by the department, it was 54%. You also mentioned the issue of Southern Farmsclaim

02:14:14that there was a commitment that there will be a kick-off. I'm not sure, uh, Councillor De Lange, if you were not here in South Africa when we launched a project with Councillor Mabaso, that the project is commencing officially. There's a contractor on site, but we'll forgive you for that. There's work that is being done there. Councillor Mohlala, thank you so much for all the compliments. Um, we will continue

02:14:46to do better as the department. Where concerns were raised, we take them seriously, Councillor, and where progress has been made, we will continue to build on it. Councillor Louw, through you, Madam Speaker, we have noted the request for the Joburg Property Company to hold or convene a public meeting with the councillors so that we explain certain processes, uh, one of them being the issue of the

02:15:20sports recreation that you spoke to. Uh, the issue of Metro Centre, I also want to believe that a report was tabled in Council to give an update on where we are and the process of National Treasury. Uh, since then, if you don't hear any information or a report being presented, it means that there is no information to be shared. We are also waiting for the National Treasury to come back to us

02:15:49with the issue of the PPP. I think that's the report that was brought before ourselves as councillors. Councillor Sebenzile, through you, Madam Speaker, thank you so much um for your participation in this item that were presented by the department. Madam Speaker, we are requesting that councillors note the reports from the department and entities. Thank you so much.

02:16:19Thank you, MMC. Member in charge, Councillor Mhlongo.

02:16:25Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank all the members of the committee for their participation in committee meetings and making sure that the committee fulfils its obligation of holding the executive to account, and extend also my appreciation to the committee support staff for their

02:16:54continual engagement with the committee with all what is needed from the committee. In those words, Madam Speaker, I would like this Council to note and approve the report. Thank you so much.

Order of business: items 32, 33 and 41

02:17:08Thank you, Member in charge. The recommendations are on pages 27.5, 28.12, 29.23, 30.5, and 31.7. Are the items agreed to? Agreed. Thank you. Welcome to the um Chief Whip. Afternoon, Chief Whip. Um, colleagues, as we announced this morning,

02:17:40item 32 and 33 will be left until the MMC arrives. And then, as agreed yesterday, um items 35, if my memory serves me well, items 35 to item 44 will be read together, and we will then...

02:18:10Okay, we will read them all together, and then the speakers will speak on all of them. Am I right, Chief, uh, Chair of Chairs? Right, that was agreed yesterday. Thank you. 35 to 44 will all be read together. Thank you.

02:18:41We'll be now on Council, sorry, on item 35, which is the lease of Erf...

02:18:47Can you just hold on? MMC Mnisi.

02:18:51Thank you, Madam Speaker. We are requesting to withdraw item 41. There are discrepancies in the item. Thank you.

02:18:58I did not get that. You're asking to request item? Can you speak to the mic, ma'am?

02:19:06Item 41. 4-1.

02:19:07Item 41?

02:19:08Yes.

02:19:08Okay. Right, item 41 will be taken out, so we are not reading item 41 in. Thank you.

Items 35–39, 43 and 44: property transactions and public participation

02:19:22Councillors, we're on item 35, and that is the lease of Erf 2981 Far East Bank Extension 4, read with item 36, which is the purchase of the proposed Portion 1 of Erf 520 Halfway House Extension 65 for a water reservoir, and acquisition of a water pipeline servitude over the Erf 520 Re Halfway House Extension 65. Also read with item 37, which is an acquisition of Portion 13 of Farm Klipspruit

02:19:55298 IQ to be formally integrated into Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication. And also read with item 38, which is the proposed registration of the right of way servitude over and along the eastern boundary of the remainder of Portion 140 of the Farm Klipfontein 203 IQ. Also read with item 39, and that's the alienation of the sanitary lanes

02:20:25throughout Region B of the City of Johannesburg Municipality jurisdiction. And also read with item 43, which is the proposed public participation in respect of the portion of the remainder of the Portion 145 of the Farm Cyferfontein 51 IR, Erven 2381, 2382 Houghton Estate, Erven 1111 and 122 Melrose Estate, known as the Killarney Country Club.

02:20:59And lastly with item 44, which is the public participation in respect of the sale of F1 Arena.

02:21:14Colleagues, from item 35 to item 39, we have similar speakers, but when we get to item 43, we have more speakers on item 43 and item 44. Can we note that? Freedom Front Plus.

02:21:43Madam Speaker, a simple request, if my committee members will allow me. I did ask to leave after item 37. They have been grouped. I see on item 37 I am the first speaker. I'm only speaking on that item, because I've got three minutes, and the other items was withdrawn. So, if I can maybe have the first opportunity, and then I would like to be excused, if the rest of the committee members are happy with that, and then they can absorb the rest of the items. Thank you.

02:22:12Okay, we'll do it that way. Let's then... Okay, you are not speaking on the other item. Can we then have item 35, Councillor Mohlala? Oh, you want now? Okay, you can speak.

02:22:36Thank you, Madam Speaker. And I think this item, all protocol observed, is a very emotional item, because there's a lot of political history and heritage, and I know this, because I've been there five times in person. The first time I went to the Walter Sisulu Square, Madam Speaker, most of the little shops were occupied. There was even the ward councillor had a shop there. It was neat, it was tidy, it was well maintained. The hotel was still taking in guests, and of course, the museum there with all the heritage

02:23:09displayed was still in very good condition. Now, Madam Speaker, if I read from the report, if you look at page three, and we note the following points. Soweto Hotel not attracting guests. Conference centre had since been vandalised, metal structure ripped apart, to be expected not to be habitable anymore. Informal traders' stalls, most of the stalls have since been vandalised and not utilised. Retail shops since been vandalised

02:23:41and not usable. And it goes on and on. Now, Madam Speaker, for certain cultural groups, it's very important to protect our cultural history, and that's the right thing to do. We stay in a diverse society with many groups, languages and political history. This report wants to purchase an adjacent stand of 1,810 square metres. Now, that is about the size of a stand in Emmarentia, quite a big stand. Now, Madam Speaker,

02:24:14R15 million wants to get spent on this stand. I don't know. Sometimes I don't know if people don't know how business properly works. We will not support this for one simple reason. The rest of the precinct, it's actually a crying shame, is dilapidated, falling apart, not utilised, not attracting what it should attract for international tourists. Use the R15 million to upgrade, fill the retail space,

02:24:44get everything running, market the hotel and fix the museum that has been broken in three times over the years. So, Madam Speaker, we will not support this. Use that money to fix what we have, and don't purchase something more that becomes another liability to the precinct. I thank you.

02:25:02Thank you, Councillor De Lange. We now start with Councillor Mohlala, ActionSA.

02:25:15Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on item 43, I don't know when this was brought to Council. Basically, it's not supposed to be S Nkonyeni, it's supposed to be me as well, but that can be fixed. Madam Speaker, I stand to note and approve the items that were read

02:25:47in records. Madam Speaker, as ActionSA, we still advocate for spaces or properties that only makes money for the city. So, we approve the leases, not the sales of property. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:26:10Thank you, Councillor Mohlala. Councillor Telekoa is not here. Is there a representative from EFF?

02:26:21Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. As you have mentioned, Councillor Telekoa is not here, and the representative of the EFF approves the items. Thank you.

02:26:37Thank you. Councillor Bolani, M Bolani, from the ANC.

02:26:45Greetings again, Madam Speaker, and greetings again to councillors, and greetings again to residents. Madam Speaker, I will speak about all the items that were read by the Secretary to Council. But of great importance is that these items, they are very instrumental when it comes to service delivery. For us not to adopt these items will be prolonging the service delivery that the community out there is waiting for. So, as the ANC, we are persuading the Council to approve all these reports. I thank you.

02:27:20Thank you, Councillor. Um, Councillor Cook from GOOD.

02:27:29Speaker, sorry, I'm having a little bit of a technological issue with my computer. Could I please go after the next speaker?

02:27:37Yeah, okay. Um, Councillor Harris.

02:27:50Madam Speaker, thank you so much. I rise to speak on item 43, and while we note the other items, I'll speak specifically to item 43. We are taken aback at the rental leases on these properties. I mean, setting a rent on a property the size of Killarney at R2 per annum, and then in 2011 increasing it to R1,000 per annum with an 8% escalation, it just doesn't make sense. Anyway,claim

02:28:20the Killarney Country Club instituted litigation against the City of Johannesburg in respect of the cancellation of the lease agreement, and a cost of R748,000 was incurred in this process. We don't know whether the city lost or won, but that's more money down the drain. The Country Club has also indicated plans to redevelop the property to supplement the sports and recreation uses through the development of a sports centreclaim

02:28:50and a residential precinct. The city, in its wisdom, is describing this property as a non-core asset. This is reneging on our obligation as a metro to ensure we have a sufficient amount of public open spaces. Organisations have made money out of this asset. While we acknowledge the need for public open spaces and sporting facilities, we have to pause and reflect deeper on this request. We are not privy to the financial statements of the organisations who have the inside track on acquiring this non-core asset.claim

02:29:20I make these comments on the back of the 1929 title deed that stipulates that the site has to be used as a sewage treatment plant for agricultural purposes, or for it to be cut up into stands. The report is essentially seeking permission to gauge public opinion with respect to the sale of this asset. The ACDP agrees to this, and urges the public to come out in their numbers to express their views on this ridiculous proposal. I thank you.claim

02:29:53Thank you, Councillor Harris. Councillor Huggett from the DA.

02:30:03Yes, Councillor? Councillor Cook says he's ready. Go, Councillor Huggett, he'll come, he'll come in.

02:30:16Honourable Speaker, fellow councillors, and residents of Ward 73 and Johannesburg. I rise today to voice my concerns and the concerns of my residents in Ward 73 regarding the table tabling of item 43 regarding the Killarney Country Club property. This report represents, in many ways, a fundamental failure of governance. We are not opposed to public participation. In fact, we are very much for it.

02:30:48And it needs to happen. However, the report fails to clarify many issues and many processes. The report fails to clarify which processes we're actually following. Are we considering alienation via long-term lease or permanent disposable disposal via sale? This fundamental ambiguity prevents proper council consideration and undermines

02:31:17any meaningful public participation. More concerning is the complete omission of the property's environmental status. This site falls under an ecological support area according to the Bioregional Sector Plan 2021, a critical constraint that isn't even mentioned in the report. How can we make informed decisions when essential information is deliberately excluded?claim

02:31:45The accounting officer has failed to conduct the required due diligence of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations. Let's not forget what's at stake here. Killarney Country Club serves as a vital recreational, sporting, and ecological buffer zone in a densely populated area. The facility serves schools, local residents, the broader community.

02:32:14Ward 73 residents have already expressed serious concerns through petitions. Yet, they weren't consulted during the drafting of this report. We know that the Killarney Country Club Management Team has been trying since April 2022 to resolve the lease issues with JPC, and it is only in recent months JPC is finally responding. By the way, the court case is next month.claim

02:32:44If JPC had responded timeously, this entire issue with this huge cost to the city could have been avoided. Huge wasteful expenditure. The proposal has created public alarm and eroded trust in our processes. Residents fear the loss of green space and recreational facilities that contribute to their quality of life and property values. This report is environmentally blind.

02:33:14In an era of climate change and urban densification, we're proposing to alienate an ecological support area without proper environmental assessment. This represents short-sighted planning that future generations will judge harshly. We propose a comprehensive environmental and biodiversity assessment must be completed. The legal status of existing agreements must be clarified. And this would have been better if this report had been delayed as I suggested,

02:33:44for a couple of months down the line, once the court case was over. Ward 73 and affected communities must be properly consulted. Furthermore, the proposed public participation process needs to be transparent, rigorous and flawless. Public participation in the past, as we know, leaves much to be desired. Fellow councillors, our constitution demands transparency, sustainability and accountability in governments governance.

02:34:13This report fails on all three counts. It's procedurally flawed and environmentally reckless and socially irresponsible. We have a duty to our residents and to the law. We cannot rubber-stamp a process that exposes the city to litigation, undermines public trust and potentially destroys a valuable community asset. I urge you to reject Item 43 in its current form. Not rejecting public

02:34:43public participation, just in its current form. Let's demand a fresh lawful process that respects existing agreements, protects our environment and upholds the constitutional values we swore to defend. Our residents deserve better. Our city deserves better. Let's not compromise our integrity for the sake of expediency. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:35:06Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Cook.

02:35:11Thank you, Madam Speaker and thank you for allowing me to get my computer sorted. Speaker, GOOD notes all the items, however, we will be speaking specifically to Item 43 regarding the Killarney Country Club. Speaker, this report proposes public participation on the possible lease or disposal of the Killarney Country Club, a piece of public land that spans over 111 hectares in one of Johannesburg's wealthiest suburbs.claim

02:35:40Before we rubber-stamp another transaction involving prime public land, let us pause and ask the most important question. Who is going to benefit? Currently, the only one who benefits are the owners of the Killarney Country Club. We see from this report that 111 hectares of property which is worth over 50 million rand has until recently been leased for two rand per annum. Yes, you heard that right, two rand for a whole year.claim

02:36:10That was increased to a thousand rand with 8% annual increases. But by my calculation, Speaker, they are still paying less than R2000 per year for 111 hectares of land. Speaker, it's impossible to rent a back room in Soweto for R2000 a month let alone R2000 a year. GOOD has consistently advocated for the use of public land for public good.

02:36:40This means housing the people of this city before selling off land for profit. This means challenging the spatial injustices inherited from apartheid spatial planning where privilege and poverty were separated by concrete walls and elite access. Speaker, we support a proper and inclusive public participation process, but I urge this council to use that process not merely as a procedural checkbox, but as a genuine opportunity to re-imagine our city

02:37:10in service of the greater good. Why shouldn't we be exploring options that include mixed-income housing, student residences, affordable rental stock or community sporting infrastructure, rather than defaulting to a long-term lease which only services an elite golfing community and country clubs with a history of exclusivity? This is a chance for this council to do the right thing,

02:37:39to correct the spatial distortions of the past, to correct apartheid spatial planning, to bring opportunity closer to where people live and to let public land serve the public, not just the privileged few who can play golf. Let's use this moment to ensure that the final recommendation reflects the values of inclusion, redress and accountability. Let's put the people of Johannesburg first. I am sure there are many residents in Johannesburg who would take a small portion of that land for the R2000 a year.

02:38:15Thank you, Councillor Cook. MMC Mnisi.

02:38:29Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. To all the councillors that made the inputs and supported these transactional reports. Madam Speaker, let me start by responding to the first inputs which were made by Councillor De Lange around the issue of the 15 million. Madam Speaker and the residents of the City of Johannesburg, the 15 million will not be usedclaim

02:39:00to acquire the property. The 15 million is to redevelop the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication. Now, we cannot be sitting here, and it's so unfortunate that the councillor has left. I am not even sure if he is logged on so that he hears these responses. It is so unfortunate, Madam Speaker.claim

02:39:31The allegations have been made. Residents now would be assuming that this allocation of 15 million is meant to go and acquire a property, which is not true. This portion is being acquired to regularize the portion that the city built on without ownership. Now, I think you will understand that, Madam Speaker. As the City of Johannesburg, we built on a land that does not belong to us. Therefore, we need to go and acquire that land,claim

02:40:01but there is no 15 million around that matter, Madam Speaker. Councillor Harrison, public participation, I thought because English is your mother tongue, so you will understand it better, the issue of public participation. What do we mean exactly when we speak about public participation? We are doing a public participation so that we gather the views and inputs of the public.claim

02:40:30So we want to hear what is it that the community wants to do with that facility. Firstly, we cannot come to council and dictate to say we want to sell or we want to lease. So we are open-minded. We're saying that it's either the community will decide whether they want to lease or they want to sell that property. The outcomes will then dictate to us what is it that we need to do around that facility.claim

02:41:02There's a lease currently that is running in that property, Madam Speaker. The lease is ending in 2040. However, it should be noted that the lease is not market-related, Madam Speaker. So it means that whatever amount that the tenants are paying there, it's not in accordance to the market value.claim

02:41:31This agreement was entered with the tenant during the apartheid, Madam Speaker. It ended, I think, around 2011. We then did an extension as JPC with that tenant. Now, one of the reasons why we are taken to court as the City of Johannesburg is on the basis that we are saying that we now want the tenant to payclaim

02:42:00the rental that is market-related. So the tenant is refusing to pay us as the city because they are the inheritance of the apartheid. So thank you so much, Madam Speaker. With that being said, we are requesting councillors to approve the reports.claim

02:42:17Thank you, MMC.

02:42:19Apartheid beneficiaries.

02:42:22Colleagues, the recommendations are as follow, the recommendations. They are recommendations on page 35.6, 36.5 and 36.6, 37.6 and 37.7, 38.7 and 38.10, 39.10 and 39.11,

02:43:00and then on pages just and then on pages 43.7, and then on pages 44.7. I believe I've called them all out. It was only item 41 that was not that was taken out. Are these recommendations agreed to?

DA objection to item 43

02:43:35Thank you. Councillor Christians.

02:43:38Apartheid beneficiaries.

02:43:47Can you switch off your mics wherever you are?

02:43:52Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise in terms of rule 84. The Democratic Alliance would like to note its objection to item 43 in its current form, as it is vague and does not provide sufficient information for us to make an informed decision. We are not against public participation, but the process that they want to follow in terms of how the public will then respond to what is in the detail of that report. I thank you, Madam Speaker, and also to note that 2011 was not during apartheid. Thank you.

02:44:25arJazakallah.

02:44:28Apartheid beneficiaries.

Item 45 procedural challenge: no Finance MMC present

02:44:34Councillors, we proceed with item 45 and that is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management acquisition status report, reflecting bids considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period of 1 January 2025 to 31 March.

02:44:48Just hold on, Secretary. Councillor Boer.

02:44:56Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in terms of rule 34 of Council, as we approach the financial items. Rule 34 says when the Executive Mayor appoints or dismiss members of the Mayoral Committee, he must inform the Speaker within seven days who is to be who is to announce the appointment or dismissal of in the next council meeting. We want just want to form want to hear is there any new MMC for finance that we can ask questions to? Thank you.

02:45:35Let's hear, is yours different? Councillor Santana.

02:45:43Yeah, it's getting even worse now. Speaker, thank you. Again, we also concerned what Councillor Boer raised. There's also not an LOB or the Mayor in the house. So, for us, all the finance items cannot be discussed. There's nobody to respond to us, more specifically either LOB or the Mayor. Thank you.

02:46:03Councillor Suddaby. Your hand was up. Suddaby. Okay.

02:46:26Can we just hold it there? We are just consulting, neh? Can we hold it?

02:46:41I'll give you a chance now, Councillor. I'm just busy consulting.

02:47:27Colleagues, there is someone in the house that will respond. The MMC of Human Settlements will respond. So, yeah. Okay. No, no, no. I think I'll buy you glasses, Christians.

02:47:55Santana.

02:47:56isiZuluAyi, Christians, hlala phansi!

02:48:01Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, he does not have the authority. The only ones who can speak on the finance items is either the Mayor, the LOB, or the MMC of Finance. I'm asking that we at least get it done. Thank you.

02:48:11Colleagues, the Mayor has given him the authority to speak. The Mayor has given him the authority to speak. Okay. Can we do that? We'll go to the We'll go to the speakers' list. Councillor Boer.

Item 45: Supply Chain Management acquisition status report (Jan–Mar 2025)

02:48:30AfrikaansHy sal jou antwoord.

02:48:34AfrikaansDankie, mevrou die Speaker. Kom ons praat finansies.

02:48:38Welcome to all councillors again, and all protocol observed. I'm rising on item 45, the supply chain management report that goes about the tenders that were awarded in the quarter 1st of January 2025 to 31st of March 2025. Madam Speaker, in this report, there's really one item. There was one tender awarded to the value of 1,974,000. That is the content of this report.claim

02:49:10But now you must remember, Supply Chain also only reports to us, to Council, of tenders awarded by the core administration, not by any of the other departments. So, this is an eye-blinding report. We hear in the news, and this really leaves a bitter taste in our mouth, that the Auditor-General was complaining about tenders awarded of R1 billion to councillors or family members to councillors.claim

02:49:40And we, as Council, do not even know about it. We have to hear this in the media. And then we are eye-blinded by a report that says we've awarded one tender to the value of 1,974,000. And then even worse, the average time from advertising to awarding a tender in the city is more than half a year, more than 156 days it takes to award one tender.

02:50:08AfrikaansRaadsheer Boer, hou net aan asseblief.

02:50:11There's a disturbing noise. We can't even hear Councillor Boer properly. And then I would ask all Whips to check your members outside. There's a complaint about members making a noise. Some of the members inside has asked us to check on members making the noises outside. Councillor Boer, if your members are not inside, please talk to them to get in. Councillor Boer,

02:50:40Afrikaansjy kan aangaan, jou tyd was gestop.

02:50:42AfrikaansDankie, Speaker, ek is amper klaar.

02:50:44So yeah, it is very concerning to hear in the media about those billion-rand tenders awarded to family members which are not declared to us in Council. And I really hope that those councillors have declared those awards and tenders awarded to them or their family members to the Integrity Commissioner because Section 79 Finance is going to investigate those tenders, and we are eye-blinded by this report, and this is not acceptable. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:51:15Thank you, Councillor Boer. Can we have ActionSA, Councillor S. Nkonyeni?

02:51:26Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings. I think just to pick up from where Councillor Boer left off, it's totally unacceptable. Madam Speaker, I rise on item 45. Madam Speaker, yet another bid from Roadshow Marketing was approved, this time to the tune of R1,9 million. The same Roadshow Marketing was awarded contracts to the total value of 1.9 million for the marketing of IDP sessions and SOCA.claim

02:51:58Why is this Roadshow Marketing always being awarded contracts as if there are no other companies within the media space that can do the job? Madam Speaker, it is the third contract this year, and I do not believe that Roadshow Marketing is the only company in the entire city that can provide marketing services to the city. 10 bids were considered and Roadshow Marketing was chosen once again. So clearly, we have a little bit of a problem here when we keep awarding, you know, the same tender to the same companyclaim

02:52:30perpetually. And as ActionSA, we really reject this. Thank you.claim

02:52:36Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. ACDP. Yes, Councillor Harris, just have a seat so long. Councillor Avant-Smith?

02:52:51Thank you, Speaker. I went to go and check outside, and actually it's the catering staff that's making all the noise. Sorry, thanks for that.

02:52:59Yeah, maybe that side, but this side there's others that side. So that's why I've asked Whips to check on their people. You seem to be hungry already. ACDP, Councillor Harris. Mm-mm, Councillor Avant-Smith knows he didn't eat this morning.

02:53:22Once again, thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on Item 45, the bids approved to March 2025. The one bid approved was for the appointment of a service provider to book and place adverts on radio, YouTube, and social media platforms for the 2024/2025 credit control campaign for a period of two months for the City of Johannesburg. The successful bidder was awarded this contractclaim

02:53:52of R1,974,228 including VAT. This raises some questions. Are there no competent employees within all the communications departments who know how to book and place adverts for a credit control campaign? It is ludicrous that nearly 2 million was spent on in this manner. The ACDP places on record its disapproval of this contract.claim

02:54:22Residents, especially those subjected to credit control measures, specifically cut-offs, are feeling the pressure of having to pay ever-growing utility bills. It is a bitter pill to swallow when, in these trying times, nearly 2 million is spent on performing tasks that any communications intern could do. This is an absolute waste of public funding, and the ACDP will not be part of rubber-stamping this waste of financial resources.

02:54:51The ACDP notes this report, but with serious reservations. Thank you.

02:54:57Thank you, Councillor Harris. The DA, Councillor N. Pietersen, N. Pietersen.

02:55:06Thank you, Speaker. I rise to speak on item 45. Again, we are shown that the city is paying a service provider to book and place advertising on radio, YouTube, and social media platforms for 24/25 credit control campaign for a period of two months for the City of Johannesburg. And this is not for the first time, as already mentioned by my colleagues. Again, it's Roadshow Marketing Pty Limited.claim

02:55:36It's 1.9 million, basically 2 million, to round just for simplicity's sake, is owned by the controversial kwaito performer Arthur Mafokate. I myself has not seen or heard any meaningful marketing promoting the credit control campaign that would warrant such a fee. But then this should not be surprising, as I was not able to Google an independent web page for this company, unless one views a listing on B2B and LinkedIn as adequate web presence for a marketing firm.claim

02:56:07I hope, for their sake, that the artist is not an associate of our ex-MMC of Transport. But that will not be necessary, as there is already a considerable shade that falls upon our supplier. What I can share is that the sole director of Roadshow Marketing, Mr Mafokate, we must not forget, Speaker, was previously implicated in the misappropriation of funds, and his assets were even attached by the SIU, Special Investigating Unit.claim

02:56:37And took he even went as far as taking the SIU to court in order to try and stop the forfeiture of his assets. So this has been well tested in a court of law, as he actually then lost that case and was not able to prevent that re-appropriation of his assets as a result of an issue with the Lottery Fund. Okay. So the SIU's presentation is available for colleagues to peruse if they Google Roadshow Marketing. This itemclaim

02:57:08was approved by the Central Adjudication Committee. So it looks like we're not the only ones not doing our fiduciary duty by not submitting the names to National Treasury Restricted Suppliers list, which is also available on the National Treasury website. I mentioned earlier that I hope our kwaito star is not connected to our ex-MMC. I spoke too soon, as I see that the Department of Sports and Recreation has just granted a deal receiving fund of 1.8 million to the same supplierclaim

02:57:37by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. So, gosh, there's a lot going on here. Also, in the report, I see there's also there's another option in the next report, but we'll discuss that on Item 46. Thank you, Chair.claim

02:57:58Councillors from the EFF, Councillor R. Nethamba, hope I've said it right.

02:58:09Thank you very much, Speaker. It's Councillor Nethamba, Nethamba. But then I won't be speaking on the item. Councillor Zitha.

02:58:23Greetings to you, Speaker. Greetings to the EFF party leader. Greetings to also the EFF caucus leader and the EFF councillors. Speaker, the EFF notes item 45, the acquisition status report from the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Unit detailing bids considered and approved between January and March 2025. Speaker, let me start by stating clearly that the EFF cardinal pillar number seven,

02:58:55open, accountable, corrupt-free government and society without fear of victimization by the state agency. Transparency in procurement is essential, but it must not be mistaken for progress. This report is part of a constitutional obligation to report council to council, but merely tabling figures and procedures does not address the core issues our communities are facing on the ground. We know that the bids processed by the Central and Executiveclaim

02:59:27Adjudication Committees followed due process under the Municipal Finance Management Act and its Supply Chain Management Regulation. However, we raise the following concerns. One of the listed contracts, Speaker, is a 1.9 million tender for advertising on YouTube, radio, and social media for a city credit control campaign. Madam Speaker, 2 million to tell poor communities to pay what they don't have, in the middle of risingclaim

03:00:00unemployment, electricity cuts, and inconsistent water supply. As the EFF we ask, who is this campaign really for? Is it a genuine communication effort, or another way to funnel funds to well-connected marketing firms? We support the recommendation that the report be made public under the Regulation 6 subsection 4 and Section 21 A of the Municipal System Act. However,

03:00:27we insist that the public access must include transparency about the scoring process, disqualified bidders and clear explanation of value delivered. In conclusion Speaker, we note this report with the following remarks. Let the procurement serve the people, not the political connected. Let the Let value for money be judged not by the marketing reach, but the impact on service delivery.

03:00:55Let those report guide accountability, not merely inform compliance. Inkomu Speaker.

03:01:04Thank you, Councillor Zitha. The ANC, Councillor Nofemela.

03:01:17Thank you, Madam Speaker, and greetings to you. Greetings to the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Whip of Council, ANC caucus, and fellow councillors. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 45. Madam Speaker, as part of our work to conduct oversight, we have observed that in the period of January 2025 to March 2025,claim

03:01:46the Bid Adjudication Committee has considered and approved one bid. Having looked and scrutinized the bid as outlined in the body of the report and in the annexures, we have satisfied ourselves that it is above board. Madam Speaker, we can confirm firmly on good authority that the relevant legislation and the supply chain policy were complied with accordingly and without any doubt.claim

03:02:15Madam Speaker, the supply chain process is a delicate matter, so the respective legislative framework has to be followed to the letter to ensure transparency, openness, and good governance. Madam Speaker, the above inference points to one thing and one thing only, that the City of Johannesburg under the Government of Local Unity is indeed in capable hands and heading to the right direction. Madam Speaker,

03:02:44as the ANC caucus, we note the report and I thank you.

03:02:50Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mabaso.

03:02:58Thank you very much, Speaker, and greetings to yourself, all the members of the Mayoral Committee present, and all the colleagues that are in the chamber. Speaker, we have noted all the comments that have been made by councillors. But I do wish to indicate, Speaker, that this is a compliance report

03:03:25that must be noted by this council on the tender that is that was awarded during a period of January to March. And this report is a demonstration of the transparency by this government as the report will be made public as reflected in recommendation two. I will request that council note the report as such. Speaker, thank you very much.claim

03:03:56Thank you, Acting MMC. The recommendations are on pages 45.3. Are we agreeing to the item? Thank you. Ah yeah, noted. Thank you, it's noted. Thank you.

Item 46: Supply Chain Management operational status report (Jan–Mar 2025)

03:04:24Okay, Santana. Okay.

03:04:28Item 46 is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report for the period 1st January 2025 to 31st March 2025.

03:04:41Thank you, Secretary to Council. Councillor Nkonyeni, Action SA.

03:04:51isiZuluSecretary to Council? Kanti akusu Chair?

03:04:55Greetings once more, Madam Speaker, and the house at large.

03:04:59Can you speak into the mic?

03:05:01The house at large, the residents. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 46, and I'd like to greet as well the fabulous 44, and I think it is important to underscore that we are the third biggest caucus just in case our percentage is in doubt. Speaker,claim

03:05:27Speaker, while the department claims that there was no stock written off in this period, the Finance Committee during an oversight in October last year noted that there was R30 million in dead stock. The department reports that the total value of stock is at R118 million. The dead stock unnecessarily inflates this figure, and we call for the disposal of obsolete and dead stock in line with the Asset Disposal Policy.claim

03:05:59Annexure A on item 46 lacks line item descriptions, so we don't know what exactly it is that we purchase. We ask that this be corrected. Madam Speaker, the city has contracted debt collectors for a period of 36 months, and we ask ourselves how effective are they when collection rates are poor and targets are never met, as well as numerous accounts that are incorrect and overbilled. You cannot collect against wrong billing.

03:06:30Fixing the billing system first, or rather fix the billing first, the billing system first, and then collect on data that is factual and reliable. With that, I'd like to say thank you.

03:06:42Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Harris from ACDP.

03:06:51Thank you, Madam Speaker. This report, item 46, deals with the Operational Status Report. We note the contents of it. We note the allusion to the direct purchases, the stock purchases, the inventory management, and the construction bids. But there's an item I just like to refer to, which is the e-Johannesburg campaign,

03:07:20and there was a contract put out for it. Now, that's for influencer marketing. So the best influencer marketing you can have is to fix the robots, fix the potholes, give people a consistent supply of water and electricity, and deal with illegal dumping. When people see service delivery live and in living color, it is easier to convince residents that the e-Joburg portal can be a positive experience as well.

03:07:48In light of the unemployment crisis facing the city, the ACDP suggests employing unemployed graduates to do the work rather than providing a nice payday to organizations who want to get lucky through our SCM processes. I thank you.

03:08:05Thank you, Councillor Harris. Councillor N. Pietersen from the DA.

03:08:17Thank you, Speaker. I rise on item 46, Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report for the third quarter. I acknowledge that the then MMC of Finance, now Speaker, Councillor Arnolds, heard our pleas to get these items presented to the Finance Committee prior to appearing here. Hopefully, the MMC of Human Settlements has a grasp of the matters at hand to provide a meaningful response to the residents of Johannesburg.

03:08:46The report served in the committee meet the minimum requirements. It has been pointed out at every council sitting for the last three quarters that councillor oversight requires more detail than the mere listing of contracts and their values, as well as stock levels for oversight to be effective. For a first-class African city, we should be doing better. This being the biggest and most important municipality in the Republic of South Africa, we should be striving for better than the minimum requirements.

03:09:16Councillors are required to be leaders who fulfill ethical oversight on their executive and administration to help residents to get value for money. To date, the committee is not privy to the detail of any contracts which we are expected to note here today. We are still do not know how much we pay for a bottle of water, a pen, a ream of paper, or why we have R100 million worth of ink cartridges in stock for printers that the city has no longer that the city no longer uses.

03:09:45Every time we ask why these cartridges are not being liquidated or written off, we are informed that there may be an official somewhere who is attached to their printer and somehow this justifies the holding of such eye-watering quantities of ink cartridges. To date, this councillor, yours truly, has never received an ink cartridge for my own HP DeskJet that I use to serve my constituency. And I agree that a lot of my colleagues don't receive the same,

03:10:14something which is meant to be included as part of a councillor's tools of trade. The committee was presented with a report speaking to the ink cartridge procurement protocols. However, it was rejected as it did not address how or why the city ratepayer is financing such an extraordinary level of dead and dying stock. It must be noted with raised eyebrows that the city, without fail, is procuring R10 million worth of stationery consumables through its Smit Street stores every quarter,claim

03:10:44purportedly mostly for JMPD, and one can assume licensing. Does the City of Johannesburg even have 5 million registered motor vehicles? One needs to consider these numbers to put R10 million in expenditure on office stationery every quarter into perspective. I hope the Auditor-General is listening and planning a deep dive into the Smit Street warehouse and the City of Johannesburg's supply chain management process. The DA notes this report with the deepest of reservations.claim

03:11:13Thank you.claim

03:11:16Thank you, Councillor. EFF, will it be Zitha again? Thank you.

03:11:25XitsongaNdza khensa Xipikara. Ndzi rhandza ku xeweta murhangeri wa hina wa khokhasi Dr. Tshwaku na Chief Whip ya hina ku nga Thabiso Mohapi.

03:11:42Speaker, I rise today as a proud representative of the Economic Freedom Fighters, a revolutionary movement rooted in the struggle for economic justice and the dismantling of capitalist exploitation in our municipalities. Today we speak on the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Report for quarter ending March 2025. This report, while technical, shines a glaring light on one of the most entrenched and corrupt system in the

Item 46: supply chain report – EFF, ANC and MMC Mabaso

03:12:12city, the tender system. As the EFF, we stand by our third cardinal pillar, which says, building state and government capacity and the abolishment of tenders. This is not a merely a slogan. It is a clear revolutionary policy position rooted in the lived experience of our people who continue to suffer while political connected individuals loot municipalities under the guise of

03:12:41competitive bidding. Let us examine what the report tell us. In just three months, Speaker, over R649 million was spent on direct purchases and R15 million on stock purchases. 115 bids were received, but only one was approved below R5 million and none above that Sorry, and none above that threshold during

03:13:11the quarter. In one instance, a tender had to be cancelled because a bidder specification committee member was not vetted, a serious governance lapse that may result in an audit finding. 24 major contracts are due to expire within the next 12 months. Without a proper oversight, those will be rushed and renewed without transformation, again shutting out black-owned

03:13:41and community-rooted service providers. So what does that mean? It means that the city continue to operate like a vending machine for politically connected cronies. Those tenders are not about service delivery. They are about patronage and profiteering. We as the EFF note this capitalist mode of outsourcing. We demand that all essential services from cleaning, securities, maintenance, waste removal

03:14:11to ICT support be insourced. Our people must work for the city with dignity, not for the third-party companies that pay starvation wages and suck public money. We therefore recommend the following: an immediate review of all expiring contracts to ensure that they are not renewed blindly; public disclosure of all bid evaluation criteria and scoring, including reasons for cancellation;

03:14:41insource core municipal services to create permanent, pensionable jobs for the working class; establish a public procurement bench to review irregularities and deviation. We will not allow this municipality to be used as an ATM by the politically connected while the residents of Kaalfontein, where I come from in Ward 111, Slovo Park, Ward 53, Orange Farm, Ward 131,

03:15:11live without basic services. As the EFF, we will continue to fight for a state that serve the people, not tenders that enrich the few. Thank you very much, Speaker.

03:15:24Thank you, Councillor Zitha. Councillor Nofemela from the ANC.

03:15:33Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 46. As the ANC, we have satisfied ourselves that the procurement processes have been followed and done according to the MFMA and the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations. We therefore note the report, and I thank you, Speaker.

03:15:53Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mabaso.

03:16:01Thank you very much, Speaker. Well, I think, Speaker, the report is very much detailed on the work that the supply chain has done in terms of procuring for this good and services. But if there is a request for additional information, I think that can be done through our own internal processes

03:16:30in the committee. But also, Speaker, I do wish to indicate that the department is able to dispose some of the items as and when they get expired. And I think those that are in the committee and those that are familiar with the processes are acquainted to those processes. So I will request that this report be noted as well, and it is also going to be made public, Speaker, as per

03:17:01isiZuluthe recommendations, but angicabangi ukuthi kungafuneka kubhalwe yonke into lana amateabags nekofi netiye konke nje kubhalwe lapha kwi-report so

03:17:09And I saw that they did use the order numbers to detail some of the items that they have procured, and I think the report is in proper. But if there are additional information that are required, that can be done through the committee.

03:17:22isiZuluKodwa ngeke sizobhala amakofi namateabags

03:17:27isiZuluSiyabonga.

03:17:31Councillors, the recommendations are on page 46.4. Is the item noted? Thank you.

Item 47: SCM deviation and ratification reports – opening speakers

03:17:45We're now on item 47, and that is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Deviation and Ratification Report that were considered, reports, sorry, that were considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period 1st January to 31st March 2025.

03:18:02Councillor Nkonyeni from Action SA.

03:18:09isiZuluNgibonge, ngibonge Speaker.

03:18:15Madam Speaker, there is a disturbing and deeply worrying trend where departments and officials are failing to submit purchasing orders. The culprits are Social Development, officials in the Speaker's Office, and the Health Department. The only remedial action is a slap on the wrist, when in actual fact, these actions are tantamount to negligence. Madam Speaker, the GCSS Department has once again exceeded expectations,emotive

03:18:47which by the way are at an all-time low, by failing to table on time the contract extensions for repairs, maintenance, and fueling of support services for the fire and rescue trucks to council on time. Madam Speaker, in closing, and while we wait for the Mayor to do the right thing and appoint an Action SA MMC, not this thing of vibes and eating raw fish from half-naked bodies. Whether the marriage ends or not,emotive

03:19:16whether we find each other or not, whether we have positions or not, we will continue to fight for the dignity and restoration of this once great city.emotive

03:19:24TshivendaNdo livhuwa.emotive

03:19:33Councillor Harris. Councillor Mashala. Please. Councillor Harris.

03:19:43Madam Speaker, I rise to speak to item 47, the SCM Deviation and Ratification Reports. Regulation 36(1)(a) of the Municipal Supply Management Regulations provides that normal procurement processes may be dispensed with and officials can procure goods or services through any convenient process, but only in an emergency, or if goods or services are available from a single supplier, or in any other exceptional case where it is impossible or impracticalclaim

03:20:15to follow official procurement processes. This report shines a light on some of the services the city acquires. Some of these numbers are alarming. For IT services, R572 million has been procured. Commercial banking services, R113 million. The Wits Business School has an alarming 2.8 billion randclaim

03:20:46that is being given to them. And Telkom has got the privilege of earning R189 million from the city. From a layperson's perspective, there appears to be no emergency. None of these services are available through a single supplier. There are other suppliers. What are the exceptional circumstances that contributed to these three deviations and three contract extensions? While we acknowledge that some of these contracts may be as long as 36 months,claim

03:21:19and these services are crucial for effective service delivery, there must come a time to consider to what extent citizens are being squeezed, not for enhanced service delivery, but to swell the profits of some of these commercial organizations. I want to just thank our Councillor Zitha through you, Madam, for highlighting the capitalist exploitation of our city. Are residents getting value for money?

03:21:50I doubt it very much. The ACDP does not agree with this box-ticking exercise, so we will be noting it with severe reservations. Thank you.

03:22:02Thank you, Councillor Harris. DA, Councillor N. Pietersen.

03:22:10Thank you, Speaker. I rise on item 47. That's the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Deviation and Ratification Reports considered in the third quarter. Speaker, I need to bring to the attention of the house the quality of our reports, and I use an item that appears in this report here today. One of the line items appears as a supply of paper. It is welcomed as we are buying from the manufacturers, so we can only hope that we are getting the best price. However, it brings into question the probity of an

03:22:41earlier report in the second quarter, listed GFIN 004 22-23, which was a three-year contract, and it was noted with reservations from the DA in the second quarter. In the third quarter, we are now noting an item that seems to be overlapping with the R45 million stationery item. Given the lack of detail, it is not possible to reach a meaningful conclusion, and it is left to conjecture. To remind the house, the GFINclaim

03:23:11004 22-23 is for the appointment of a service provider to supply, deliver, and offload stationery stock items for a period of three years on an as and when required basis. Remember, this report only applies to Core. It's not for the city as a whole, so that amount does seem very high. Compare this to the item listed here today, which is the appointment of a service provider to provide stock commodities in accordance with regulation, and it goes on and so on.claim

03:23:41But basically, it's for paper, paper and toilet paper, and it's being supplied by Mondi and Sappi. And the cost that we are spending here is R10 million. So if we're spending R10 million for paper to Mondi and Sappi, why are we spending R45 million? And again, we're not sure if it's R45 million every quarter, every year, or across the three-year contract. It's not clear. If it's every quarter, then that raises alarming, then that's an alarming amount of stationery.claim

03:24:12So again, the lack of detail only encourages one to imagine the worst. So as my colleague, Councillor Chris Santana, has often said in this house before, we are here to help. We're here to assist the executive, so allow us to do that. Section 55(1) of the Systems Act indicates that as head of the administration, the municipal manager of a municipality is subject to the policy directions of the municipal council and is responsible and accountable for the formation and development of an economical,claim

03:24:41effective, efficient, and accountable administration that is equipped for the implementation of the IDP, municipal performance system, and respond to the needs of local communities. So all of us, from the legislature, the executive, and the officials, are responsible and accountable. Another item that underscores my opening to the speech regarding the quality of the reports is in the table that says, appointment of Wits School of Governance, an organ of state, in terms of Section 110claim

03:25:13of the Municipal Finance Management Act to facilitate municipal financial management training. Well, that sounds like an awesome item, and I think we all need it. However, if we glance across the table, it says that the amount budgeted for this is 2.8 billion. That's with a B. I'm still trying to imagine that number. That's why I'm pausing. That's a lot of To me, that sounds like a whole lot of DJs for somebody.

03:25:48In conclusion, in reflecting on the recurring challenges within the city's supply chain management, it is impossible to ignore the parallels to Groundhog Day. The persistent appearance of certain items like the stationery supply contract raises serious concerns about questionable spending practices, such as the allocation of R180 million annually for stationery, we can only imagine, we don't know how that deal is structured, while simultaneously investing in heavily paperless system like Azure

Point on sensitivity about a deceased person's name

03:26:19Councillor Pietersen, can you take your seat, please?

03:26:26Speaker, I just want to ask Councillor there to be sensitive of mentioning the deceased who have been brutally killed, and I'm saying that in the in respect or in line with the fact that he doesn't know if there's someone around or amongst ourselves who is related to DJ Sumbody. Can we be sensitive to the effect? Let's not just call names of the people like that because it's not okay. Thank you.

03:26:56Thank you. I'm certain you heard, Councillor Pietersen.

03:27:02I was using the pronoun, not the noun.

03:27:08AfrikaansAg, Vader tog, nou man.

03:27:10Just be sensitive, please.

03:27:12Okay, I withdraw. I withdraw.

03:27:13Be sensitive to it. Thank you so much.

03:27:16But I wasn't referring to the person.

03:27:20Councillor Pietersen, we please, unconditionally. Please.

03:27:26But my spelling, my spelling here is S-O-M.

03:27:29Councillor Pietersen, can we just agree to what we've just said?

03:27:33I just want to be clear, to be clear.

03:27:34Some people wants to leave early, and you are going to prolong the time. Can we just agree that we do it unconditionally?

03:27:43Unconditionally, but to be clear, can I not use that word anymore?

03:27:44Thank you. Carry on. Carry on. Thank you. Carry on. Okay, okay, councillors, please. I'm handling it.

03:27:55I was not referring to anybody.

03:27:57Councillor, please carry on with your speech.

Item 47: conclusion of debate, EFF, ANC and MMC reply

03:28:01Okay. Regarding such an allocation of R180 million annually for stationery while simultaneously investing heavily in paperless systems like Azure and SAP, and now millions to Sappi and Mondi for printing and toilet paper. These inefficiencies underscore the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the tender process. It is imperative that the administration takes decisive action to revise the SCM policy, addressing these shortcomings to ensure ratepayer funds are used effectively.

03:28:38Strengthening oversight mechanisms is crucial to fostering fiscal responsibility and delivering better outcomes for the residents of Johannesburg. Unfortunately, given the lack of change since I raised my concerns in January, the Democratic Alliance calls on the voter to give the City of Johannesburg any hope. The DA notes this report with concern.

03:28:58AfrikaansOef, dankie.

03:28:59Councillor Zitha from the EFF.

03:29:04Thank you very much, Speaker. I rise on item 47. Again, Sepedi

03:29:12Sepedise re madume ga a fele.

03:29:15So greetings again to you, to EFF leadership, our caucus leader, caucus chief whip, and my fellow councillors from the EFF and the rest of the councillors. The EFF note the report. Thank you very much, Speaker.

03:29:35Thank you, Councillor Zitha. The ANC, Councillor Radebe or Radebe.

03:29:43Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, the executive, chair of chairs, and the chief whip. Madam Speaker, while we note the report as the African National Congress, we also just want to emphasize

03:30:00that while all these deviations have been budgeted for and we welcome that, but they must not, we must not allow these deviations to be used as blank checks for them to be used as a room for people to do irregular things. We also would like to maybe urge the audit committee to look into some of these deviations because some of them are quite alarming so that we avoid having a situation where our municipality is from time and again, you know, red flagged for these deviations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

03:30:42Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mabaso.

03:30:47isiZuluHhayi iphelile lento.

03:30:52Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, I presume all of us seated here we do not encourage deviations. National Treasury, AG, all those institutions of government, they all discourage deviations. But Speaker, there are exceptions where it is impossible for

03:31:20the administration to go to normal procurement processes and they are compelled to procure some of the services through deviations. That has been noted and acknowledged, Speaker, but we will continue to discourage it even at the Mayoral Committee level. When we engage with our officials, we always advise against the abuse of Regulation 36. So, the comments have been noted, Speaker,

03:31:49but we request that the report be noted as it is a compliance report. Thank you very much.

Items 48 and 49: MFMA in-year financial reports (February and March 2025)

03:31:56Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, MMC. Recommendations on page 47.3, is the item noted? Thank you. Councillors, we have item 48 and item 49 that are all, they are both section 71 reports. We are going to put them together and then we can

03:32:26comment on them or debate on them in that fashion. Are we fine with that? Thank you.

03:32:37Councillors, we are on item 48 and that is the City of Johannesburg MFMA in-year financial report for the period ended 28th of February 2025, also read with item 49 which is the City of Johannesburg MFMA in-year financial report for the period ended 31st March 2025.

03:32:57Thank you, Secretary to Council. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

03:33:07Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I really wouldn't want to debate reports.

03:33:19Councillor, your mic is off, please switch on your mic.

03:33:22It's on, Speaker. It's on.

03:33:26Where's the red? Okay, then speak into the mic.

03:33:33AfrikaansPraat in die mic in.

03:33:34Yeah. Thank you. I really wouldn't want to debate on quarter three reports, I mean, you know, monthly report February and March as it were and we're already in quarter one of the new financial year. I think this is the reason also why we have been asking time and time again that can reports be, you know, submitted on time. Now, it's almost 5 months later and you know, for us to come back and debate this, ActionSA notes this report.

03:34:02Thank you, Councillor. The next Councillor is Councillor Mkhonza from ACDP.

03:34:13Yes, Shalom, Shalom once again, Madam Speaker. So, I rise to speak on these two items 48 and 49.

03:34:21Can you speak into the mic, please, Councillor?

03:34:23Yes, can you hear me now? Yeah, that's fine. Sorry about that, apologies. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 48 and 49. Though they are old reports, but it's worth speaking to these reports so that we highlight what we see in these reports. So, Madam Speaker, allow me to first acknowledge the cash net movement of 1.8 billion for the February, which meant that the cash outflows were less than the inflows.claim

03:34:55However, we'll be keeping an eye on the cash flow from both the investing activities and the financing activities. We must also highlight the revised and reduced 236 the 236 million tranche, tranches due to underperformance of the Public Transport Network Grant, PTNG. Chair, it looks like there's some debate this side.claim

03:35:27Councillors, can we respect each other?claim

03:35:30Thank you very much. Yeah. So, Chair, we just wanted to highlight the revised and reduced 236 million tranche due to the underperformance of the Public Transport Network Grant with a 70% conditional grant performance, which is deceiving until you read the March report. The mSCOA report in this in-year report for the period ended 28 February 2025 saysclaim

03:35:59in page 48.8, the month 08 mSCOA data strings were submitted to the National Treasury on 14 March, yet this report has ended on the 28th of February. So, this is something that we need to check, Madam Speaker. We must be taken serious because some of us do read these reports. The copy and paste must fall, Madam Speaker. Going to the debtors book, we continue as the ACDPclaim

03:36:29to encourage councillors and city employees to play their part in paying for services. We further encourage, we are encouraged that there was a SALGA that brought together stakeholders in an attempt to commit in reducing the debtors book. We therefore urge the group finance and the revenue team to focus on the low-hanging fruit, which includes the organs of state, which equates to 2.2 billion in debts. Now, going to the March report, Madam Speaker,claim

03:37:0117 seconds left, Councillor.

03:37:04Is it not for, we didn't combine them, the times, Madam Speaker? Because it's three, three.

03:37:13Yeah, by the way, you are right. Can we add the time there? No, you are right. You are right. Others decided to speak in one move. We'll add your other minutes there. You're right.

03:37:25No problem, no problem, Madam Speaker. We all are human beings, we do make mistakes sometimes. Yeah, so Madam Speaker, on the PTNG conditional grant performance, on the February report, it was 70%. When you go to the March one, it drops to 35% from February. And the MMC in this portfolio was promoted to act as the Mayor. So, are we

03:37:58promoting underperformance or what in this Council? The overall performance of the grant is sitting at 51% and we are nine months away and how do we expect to cover the 41% in four months? Again, on the mSCOA report, it is reported in this report that the mSCOA data strings was submitted on 14 April on a March report.

03:38:30Speaker, please take us serious. We continue as the ACDP, Madam Speaker, to say that let us be active citizens as councillors. We cannot expect others to pay for services if we are not paying. We have to pay as councillors. We must take ownership of this governance because it is us who is responsible.

03:39:01Madam Speaker, I think I will leave it there because most of it is I just needed to highlight the reporting standard in the city to say that we cannot say that we have submitted a report in April on a March report. I thank you, Speaker.

03:39:22Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. Councillor Santana.

03:39:33Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have been largely covered by Councillor Mkhonza. For us, obviously, is again it's a disappointment of the fact that these reports arrive to Council late. One would have expected at least the April and May reports here in Council today so that we could consider because that's more relevant. It's a fact, guys. So, you know, if this is being going to National Treasury on the 14th of every month,claim

03:39:57Councillor Santana.

03:39:58Yes, ma'am.

03:39:59I am still here.

03:40:00I know.

03:40:01Thank you.

03:40:03So, Madam Speaker, yeah, it's just a pity that we're not actually looking at current stuff that we can make informed decisions as Council. We note the report with concerns. We do not believe that we're going to meet the targets that are specified and I'll go into detail in the quarterly reports. Thank you.

03:40:19Thank you, Councillor Santana. Councillor Zitha.

03:40:29Thank you again, Speaker. Greetings again to you, to EFF leaders. I'm going to be very quick now, Speaker. So, Speaker, we are told in this report that there's a revenue over-performance of 1.9 billion and a budget surplus of over 592 million. The city even shows a net positive cashclaim

03:40:59movement of 1.8 billion for February. Yet, when we interrogate how much the money is being spent, the truth is shocking. Only 35% of 7.4 billion capital budget has been spent by the end of February. Underspending especially severe department like economic development 0%, Metrobus 7% and group ICT 19%. What is the point of budgeting for the poor if the money never reaches them?claim

03:41:31The people of Johannesburg are living in fear. Crime, reckless driving, illegal dumping and hijacked buildings are daily realities. But the city only managed to spend 47% of its public safety capital budget by end of February. How do we expect JMPD officers to operate effectively with broken equipment, unroadworthy vehicle and under-resourced personnel? The Cityclaim

03:42:00Health Department spent only 46% of its capital budget for the year so far. Clinics are overcrowded, Speaker. Medical supplies are running out and communities like Diepsloot, Zandspruit and a part of inner city still rely on overstretched mobile clinics. So, how is this acceptable, or how is this acceptable when we boast of having billions in surplus?

03:42:31Also, but let's be honest, 50 million for the entire city social development need is an insult. This is what happens when financial policy is not guided by justice, but by abstinence and elite accounting. It is not strategic when public safety runs out of scrubs. It is not strategic when health workers are burnt out in crumbling clinics, and it's certainly not strategic when social development is reduced to a

03:43:00symbolic department with no real powers and funding. Speaker, the EFF will not celebrate a paper surplus while the residents of Hillbrow and Ivory Park bleed, while pensioners queue overnight for basic healthcare and while JMPD officers chase criminals in unmarked vehicles. A people's government does not hide behind spreadsheets. A revolutionary government that will fight for use, uses its money to heal, to protect and to uplift.

03:43:35So, thank you very much, Speaker.

03:43:37XitsongaNdzi khensa swinene.emotive

03:43:38Thank you, Councillor Zitha. Councillor Radebe from the ANC.

03:43:44Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on item 48 and 49. We note the reports, Madam Speaker. These are very, very old reports. I almost donated 20 minutes of my time to Councillor Boer, but unfortunately, he's not on the speakers list. But as the ANC, we note the reports. Thank you.

03:44:07Thank you, Councillor Radebe. MMC Mabaso. Just hold on, just hold on. Councillor Boer.

03:44:19SesothoBatho ba modimo.

03:44:21AfrikaansJis, jy's op die lys, né?

03:44:24Madam Speaker, I am on the speakers list on item 48, no, 49. So, thank you, Councillor Radebe, for allowing me 20 minutes plus my 6 minutes, so I've got 26 minutes. Can I continue, Madam Speaker?

03:44:40AfrikaansO, jammer, jammer!

03:44:45I'm sorry, Councillor Boer.

03:44:47AfrikaansJa, maar jy praat net op 49, né?

03:44:49Councillor Boer, it's fine.

03:44:52Thank you, Madam Speaker, and through you, Madam Speaker, as we got so many time, so much time today, through you to the MMC Mabaso, you passed your first items and now we are getting to the real finances, but you're doing well, you might even become MMC for Finance. But I'm going to speak on item 49. Item 48 is even older than 49. And there are a few things that we really want to point out on this item.

03:45:25There are positives. The city has contributed towards the sinking funds as we are supposed to do to enable us to settle our future debt. Our cash balances at the end of March was standing at R5.5 billion and that looks quite promising. We have had much worse figures in previous months, but we must not be blinded by this because the R5.5 billion is mainly due to the short-term bridging loan that we received

03:45:55which was due to be paid back by the end of June and was replaced by the long-term loan. But of this 5.5 billion, our CAPEX spending up until the end of March was only standing at 41%. Last year at the same time it was at least standing at 46%, but for nine months we're spending 41% on CAPEX, leaving 59% for the last three months, which is not, this is a pattern that is going on, every year it's getting worse and worse.

03:46:29What it means is that if we have to spend the 59% until the end of June, which we're supposed to do, that amounts to another R4.5 billion which we have to pay out for CAPEX expenditure, which will bring that R5.5 billion in the bank down to a mere R1 billion. And this is not the worst part. The worst part is on national grant spending. Last year we had to repay

03:46:58quite a big chunk to national government for not spending our national grants. The spending last year this time was standing at 11%. This year it has improved, it's standing at 12% now, but still we have to spend 88% of our national grant in three months' time. This is a pattern that we have to break and we have to reverse. Madam Speaker, the city's finances are still in dire straits. Our collection rates are not what they're supposed to be. Our residents that can pay

03:47:30are not always paying for their services, and maybe it's not a bad idea to get Roadshow Marketing again in for a campaign to address our residents and say, "But you cannot expect services unless you pay for them." We will get to an ESP item just now which we will fully support, but our residents that can pay for service and that just do not want to pay, those people have to be made aware that we cannot carry on in this way. The city's finances are really in

03:48:00dire straits and we see it in all department's KPIs. We're not paying our creditors in 30 days because we do not have the money. We're not spending what we're supposed to do because we do not have the money. We cannot fulfill our function, I'm referring back to Pikitup, because there is no money. The city's cash flow really needs to be jacked up. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

03:48:22Thank you, Councillor Boer. MMC Mabaso.

03:48:29Thank you very much, Speaker. I think we do need to acknowledge as the executive that the reports are old because section 71 is very clear and it empowers the accounting officer to provide this report monthly. We acknowledge the delay in terms of submitting these reports and we are going to make it a point that we improve on our reporting so that we are compliant with section 71

03:49:00of the MFMA. Thank you very much, Speaker. We ask the Council to note both of these reports.

03:49:07Thank you, MMC. The report is for noting. It's for information. Is the item noted, 48, as well as 49 is for information, is it noted? Thank you, colleagues. We are now on the next item.

Item 50: Rea Vaya 1C buses for Alexandra Bus Company – DA objections

03:49:35Councillors, we are now on item 50 and that is the request for approval to grant user rights of 68 buses to Alexandra Bus Company (Pty) Ltd for the operations of Rea Vaya Phase 1C (a) interim services for the period not exceeding three years through the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations and further dispose the bus after the interim service.

03:50:06Thank you, colleagues. The first Councillor is Councillor Mokoka from ActionSA. Is Councillor Mokoka in the house?

03:50:22Hi, Speaker. Can we get the next speaker to take over the platform because she had to step outside quickly? Thank you so much.

03:50:34DA, Councillor Kreusch. Is it Kreusch? Thank you. Ah, the pronunciation.

03:50:51Madam Speaker, all protocol observed. So, here we are again at a point where we have to make a decision on whether we want to support this item or not. And initially, we felt we should because we support the progress that needs to be made on the Rea Vaya 1C. But based on the current circumstances and the

03:51:21loss of the MMC, we are quite concerned about some of the aspects of what is in the report and what has been left out of the report. And I think that's kind of where we're landing at the moment. If we look at the report, it does mention that the purchase of these buses from Bombela are going to be for R18 million, which is in excess of the R10 million. So, we want to know why there's a discrepancy of R8 million.claim

03:51:52The other issue is obviously the fact that the ABC or bus operating company should be procuring their own buses, 141 of them, and that is also of concern for us because surely any winning bidder or operating company should be able to show due diligence or the capacity to buy their own buses. And so, here we've got a situation where the city's trying to bridge the situation by purchasing these 68 buses. And

03:52:24you know, it's not only the contentious price of R18 million that we're quite bothered about because, you know, we're not sure if there's anything untoward in the tender, and we're not going to support something and then it pops out in News24 that somebody got part of the middle slice. And so, that is a concern for us. And you're well aware that the Democratic Alliance's main mission is to attack and destroy and identify corruption and crime

03:52:53within all spheres of government. And certainly, I have my suspicions that this thing isn't very clean. When I look at the price of the refurbishment and retrofitting and branding, I mean, it's R32 million. I was trying to work out whether we should have just bought new buses in the first place. And so, that's very, very concerning. And you know, transport is a big issue for us because the ex-MMC, Mr. Kenny Kunene, hasn't officially been at any of the 12

03:53:23section 79 committee meetings since 2023. And that's the minutes of the meeting as approved by the councillors on those days. And certainly, he's been late for a few. But here you have an MMC who's pretty much been absent. I mean, the last time we had a committee report was actually April, before that. And the transport section 79 hasn't even seen the last quarter report.

03:53:52And so, again, we are here at Council looking at reports that never get through the section 79 committee. And so, as the DA, we refuse. We're not going to accept having reports just sort of fly past the section 79 without scrutiny and accountability, and this is one of these cases. And it's well aware that during the tenure of the MMC Kenny Kunene, that he was barely in Council. Barely. I would say at a very unacceptable level, to be honest.

03:54:26And so, here we stand to decide whether we want to approve this report. And I'm concerned because

03:54:33Councillor Kreusch, can you take a seat, please?

03:54:35With pleasure.

03:54:35There's a hand. Councillor Simonse.

03:54:42Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just would like to request, as we are debating, can we not give false information to the community, please? The chairperson of transport can contest that the MMC was in the section 79s. And as the Council can contest, the MMC was in Council as well. Please don't give the communities false information. Thank you.

03:55:13Councillor Kreusch, don't mislead.

03:55:15Thank you, Madam Speaker. I can stand by the minutes of the meeting of the section 79.

03:55:21Councillor, can you proceed?

03:55:22Pardon?

03:55:22Don't mislead and carry on with your speech. Don't mislead.

03:55:25Thank you. Sorry? Sorry, I'm lost. Can I continue or is there? You want me to Okay, thank you very much. I will stand by it because I have the minutes that are approved by the councillors in that meeting. So, and I will provide that to whoever wants to have a look at that. Now, the concern is that we have a problem in transport where we have a deficit on our roads, our bridges, and Metrobus is pretty much folding, and we've got Phase 1A with Piotrans, which is also collapsing.

03:56:01Councillor Kreusch, just hold on. The ACDP at the back, is there a point of order? No, someone just stretched. Switch off your mic, Councillor Kreusch.

03:56:16Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I just wanted to respond to the honorable PA councillor that said that the honorable Kenny Kunene

03:56:28Councillor, no, it's done.

03:56:30That was my only point of order. I just wanted to raise, I just wanted to respond to

03:56:33It's done, Councillor. The Councillor has already continued with his speech.

03:56:36No, that's fine. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

03:56:41Councillor Kreusch, can you continue?

03:56:43Thank you, Madam Speaker. So, going back to the conscious issue of buses, we do have a transport crisis in the city, absolutely. And I implore the lead party, the ANC, under the Executive Mayor, to choose a transport MMC that has the maturity and experience and understanding and responsibility to provide the services needed for the citizens of Johannesburg and not be truant, you know, and of reputation, to be quite frank,

03:57:15because we are struggling with a virus of potholes, incomplete bridges and reinstatements, and bombarded by high-visibility, low-impact exercises. And we've had enough. And so, no, we don't want to support this item, although we support the idea of getting 1C on the road, not this way. We need this to come back to section 79. We need more details of even of the funding model because the suggestion is that it'll be an interest-free repayment plan after three years. The City of Johannesburg is not a bank.

03:57:50In fact, the City of Joburg, in my opinion, is broke, and we should not be funding things that should not be funded, quite frankly. And so, that's where I stand on this. So, we will not support this item under that contention. Thank you, Speaker.

Item 50: EFF, ANC and ActionSA contributions

03:58:03Thank you, Councillor. Councillor A. Komane of the EFF.

03:58:36Greetings, greetings, Madam Speaker. I would like to address this issue before I can start my presentation. Speaker, this is a concerning matter. I mean, at my station here, I don't have a mouthpiece. So, I don't know if it was deliberately

03:59:06done to keep me silent permanently or maybe it's part of maintenance. I'm now relying on my colleague's mic here

03:59:21We'll check on it, Councillor.

03:59:23in order for me to engage you. I hope it was not eating on my minutes, Speaker. You can start the clock now. Warm greetings to you, Honorable Speaker, the Executive Mayor in absentia, members of executive officials all present in this chamber.

03:59:55I would like to extend my warm regards to

04:00:00the distinguished guests and stakeholders in the gallery as well as our employers, the residents observing this proceedings from various platforms.

04:00:15A special acknowledgement goes to our esteemed caucus leader and diligent MMC of Public Safety Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku in his absence here.

04:00:30Our dedicated caucus whip, Thabiso Mogapi, and our commendable MMC of Health, Ennie Makhafola. The people of South Africa are closely observing, appreciating, and acknowledging your significant contribution to the city alongside with 29 battalions of the Red Brigade who continue to serve with valor.

04:00:58As representatives of the people, we remain steadfast in our vigilance and accountability, always striving to uphold the values entrusted to us by our constituents. Honourable Speaker, I rise on item 50.

04:01:20The Economic Freedom Fighters, the EFF, applauds the ongoing initiative to promote economic empowerment for small business and persons who have been historically disadvantaged by systematic discrimination.

04:01:39One notable example is the long-overdue recognition and acknowledgement of the taxi industry which played an integral part throughout the struggles of our people since time immemorial. Furthermore, we commend the effort to facilitate the restructuring of the parastatal transport operator

04:02:09to discourage monopolistic practices. This is indeed a step in a right direction. Honourable Speaker, this report was deferred by the Mayoral Committee on April 10th, 2025 to allow the Department of Transport to make amendments aimed at to develop sound financial model

04:02:38in collaboration with Group Finance and the Budget Office. The goal was to ensure that the operating company could repay the city for the fleet over a defined term, potentially without interest. However, Madam Speaker, I would like to address this critical issue here: potentially. Let's remove that potentially

04:03:0435 seconds left.

04:03:05Let's remove that potentially, thank you. Let's remove that potentially, Madam Speaker, in reference to charging the interest. How can we claim to economically empower our people who are already struggling while simultaneously imposing interest burden on them? So, the model must be structured to safeguard public funds while genuinely promoting ownership by bus operating company. I hope

04:03:35the EFF is deeply concerned, Honourable Speaker, about the allocation

04:03:39Two seconds.

04:03:40of R32 million for vehicle refurbishment and branding which is

04:03:51Speaker! Speaker, can I finish, Speaker?

04:03:53Councillor Mhlari.

04:03:55No, no, the problem.

04:03:58Councillor Mhlari, ANC.

04:04:02Thank you, Speaker. All protocols observed. I rise to speak on item 50. The City of Johannesburg has been committed to implementing the new public transport system in partnership with affected public transport operators, including the minibus taxi industry. In accordance with the directive received from the council on the 23rd November 2006 when the implementation of Phase 1 of the Rea Vaya BRT project was approved,claim

04:04:33all the incumbent bus and taxi operators affected by the introduction of the project will become the future bus operators of the project. These operators will be organized into a juristic entity as a company, which will then be the vehicle through which all the operations are carried out, including contracting with the city. The city recognized that for each phase of the Rea Vaya BRT that a separate bus operating company would have to be formed,claim

04:05:03which will take up the rights and the obligations of the incumbent operators who were to become part of such a company. A policy document was developed and approved in council in 2012. Since then, the city has been guided by this document. In closing, as we commemorated the month of the Freedom Charter in June, Speaker, I would like to quote from the document that was adopted at the Congress of the People at Kliptown on the 26th of June 1955,claim

04:05:33and which still guide us even today. Point three of the Freedom Charter states that, "The people shall share in the country's wealth." We are implementing the above clause when considering, approving, and authorizing the Alexandra Bus Company the right to use, control, and manage the 68 buses in the interim, thus promoting economic empowerment of small businesses, excuse me, and persons previously disadvantaged and marginalized from participating in the mainstreamclaim

04:06:03of economic activities. Madam Speaker, the ANC caucus supports the item and its recommendations. We believe that it will provide help in bringing accessible, reliable, and affordable public transport for residents of Alexandra, eGomora, and neighboring areas as we continue to raise the #TheJoburgWeAllWant. Thank you.claim

04:06:28Thank you, Councillor Mhlari. Councillor Mokoka.

04:06:44Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to yourself, greetings to the house, and greetings to our visitors in the gallery. Speaker, this proposal is commendable in its intent as it seeks to address the persistent delays in service delivery within the Rea Vaya Phase 1C project. However, Madam Speaker, it would be irresponsible for this house to approve

04:07:14the report in its current form. While we understand that the executive has the ability to submit directly to council under the urgency provision of Rule 32, thus bypass the Section 79 committees, we must be cautious, Speaker. This practice is now appearing to be a misuse and a passage to not bring the house into confidence.

04:07:43And I must remind everyone, Speaker, of the oath that we took to be faithful to the Republic of South Africa when we serve in this house. There are significant risk to the city should this report be approved without oversight in its current form. That is without a pre-approved, legally binding repayment framework,claim

04:08:12the city's R69.5 million investment remains unsecured, potentially making cost recovery unlikely. The report delegates authority to establish a disposal committee to the city manager before defining critical financial terms related to asset recovery. This effectively remove council's direct oversight to the repayment

04:08:43and the asset transfer process. Approving the report as is is equating to signing a blank check with the asset at stake. We might get a R2. We've heard there with Councillor Cook that we are paying R2, and we might get R2 on a R69.5 million asset if we approve this report in this current form. Speaker, I request this report to be referred back

04:09:15to Section 79 committee. We've also witnessed committee meetings collapse due to non-attendance of officials from entities. And I trust the chairperson of the Transport Committee has invoked Rule 50 regarding this issue of non-attendance of officials. The committee remains ready and willing to engage on these matters, yet officials are unavailable. Despite us

04:09:45being available to engage, there's always an urgency that brings these items as though the committee is not available. We are available, we are just not being engaged, and the rules are used to bypass us. In light of these concerns, ActionSA is unable to support this report in its current form. The criminal activities looming around the MMC

04:10:15who previously led this portfolio rises serious red flags. It is our responsibility to protect the residents and the city's asset. And approving this item in this current status, it would be contrary to the duties that we have taken, and have taken an oath, and we have promised to serve our residents. So I urge

04:10:45that this item be not approved. We understand agreements on the other hand, that side, on my left. But let's put residents first, and let's not approve this item. We have tried to engage to try and get the executive

04:11:06Continue, Councillor. 40 seconds left.

04:11:12Oh, thank you. We have tried to engage, Speaker, around this item to request for it to be withdrawn. With no attention, with no time for the committee. So ActionSA will not approve this report. Thank you.

Item 50: MMC Mnisi's reply

04:11:38Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mnisi.

04:11:45Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and all councillors. Your inputs are truly appreciated towards this item which is at hand. Madam Speaker, this is an initiative that will bring real and tangible change to the lives of our people. The approval and roll-out of the Rea Vaya Phase 1C (A) interim busesclaim

04:12:16will serve our communities and restore their mobility. I want to speak, Madam Speaker, to what Councillor Kreusch submitted in council. Firstly, let's address the issue of the discrepancy. There was no discrepancy in the report, Madam Speaker.claim

04:12:45The buses were bought at R18 million. Now, the reason why you see the R10 million, it was an emphasis that we go out on public participation when an asset is over R10 million. Now, because the asset will be given to ABC for only two years, therefore, the legal advice said to us it's below the prescribed period, which is three years, therefore we do not haveclaim

04:13:16to go for a public participation, Madam Speaker. When you look into the report, Madam Speaker, you will see again there's a R32 million for refurbishment of buses. These buses, Madam Speaker, were bought in Mbombela, yes indeed, because we do not have our model here in South Africa for Rea Vaya. So we bought themclaim

04:13:45for R32 million, which we agree it's expensive because we had to refurbish them and reconfigure them to meet the Rea Vaya standard specification. That is why the amount is so expensive and it yields to R32 million. Madam Speaker, we are pleading with council to approve this report as it will restore the dignity of the residents of Alexandra andclaim

04:14:15bring their mobility. Thank you so much.claim

Item 50: voice vote disputed and division counted

04:14:21Councillors, the recommendations are on page 50.5. Is the item agreed to?

04:14:29No!

04:14:43No!

04:14:48Councillors, councillors, I'm going to ask for a second time. The recommendations are on page 50.5. Is the item agreed to?

04:15:05No!

04:15:19isiZuluYebo! Yebo! Yebo!

04:15:27No!

04:15:41This is the only time that I wish I was sitting at the bottom so that I could scream. Councillors, for the third time, I want to get the balance.

04:15:52Agreed! Agreed! Agreed!

04:16:08Okay. It sounds like

04:16:12isiZuluSiyavuma!

04:16:13how it sounded. We are going to vote. We are going to vote. Can we see the yeses?

04:16:25We are going to ring the bell. We are going to ring the bell. Colleagues, we are going to ring the bell because I know there was caucuses outside. So I'm going to ring the bell. There are people running from that side. There are people standing up straight there. So we're ringing the bell, we're coming in. We are going to... No, no, no, we can't. No!

04:16:57Councillor Christians, what do you want to say? Councillor Niemand.

04:17:09Madam Speaker, Rule 86 is quite clear. Nowhere in Rule 86 it speaks about ringing the bell. It's for you to make sure after the yes or no's, and if you want to go there, to make sure. It doesn't say ring the bell. When the roll call procedure come in in Rule 87, that's when you ring the bell. You don't need to ring the bell now.

04:17:32Councillor Niemand, Councillor Niemand, Councillor Niemand, Councillor Niemand, to be honest, I could not understand what you're saying. I'm ringing the bell so that people can come in so that we can vote. No, no, no, colleagues, no! There's many a times when we were told ring the bell. So we are ringing the bell, I've ruled. We've rung the bell, people are coming in. Please ring the bell for three seconds.

04:18:08I've never been biased. I'm not. Colleagues, colleagues, the bell has rung for the two seconds. Can we start counting? Can I see the no's? Can I see the no's? Not the nose, the no's.

04:18:40Can I see the no's? Uh-uh. You see how the councillors are walking in?

04:20:07Speaker, we are hungry.

04:20:22You can drop your hands. Can we have the yeses?

04:20:52The councillor at the back, is your hand up or is it down? Okay.

04:23:11Colleagues, you can drop your hands. Who abstains? There's three abstains.

04:23:39The councillor that's at the back that's screaming like that, why are you doing that? No, councillor, no.

04:23:49AfrikaansAsseblief tog, ai nee.

04:23:58Different day, different time. Different day.

04:24:54Welcome, Mr. Mayor.

04:25:07Good afternoon, Executive Mayor. Welcome. The no's are 95. The yeses are 112. And abstain is three. Thank you, the item has been carried.

04:25:31Councillor... Councillor...

Item 50: DA opposition recorded under Rule 84

04:25:35The dissent is coming.

04:25:37Christians. Colleagues, can I hear what Councillor Christians wants to say? Maybe it's something different.

04:25:47Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in terms of Rule 84, the DA would like its opposition to this item noted in the report. And furthermore, we will be referring the delay tactic used by your office to the Rules Committee for consideration. Thank you.

04:26:05Councillor Christians,

04:26:09Afrikaansdaar was nie 'n

04:26:09delay tactic

04:26:10Afrikaansnie.

Lunch break and quorum count

04:26:11Colleagues, colleagues, we are at item 50. We're gonna break for lunch, but we're going to have it for 45 minutes so that we come back, we can continue with the business of the day. We'll come back at... We'll come back at 3:15.

05:16:47Can we check where our caucuses are?

05:16:56Colleagues, can we check in our caucuses? We said we're coming back at 3:15. It's 3:19.

05:19:45Colleagues, can you settle down? I want to see if we have a quorum. We have to count the warm bodies that are here.

05:19:53If your neighbour is not here, please tell your neighbour to come in. Or if your neighbour has left, please tell us.

05:21:33Who's ActionSA whip? Who's the whip for ActionSA?

05:21:43Your Your councillors are roaming. Can you get them in? Five of them just passed here now.

05:21:50About Coverdale and others.

05:21:54No, I've spoken to the other whips. The DA whip's are whipping, the ANC whips are whipping. I didn't know who's whip for ActionSA.

05:22:18Oh, we're going to start counting.

05:22:22Can we be seated so that we can be counted?

05:22:34You see, Councillor Nkonyeni, you say I'm biased, but I've just asked ActionSA councillors, so now two has moved out again.

05:22:45isiZuluYabona?

05:22:47Mm. Mm.

05:26:03Are we Are we sitting on our seats so that we can be counted?

05:26:13Uh-uh. Please, Councillor.

05:26:16AfrikaansCouncillor Niemand! Uh-uh. Gedra jou volgens jou geslag en jou ouderdom.

05:27:31Colleagues, the longer you delay this, the longer you're going to stay here, and we are going to finish this agenda today. We are not leaving anything behind. We are going to finish the agenda. I will sit here until we are done.

05:27:49There was days that we went out here at 2:00 in the morning. If we have to, we'll do that. We are not leaving anything for the next council. So, can we sit down so we can be counted so we know we curate and we move through things?

05:28:13I think my baptism ended yesterday.

05:28:25Colleagues, legal is complaining. They count you and then you move and then you move, and then they count you and they recount you. You are not assisting them.

05:28:39Peter says, we are Peter says, we are counting triplets now because you are three times being counted. And you know Peter in counting, he doesn't want to count.

05:28:51AfrikaansAi, colleagues, asseblief tog, please.

05:28:55isiZuluNgiyacela.

05:28:56AfrikaansKanala, asseblief.

05:29:03isiZuluHhayi, bamba umthetho. Hhayi, hlala phansi. Bamba umthetho. Hawu.

Quorum confirmed; in-committee items begin

05:30:26Colleagues, okay, we are ready to go. We quorate. We are 157. We don't know about those that are stuck in the restroom. But we are 157. We're going to start. We we are going to start off now with the in-committee items.

05:30:54Can can can can we agree on that? We starting with the in-committee items. We all received the agenda so we know what is our in-committee items. I assume we all read the agenda so we know. Can we get people that are in the gallery? Cameras.

05:31:24isiZuluHhayibo!

05:31:25Can we get cameras and people in the gallery to get out of the gallery, please?

05:31:33AfrikaansAsseblief?

05:31:35We want to go to in-committee. Switch off your cameras and we'll call you. Don't call us.

05:32:01We going to do item 89 and the Executive Mayor will tell us what is there. Item 89. MMC Masuku. 89, 90 and 91, if I am right.

Items 73 and 74: City Manager's department quarterly reports

05:33:27entities are also a major cause for concern. The lack of consequence management alluded to earlier will continue to exacerbate the situation. By holding individuals accountable for their performance and instituting regular, effective performance reviews, we must drive improvements and ensure that our reports reflect accurate and reliable data.

05:33:51Several performance challenges are listed under CRUM, and these are major service delivery issues. City Power, Joburg Water, and JRA are highlighted as the primary delinquents in service delivery. It is crucial to outline specific steps to resolve these challenges. We propose developing a detailed action plan, clear timelines, and responsibilities to address each issue comprehensively.

05:34:19Regular progress updates must be provided to ensure transparency and accountability. Moreover, the lack of prioritization of internal control improvements and monitoring through Operation Clean Audit due to the lack of accountability by senior management is also a major concern. Are we being set up for yet another dismal AG report with serious repeat findings? We must strengthen our internal control mechanisms

05:34:47and enforce accountability and consequence management at all levels. By implementing robust monitoring systems and conducting regular audits and by ensuring accountability and effective consequence management where appropriate, we can prevent adverse findings and ensure the city's financial health. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the concerns raised in these reports are significant.

05:35:14Will it be too much to ask our politicians and officials in the city to take a leaf out of a neighboring municipality? I know that it is extremely painful to hear about DA successes in other cities, but indulge me for a moment. At the recent SALGA Gauteng Audit Awards, the DA-run Midvaal Municipality scooped five awards for excellence in accountability,

05:35:40financial reporting, clean audits, 30-day supplier payments, and 99.2% capital spend. Good governance, good governance, Madam Speaker, is in our blood. To my fellow councillors across the way, I wish you well with your preparations for 2026,

05:36:032027, which will undoubtedly be accompanied by great anxiety and trepidation. God bless you. Thank you.

05:36:14Councillor Hooper, are you ready? No.

05:36:22No, thanks, Speaker. I was just a bit bewildered because Councillor Wax was going to go before me. Good day, Speaker, or good evening. I rise to speak on items, I think it's 73 and 74, all protocol observed. Speaker, one could infer from these reports that some functions under the City Manager's office, like Group Forensics and Citizen Relations and Urban Management, also known as CRUM,

05:36:48are hindered by poor system management and a lack of consequence management for Group ICT and the Metro Trading Company. For example, GFIS, GFIS's systems were down twice recently, hampering the work of the city's investigators, and CRUM has been pressuring GICT and MTC to hurry up with the development of the single service delivery platform, which will assist regional urban inspectors,claim

05:37:14the municipal entities, and us as councillors. Since we currently don't have a City Manager, there are a permanent City Manager, there are also ongoing issues with accountability when it comes to governance in the city. The Mayor is signing documents and shareholder compacts late, quarterlies from departments are often late, and the reports from the deployed board members at the municipal entities

05:37:40has been described by Group Governance as substandard. One major concern I must mention is the introduction of the so-called Bomb Squad. We are told this ragtag group of unelected politicians and former municipal managers has only briefly met with the Executive Management Team, also known as the EMT. Thus far, the Bomb Squad introduced by the Mayor to intervene with major issues facing the city has contributed nothing.

05:38:08Speaker, the residents elect us to govern the city and to improve the recruitment, selection, and hiring of qualified municipal executives. The Bomb Squad dethrones and disempowers us, elected public representatives, and also usurps the delegated powers of senior officials. This is insulting to hard-working councillors and sidelines the expertise of directors and managers within the administration.

05:38:37This is why the DA Caucus Leader, Belinda Echeozonjoku, that was pronounced correctly, I must add, has written to the provincial government to request that COGTA investigate the legality and constitutionality of the appointment of the cadre-filled Bomb Squad. As a federalist party, we will resist efforts to overtake the city, and we will fight to prevent attempts at centralizing

05:39:04decision-making and the development of interventions. We note the quarterly reports with reservations. Thank you so much.

05:39:11Thank you, Councillor Hooper. Can I go back and ask the ANC if you have a representative in the place of Councillor Tabane? If not, we'll move. MMC Masuku.

05:39:26Speaker, Councillor Tabane is here.

05:39:32Councillor Tabane.

05:39:36Thank you, Speaker. As I rise on Item 74. Speaker, Section 41 of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 states that a municipality must report its performance as prescribed by its performance management system. And therefore, Oversight Committee on Governance

05:40:06continues to perform its obligation on performing continuous oversight over the departments reporting directly to the City Manager. Office of the COO, GRAS, Group Communications and Marketing, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management, Group Legal and Contracts, Group Governance, and GCPRC, Group Risk and Assurance Services,

05:40:35and Group Forensic and Investigation Services. Oversight on departments includes assessing performance of key performance indicators, KPIs, set out in the Service Delivery Budgetary Implementation Plans. Speaker, in this report, as the African National Congress, we note this report with its recommendations.

05:41:04I thank you, Speaker.

05:41:07Thank you, Councillor. MMC Masuku.

05:41:18Can you switch off your mic?

05:41:27Thank you, Speaker. The comments from the councillors are noted, and we ask Council to note the report.

05:41:35Thank you, MMC. Member in charge.

05:41:42Member in charge, Councillor Magwentshu.

05:41:50It's that time of the day, Speaker. People want to go home, but I would like to ask Council to note the report. I thank you.

05:42:02Yeah, when we ask that we move, we didn't want to move. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 73.23, 74.11 to 74.12. Are the items agreed to?

05:42:24Councillors, we're going to the next item. Councillor Mabaso, are you ready?

Item 72 flagged as skipped; moving to item 75

05:42:35Councillors, we are now on Item 75.

05:42:42Yes, Councillor.

05:42:44Speaker, I think we've skipped over Item 72.

05:42:52Councillor Avant-Smith, we are finishing the quarterlies, and then we'll come to this Item 72. We are hoping that the last two quarterlies will go quick, as you are all tired, and we would even cut on our time of speaking ourselves. Thank you.

Items 75, 76, 80, 81, 82: ICT and Finance performance and oversight reports

05:43:16Councillors, Item 75 is a performance assessment report for the Group Information Communication Technology Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period October to December 2024, read with Item 76, which is an oversight report of the Section 79 Finance Committee on the 2024/2025 second quarter performance assessment report of Group Information Communication Technology Department for the period October to December 2024.

05:43:42Also read with Item 80, which is a performance assessment report for the Group Finance Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025. Also read with Item 81, which is a performance assessment report for the Group Information Communication Technology Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025. And lastly, read with Item 82, and that's the oversight report of the Section 79 Finance Committee

05:44:08on the 2024/2025 third quarter performance assessment report of the Group Finance Department and Group Information Communication Technology Department for the period January to March 2025.

05:44:19Member in charge, Councillor Edward.

05:44:25Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the Finance Committee, I rise to table Item 75, 76, 80, 81, and 82. These are oversight reports on the second quarter performance report of the Information Communications Technology Department for the period of October to December 2024, and the third quarter performance reports and oversight reports of the Group Finance Department and Group Information Communication Technologyclaim

05:44:55Department for the period January to March 2025. Thank you.

05:45:01Thank you, Councillor Edward. Councillor Suddaby.

05:45:09Suddaby, Suddaba, I'm not sure, ma'am.

05:45:15Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is Suddaby, as it is written, Suddaby. Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. I rise to speak on Item 75 and 81, the performance assessment reports of the GICT Department quarters two and three and their oversight reports. From one quarter to the next, the presentation of the KPIs for this department changes. Measurements that should be achieved or not achieved or bi-annual and annualclaim

05:45:44become not planned or not applicable. Is this evidence of lack of competence or an attempt to purposefully confuse Council? And the actual KPIs change. The department in quarter three measures itself against an underwhelming, meaningless seven KPIs. In quarter two, there were eight KPIs, equally underwhelming, and no explanation as to why the change.claim

05:46:12The KPI number of data centers upgraded and renewed with ICT infrastructure has simply gone AWOL between quarter two and quarter three. It was not planned in quarter two, with the comment that there were no plans for ICT upgrade. What was it doing on the scorecard in the first place? But it is there, and it should be reported on as not achieved. Two KPIs changed from a not planned measurement in quarter two to annual trackingclaim

05:46:42in quarter three. How could a KPI be not planned? Surely an item only appears on a scorecard because it is planned. Only one KPI tracked quarterly, two KPIs we are informed in quarter three are now measured annually, and the remaining of what should still be five KPIs are measured bi-annually. These bi-annual KPIs and the annual KPIs have not been tracked quarterly per the Mayor's directive.claim

05:47:12The single one quarterly target of keeping the servers and data centers running is consistently achieved. But it doesn't help a user who cannot access them because the various endpoints are not covered by a KPI to keep those powered up. Only two of the five bi-annual targets were achieved. So even with all the manipulation of the KPIs, the department fudges themselves to claim an abysmal 60% achievement,claim

05:47:42but by my reckoning, three targets achieved out of six targets that should have been achieved equates to a dismal, disappointing 50%. But watch this space for the next exciting installment of the mystery of the ever-revolving KPIs of the GICT Department. Hopefully, the MEC-appointed Acting City Manager will not continue to permit this department to operate outside every principle of good governance and call this rogue department to order.claim

05:48:12The Democratic Alliance notes this report with serious reservations and deep concern regarding whether the IT Department is capable of providing Johannesburg with a competent, professional, innovative, and state-of-the-art 21st-century IT support that the residents of the city deserve. I thank you.

05:48:33Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Cherry, is it Cherry or Cherie, from the PA.

05:48:43Greetings, Madam Speaker. As the Patriotic Alliance, we note the reports. Thank you.

05:48:48Thank you. Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer.

05:48:54Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thanks to the generosity of the ANC, I still got 20 minutes left. I'm not going to use all of them. I'm rising on Item 80, the Group Finance Department performance report.claim

05:49:08Just hold on, just hold on. Did the ANC give their time to Councillor Boer? No, in seriousness, I want to find out. No.

05:49:25Councillor Boer, you only have two minutes, dankie. Dank u.

05:49:29Hey, Madam Speaker, you are so unfair to me. All right, I'm rising on Item 80. Concerning to note here is that overall KPIs achieved was only 50% in quarter three, down from the 53% in quarter two. A lot of those KPIs are linked to the dismal cash flow situation of the city, which influences on the KPIs as well. But what is more serious is that the service level standards are even lowerclaim

05:49:59than the previous quarter, and I didn't think that they can go lower at all. And our residents are complaining about service levels, sorting out billing queries, so many issues. Madam Speaker, I'm not going to keep you up long tonight, but one thing that is very concerning, and the Finance Department is really battling to communicate with our residents regarding billing issues. Apparently, and if you look at page 54 of the quarterly report,claim

05:50:29there is a new debt rehabilitation project being relaunched as the Debt Relief Program, which aims to support defaulting customers in settling their outstanding municipal accounts. This apparently is running, it comes to an end at the end of today, the 31st of July. Nobody knows about it. It was not communicated. Even our officials at Councillor Helpdesk are not even aware of a new Debt Relief Program. So,claim

05:50:59if we want to collect our monies, if we get our cash flow going again, we need to communicate with our residents so that they are informed of what is going on in the city. I advise councillors to read Item 82 as well, which is the oversight report, because the report 80 is so full of mistakes, which are all highlighted in the oversight report. The profit figure is not reliable because we have not made debt rehabilitation provision

05:51:29for debt impairment provision for the past seven months. We received a fuel levy of 1.3 billion, which is not reflected in the income statement. So the accuracy of the report, unfortunately, is not up to standard, but it all is reflected in Item 82. The Freedom Front notes this report with big concern. Thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

05:51:54Thank you, Councillor Boer. Councillor Cook from GOOD.

05:52:03Thank you, Speaker. In the interest of time, I'll withdraw.

05:52:08The ANC, Councillor V. Ngema. Is Councillor Ngema here?

05:52:28Okay. Good evening, Speaker, honorable councillors, the Caucus of the African National Congress. I arise to table on Item number 33, the Revised Group Individual Performance Management System Policy Framework. As the African National Congress, we are pleased

05:52:58that accountability...

05:53:00Councillor, where are you? We are on Item 75 to Item 82.

05:53:07My sincere apology. I'm not on that item. I'm on Item number 33.

05:53:20On the list, your name is there, but it's okay. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

05:53:28isiZuluUkhona.

05:53:32Thank you, Speaker. As ActionSA, we note the reports.

05:53:38Councillor Santana.

05:53:41Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on Item 80, the performance assessment report for the Group Finance Department for the year 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025. Firstly, Madam Speaker, I'd like to place on record again that the quarterly reports are late. In terms of the MFMA Section 52(d), the Mayor must, within 30 days after the quarter, submit to Council the quarterly reports specifically for Finance.claim

05:54:11These reports are now 90 days old again. I would have expected to have the June report here quarterly. Thank you very much. Be that as it may, we are deeply concerned where the city is tracking in terms of its finances. The fact that the department only achieved 50% of its KPIs is telling that the city is in crisis. The fact that I keep on raising we do have a billing issue crisis and I get ignored, I don't even get responded by the Mayor or the City Manager, is also concerning to me, and yet we can respond to theclaim

05:54:41press. That's awesome. Don't worry, I'll come back for them, don't you worry about that. The big issue I have, and I want you guys to listen clearly: according to the payables to cash, and I'm going to say this, please listen, we only have 29 cents for every rand that is payable to our creditors available to pay our creditors. 29 cents in the rand. If you look at the liquidity ratio, that drops it to 23 cents in the rand.claim

05:55:11So I'm going to come back again and say we have a crisis. We are not collecting the revenue that is due to the city. And I'm imploring, please, we've got, I don't know whether it's the Kokoza or the Lokisa, where we've mentioned that it comes to an end obviously today. We'll ask for the reports in the Group 79 committee on whether it was a success or not. I guess not, if we're sitting at 64.4 billion already at the end of March.claim

05:55:41I would take a calculated guess that we're going to end the year at around about 67 billion rand in our debtors book. So I do not think we're taking the collection in the city seriously. It's across all the boards. The whole past two days, all I've been hearing from all the committees is the paying of creditors after 30 days. This is why we're paying them after 30 days. We've only got 23 cents in the rand to pay our creditors. So, Madam Speaker, we note the reportclaim

05:56:11with grave concern. Thank you very much.claim

05:56:14Thank you, Santana. Councillor P. Sindani from the ANC.

05:56:23Thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings to you, Speaker. Greetings to all the MMCs that are here, the ANC Caucus. In the interest of time, the ANC notes the report. Thank you.

05:56:36Thank you, Councillor Sindani. MMC Mabaso.

05:56:46Thank you very much, Speaker. Councillor Santana is laughing at me. It's been a long day for Finance Department. Speaker, we note the comments that have been made, the frustration raised by councillors. Speaker, it is a fact that we are not doing well in terms of revenue collection, and that's why you would have seen members of the Mayoral Committee on the ground disconnecting,

05:57:16especially to the customers that are not paying as per the billing. And we are hoping that the programs that even those that are part of the war rooms have introduced as part of the mitigation processes to deal with issues of collection and billing in the City of Johannesburg will start to yield positive outcomes. But we ask Council to note the report as presented.

05:57:46Thank you very much.

05:57:47Thank you, MMC. Member in charge, Councillor Edward.

05:57:55Thank you, Speaker. I would like to thank the committee members for their contribution and commitment also to ensuring that the finances of the City of Johannesburg are turned around. But I would also like to note some improvements in the quarter that we are debating. There was an improvement in terms of revenue collection from 84 to 85%.claim

05:58:26There was also an improvement in terms of the city's cost coverage ratio, which was at 17 days in the third quarter. I would like to also thank the Honorable Speaker for your proactive leadership and consistent support as an MMC of Finance. There has been progress in a number of areas,claim

05:58:57and in some way, there has been some significant contribution to the financial stability of the city. I therefore, on behalf of the committee, recommend that Council approves the oversight reports and the quarterly performance reports as presented. Thank you very much.

05:59:20Thank you, Member in charge. Recommendations are on page 75.3 and 76.5, and also on pages 80.3, 81.2, and 82.9 to 82.20. Are the items agreed to? Thank you so much. We are now going to move to the last

Items 83 to 86: Community Development, City Parks and Zoo, and City Theatres performance reports

05:59:52quarterly report. Can you please read it in?

05:59:58We're now on Item 83, which is a performance assessment report for the Community Development Department for 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025, read together with Item 84, and that's the performance assessment report for Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025. Also read with Item 85, which is the performance report

06:00:29for the Johannesburg City Theatres for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period January to March 2025. And lastly, read with Item 86, which is an oversight report of the Section 79 Community Development Committee on the 2024/2025 third quarter performance assessment report of the Department of Community Development, Johannesburg City Theatres, and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for the period from January to March 2025.

06:00:55Thank you so much, Secretary to Council. Can we get the member in charge, Councillor J. Mokome?

06:01:06Thank you, Madam Speaker, and good evening, all protocol observed. Madam Speaker, I rise to present Items 83, 84, 85, and 86 for consideration by Council. Thank you.

06:01:25Thank you, Member in charge. ActionSA, Councillor Moloko. Not here? Oh.

06:01:34Thank you, Madam Speaker, and good evening. Speaker, I rise to note and accept the performance assessment report as was read before, that's Item 83, 84, 85, and 86. So as ActionSA, we note and accept the performance report. Thank you.

06:01:57Thank you, Councillor Moloko. The DA, Councillor L. Mazibuko.

06:02:07Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the first instance, you would note that there are actually two speakers there, that's Councillor Sifumba and myself. And as Councillor Sifumba has left, so it means her speaking time should then be translated to mine. But in that note, we want to note the report with reservations. Thank you very much.

06:02:29There's already two... Councillor Simonse, PA.

06:02:38Good evening, Madam Speaker. As the Patriotic Alliance, we note the report. Thank you.

06:02:43Thank you. Councillor Smit, Freedom Front Plus, is not here. ActionSA, Councillor Masoga.

06:02:57Thank you, Speaker. We note and accept these items.

06:03:02Councillor... oh, sorry. Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Cook from GOOD.

06:03:13Hello, Speaker. I saved some time on the Finance one, so I'm not going to save on this one. Speaker, the Community Development Department is one that I'm very passionate about, because this is where government meets the imagination

06:03:27[inaudible] of Johannesburg residents. This is where we make libraries into launch pads for young people to explore their passions. This is where recreation centers are used as safe sanctuaries for those who choose sports instead of getting involved in drug abuse and gangsterism. And theater and art centers are where public memories are made. This quarter alone, over 1.6 million citizens of Johannesburg, many of them youth, walked into one of our facilities,claim

06:03:57and walked out a little more inspired, a little more skilled, connected, and hopeful about Johannesburg. That isn't a small feat, and I want to take this opportunity, and this is why I chose to speak today, to salute every librarian, every coach, every activist, and every manager who makes this possible. I ask this council to please applaud those librarians, sports managers, and that now. Please. We have a lot of very good librarians,

06:04:27sports facility managers who need our applause, and they're doing a great job. But at the heart of this report, we also expose a body under strain. Only 19% of our capital budget has been spent. Cleaning standards are slipping in some of our facilities, not out of laziness, but out of austerity. Facilities are closing, not due to failure, not due to load-shedding, uh, uh, but due to load-shedding, theft, and systemic delays. We must move from applauding community

06:04:57development to defending it. It needs our help, politically and financially. Uh, GOOD thereby calls for urgent reforms to facility management, budget absorption, and the reversal of damaging recruitment moratoria. We need to build a city where access to dignity is not a seasonal performance, but a permanent feature. I thank you.

06:05:22Thank you, Councillor. ANC Councillor Mashinini. S. Mashinini.

06:05:30No, thank you, Speaker. The ANC notes the report. Thanks.

06:05:34Thank you, Councillor. MMC Nkokou.

06:05:46isiZuluIzwe lethu, i-Afrika!emotive

06:05:49Africa for Africans. We stand for the government of Africans by the Africans for the Africans.emotive

06:05:59Councillor, can you speak into the mic, please?

06:06:02Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, fellow councillors, Section 79 chairpersons, esteemed guests in the gallery, and most importantly, the residents of Johannesburg, I greet you all. We have just heard the robust and provoking inputs from various parties regarding the performance assessment report tabled before this House.

06:06:27While I acknowledge the appreciation of every contribution made here today, I must stress that we cannot shy away from the fact that from the facts and the statistics. If we are to be a truly progressive city, we must embrace change and be willing to adapt. Having listened carefully to various remarks and having studied the report myself, I fully accept that challenges do exist,

06:06:57and in some instances, they are significant. But let it be known, we are not ignoring them. I may not always be the loudest voice in the room, but rest assured, rest assured, my team and I stand fully committed to supporting every single entity under my my my my my portfolio.

06:07:23Madam Speaker, I'm I think today we are so tired. Let me just focus and move on. I've committed myself to hands-on on a leadership approach. Together, we have taken the boots on the ground concept very seriously, going into communities, engaging directly, and working tirelessly to restore both basic service and dignity to the people we serve. Today, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the community development directorates, sports and recreation,

06:07:54arts, heritage, and culture, libraries, thank you, thank you, thank you very much, Mr. Cook, I heard you clearly, libraries and information technology system, as well as the entities under my wing, including JCPZ and JCT. Your unwavering cooperation and commitment are what continue to move this department forward. Thank you for your tireless efforts

06:08:23and hands-on involvement. To the residents of Johannesburg, I want to reassure you that the plans we presented at the last IDP, your plans, the people's plan, are not gathering dust. We are already implementing those plans. We heard you, and we are acting. Yes, financial constraints do limit our ability to fulfill every request, but we are prioritizing

06:08:52based on the greatest needs and available resources. Where funding has been allocated and approval granted, we are moving forward with urgency and purpose. I now appeal to both councillors and residents: let us work together. This city does not belong to me; it belongs to all of us. This city, this is our city. Let's collaborate. Come and speak to me, share your ideas, your concerns,

06:09:22your solutions. Together, we can reclaim Johannesburg and restore it as a world-class African city we can all be proud of.

06:09:33isiZuluIzwe lethu!

06:09:37Thank you, um, MMC.

06:09:39If you want to talk to me, come to me straight, baba. I will give you my address and come and talk to me direct, not through the corners. We'll take it from there and see who will come last.

06:09:49Member in charge, Councillor Mokome.

06:09:53Uh, thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh, Madam Speaker, we have noted all the comments. Yes, indeed, Councillor Cook, it's uh appreciated. And uh MMC, thank you for your contribution. Madam Speaker, I'll therefore request that council notes and approves the reports. Thank you.

06:10:23Thank you, um, Member in charge. Colleagues, the recommendations on pages um, just hold on. On pages 83.36, 84.9, 85.24, and 86.11 to 86.12. Are the items agreed to?

Item 72: Trading Services A3 performance improvement action plans (resubmission)

06:10:58Uh, councillors, we proceed with item 72, and that's a resubmission for tabling of the Trading Services A3 performance improvement action plans during the budget approval process in line with the trading reform requirements for council approval.

06:11:21Thank you. Uh, Councillor Boer.

06:11:26Thank you, Madam Speaker. Very in short, uh, this item is in essence the same as item 92 that we had this morning regarding Pikitup. Um, it's a it's a nice um story. It, but it's uh it depends on the implementation. The implementation must be followed, but the plan is is recommendable. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:11:50Thank you, Councillor Boer. Councillor Nkonyeni.

06:12:00Uh, thank you, Speaker. Good evening once again uh to the colleagues, all protocols observed. Speaker,

06:12:06Please speak into the mic, Councillor.

06:12:09Speaker, can you hear me? Can you hear me?

06:12:12Yes, I can.

06:12:13Okay, thank you. Uh, Speaker, you know, this particular item, uh, when you were still the MMC, we actually uh requested that it comes to Section 79, and possibly a joint with EISD because it affects uh both uh, you know, both parties. Uh, and I believe this was, you know, before the recess. Um, my my suggestion was that it actually goes to Section 79 so that it can be scrutinized and so that we can actually have

06:12:45um, you know, a look and be able to ask these questions to the officials. So we haven't had uh that uh, you know, the opportunity to do that. Um, Speaker, some of the challenges, uh, and this is our premise as ActionSA, is that what will happen if we fail to meet the KPIs as set out in M1 to M8? Uh, and we are sitting now when we don't even have a uh, um, an MMC of Finance. So,

06:13:14you know, these are the questions, because effectively these are KPIs. What would then happen? Because we know that, you know, for the most part, you know, we fail to meet KPIs across departments. Um, and while we welcome uh SPOUMA, uh many questions also remain in terms of the handover from Group Finance uh to EISD, um the reporting structure as well, uh and job descriptions. So,

06:13:44will SPOUMA not increase the overhead costs? That is another question, considering that we spend a significant portion of our OPEX on employee-related costs. Um, so given these many uncertainties, uh, Madam Speaker, uh, we do have some reservations; however, uh, we will we will approve it. Thank you.

06:14:07Thank you, Councillor Nkonyeni. Um, Councillor Santana.

06:14:14Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 72, the resubmission. Um, as noted during when we were passing the budget, I alluded to this House that we were committing fraud by passing an item that did not have any annexures. I see that you have adhered to the fact that we actually need to pass them with annexures, so thank you for bringing it back with all the relevant um annexures thereto. I share the same sentiments as Councillor uh as the councillor. Um, and I did ask in this House if we could please have a workshop for councillors

06:14:45actually unpacking this. Now that we have Pikitup to the to the mix, I really do think it's something that is quite urgent that we understand what we've that we've got ourselves into, and the KPIs that are that need to meet um in order to facilitate the the funding or the incentive funding from National Treasury. So, we're not against it. I just think that we need to understand and unpack, and who is then responsible in terms of consequence management if these items are not fulfilled. Um,

06:15:15based on the fact that this is a literally a round a round pole in a square plug. Uh, the reason why I'm saying that is because this is for all municipalities across the country who are then trying to put money aside for infrastructure. Um, our entities were supposed to do that from the onset, so there's nothing new for us as the City of Johannesburg. The question is, are we going to be putting the money aside for the relevant infrastructure that this is purporting to unleash at the end of the day? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:15:46Thank you, Councillor Santana. Councillor P. Sindani.

06:15:54Thank you very much, Speaker. As the African National Congress, we are happy that at least this item has been resubmitted with the annexures that had been requested, and we will ask the House to support. Those who are concerned about the implementation plan, whether it will be followed to the letter, uh don't be alarmed; we will do the right thing. Thank you very much. We ask the House to approve. Thank you.

06:16:18Thank you, Councillor Sindani. Uh, MMC Mabaso.

06:16:23Uh, thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, I think it's I do wish to indicate that part of the requirements from National Treasury is that 56% of the allocated USDG must go towards trading reforms. And second to that, um, we are also required to approve turnaround strategies uh for all the trading uhclaim

06:16:54entities. And this process is part of the National Treasury requirements, and should we not comply, Speaker, we might uh not receive the allocation. And I think, Speaker, the the report um has detailed how the job descriptions will be reviewed um so that they align with the requirements of the National Treasury, but also that the head of um trading reforms

06:17:24will be appointed um so that we are able to deal with issues of performance. Uh, but also the part of the requirements there is that the appointed head of trading reforms uh must be someone that will bring uh certain skills and experience so that we are able to monitor closely uh the trading services um in the city. So we really request and urge council to approve this report so that we comply with the requirements of the National Treasury. Thank you very much.

Quorum concern and remaining items

06:17:56Thank you, MMC. Recommendations on page 72.4 to 72.6, is the item agreed to? Thank you. We're almost there. Councillor Smit.

06:18:17I just need us to check, are we still quorating? Because it's looking pretty empty here. And then the other thing is the screen, a whole lot of the lights, um, things have gone out. So, it's a problem.

06:18:41Why these small technicalities at the latter of the meeting?

06:19:11Okay, colleagues, we are going to check the quorum, and uh then we can proceed. But we were trying to see whether we can finish these items. GOOD.

06:19:26Uh, thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I'm just checking that we haven't missed um item 52, 53, 54, and 55. Thank you.

06:19:39Colleagues, we have item 52, 53, 54, 55, then item 77, 78, 79, 87, and 88 left. Those are the items that we have left, and as I asked earlier on, if we can just cut our own time, we should have been done by now. So can we count whether we quorate, and then we carry on? Yes, yes, Councillor.

06:20:11No, Speaker, just a friendly reminder. Remember we said we are going to deal with um item 33 when MMC is here. Item 33.

06:20:21Yeah, we still have 32 and 33. Can we check the quorum, then we go to 32 and 33, and then we finish the others, unless we have suggestions from the from councillors. Chair of Chairs.

Whips' caucus on clubbing remaining items

06:20:46No, thank you very much, uh, Honourable Speaker. I wanted to suggest, uh, my colleague here, Whip, has asked me that I must ask uh the Whips a five-minute break to caucus on the clubbing and lessening of time of debates in terms of the items left. So, yeah, if Whips can just move five minutes. Thank you.

06:21:10Thank you, Chief Whip. Five minutes.

06:21:51Can the Whips move faster so that the discussion can go quicker?

06:23:12Chair of Chairs, are you reporting back? Thank you.

06:23:23My dearest Honourable Speaker, I think in principle we are all agreeing that since there are no items for voting, we club them together or read them into record together so that we note them, and and then you can uh take it from there. Thank you.

06:23:42Andile. Where's Andile?

06:23:57You win one side, you lose on the other side.

06:24:52Colleagues, can we settle? We are going to read out the items that you've asked us to club together. Are we in agreement? Oh.

06:26:00Colleagues. DA.

06:26:24Councillor Abrahams. We had five minutes for the for the Whips, and you are taking another five minutes.

06:27:11Can we settle down, please? Uncalled. Chief Whip, or Chair of Chairs? Chair of Chairs, you can report.

06:27:46No, thank you very much. Uh, we are not far from what we wish to achieve, uh, Speaker. Like we had suggested that we read them into records, and then they are then up for noting. But DA has then said to us, or proposed to us, that item 78, 77, and 79, they would wish to make some comments that are not going to be too long.

06:28:16So, and I think we should afford them that opportunity to do that. Um, but the proposal still stands that we read them into record, then before you ask us if we approve or not, you allow them to make comments on the items that they want to make comments on. And, you know, all of us are cognizant of time and the fact that they are going to also uh look into that. But um after consultation with other Whips of other political parties, we are in agreement that uh we are not going to make comments on these uh items. Thank you.

06:28:53Chair of Chairs, can you tell us which items do you want us to read all together so that we don't

06:29:03Uh, I think all the remainders, uh, just to be, you know, economical with time, from 32. All the remaining items from 32.

06:29:16Okay. 32, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55. We read them all together, and then we have 77, 78, and 79, we then club them together, and then 87 and 88.

06:29:32No, no. What we were saying was that we read everything that is that is remaining.

06:29:37All of them?

06:29:38Yes. But afford an opportunity to the Democratic Alliance to make comments on those items that they have stated that they want to make comment.

06:29:49So from 32 to 88?

06:29:52No, they only want to comment on 77, 78, 79. However, we read them all into records, just to be economic with time, like myself.

06:30:02That's what we're saying. Okay. Andile, you got that? Thank you. Just hold on. Um, MMC Masuku.

Item 53 withdrawn and remaining items read into record

06:30:14Madam Speaker, on behalf of the executive, we'd like to withdraw item 53.

06:30:20Okay. Thank you. So 53 is withdrawn. Thank you, MMC.

06:30:33Have you got them that way?

06:30:34Yeah, I've got it.

06:30:35Okay.

06:30:36Uh, councillors, item 32, that's the Policy on Membership, uh Representation, and Participation in External Organizations. Also read with item 33, which is the Revised Group Individual Performance Management uh Policy Framework. Also read with uh item 52, which is the mSCOA Business Transformation Program Implementation Roadmap in compliance with the National Treasury Minimum Requirements.

06:31:09And item 54 is Feedback on the Public uh Consultation Process uh for the Proposed Renaming of Four Streets Around St. Mary's Cathedral. Um, also item 55, which is um a request from the Estate of Ernst Hanau to Johannesburg Zoo: Update on Progress Pursuant to the Board Meeting of the 19th

06:31:38of October 2023. Also moving to item 77, which is the Draft Alderman Policy. Item 78 is the Ruling of the Presiding Officer um on a Council Meeting Held on the 17th of January 2025. And item 79 is the Ruling of the Presiding Officer on a Council Meeting Held on the 13th of March

06:32:082025. And item 87 is the Capital Grants Performance Report to End January 2025. And lastly, item 88, which is Changes in Membership of Various Section 79 Committees.

Item 77: Draft Alderman Policy – DA support

06:32:31Okay, the DA will now select which ones they speak on, and they will tell us the items that they speak on, and we will go to those items. Right, DA.

06:32:48Uh, thank you, Speaker. Speaker, the first item is item 77, uh, and it's Councillor Hoon.

06:32:55Councillor who? Councillor Christians, Councillor who?

06:33:02Councillor Hoon, at the back here, Madam Speaker.

06:33:04Hoon? Okay.

06:33:09Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, councillors, colleagues, maybe it's good that this item was left to almost the very last in honor of Councillor Dammie, who's battled to get this item to council over a number of months. So it's here today, so thank you very much for that. So I'm going to

06:33:27Over the years, we've witnessed a steady decline on how this council is regarded, not only by the public we serve, but within these walls by ourselves. The erosion hasn't been dramatic, it's been subtle, cumulative, a tolerance of poor conduct, a casualness in how we treat procedure, and a general loss of seriousness about the council's symbolic and constitutional role.

06:33:53Too often we've allowed partisanship to take precedence over principle, and too often we fail to defend the values that should give this institution its dignity. But institutions matter, symbols matter. The ceremony of public office, the rituals, the language, and the titles all exist for a reason. They remind us that we are temporary custodians of something bigger than ourselves.

06:34:21The title of alderman is one such symbol. It is not to be reduced to a ceremonial afterthought or a token of time served. It should reflect a standard, a recognition that some individuals through consistent service and integrity have earned a place of honor in this institution. This policy helps to return meaning to that recognition. It defines the title not as a reward, but as affirmation of public values.

06:34:50It places ethical conduct, commitment, and contribution at the center of institutional honor. It also reminds us of the foundational standards in the Code of Conduct for Councillors. We are required, each of us, to act in good faith, with honesty and with integrity, to place the public interest above personal or political interest, to serve with a sense of responsibility to the office that we hold.

06:35:20These are not abstract ideals. They are minimum requirements for anyone who seeks to be taken seriously in public office. They are essential if this council hopes to recover its authority, not just in law, but also in the eyes of our residents. We cannot fix what is broken in society if we do not first restore the integrity of this council. That restoration begins with actions like this, small, considered acts of institutional repair,

06:35:50reaffirming the standards we expect of ourselves and those we honor. Speaker, this policy is not just about titles, it's about values, leadership, and the kind of council that we want to be. The Democratic Alliance supports. Thank you, Speaker.

06:36:11Okay.

06:36:17Councillor Christians.

06:36:19It's good.

06:36:25Here we go.

06:36:26Councillor Hoon, can you switch off.

Items 78 and 79: Speaker's rulings – DA amendments

06:36:28Speaker, the next item is item number 78.

06:36:33Who's the speaker?

06:36:35It's myself.

06:36:36Okay.

06:36:38It's the rulings of the Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, there was a small discussion that was held today, and when looking at the recommendations, we'd like to amend it to add an additional one. It is captured in the body of the report. So, in terms of the report, the recommendations to be read as follows: It is recommended, one, that Council notes the report of the Rules Committee.

06:37:07Two, that Council take note of the of Rule 39, which provides that a request to the presiding officer to adjourn the meeting of Council to allow for caucus shall only be put to the presiding officer by the party whip and or the leader of any of the political parties represented in Council or their nominee. And then the third one is that this Council note the Speaker was incorrect on the basis that every party caucus

06:37:39has a right to request for a caucus break during the Council proceeding as and when there are new developments. Thank you. I think I'm being seconded by Councillor Nkubungu.

06:38:03The next item. The DA, the next item you're speaking on.

06:38:12Thank you, Speaker. The next item is item 79. It is the same thing. The first two recommendations remain as is, and the third recommendation

06:38:37that this Council notes that when the Speaker put an item to a vote, she must first recognize the councillors who are opting to abstain prior to moving to those who are in support of the item, including those who are not in support of the item. The committee further resolves that any party caucus which opposes the item to be voted on may request for its decision of not supporting the item to be formally recorded in the minutes in line with Rule 84 of the standing rules

06:39:07and orders of this Council. I thank you.

06:39:17Councillor Christians, can we have that recommendations in writing? Can we have them? So that we are able to note with the recommendations amended. Are we in agreement on what Councillor Christians has just given us? Chair of Chairs, are we in agreement? Okay.

Noting and approval of items 32 to 88

06:39:55Okay, colleagues, I think according to what you have discussed as whips, we are now going to note all the reports from 32 to 88, am I right? So, can we note all of them? Thank you. Councillor Niemand.

06:40:18Yeah, it's noted with the amendments on 78 and 79.claim

06:40:24Yes, thank you. From item 32 to 33 we note, and we also note the

06:40:30Speaker. At the back.

06:40:32Ayi, colleagues. Colleagues.

06:40:40Yeah, but we don't have to scream the way we're screaming. Councillor at the back, Councillor Hoon.

06:40:45Thank you, Speaker. Item 77 needs approval by Council, not just to be noted.

06:40:50Pardon?

06:40:52Item 77 needs approval from Council, not just to be noted.

06:40:55Thank you, Councillor Hoon. So, from item 32 to 33, except item 77 that is needs approval, we note all these items, and the ones that Councillor Christians has given us amendments, we note them with the amendments, and we will put them in that way. Do we agree? Councillor Hooper.

06:41:28Sorry, Speaker. Items 32 and 33 also need to be approved because they're also policies like the alderman policy.

06:41:33Pardon?

06:41:3432 and 33 need to be approved as well. Thanks so much.

06:41:42Okay, colleagues, 32 and 33, we're approving them together with 37 with 77. I thank you. Approved and noted. Can you go to we are done.

Announcements and adjournment

06:42:06Councillors, we are now on announcements and closure.

06:42:10Councillors, please be reminded. Councillors, please be reminded that from the 4th to the 26th of August, committees will be convening the annual Section 79 Committee Strategy Planning Sessions in accordance with Rule 119(2) of the standing rules and orders of Council. Those sessions are meant for committees to review and develop annual

06:42:42action plans which would guide committees in terms of the oversight work for the financial year. I would want us to all attend. Let's not not attend, let's attend. And I wish the Section 79 committees all the best in carrying out this important oversight role. So, between the 4th and the 26th, you are going to be locked up in the oversight committees. I thank you.

06:43:14Meeting adjourned.

06:43:15Meeting is adjourned.