Transcript: 43rd Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting

Opening, notice of meeting and attendance register

00:00:29Good morning councillors, officials, can we remain standing for a moment of silence for meditation and prayer?

00:00:49Thank you so much. You may be seated.

00:01:13Good morning councillors. It is hereby notified that the 43rd Extraordinary Council Meeting of the City of Johannesburg Municipality will be held on Tuesday the 2nd of September 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Constance Connie Bapela Council Chamber in Braamfontein and the first item on the agenda is opening.

00:01:36Councillor Niemand and Councillor Rahn, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg in absentia, Councillor Sello Morero Dada, Councillor Dada Sello Morero, Chair of Chairs, Councillor Vhahangwele Marema, all political party leaders and whips, members of the Mayoral Committee, chairpersons of Section 79 committees, fellow councillors,

00:02:06Acting City Manager, Mr. Kiba Kekana, Secretary to Council, Mr. Andile Gobinca, officials of the City of Johannesburg, most importantly residents of the City of Johannesburg, members of the media present, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to the 43rd Extraordinary Council Meeting of the City of Johannesburg Municipality. Councillors, please note

00:02:36that I have received a request from the executive to elevate all their reports and I have acceded to the request. 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 quorum. It is now

00:03:04it is now 10:05. We will come back at 10:10 at 10:15. Councillor Christians.

Quorum verification dispute

00:03:15Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, at the last council, I stood up and I was told that I need to follow the rules. The rules of council is very clear. We do not verify once we have opened. If there is a hand raised to raise the issue of quorum, we supposed to count those in the house, not just those on the register, because those in the house is the ones that form the quorum, not those who have signed the register. So, please, Madam Speaker, let's do it properly going forward. I thank you.

00:03:48Can we have 10 minutes so that we count, verify, and ensure that we have reached a quorum? I thank you.

00:10:13I hope the whole day is not going to be spoiled again.

00:10:18[inaudible] I think it's a forlorn hope unfortunately.

00:10:27Wasting time the whole day.

00:13:49Can we settle down? Our 10 minutes is gone for verification and counting. We've done that. We have a 180

00:14:04We have a 180 councillors that have signed the register, but that we've also counted. Thank you. Can we settle down?

00:14:24We now proceeding with applications for leave of absence.

00:14:33Councillor Christians.

00:14:37Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, sorry to belay this point, but there's no way you can have counted 180 councillors in this house when people have been constantly leaving. 180 on the register plus 180 is is is incorrect. Can I please ask you to count correctly?

00:14:54Councillor Christians, we have counted your leader that was here and your leader is outside. We have counted your whip. Your whip is outside. We have counted Niemand. Niemand is outside. So, I'm telling you, we have counted a 180 councillors and it's consolidated with the register that has signed. So, do you want me to count Councillor Belinda again or not count her?

00:15:26Please colleagues. Yes, Chair of Chairs.

00:15:30Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker. I'm happy that the decision you're taking is not just the decision you're taking, it's in line and in consistent with what all the speakers have been doing. Now, Councillor Christians wants to introduce a new thing and a new thing that is contrary to what he even believes himself. So, we are happy with your decision, Speaker. Thank you.

00:15:54Thank you, Chair of Chairs. People have been counted. Councillor Christians, I've closed, I've ruled and here are your councillors walking in that I counted. They were counted.

00:16:08AfrikaansHulle was getel.

00:16:09Thank you so much, councillors.

Applications for leave of absence

00:16:15We are on leave of absence as read in on the record by the STC. Councillor Nkokou, 24 hours before council, he's on urgent private business. Councillor Mokwena from the ACDP, urgent private business. Councillor Gwamanda from Al Jama-ah, family responsibilities. Councillor Brand from the DA, private business. Councillor Ncube from the DA, ill health.

00:16:45Councillor Ramaru, study leave from the DA. Councillor E Liebenberg, family responsibilities. Councillor S Wissler, ActionSA, family responsibilities. Councillor Zwane, ActionSA, party business. Councillor Mokoka, party business. Councillor Mabunda, party business. Councillor Mkhonto, ActionSA, party business.

00:17:16Councillor Durand, ActionSA, to leave by 12:00. Councillor Van Wyk, ActionSA, to leave by 13:30. Councillor Ngwenya from the EFF, ill health. Councillor Mosehla from the EFF, ill health. GOOD, Councillor Cook, private business. These are the apologies that we have received within the time that we have asked that apologies come written 24 hours before council sitting.

00:17:51Councillor De Lange, are you objecting to the leave of absence? Okay, can we hear?

00:18:04Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Councillor Paul Smit had a medical procedure yesterday and it was up in the air if he's going to join us or not, and he is not here due to ill health. Thank you.

00:18:20Okay, that one we will take. The councillor from ActionSA, we have your list of apologies.

00:18:30Can we hear you?

00:18:34Morning, Speaker and colleagues. Thank you so much, Speaker. We're having extras here. Councillor Masoga, sick ill health. Councillor Nkomo requesting to leave early at 3:00.

00:18:49The requesting to leave, I don't think we can approve, but the sick one, we can approve, but we'll hear from the house. Councillor Avant-Smith.

00:19:01Good morning, Speaker. We have one additional, Councillor Sekhu due to urgent family business. Thank you.

00:19:12Thank you, colleagues. Can we Can we note the apologies? Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. I'm not looking to my right. Councillor Mofokeng.

00:19:26AfrikaansJa, maar julle.

00:19:28Thank you. Morning, Speaker. Speaker, I've got the following apologies. Councillor Sindani and Councillor Phumlile Shange will be leaving late I mean, early after the elections and a

00:19:41Can you speak into the mic, Councillor?

00:19:43Okay. Councillor Masha and Councillor Kwapeng are joining us in the next 20 minutes. Councillor Sindani and Councillor Phumlile will be leaving after the elections. Thank you.

00:19:53Okay.

00:19:56And the Mayor is out of the country.

00:19:58Okay. Councillor Simonse.

00:20:02Morning, Madam Speaker. Just a late arrival for Councillor Jocelyn Cherry and Councillor Kaldine. They'll be running 20 minutes late. Thank you.

00:20:10Thank you, Councillor. Councillors, when you were giving your apologies, people were quiet and now you are moaning when others are giving apologies. Can we not do that? Thank you so much. Can the apologies be noted? Thank you so much.

00:20:30Councillor Christians.

00:20:34Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, you said two things. The one, do we agree to the apologies given in writing and those you accepted? There was one that you said you'll ask the house about. Thank you.

00:20:49No, no, no, Councillor. I have said are apologies noted? I was just I was just giving that to them so that we know 24 hours, but it's fine. Apologies are all noted. Thank you. And it has been accepted by the house.

00:21:07AfrikaansBaie dankie.

00:21:08It has already been accepted. Can we continue? Christians woke up with Speaker on his mind.

Executive items tabled and request to reorder business

00:21:22Councillors, we proceed to recommendations to council.

00:21:29Can we have someone do the recommendations on behalf of the Executive Mayor?

00:21:42Greetings, Speaker. Greetings, councillors. Greetings, Chair of Chairs, and the guests at the gallery. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Executive Mayor to table items from the executive for council consideration. Thank you.

00:21:58Thank you, LOB. Chair of Chairs.

00:22:09Thank you very much.

00:22:11Just hold on, Chair of Chairs. Councillors on my right, please. Thank you, Chair of Chairs.

00:22:23Your left.

00:22:25Left. Your left.

00:22:28[inaudible] on your left.

00:22:30AfrikaansCouncillor Da Rocha, asseblief tog. Uh-uh. Nee, nee, nee.

00:22:35Please, Councillor Da Rocha. Councillor Da Rocha, please. Councillor Da Rocha, please.

00:22:44AfrikaansCouncillor Rahn, asseblief.

00:22:48Councillor Councillor Da Rocha, can we continue? Can you continue, Chair of Chairs?

00:22:59Councillor Councillor, can we continue?

00:23:08Councillor Rahn, Councillor Rahn, I'm not acknowledging you. I'm asking the Chair of Chairs to continue as I have acknowledged him. Councillor Belinda, you were not here when we counted.

00:23:48Can we Can we have the mic of the Chair of Chairs or give him a roving mic or try the next mic next to you? Can I see everybody's mics up, please?

00:24:03Da Rocha must leave the house.

00:24:05Can I see your mics up, please?

00:24:11Councillor, why are you taking pictures in council?

00:24:15isiZulu[inaudible] silalile. Da Rocha ulalile.

00:24:18Councillor.

00:24:29Can you continue? Continue.

00:24:36Councillor Da Rocha is kind of interruptive. I don't know if he knows that the department, Joburg Water has a force link where you can actually log a call, and there are also platforms and there are also platforms that you can actually use.

00:24:59May I proceed, Speaker?

00:25:01You are allowed to proceed. Proceed. That's why I gave you a roving mic.

00:25:14isiZuluHeyi wena Chiefs ilalile! Ubani kodwa lo outhi? Ilalile iChiefs.

00:25:21Now, Councillor Da Rocha, you have made your point.

00:25:25isiZuluIlalile iChiefs.

00:25:26As you sit down, you have made your point. Thank you very much for the drama. I rise, Speaker, to table legislature items, but with a request. I want to request, I'm not sure if I have heard the Chief Whip correctly,

00:25:46but I have a request that

00:25:48Correction, not the Chief Whip. We don't have a Chief Whip, the Leader of Executive Business.

00:25:53Sorry, sorry, it's still in my brain. Sorry. I was talking about the LOEB, sorry Speaker, that if I heard him correctly, I would, as I table the legislature items, I would want to make the following request:

00:26:14That immediately when you are when we are done dealing with the executive report or reports on item 3 and 3.1, I would want to request that we we, just after the executive reports, we deal with item 18 as the first one that I want to request elevation before 3.

00:26:45Item 18. And when we come to 3, I want to request, and I'm happy, Speaker, it's very quiet. It's very quiet. I can make this submission properly, that on 3, we start with 3.1, then come to 3.

00:27:13Did I hear you correctly? As soon as we are done with the 17 items of the executive, then we do item 18, and then after item 18, we do 3.1, which is the election of the Chairperson of Rules, and then we do item 3. So, item 3 becomes item 3.1, and item 3.1 becomes item 3. Thank you, Chair of Chairs. I saw the hand of the LEOB up.

00:27:56Thanks, Speaker. I just wanted to confirm if you did receive our request for elevation of items.

00:28:11In the opening, I indicated that you have asked for all you requested for all the executive reports to be elevated, which means we are starting with the executive reports instead of the elections. So, we're going through all your reports. Thank you so much. Colleagues, can we start the business of council?

00:28:43IT, can you please assist with the mics? Can I please see that everybody's mics are up, please?

00:28:50Here's a mic with a problem.

00:28:52There's mics that are giving problems.

Item 1: Health MOA with Gauteng – ACDP

00:28:57Okay, councillors, we starting off with the first item under recommendations to council, which is a request for the approval for the City of Johannesburg Municipality Health Department to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Gauteng Health Department for delivery and funding of primary health care services for the three years as per amount gazetted by the Gauteng province.

00:29:19Thank you, Secretary to Council. We start with the first speaker on the list, which is the ACDP, Councillor Mkhonza. Mkhonza.

00:29:45Councillor Mkhonza. IT, there's a problem with the mics. Can I have roving mics? Can we move it slightly faster?

00:30:05Oh, Madam Speaker, I think it's fine now, it looks okay.

00:30:10Please let's not forget the DA Councilor.

00:30:14Please speak into the mic.

00:30:16Madam Speaker, shalom, shalom. I was just saying let us not forget the DA Councilor who has graduated to heaven later. Thank you very much.

00:30:26Madam Speaker, allow me to first acknowledge our Almighty God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

00:30:39To all Councilors, ACDP constituents, the residents of our beloved city of Johannesburg, I greet you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I greet you all.

00:30:54But first, Speaker, allow me to first quote from my guiding manual, the Holy Bible, from the book of Ecclesiastes 4, verses 9 to 10. It reads as follows: Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no other one to help him.

00:31:18Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on this item. The ACDP welcomes the provision of the memorandum of agreement, which we'll closely monitor. The scripture speaks about two being better than one, and we see this as a cooperative governance.

00:31:35We further see the spirit behind Section 34, Subsection 1, read with the entire Chapter 35 of the MFMA, in this MOA, which asserts that the national and the province must, which is a keyword, must by agreement assist municipalities in building capacity for efficient, effective, and transparent financial management.

00:31:57Additionally, Speaker, Section 156, Subsection 4 of the Constitution makes provision for the health competency to be delegated to the municipality where capacity exists. This is cooperative governance.

00:32:11This MOA perfectly aligns with the ACDP policy document, which says, quote: The focus of the ACDP is to enhance the health of our nation through primary healthcare and education. The key statement here is: Prevention is better than cure. Health is fundamentally and integrally linked to the economic well-being of a nation, unquote.

00:32:35It is therefore our hope as the ACDP that such an initiative will not be used for campaigning leading to the LGE 2026-2027. All of us, Madam Speaker, must understand that we are the government. Our core mandate is to serve the people and not our stomachs or the public image promotion.

00:32:56We trust that this will be a genuine cooperative governance. We must, however, highlight some of the alarming provisions, and we will monitor the following: One, the conditions under which the agreement can be terminated. Number two, the budget; we have observed that 91% of the budget is taken up by salaries.

00:33:16Number three, the establishment of the Health Technical Committee. The ACDP caucus

00:33:20You have 2 seconds.

00:33:22The ACDP caucus proposes that the technical committee members be submitted to Section 79 [00:03:26] [no speech]

00:33:32heShalom, shalom, [inaudible].

00:33:34Thank you, Councilor Mkhonza. DA Councilor Horwitz.

Moment of silence for Cllr Martin Williams

00:33:42Just before you go, Councilor Horwitz, Councilor Rahn.

00:33:58Oh, mics [inaudible]

00:34:03Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I'm sorry to interrupt my colleague, um, for justice protocol. I know that we are waiting for the family of Councilor Martin Williams to get back to us regarding the official memorial and city of, um, management of him,

00:34:19but would there not be a moment of silence for his passing, since he just passed and was one of our councilors this weekend? Thank you.

00:34:29We were talking at the table, and we were going to do it after we've done this item. Um, so, but we can do that now.

00:34:45Can we stand and have a moment of silence for Councilor Martin Williams? [00:04:51] [no speech]

00:35:01Colleagues, we asked for a moment of silence, but we seem not to understand silence. Councilors, please. [00:05:10] [no speech]

00:35:22You may be seated. Thank you. [00:05:24] [no speech]

00:35:30I forgot about [inaudible] [00:05:33] [no speech]

Item 1: DA, EFF and ActionSA positions on the Health MOA

00:35:44Councilor Horwitz? Is Councilor Horwitz not in the house? Thank you. Are you struggling with a mic?

00:35:54You can go.

00:35:55Thank you, Speaker. Firstly, I'd like to extend my condolences to Councilor Williams' family, friends, and colleagues. I stand on item one. I greet everyone here and those watching online. We are here today to debate the future

00:36:10Please speak to the mic.

00:36:11We are here today to debate the future of healthcare governance in the City of Joburg. At the heart of the item before Council is a proposed memorandum of agreement with the Gauteng Department of Health, which we are asked to approve. Whilst we are cognizant that the City of Joburg's Health Department is in dire need of funding, and serious funding at that, this proposed MOA does not achieve that. Rather, it seeks to birth the District Health Council model provided for in amendments to the National Health and National Health Insurance Acts.

00:36:40This idea of a District Health Council is, on the face of it, attractive. But is it really? What most every resident wishes for is a body of qualified, experienced, and skilled public servants that have both theoretical understanding and practical experience, and which, through combining their efforts, could help health services reach and maintain a high standard, provide coordinated service delivery, synchronize budgeting for critical health services, and together more effectively plan and manage projects and programs.

00:37:08But the District Health Council model is riddled with defects, inconsistencies, and contradictions. That is why the Democratic Alliance rejects it in favor of a system that is accountable, efficient, and centered on patient outcomes. As such, the DA's policy framework for health rests on three pillars: accountability and transparency; human resource management is critical to ensure a competent, satisfied, and sufficient workforce;

00:37:35decentralization is key, but only where municipalities are equipped to deliver health services; and a patient-centric model, which means that funding must follow the patient and not be swallowed by criminal activity by favored cadres in a bureaucracy such as that which we have been suffering under for more than three decades.

00:37:57The document before us today acknowledges that health is a national and provincial competency, and that municipalities may be delegated functions where the capacity exists. But nowhere in the document is there mention of the constitutional test of capacity being applied, never mind results thereof.

00:38:16Perhaps because in numerous department records there is proof we do not have the staff, the systems, the infrastructure, or the funds to take on the additional onerous burden of this proposal. This alone undermines the credibility and implementability of the entire proposition from the get-go.

00:38:36Financially, the provincial contribution mentioned is a mere 400 million against a total operating budget of 1.59 billion. That is only about one-fourth of what Joburg actually spends on health in a year. Yet, for that measly contribution, the model suggests that Gauteng retains ultimate control of service standards, staffing, and funding formulas. How can we possibly justify carrying 75% of the cost burden? This is fiscal injustice and is, in the circumstances, untenable.

00:39:09Whilst the proposal does mention a funding formula, there is no formula actually presented. So how can Council approve an agreement where there is such financial vagueness? Then, aren't we lucky that Province will allocate staff to municipal clinics within its available resources? But there is no guarantee that vacancies will be filled, and inevitably the City will ultimately be responsible for understaffing.

00:39:35Perhaps my favorite: National Health Insurance readiness

00:39:382 seconds.

00:39:39as a pretext. But the repeated references to ensuring NHI readiness exposes the real motivation. It's not about improving healthcare, but rather using the City as a staging ground for the ANC's National Health Insurance experiment. Ladies and gentlemen, this is why the DA rejects this proposal. Thank you.

00:39:57Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Ndou from the EFF.

00:40:08Greetings, Speaker. Greetings to the 29 battalions of the EFF, led by the capable and hardworking commissar and the people's MMC, our caucus leader in the City of Johannesburg, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, and our Chief Whip, Councilor Thabiso Mogapi. Greetings to the staff in general, the residents of Johannesburg, as well as the media. Speaker, the EFF would be remiss if we do not scrutinize issues

00:40:37Councilor, can you just hold on? Councilor Rahn.

00:40:43Thank you, Madam Speaker, but the sound today seems to be terrible. I'm not actually sure what's going on, but we're really battling to hear everybody today. It's either muffled, or fuzzy, or just inaudible.

00:40:55Yeah, we've asked IT to fix, Councilor.

00:40:57Thank you.

00:40:59Councilor Ndou, can you carry on?

00:41:02As the EFF, if we do not scrutinize issues within the CoJ without referring to its manifesto or policy ideas, as the EFF battalions, we are always guided by the superior logic that our policies and manifesto direct us.

00:41:20EFF manifesto is built on pillars of nationalization, state-led development, and radical economic transformation.

00:41:30Here's the CoJ's MOA complies and conflicts with these principles. We will list the alignment first and also conflicts later. Here it goes. Alignment one is expansion of state-led primary healthcare. The EFF strongly advocates for a robust, state-funded public healthcare system. Our manifesto calls for free and quality healthcare for all and emphasizes the importance of primary healthcare as the foundation.

00:42:04This agreement directly strengthens the state's role, both provincial and municipal, in delivering healthcare services.

00:42:17Speaker, we now move to the points of non-compliance or conflict of the EFF manifesto: funding and empty promises. The EFF is highly critical in government underfunding and empty promises. The EFF argues provincial contribution is only 40% of the required operating budget. In future, the EFF demands full funding from the national fiscus.

00:42:47Speaker, the EFF welcomes the MOA between CoJ Health Department and Gauteng Health Department, which results in the 566 million subsidy contribution from its financial year to 2028. I thank you.

00:43:05Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Durand from ActionSA. Please try to speak into the mics; they are trying to fix it.

00:43:21Good day, Madam Speaker, fellow Councilors, residents, all protocol observed. Madam Speaker, I'd like to start by extending, on behalf of ActionSA, condolences and strength to the family and colleagues of Councilor Williams. May he rest in eternal peace.

00:43:40ActionSA rises in support of item one, the memorandum of agreement on the delivery of primary healthcare in the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, ActionSA supports this agreement because it is ultimately about restoring dignity to our residents. For far too long, communities in Johannesburg have been subjected to clinics without staff, empty shelves where there should be medicine, and endless waiting times that rob the poor of both their health and their livelihoods. This agreement is a step toward fixing that.

00:44:15Our support is grounded in principle: healthcare must never be a privilege reserved for the few, but a fundamental right for all South Africans. It is about fairness, about justice, and about ensuring that every family, whether in Sandton or Orange Farm, can access the care they need.

00:44:37As Dr. Kgosi Letlape, ActionSA Member of Parliament and one of South Africa's foremost health advocates, often reminds us: healthcare is not a favor from the state, it is a constitutional right, and when the government fails to deliver it, it fails its people.

00:44:57ActionSA therefore welcomes this agreement because it strengthens accountability, brings clarity to responsibilities, and ensures that the City can no longer hide behind bureaucratic confusion when the residents are denied proper care. For us, this is about putting people first, not paperwork.

00:45:20And Speaker, let us remind residents: this is only the beginning. Beyond 2026, under an ActionSA government, we will go further. We will deliver clinics that work, hospitals that serve, and a healthcare system where no South African is left behind. But we do not need to wait until 2026.

00:45:44Ward 130 is a chance to start now. By electing an ActionSA councilor, residents can demand that health facilities put South Africans first. Our people must come first in line for care, dignity, and services. This is how we begin to fix local government today, while building the healthcare systems our country deserves tomorrow. I thank you.

00:46:10Never, never.

Item 1: Child well-being, ANC support and MMC reply

00:46:12Thank you, Councilor. Just for all councilors' information, we've just been told that the Acting Executive Mayor is Councilor Mabaso. So, yeah. Okay, DA Councilor Fourie-Shawe. [00:16:36] [no speech]

00:46:47Thanks, Madam Speaker. Speaker of Council, fellow Councilors, residents of Johannesburg. We are asked today to consider a memorandum of agreement between the City and the Gauteng Health Department for the funding and delivery of primary healthcare. On the surface, it appears noble: cooperative governance, service integration, re-engineered health systems, and, I quote, a focus on child well-being. But I'd like us to pause for a moment

00:47:11Can you please speak into the mic, Councilor?

00:47:12I'd like us to pause for a moment and consider what child well-being actually means. Madam Speaker, the past three months have revealed a disturbing social ill that plagues our communities and harms our most vulnerable. Johannesburg's schoolchildren, toddlers, babies are being raped, abused, and brutalized. Their last moments were filled with pain and fear caused by those that are entrusted most with their safety, their well-being.

00:47:44This is a crisis, the biggest of them all. This is not another issue we can simply gloss over, note, and acknowledge. This is an issue that demands immediate and continuous action. The past three months alone should haunt us: 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek from Roodepoort, murdered; a 4-year-old boy was filmed smoking Mandrax in Newclare; Baby Nakita from Eldorado Park, abused, neglected, she did not survive;

00:48:09an 8-week-old baby girl, raped and murdered because her father wanted to give her something to cry about. Doctors and nurses in our facilities see these cases every single week: infants with fractured skulls, burns, broken bones, and injuries no child could inflict on themselves. The worst are the internal injuries of sexual assault: torn tissue, ruptured organs, tiny coffins.

00:48:35This is happening in numbers that should shake this Council and this nation to its core. Some survive with lifelong disabilities; others do not survive at all.

00:48:46Some may argue that statutory child protection falls outside the City's scope, but this very report places maternal and child health at the center of Joburg's delegated primary healthcare function. Council is being asked to accept responsibility, and with that comes accountability for the safety of children who walk into our clinics. Are our clinics equipped to truly deal with this?

00:49:08Too often these agreements are brittle in practice. When clinics run short of staff, when outreach teams are absent, when trauma counseling is unavailable, and when referrals vanish into bureaucracy, it is children, especially victims of abuse, who fall through the cracks. Yet this report makes no binding commitments to protect children. Where are the trauma nurses, the social workers, the rapid referral system? Without these, the words child well-being ring hollow.

00:49:36Madam Speaker, our duty as councilors is clear. Too often abuse goes unreported because people fear getting involved and believe the police will do nothing. If a child seems in distress, is being withheld by adults, if they have unexplained injuries, report it. Each one of us in this house has the responsibility to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. If you see something, say something. Childline: 116, toll-free, 24 hours. The GBV Command Center: 0800 428 428.

00:50:12Childline: 116. GBV Command Center: 0800 428 428. Madam Speaker, I tried these numbers myself; they work. Social workers are on the other side waiting for the call. But reporting alone is not enough. We must

00:50:273 seconds left.

00:50:29We must change the environments in which violence grows. We must challenge poisonous myths, create space where men can speak before anger turns to harm, and empower communities to act before it's too late. The DA is clear: prevention, well-resourced social services, and accountability, because underfunded departments cost lives.

00:50:462 seconds.

00:50:48Let us not approve glossy words alone. Let us be louder than the abuser's secrecy. Let us be a city where children's laughter is never silenced by violence. Speaker, I thank you.

00:50:59Thank you, Councilor. ANC Councilor A. Mphaho.

00:51:08Mphaho, Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. Honorable Speaker, honorable guests, and fellow citizens, I rise to express the ANC's unequivocal support for approval of the memorandum of agreement between the City of Johannesburg Health Department and the Gauteng Health Department.

00:51:40Speaker, this partnership will provide critical funding and resources to our healthcare system and will provide much... Sorry, Speaker.

00:52:02much relief to the already strained system. Speaker, the approval of this agreement will enable significant improvement in primary healthcare, ensuring that all residents have access to quality healthcare.

00:52:26Speaker, the ANC believes that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and residents' health and well-being must be prioritized.

00:52:43In approving this agreement, we will demonstrate our commitment to a healthier and resilient Johannesburg. Speaker, the ANC notes the report. Thank you, Speaker.

00:53:03Thank you so much. MMC Makhafola.

00:53:19Thank you so much, Speaker, and greetings to yourself. Speaker, the request for the renewal of the memorandum between the provincial government and local government is not just a formality; it is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to put the health of our people first. The primary healthcare remains the foundation of a healthy society.

00:53:40It is at the clinics, at the community health centers, and the mobile health units where our people first interact with the health system. It is here in the City of Johannesburg, as the Department of Health, that we provide preventative measures and to promote healthy lifestyles, including diagnosis of illnesses early, and to ensure that no community is left behind. Without strong and well-funded primary healthcare, our entire health system cannot stand.

00:54:10This MOU renewal reinforces our partnership in running and managing these essential services at a local level, while drawing on the strategic support and oversight of provincial government. It is an agreement rooted in collaboration, accountability, and, above all, service to our communities.

00:54:30However, we must also be honest about the challenges we face. The sustainability and effectiveness of primary healthcare depend heavily on adequate funding. Without the necessary resources, our clinics cannot remain staffed. Without the necessary resources, our clinic medicines cannot be supplied consistently, our equipment cannot be maintained, and our infrastructure cannot be upgraded to meet our growing demands in the City of Johannesburg.

00:55:01Funding is not merely a financial commitment; it is an investment into dignity, it is an investment into health, it is an investment into the future of our people. As we request the renewal of this MOA, we therefore call for continued prioritization of sufficient and equitable funding towards the Health Department. It is this support that will enable us to recruit more healthcare professionals, to improve our working conditions, and also expand services to underserved areas.

00:55:36It is this support that ensures that a mother in a rural village has the same access to care as a resident in our urban centers. The renewal of this agreement should inspire confidence that government at all levels can work together to advance the health and well-being of our citizens. Let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to a health system that is people-centered, that is responsive, and that is resilient.

00:56:07Speaker, together through this shared responsibility and sufficient resources, we will ensure that our primary healthcare system continues to be the backbone of our healthier, more productive, and more inclusive society.

00:56:25It is really disappointing, Speaker, that you get councilors from the DA rejecting this MOA. The DA has chosen political point-scoring over the health and dignity of our residents. They have turned their backs on the very same people who elected us to serve the mothers in need of antenatal care, the children who deserve vaccinations, and the elderly who rely on chronic medication. Let me remind you, we are not here to implement the DA policies; we are here to serve the people of Johannesburg. I thank you.

00:57:02Thank you, MMC. Colleagues, the recommendations are on page 1.5. Is the item agreed to? Thank you.

00:57:19The item is carried.

Item 2: Egoli Gas 2025/26 tariffs

00:57:23The second item is Egoli Gas for 2025/26 tariffs, that's for July 2025 to June 2026.

00:57:34Thank you. Councilor C. Rohlssen from ACDP.

00:57:42Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you all in the name that is above all names, the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Greetings, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, MMCs, Councilors, distinguished guests, and residents of our beloved Johannesburg.

00:58:04Madam Speaker, the ACDP would first like to send its sincere condolences to the DA caucus for the loss of their colleague and councilor, the Councilor Martin Williams. And we wish you all the very best. May the Lord comfort you and comfort the dear family of Councilor Martin Williams. All the best to you, and God bless you.

00:58:30Madam Speaker, I rise on the Egoli Gas 2025/2026 tariffs for July 2025 to June 2026. Madam Speaker, the ACDP notes that the residents of Johannesburg were consulted with the new tariff increases, and that apparently there were no objections or negative comments.

00:58:55However, the ACDP is not convinced that the silence of the residents equates to their acceptance or happiness with these tariff increases. Rather, the ACDP believes it is the indignation and resignation, should we say silent resignation, on these new tariffs, which have increased for the year 2025/2026 from 495.56 Rands per gigajoule to 529.53 Rands per gigajoule.

00:59:38This is a 6.64% increase. Additionally, the monthly basic charge increase is at 4.3% from 101

00:59:5450 seconds left, Councilor Rohlssen.

00:59:56Thank you, Madam Speaker. From 101

01:00:00R1.86 to R106.28 including VAT. The ACDP continues to urge the city to make every effort to recoup the monies owed to it which exceeds R64 billion because if this is done effectively Madam Speaker, the future increases could prevent and if not prevent, at least subsidize these increases which only

01:00:30harm the poor, the vulnerable and especially the elderly, which deeply concerns the ACDP. The ACDP notes this report with reservations. God bless South Africa, God bless the Sovereign State of Israel.

01:00:52EFF Councillor Moepi.

01:01:09Can we check the mic please? Councillor is your mic off?

01:01:15Check the mic next to you Councillor.

01:01:19The Israel guy oh okay thank you.

01:01:22Thanks very much Speaker.

01:01:25And greetings to yourself, greetings to the 29 battalions of the EFF led by Councillor Doctor Mgcini Tshwaku and the whip of caucus Councillor Thabiso Mogapi.

01:01:41I rise on item two,

01:01:48Speaker, as the EFF we note this report, we would like to encourage this house and particularly the department concerned here to maybe if we can please make sure that we use other media platforms to ensure that we don't only limit this thing to the newspapers because as we know

01:02:16in recent years the use and purchase and sales of newspapers has declined significantly.

01:02:23So we would like to encourage this house and the department to make sure that we use also social platforms and other public facilities such as clinic, libraries and recreation centers for optimal results on this participation.

01:02:40Having said that Speaker we note the report thank you.

01:02:47Thank you Councillor Moepi, ActionSA Councillor H Masuku.

01:03:00Good morning Speaker.

01:03:04Good morning colleagues.

01:03:06Good morning the residents of Johannesburg and good morning

01:03:10Just hold on Councillor. Colleagues we are having a lot of disturbance and movement.

01:03:15We are seriously, can we just calm a bit? Thank you Councillor Masuku you can carry on.

01:03:24Good morning Speaker, good morning colleagues, good morning the residents of South of Johannesburg, good morning the fabulous 44. Speaker, I rise on item two Egoli Gas 2025/2026 tariffs for July 2025-June 2026. As ActionSA we note the report thank you.

01:03:45Thank you Councillor Masuku. Councillor Bittkau DA.

01:03:58Madam Speaker, fellow Councillors I can actually take time today because I've got eight minutes wow.

01:04:06Madam Speaker

01:04:07Councillor Bittkau can you speak into the mic please?

01:04:11Madam Speaker often it is the little things that have huge implications.

01:04:16A classic example is the failure of the Mars Orbiter mission caused by one subcontractor working in the imperial system while everybody else was working in the metric system.

01:04:28This little oversight cost NASA $327.6 million at today's rate that is R5.8 billion.

01:04:41It is with this in mind that I have noted the contents and must say that at 4.03% and 6.4% I have no problem with the increase. However, I have a major problem with the timing and applied action by the Mayor and thus Council.

01:04:58The public notices went out at the beginning of April, which means that the proposed increases were already available to us at that time.

01:05:07As per our rules and regulations, they should have been submitted to Council together with all other tariffs at the time of budget of the budget debate, even if it is a quasi-private company nowadays.

01:05:20Unfortunately, only putting it before Council today points to yet another case by the executive of this city failing in their financial responsibilities.

01:05:31As I said at the beginning, it's the little things that cause that often cause major failures or as in this case, they provide evidence regarding bigger underlying issues.

01:05:43It is clear proof that the Minister of Finance was 100% correct in making the demands as he did recently for the Mayor to clean up his act.

01:05:53Madam Speaker this is so obviously a knee-jerk reaction to those threats in order to appease the Minister and I doubt that it would ever have been put before us at all if it wasn't for the Minister.

01:06:06As it stands it yet again makes one take note and brings to mind the saying where there is smoke there's a fire.

01:06:14I think a thorough and impartial investigation is of urgent and huge importance in this Metropolitan Municipality.

01:06:23There seems to be a lack of proper application to the tasks at hand when it comes to financial matters.

01:06:30As I said this is just a small issue, but there are bigger ones like the lack of money being released to Joburg Water to pay contractors and thus causing the Brixton Reservoir and Tower project to come to a halt causing prolonged water problems to about a million residents in this city.

01:06:48Even us having to spend time on this exercise of CYA should be deemed a wasteful expenditure. I thank you.

01:06:58Thank you Councillor Bittkau.

01:07:01Councillor Mathe from the ANC.

01:07:06Revolutionary greetings to each and every Councillor who is here in this chamber.

01:07:12Speaker, as ANC we note that Egoli Gas 2025/2026 tariffs due to that Speaker it is very important for our municipality to have energy mix through Egoli Gas in raising awareness on alternative energy usage in complementing or balancing electric usage for our residents, also in reducing coal dependency and ease carbon emission to fight climate change and global warming.

01:07:42Bear with me I'm from outside I've been running outside.

01:07:48Due to climate change and global warming, due to coal that pollutes our environment. Speaker this report it also confirmed that the tariffs proposed are in line of our approved pricing methodology implementation of 2025 to 2026 Egoli Gas tariffs that have commenced from 1st July 2025.

01:08:15We also note that Egoli Gas domestic energy charge from 2025 to 2026 has been set to R529.53 per gigajoules unlike municipality entities of the city formed through the Igoli 2000 process of the council.

01:08:41Speaker, it is outright sale by our council during the Igoli 2000 process and it is also very important for our stakeholders to use approved tariffs in avoiding violation of approved ones to create accommodative environment to our residents or customers, not to violate the approved one and to create accommodative environment to residents and our customers.

01:09:10Speaker, the sale of this previous council-owned entity is and remain an arm's length relationship established between the two parties as governed by the gas by-laws number 3326 and license act of 2000. Egoli Gas price determine methodology from 2021 to 2026, Speaker, the 2016 to 2021 Egoli Gas price determine methodology which was previously approved by the council for setting gas tariffs on a yearly basis over the period of 2016 to 2021 came to an end on the June 2021.

01:10:04Speaker it came to an end on the June 2021. A new price determination methodology for five years which is from 2021 to 2026 was approved by the council at the end of July 2021. Speaker, as ANC we therefore note the report. I thank you.

01:10:31Thank you Councillor Mathe. MMC Sekwaila.

01:10:40Morning Honourable Speaker.

01:10:49Councillors, all protocol observed.

01:10:54Let me appreciate the input raised by Councillors on this particular item and I must indicate Speaker that Councillor from ACDP

01:11:13maybe perhaps before we go further let's just request that those that can pray better

01:11:21pray for the lives that are being lost in Palestine.

01:11:27When you watch news every day what we witness we shouldn't be witnessing in 2025.

01:11:36I must indicate that we will then take some of the proposals you have indicated here to Egoli Gas such as the one came from Councillor Ndou from EFF. We have noted that we will then give them what you've proposed Councillor that they would have been the one who would have taken this particular thing to public participation and I'm glad that in fact the first speaker indicated there was no objections to the report itself.

01:12:05Now you look at the tariff itself, 6.6% increase and again you would have raised that economy and so on, but I think considering some of the increase that we heard here in Council 6.5 is still a little bit very below. So Egoli Gas in as much as privately owned,

01:12:25but it operates within our own infrastructure within our own network system we do actually regulate and in fact we must then align the two with our own by-laws of the city of Johannesburg. So that alignment is very much key for us to keep on having.

01:12:39And Councillor Gift is correct that gas is actually within our own view still continue to be one of the energy mix solutions for in fact in future.

01:12:51Councillor Bittkau I think you you said quite number of things including some of the concern that you are having,

01:13:01but some of those matters will be resolved very soon. Speaker, let me request this item to be noted. Thanks.

01:13:09Thank you so much MMC. Colleagues, the recommendations are on page 2.4 is the item agreed to?

01:13:19Thank you.

Item 3: Notarial deeds of restriction for SHRA

01:13:41Councillors we are now on item three and that's the request for Council approval for registration of notarial deeds of restriction of the transfer in favor of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority.

01:14:00Thank you Secretary to Council.

01:14:04Can we have the ACDP Councillor Harris?

01:14:18Can we give a roving mic?

01:14:26IT it's unacceptable please.

01:14:35Can you give Councillor Harris at the back the roving mic?

01:14:49Councillor Bittkau his mic is off.

01:14:52Please.

01:15:02MMC Sekwaila is your mic on? I'm defending you.

01:15:09His mic is off?

01:15:14Apologies.

01:15:20Councillor Harris you can continue. Councillor Bittkau is klaar nou.

01:15:37Can you speak into that mic? [00:15:40] [no speech]

01:17:29Thank you Councillor Harris. Councillor Moepi from EFF.

01:17:36Yes Councillor Rahn.

01:17:44Try the mic next to you I can't hear you.

01:17:49You called me before.

01:17:53Frans can you give a mic there?

01:17:55Madam Speaker I thought you called my name before you called

01:17:58Yes I called your name and I saw a hand can you just hold on Councillor.

01:18:02Yeah, but you didn't say I must sit down.

01:18:04Just have a seat Councillor.

01:18:13Thank you Madam Speaker. Please could I request that we have a caucus break to resolve the technical issues in this council? This council chamber is no more than a decade old, it's eight years old, the windows are broken

01:18:25Councillor you've made your point, you have made your point, you've made your point, can I allow the Councillor that I've called?

01:18:33You've made your point thank you.

01:18:36Councillor.

01:18:39You shouldn't have made me sit down Speaker.

01:18:41Apologies.

01:18:44Thank you very much and greetings to yourself.

01:18:48Greetings to the 29 battalions of the EFF led by Councillor Mgcini Tshwaku in his absentia and the caucus whip of the

01:18:57Madam Speaker are we protected? I think there's a caucus in the DA side.

01:19:05Councillor can you Councillor remain on your item please?

01:19:09Yes, but Councillor Maila is running a caucus while I'm speaking so

01:19:13Can you carry on Councillor Belinda, can you carry on with your item please Councillor?

01:19:21Thank you very much Speaker. I'm rising on item three.

01:19:29As the EFF we have always stressed about the utilization of conditional grants funding instead of these frivolous loans as a funding mechanism.

01:19:46We therefore welcome the grant funding agreement between JOSHCO and SHRA.

01:19:54We further would like to encourage JOSHCO to ensure that the due processes are followed to the T to avoid being taken to court by the court brigades as we know them.

01:20:06We must make sure that the notarial deeds are properly registered to ensure that these grant funding agreements live to yield the intended results.

01:20:18The EFF support this report and its recommendations, thank you very much.

01:20:23Thank you colleagues. Can we go to ActionSA Councillor Matabane?

01:20:36Greetings Speaker, Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, guests in the gallery and most importantly the residents of the city of Joburg. Speaker I rise to speak on both item three and four. Speaker as ActionSA we delight

01:20:50Councillor we have not read item four into record.

01:20:54Okay sorry.

01:20:54You can only speak on item three. Thank you.

01:20:57Apologies Speaker. Speaker as ActionSA we delight in people's lives being changed and we know most residents are looking for safe and a reasonable accommodation. We therefore support what JOSHCO intends to do. Our people deserve to be in dignified safe homes. Speaker we also want to emphasize that we are concerned of the lack of management and of lack of management or of no management in hostels. Speaker hostels are a responsibility of the city of Johannesburg and the Department of Human Settlement. Therefore the city must have managers in all the facilities for order and to deal with the day-on-day issues and to ensure that occupants pay services, something that the department is failing to do.

01:21:42If occupants of old age homes are paying for services, hostel dwellers who are employed can and must pay for services. Speaker we are concerned about the sluggishness of the department to allocate and we have seen in the past that buildings become vulnerable to criminality. TRU units in Alexandra are still vacant, Korsana building is still vacant and we still have people in the city who do not have proper place to stay. We welcome the initiative of the department to conduct an audit, but as long as there are no managers in hostels, information will always be compromised. Speaker we urge the department to first have a detailed plan of who's going to occupy all the projects that are about to commence. We do not want the department to implement things with no plan. With that being said ActionSA notes the report, thank you Speaker.

01:22:37Thank you Councillor Matabane. DA Councillor Chame.

01:22:45Greetings Madam Speaker, Leader of Executive Business, Chair of Chairs, MMCs, Leader of the Democratic Alliance Joburg Caucus Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance Joburg Councillor Rahn and the house at large all protocol observed. My condolences on the passing of our colleague Councillor Martin Williams. Madam Speaker I'm rising on item three social housing request for Council approval for registration of notarial deeds of restriction of transfer in favor of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority. The social housing investment programs are geared towards the development of rental and cooperative housing options for low to medium income households provided by social housing institutions and in designated restriction zones. Madam Speaker South Africa in general has a housing shortage which is estimated to be growing at 178,000 annually with over 2.4 million households registered on the National Housing Needs Register.

01:23:52To tackle this growing demand, the city has prioritized a comprehensive approach towards integrated human settlements including various housing intervention and programs. As part of the revitalization program, the city has planned to release city-owned buildings for the development of affordable rental housing, temporary emergency accommodation and social housing projects. All the above initiatives are translation and realization of national priorities outlined in the 2020 to 2025 Medium-Term Strategic Framework.

01:24:27Madam Speaker, we all know that most of the city's priorities is only a smokescreen for the disgruntled residents. There are currently millions of people on the waiting list. Some of these people will never know what it is to have a title deed nor will never know what it is to be a homeowner or landowner.

01:24:48AfrikaansDit is skandalig,

01:24:49Madam Speaker. The ANC government is accustomed to not complete projects, we all know that,

01:24:55where money disappears without a trace. Tenant audit schedule of information in respect of tenant details which the grant recipient shall provide to the SHRA Social Housing Regulatory Authority as part of reporting requirements and completion of projects must be respected and there must be no apparent defects. The projects that are approved in the business plans are funded by SHRA grants. Madam Speaker, Council approval for this agreement is required. The Democratic Alliance will conduct oversight on every cent spent as outlined in the business plan. Funds must be spent for the right purpose to give the residents of Johannesburg dignified living conditions.

01:25:40Madam Speaker, chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken. You don't learn to walk by following rules, you learn by doing. Let us give the residents of Johannesburg what is due to them. The DA notes the report with reservations, I thank you.

01:26:00Thank you Councillor Chame. Councillor Mavhona from the ANC.

01:26:15Greetings to you Honourable Speaker.

01:26:18Mayor of Council

01:26:19Can you speak into the mic please ma'am?

01:26:22Greetings Honourable Speaker.

01:26:25Mayor Councillor Dada Sello Morero.

01:26:28Chief Whip of Council.

01:26:31Chair of Chairs, Chairpersons of Section 79 Committees, Fellow Councillors, Residents of the City of Johannesburg. I rise to discuss item three which requests the approval for the registration of notarial deeds of restriction of transfer in favor of Social Housing Regulatory Authority.

01:26:54While the report is for noting, we would like to emphasize that approving this request will not only strengthen our partnership with SHRA who is currently the largest contributor to our social house initiative, providing 70% of funding, but also secure future investment to expand and sustain these programs. This partnership is crucial in addressing the housing backlog the city is currently experiencing, particularly for a low to medium income household.

01:27:30As African National Congress we support this item wholeheartedly, recognizing its potential to expand social housing programs, uplifting community and bring dignity to our people. Thank you.

01:27:45Thank you Councillor Mavhona. MMC Mabaso.

01:27:54Speaker greetings to yourself, the MMCs, the Chairpersons of Committees, Councillors and the guests at the gallery.

01:28:07Speaker, because a lot has been said on this item,

01:28:15but I just want to summarize this by saying that this is part of the compliance from our Regulatory Authority.

01:28:28They want to protect their investment. All that they are saying is that they need assurance that we are not going to sell the properties after they've invested their money on the properties.

01:28:43So that we are able also to access the funding that is withheld by them because we have not yet fully complied with their requirements. So that's all the report is saying. So I will request that Council approve this report so that we comply with the regulations of SHRA so that we access the funding that is still sitting at SHRA for us to invest in future development and the money also that we receive for tenanting in the properties where they've invested. So that's all the report is saying Speaker, not everything that has been said. Thank you very much.

01:29:27Thank you MMC. The recommendations are on page 3.3, is the item agreed to?

Item 3 put to the house, speakers list query and ACDP dissent; break

01:29:37Thank you. We are going to take that 10 minutes so that we are able to look into the mics. I see a hand, Councillor.

01:29:47Madam Speaker.

01:29:53Thanks very much Speaker maybe before we go to that special break

01:30:00I'm not sure either is an error on our side or on your side speaker, because when I look at the item there, I say we submitted our name there, so, but now it's not appearing on the item four, so I just want to check on that. Either we'll be able to participate or not. Thank you very much.

01:30:23We ended off this with Councillor Mavhona from the ANC caucus. We don't have a name for the IFP on this item.

01:30:38Councillor Mabaso.

01:30:43Speaker, I think I can respond here on behalf of the IFP as a caucus leader, not as an MMC now. So, Speaker, it's item four that we had submitted, not item three. I think Councillor is confused by that. Yeah.

01:30:59Okay, we'll put you down on item four. Thank you.

01:31:03Please note me, Madam Speaker.

01:31:07Harris.

01:31:08MMC Masuku.

01:31:11Councillor Harris.

01:31:15Councillor Harris. Yes?

01:31:18Madam Speaker, I'm rising on Rule 84. Please note the ACDP's dissension. Thank you.

01:31:25Thank you, Councillor Harris. Okay, I was saying that we are going to have that 10 minutes just to fix the mics so that we... Pardon?

01:31:41AfrikaansDie van die grond af praat is nie lekker nie.

01:31:43Can we just have that 10 minutes that we are going to have that break and 10 minutes so that we can continue with the day's work? Thank you.

01:53:02Secretary to council.

Item 4: Hostel Revitalisation Unitary Plan – ACDP, EFF, UDM, ActionSA, IFP

01:53:09Uh councilors will resume on item four, and that is the request for approval of hostel revitalization uh unitary plan for 2025, sorry.

01:53:26Thank you, councilors. We start with the ACDP, Councilor C. Rohlssen.

01:53:34Thank you very much uh Madam Speaker. Greetings again to you Madam Speaker, all protocols observed. Madam Speaker, I rise on item four, the request for the approval of Hostel Revitalization Unitary Plan 2025. Madam Speaker, the ACDP shares the vision of the Hostel Revitalization Unitary Plan of 2025 to 2030, which is the diversified provision of sustainable human settlements for the citizens of Johannesburg by the provision of quality homes in vibrant communities where people are proud to live and work a reality for the residents of hostels. Madam Speaker, the ACDP supports all strategies and plans to upgrade and improve the current conditions of the hostels. However, the ACDP is very concerned about the lack of adequate funding since 1994 for the improvements and rehabilitation of hostel infrastructure.

01:54:42Residents that we interviewed had this to say, "Hostels are a disaster waiting to happen." Second comment, "I am afraid that this building is going to collapse on top of me." Madam Speaker, the hostels are already near collapse, and the ACDP calls on the city management to aggressively address this matter with greater urgency before lives are lost. Madam Speaker, our residents deserve better. God bless South Africa. God bless the sovereign State of Israel. I thank you.

01:55:19Thank you, Councilor Rohlssen. EFF, Councilor Nenemba.

01:55:31Uh thank you very much, Speaker. Revolutionary greetings to the EFF caucus leader, uh Commissar Mgcini Tshwaku, our Chief Whip, Thabisa Mogapi, and the 29 battalions of the EFF. Revolutionary greetings Speaker, fellow councilors, and most importantly, the workers, hostel residents, and oppressed people of Johannesburg.

01:56:02The Economic Freedom Fighters rise today not to oppose, but to welcome with revolutionary caution the Hostel Revitalization Unitary Plan because it speaks directly to the lived suffering of our people. People who for decades have been abandoned in crumbling hostels, forgotten by the government. Speaker, hostels were never built with dignity in mind. They were apartheid instruments of control, built to house migrant labors to separate black men from their families, to extract their labor while keeping them in dehumanizing conditions. Decades into democracy, many of these structures remain unchanged. Hostels are overcrowded, unsafe, and neglected, with blocked sewers, poor ventilation, and no proper family facilities.

01:57:07Our people live in squalor while the elites live in Sandton. Speaker, this is why the EFF says this plan is long overdue. Revitalization of hostels is not a favor. It is a constitutional and moral obligation. Speaker, we support this proposal because it aligns, even partially, with the principles that the EFF has always fought for, which includes spatial planning that integrates the poor into the city.

01:57:39The plan recognizes that hostels cannot remain isolated pockets of poverty, but must be connected to transport, clinics, schools, and economic opportunities. The EFF will see to it that residents return after revitalization because too often, redevelopment is used as an excuse to displace the poor. The EFF welcomes the relocation plan whilst revitalization takes place, provided that the residents will not be dumped far away, but kept within reach of their communities, jobs, and schools.

01:58:16But Speaker, the EFF is not naive. We know how easily progressive plans are hijacked by private profiteers. We therefore support with revolutionary caution that there be, one, no exploitation by developers; two, enough community participation; three, fair housing mix; four, safe temporary housing. Speaker, in addition to support to this plan, the EFF calls all construction, security, and maintenance companies to employ hostel residents and local communities. Redevelopment must include

01:58:5440 seconds left.

01:58:55Redevelopment must include schools, sports facilities, and proper sanitation. Speaker, in conclusion, the EFF will vote in favor, but we will also watch, we will organize, and we will hold this city to its word. The hostels of Soweto, Alexandra, Diepkloof, Meadowlands, Orlando West, and beyond must be turned from symbols of apartheid neglect into symbols of democratic dignity. Thank you very much, Speaker.

01:59:22Thank you, councilor. Councilor Zigebe from the UDM.

01:59:31Madam Speaker, we are presented with the Hostel Revitalization Unitary Plan, a proposal that aims to transform the living conditions of residents in Region D and E. At its heart, this plan seeks to address decades of neglect, to restore dignity, and to move our city closer to the promise of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to adequate housing. There is no doubt that the scale of ambition is commendable. The plan is phased over the medium-term expenditure periods, beginning with the basics of occupancy audits and stakeholder engagement before moving towards secure tenure, leases, and ultimately ownership.

02:00:12It is an attempt to replace aging, end-of-life hostel buildings with modern, family-friendly units while maintaining a dual focus on land value capture and ongoing hostel management. Stakeholder consultations have already taken place with hostel residents, traditional leaders, and regional officials, which shows a measure of inclusivity in shaping the framework. The financing approach is also innovative. By drawing on land value capture and private sector participation, particularly through the engagement of large financial institutions, the city hopes to unlock resources that can accelerate delivery. In principle, this could allow us to do more with less, leveraging both public and private capacity to achieve a social good. At the same time, there are matters of concern that must be acknowledged. The plan is heavily reliant on the appetite of banks and master developers. There is uncertainty about what happens if that appetite is not forthcoming or if market conditions change, such as the US having to sneeze and we seem to catch a cold very fast. The implementation also depends on several entities and departments working seamlessly together, which past experiences tells us is not always the case. Without clear coordination, the risk of delays is real. Community buy-in, while initiated, is not yet guaranteed. Relocation and rotating during construction is always sensitive, and unless there are transparent

02:01:4340 seconds, councilor.

02:01:45guarantees, residents may feel insecure about their right to return. Moreover, the economic empowerment of hostel communities themselves is not yet detailed beyond the promise of construction jobs, and vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and people with disabilities are not explicitly addressed in the plan. Therefore, as council adopts this plan, we must establish a dedicated project management unit to drive and coordinate delivery. We must secure alternative financing models beyond the banks to safeguard against market failure. We must formalize a hostel stakeholder forum to guarantee residents' voices and to build trust, and we must embed gender, youth, and equity safeguards so that the benefits of revitalization are truly inclusive. Mthwakazi, the revitalization of hostels is long past due, and this plan can become the catalyst for genuine transformation,

02:02:34Two seconds, councilor.

02:02:35but its success will depend on these commitments being honored. With them in place, we will not

02:02:45Thank you, councilor. Councilor Matabane from ActionSA.

02:02:53Thank you, Speaker. ActionSA welcomes and notes the report.

02:02:58Thank you, Councilor Matabane. Councilor Khanyile from the IFP.

02:03:09isiZuluCha, angithokoze kakhulu Somlomo. Umuntu acoshe lelithuba ngikubingelele. Ngibingelele uSodolobha engekho namhlanje, ngibingelele u-caucus leader wethu we-IFP, u-MMC Mabaso.

02:03:26Speaker, it is the first time that in the City of Johannesburg, the City of Johannesburg is coming with a revitalization plan

02:03:37isiZuluyokuzothuthukisa izinxenye zethu izindawo zasemahostela. Speaker, siqonda kahle ukuthi in the 31 years siku-democracy, zincane kakhulu izinto ebezikhuluma ngodaba lwasemahostela kanye nenhlalo yasemahostela. Kodwa umuntu ngabe wenza iphutha ukungayibongi isifunda saseGoli ukube siqhamuke nale plan ngaphansi komnyango we-housing la eGoli, ukube lizolekelela nokuqhamuka nale plan ezosiza ukushintsha izimpilo zabantu ezindaweni zokuhlala emahostela, nokuletha nje isithunzi kubantu basemahostela la uthola khona ukuthi abantu emahostela bahleli ngaphezu kuka-13 noma ka-14 endlini eyodwa kungabikho even ngisho i-privacy abantu behleli. So le plan lena, Speaker, izosilekelela kakhulu ukwakha nje nesithunzi kakhulu sabantu abahlala emahostela. Siqonda kahle ukuthi ke kule 31 years uhulumeni kazwelonke, kuphinde kube uhulumeni wesifundazwe, uhlulekile kuleminyaka le ukuza nohlelo oluqondile ukuyothuthukisa izindawo zasemahostela. Speaker, before ngihlale phansi,

02:04:55we want to thank

02:04:57isiZuluabantu base City of Johannesburg ngokuba sonke sibe semzweni ofanayo wokuthi ke izindawo zasemahostela noma impucuko yasemahostela isalele emuva kulesikhathi samanje.

02:05:08So therefore, Speaker, as the IFP, we support this report. Thank you very much.

02:05:15isiZuluSiyabonga, khansela.

Item 4: DA, ANC and MMC Mabaso on the hostel plan

02:05:18Councilor Rambani from the DA.

02:05:36Thank you very much, Speaker. Fellow councilors, good afternoon. I was glad when they told me that the Hostel Unitary Revitalization Plan is coming to council, because we all know that all our hostels in Region D and E are in bad states and beyond repairs.

02:06:09They are built with the apartheid spatial planning. This item seeks to address that. The Hostel Unitary Revitalization Plan is aimed at maximizing the spatial location of hostels and create better urban conditions. The assets where hostels are located are large, and they already have installed bulk infrastructure. Speaker, funding remains uncertain. The plan leans heavily on profit sharing with private developers and risk sharing with the banks. Yet, history tells us that without clear guarantee of capital grants and subsidies, projects stall or are delivered in half measures. We cannot allow hostels to wait another decade while financing models are debated.

02:07:30Accountability is blurred with multiple actors like the city, JOSHCO, JDA, developers, and the banks. The DA calls on a transparent governance framework. Who will be responsible when timelines slip, when quality fails, or when profit projections are short? We cannot afford finger-pointing while communities remain in limbo.

02:08:18Residents' rights must be protected. The promise of right to return after redevelopment sounds good on paper, but too many relocation projects in the past have broken that promise. Without a binding allocation strategy and strong residents' forum, this plan risks displacing the very people it claims to uplift.

02:09:02Speaker, social integration requires more than building. The plan talks of linking hostels to economic and social amenities, but unless there is firm investment in transport, jobs, schools, and safety, we risk building new walls of exclusion.

02:09:33Environmental sustainability is absent. Hostels already suffer from poor designs. If this revitalization does not embed green building standards, energy efficiency, and climate resilience, we will simply be repeating mistakes of the past. The DA would like to see the following: a ring-fenced funding strategy with timelines, subsidy commitments, and transparent financing terms with developers and banks; a resident-led oversight forum to ensure participation, communication, and accountability at every stage; clear legal guarantee on the right to return and fair allocation of units; strong environmental standards to ensure sustainability; quarterly progress reporting to council so that this plan does not gather dust like so many before it.

02:10:55Speaker, the DA supports the Hostel Revitalization Unitary Plan, but we raise strong caution. Its success will not be measured by the ambition of its document, but by the quality of life it delivers on the ground. I thank you.

02:11:19Thank you, Councilor Rambani. The ANC, Councilor Mavhona.

02:11:31Uh thank you Speaker, again, and the residents of Johannesburg. I now rise to speak on item four, which seeks approval of the Hostel Revitalization

02:11:46Revitalisation Unitary Plan 2025. As the ANC, we are pleased to express our full support for this initiative which align perfectly with the principle of responsible, inclusive, and people-centered governance. We are proud of the progress made under leadership in the past, under the visionary leadership of Mayor Amos Masondo, which successfully converted

02:12:16at least 494 units from M2, City Deep, but not name a few hostels, into family unit. This milestone reflect our unwavering dedication to transforming hostels into dignified, safe, and inclusive living spaces. We also acknowledge and commend the provincial government effort in driving this program forward

02:12:46through active monitoring and support, especially in addressing the historically delay that have long hindered hostels development. Let me pause here to reflect on painful, but essential truth. Women in South Africa carry the heaviest burden on poverty, homelessness, and vulnerability. Yet, they remain the backbone of our communities

02:13:16and the heart and the heartbeat of our resilience. Adapted from the struggle shared by women in hostels community and informal settlement, too many of our mothers, sisters, and daughters still live in unsafe, overcrowded, and undignified conditions, especially in a around hostels that were never designed with women or family in in mind.

02:13:48The revitalization The revitalization of hostels is not only a matter of infrastructure, it is a matter of justice, of dignity, and gender equality. Let us continue working together across party line and across level of government to build a better, more humane Johannesburg for all, where no woman is left behind and every family has place to call home. I thank you.

02:14:18Thank you, Councillor Mavhona. Uh MMC Mabaso.

02:14:27Uh thank you very much uh Speaker. Greetings to yourself once again, and I align to the protocol

02:14:36um that has been established in the house. Um Speaker, I I I appreciate that um all the councillors uh supports the Revitalisation Unitary Plan as presented. Um and we we note and accept uh the proposals that has been forwarded by councillors.

02:15:03Uh I will engage with them even on the sideline uh so that I collect those proposals that they've submitted, um for us to see how we best improve um the the document going forward. Uh considering, Speaker, that this is the first document uh to be approved by the City of Johannesburg Council. And none of the municipalities, uh the provincial government, or the national government has a clear plan in terms of the hostel redevelopment.

02:15:32Um the engagements and the consultations were conducted um with the leaders of the hostels. Um we've engaged with the mayor, with the MEC, um and all of us were present when we engaged with the leaders um of the various hostels. And some of the councillors were even present um in those sessions. What we appreciate, Speaker, is that even the national government is waiting for this plan. The provincial government is also waiting for this plan.

02:16:02Um this plan is an outcome of the engagement between the City of Johannesburg and the national government and the provincial government. When I met last year um with the then Minister of Human Settlements uh Minister Kubayi, uh she wanted us to present a clear plan in terms of the hostel redevelopment, hence we went on to devise this strategy. Um and we've been workshopping it together with the MEC for Human Settlements in the province. So, we will um receive support from both spheres of government.

02:16:32But we then said, Speaker, we need to broaden our scope because we know for a fact that in terms of resources we are overstretched as as as government. We will not have sufficient capacity to support all these uh uh programs and activities that we want to conduct in hostels, hence our option as well to invite the financial institutions so that we are able to bridge finance. So, it's something that has been done in Johannesburg. We are replicating what we were able to do with the South Hills Mega Development, because with that development

02:17:02the city was able to appoint Standard Bank as a master development, but we've got more subsidized units that we are delivering than um your bonded houses and any other type of houses that are there. So, we are replicating that because we want to bridge finance. We want to make sure that all the the the capacity and the resources that are there in the market, we also bring them on board so that we are able to execute this plan without any um uh uh uh hindrances, especially around the lack of finances.

02:17:33So, we we we appreciate that all caucuses supports this plan, and we hope that this plan is going to change uh and improve the living condition of the residents um of the hostel. This this plan is long overdue. Uh the redevelopment of hostels is long overdue, and the City of Johannesburg has taken a a a right direction in the approach on how we should deal with the issues of development in hostel. But it's also talked to the management as well, and it's something that uh councillor uh from ActionSA has raised earlier on

02:18:04to say we need a better model to manage the hostel. So, this also talks to that, and there are activities that we will be embarking on uh prior to uh commencing the redevelopment um of the hostel. So, I appreciate the the support, and we welcome all the contributions that have been put forth by councillors, and I will engage with them outside so that I'm able to collect all these proposals that they are they are putting forth. Thank you very much, Speaker.

02:18:29Thank you, MMC. Colleagues, the recommendations are on page 4.12 to pages 4.13. Is the item agreed to?

02:18:40Agreed.

02:18:42Thank you.

Items 5–7: combining the MFMA in-year reports

02:18:46We're now on item five, and that is City of Johannesburg MFMA in-year financial report.

02:18:51Just hold on. Just hold on. I see two hands. Uh Councillor Santana, and then Chair of Chairs.

02:18:57Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, can I request that the we combine items five, six, and seven um as one, and then use the speakers list for item seven for the relevant speakers? Thank you.

02:19:11Chair Chair of Chairs.

02:19:13No, thank you very much uh Speaker. I align with the thinking, not with the drama earlier on. Thank you.

02:19:23Okay, cuz we are So, we are saying item five, six, and seven be read out together, and then we'll we will go according to the speakers list. We'll check who's on both and who's not, but we will allow everyone. Thank you so much.STC.

02:19:46Right, councillors, on item five, and that is the City of Johannesburg MFMA in-year financial report for the period ended 30th April 2025, read together with item six, which is also the City of Johannesburg MFMA in-year financial report for the period ended 31st May 2025, and lastly, read together with also item seven, and that's the City of Johannesburg MFMA in-year financial report for the period ended in 30th June 2025.

Items 5–7 debate: ACDP and EFF

02:20:25Councillor Mkhonza, from ACDP.

02:20:29Yes. Shalom, shalom, Speaker, once again. Just to make sure that you don't cut me because it's nine minutes.

02:20:35You have nine minutes. Can you Yes, you have nine minutes. I've asked them to give the time accordingly.

02:20:39Yes.

02:20:41Yeah, three times three is nine. Thank you.

02:20:43Yes. Yes, thank you very much, Madam Speaker, once again. Um I've already acknowledged our Almighty God before. Now, I'll just go directly to my guiding manual before I start my speech, Madam Speaker. Allow me to quote from um the book of Luke um chapter 16, verse 10. It reads as follows, "The one who faithfully manages the little he has been given will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities.

02:21:13But 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 five, six, and seven, the CoJ MFMA in-year financial report for the period ended 30 April, 31 May, and 30 June. Madam Speaker, the ACDP caucus would like to genuinely congratulate the appointment of MMC of Finance, Councillor Loyiso Masuku. We warmly welcome you to the finance portfolio.

02:21:46As the ACDP caucus, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring financial accountability and transparency within the City of Johannesburg. Our focus today is on the previous is on the provisions of the Municipal uh Finance Management Act, MFMA, specifically the section 71. The MFMA, as mandated by the Constitution, obliges all three spheres of government to operate transparently in matters of public finance.

02:22:16It forms a central pillar of the broader reform package for local government as set out in the 1998 White Paper of local government of local government. Section 71 of the MFMA, together with the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations, MBRR, provides mechanisms to guarantee openness, accountability, and regular oversight of municipal finances. On the monthly uh budget statements um Madam Speaker,

02:22:46section 71, subsection one, requires that by the 10th of the working day of each month, the accounting officer must submit a detailed report on the budget's uh progress to both the mayor and the relevant provincial treasury. Upon receiving such reports, the mayor is duty-bound to take the necessary steps to to identify and address any financial concerns that may be reflected in them. Unfortunately, this vital step is not being implemented with the seriousness it it demands.

02:23:18This omission undermines both fiscal discipline and public trust. Madam Speaker, the MFMA, through the MBRR, specifically prescribe this transparency to ensure effective monitoring and early detection of financial irregularities.

02:23:34Just hold on, Councillor. Colleagues, please, can we just allow the person on the podium so that we can hear him? There's a lot of rumbling. Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza.

02:23:50Thank you, Madam Speaker, for protecting me. And number two, publication of the monthly budget statements. Equally important is the obligation for municipalities to make these budget reports publicly accessible. The MFMA and the MBB and the MBRR section C require the municipal manager to publish the monthly budget statements on the municipality's website and display them at the head office, satellite offices, and public libraries within five working days of submission to the mayor.

02:24:22This publication is not merely an administrative task. It is a constitutional mechanism to to facilitating public awareness, participation, and oversight in financial governance. Regrettably, MMC Masuku, this obligation is being neglected. Reports are not being made available in public domain as required, meaning communities are denied their constitutional right to scrutinize the financial health of their municipality.

02:24:51This law is clear. Submission and publication must take place prior to tabling, not afterward. In conclusion, MMC Masuku, the timely submission of publication of section 71 reports, which is the in-year reports, would enable council, stakeholders, and the public to, number one, monitor actual capital expenditure per vote. Number two, to identify and interrogate material variances from the approved budget. Number three, it will evaluate progress against the service delivery, which is the SDBIP,

02:25:27and number five, ensure remedial or corrective action is taken where necessary. We acknowledge, MMC Masuku, that you are among the very few MMCs who take this report seriously, often showing more diligence than even the current Executive Mayor. We therefore call upon you to lead by example and prioritize the timeous submission and publication of section 71 reports. By doing so, you will strengthen accountability,

02:25:56enhance service delivery oversight, and restore public confidence in the city's financial management. God bless Africa, especially the people of Sudan, which represents the largest and fastest displacement crisis in the world. The largest humanitarian crisis ever recorded. Those who self-hate themselves, they don't even talk about Sudan.

02:26:22Over 12 million people 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 and the surrounding areas, the resilient people of Israel, as we declare Jeremiah 1:9, "They will fight you, but they shall never prevail, for the Lord is with you." Shalom, shalom.

02:26:56Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. Um before we carry on to the next speaker, can the driver or the owner of HC 27 GM GP, it's a Toyota Fortuner, please go and close your car windows? Thank you.

02:27:17Councillor Zitha from the EFF, you have four times three minutes. Three times four minutes.

02:27:26That's 12 minutes, Speaker. Uh greetings to you, Speaker. Greetings to the EFF party leader, uh Commissar Tshwaku, uh EFF Caucus Whip, uh Thabiso Mohapi. Um Speaker, the EFF note and accept the section 71 in-year financial report as presented. This report is important in terms of compliance with MFMA.

02:27:56But more importantly, it give us insight into whether the city is using resources in a manner that changes the lives of our people. Honorable Speaker, as the EFF, we approach this report guided by our seven cardinal pillar. One of them it's expropriation of land without compensation, and that remind us that no financial stability is possible when majority remain landless. This report shows billions circulating, yet communities such as Themba Khoza that are protesting right now, they are without land.

02:28:29Our fiscal and health must translate into land, housing, and dignity of our people. Honorable Speaker, we therefore agree with this report accuracy, but strongly criticize it implication. A surplus of 1.1 billion means nothing when communities remain without basic services. Under-spending on capital project while overspending on bulk purchases reflect skewed priorities.

02:28:58The EFF demand this council takes urgent steps to, number one, redirect resources toward capital project that directly service the poor. End the culture of rollovers and delays, and deprive residents of housing and infrastructure. Build internal state capacity to end wasteful outsourcing. Develop an energy plan that reduce dependence on Eskom, and protect the city from blackout and further costs.

02:29:27Speaker, as the EFF, we're not here to rubber-stamp numbers. We're here to demand the budget become bridges to dignity, and the financial report are not just compliances exercise, but instrument of people's power. Item number six. The Economic Freedom Fighters welcome the presentation of section 71 in-year financial report for the period ending 31 May 2025. This report is important because it allows to assess uh whether the City of Johannesburg is staying true to the commitment it made when adopted the budget.

02:30:01Speaker, as the EFF, we cannot overlook the serious concern that emerge from the report. Number one is cash flow weaknesses. The city ended uh the city ended May with decrease of 851 million in cash balances. This negative movement is not just a number. It reflect poor liquidity management that may threaten service delivery if left unchecked. Number two, revenue collections.

02:30:30While the report shows a 90.7% collection rate in May, the year-to-date collection rate sit at only 85.8%. This below the city's own target, and shows a worrying trend of under-collection in areas such as water and refuse services. It means we're billing resident, but failing to collect, which compromise the city's financial sustainability.

02:30:58Number three, overspending on bulk purchases. The city overspend on bulk electricity purchases from Eskom due to higher tariffs and increased unit purchases. This points to weak planning and reliance on Eskom without credible strategy for alternative energy generations. Number four, capital expenditure. The city has only spent 55% of its capital budget.

02:31:27The under-expenditure means fewer infrastructure project, fewer job created, and communities still waiting for promises development promised development, rather, Speaker. Despite the concern, Speaker, the EFF recognize that the city has recorded an operating surplus of 1.4 billion against a budgeted of 1.1 billion. This indicate some discipline in operational expenditure. We also note improvement in certain revenue streams,

02:31:56such as interest earned and operational revenue, which shows innovation and financial management. Therefore, we sharply criticize the poor collection levels, under-spending, and capital project. We agree to support the adoption of this report. We do so because it reflect the reality of the city's finances. Speaker, as the EFF, we will continue to hold this executive accountable. Item number seven. Speaker, we must be honest to us uh our people.

02:32:26An adjustment budget is not just an accounting exercise. It reflect the priorities of this administration, and reveals whether the promise the promises made to resident of Johannesburg are being fulfilled. We uh When we analyze this adjustment budget, we see a number of serious concerns. Number one, service delivery impact. Many line item of service delivery, particularly infrastructure project, are being reduced or shifted.

02:32:56Communities that were promised road, water, electricity, and housing upgrade will now have to wait longer. This is a betrayal of the people expectations. Number two, revenue and collections. The city continue to struggle with revenue collections, Speaker, especially in utilities like water, refuse, and shows poor system and weak political will uh to fix what is broken. Number three, borrowing and debt.

02:33:27We note with concern the city's uh borrowing to plug holes. If this continue unchecked, future generation will inherit a city drowning in debt while service collapse. Speaker, while the EFF sharply criticize those shortcoming, we must also acknowledge the positive aspect. The adjustment of budget brings more realism into the financial planning of the city. It is honest reflection of current revenue performance and expenditure patterns.

02:33:59Without this adjustment, the city will be operating on a false budget, which is even more dangerous. We therefore agree to support this report, and not because it's perfect, but because it provide a corrected baseline that allows accountability. At the same time, we want to put it on record that the EFF will continue to fight for a poor uh budgeting, for an aggressive program of revenue collection,

02:34:29and for cutting wasteful administrative expenditure. Speaker, our support does not mean uh complacency. It means we are ready to use information contained to fight harder for the working class and the poor of Johannesburg.

02:34:48XitsongaNdza khensa, Speaker.

Items 5–7 debate: ActionSA, DA and FF+

02:34:50Thank you, Councillor Zitha. Councillor Nkonyeni from from ActionSA. Is Councillor Nkonyeni not in the house? You have five times three minutes.

02:35:07isiZuluNgikhona, ngikhona, Speaker, ngebhadi

02:35:14or

02:35:14isiZulungenhlanhla,

02:35:15depending on how you look at it.

02:35:18isiZuluAyi, akekho engizomshaya namhlanje, nawe, Speaker, ngixolele. Ngifuna nje ukukhuluma ngama-finance item namhlanje.

02:35:27I rise to speak on item five, six, and seven. Greetings to the house, all protocols observed. Speaker, I rise today to speak on financial reports uh for April, May, and June 2025. I don't want to dwell on the figures these reports display. What matters is the reality they reveal, a city failing its people. Money meant to fix roads, money meant to equip clinics, money meant to build schools, money meant to deliver basic services,

02:36:00all of it wasted. Municipal systems are slow, projects stall, resources are mismanaged, and the leadership, they have tolerated mediocrity for far too long. Residents pay, yet the city fails to deliver. This is not inefficiency, this is leadership failure. Revenue that should keep the city running is not collected effectively. Loans and grants meant to uplift communities sit idle.

02:36:33Municipal entities operate at a loss while residents wait. Everyday operations consume money that should have gone to real change. Residents, this is your money, and it is being mismanaged. ActionSA believes in clean governance. We believe in accountability. We believe in transparency, and we believe in putting residents first. We have seen it done. Dr. Nasiphi Moya turned Tshwane's finances around.

02:37:06She proved that leadership, discipline, and political will can fix even the most broken systems, and Johannesburg can be next. We ask the residents of this once great city to trust us with their vote, to stop the explosions and then the wasteful expenditure, then we come back and then we put paving, and then we call it a road.

02:37:38Come 2026 local government elections, the waste will end. The delays will end. The mismanagement will end. Loans and grants will reach the communities they are meant to serve. Municipal entities will operate responsibly, not the recycling of COOs and CEOs and whatevers that don't serve us. Loans and grants will reach the communities. Projects will be completed.

02:38:09Resources will be used effectively. Residents will see services delivered, streets repaired, clinics equipped, schools supported, because this city will finally be run for the people, not for excuses. The underperformance you see is a result of a crumbling GNU that has no other interest outside of positions. By the way, the very same positions that they can't even use effectively. ActionSA will demand accountability. ActionSA will enforce fiscal discipline.

02:38:43ActionSA will ensure that every cent, every resource, every plan is used to serve you, the residents of Johannesburg. The era of excuses is ending. The era of mediocrity is ending. ActionSA will lead Johannesburg to a city that works efficiently, responsibly, and transparently. Change is coming, and residents, you will feel it. Your money will matter. Your services will arrive. Your city will finally work for you. Thank you.

02:39:18Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Santana, DA.

02:39:26Thank you, Speaker. Um I rise to speak on item five, six, and seven, the City of Johannesburg MFMA in-year financial reporting for the period ended the 31st of May, uh sorry, it's March, April, and May. Sorry. April, May, and June, my apologies. Um Madam Speaker, I've been largely covered by our colleagues, but I need to note, looking at the the figures that we have, is the ever-increasing debtors book, now up to 67 billion,

02:40:00and in our creditors also looming up. So, at the point, if we're looking at it from a residential point of view and as councillors, it seems that we are being financed by our creditors to run the City of Johannesburg because we are failing to collect our debtors book. What also makes it quite sad is if we look at the the numbers as well and the and the reports that we've we see in front of us, we settled short-term debt in the region of 3.75 billion, uh which was the DBSA loan and then the uh short-term loan also from Standard Bank.

02:40:35What is concerning is that we also received a DBSA loan for 2.5 billion, long-term loan, or one of the banks, it's ADF, I think it was. So, on paper, it looks like we have financed short-term debt with long-term debt. That's what the numbers are telling us, which is a major concern. Speaker, then we get to where we look at our capital expenditure. Um I'm obviously certain, and I'm sure the MMC can clarify, that we have not raised any accruals in these figures,

02:41:08but it's a little bit disappointing that we've only managed to spend 79% on CapEx, and even more concerning that we highlight in our budget 1.2 billion of our own cash to be spent on projects, and we only spend 596 million. So, it comes back to our budgeting process in the City of Johannesburg. We're clearly not looking at the numbers, we're clearly not looking at trends, and we're budgeting stuff that is not realistic.

02:41:39I'm implored I'm imploring that when we get to the next budget cycle, that we actually engage with all of us,

02:41:46to try and bring a budget that is meaningful, that's talking to the debtors collections, that is talking to everything that the city is currently doing, and put a budget out there that's realistic and not creating expectations that we cannot deliver on. So, Madam Speaker, in closing, we are concerned of our cash and we're also concerned that we are not collecting our revenue.

02:42:10I do applaud that we did get some uptick in terms of the collection rate, but it was not in terms of the budget that we have budgeted for, and obviously with the new increases that came through from the 1st of July, obviously we're going to see a tank again in our collection rate, and we need to obviously as a city understand how we're going to unpack our collection rate in order to ensure that we're collecting and we're paying our creditors on time. Thank you, Speaker.

02:42:35Thank you, Councillor Santana. Councillor Boer.

02:42:40AfrikaansJy praat net op een item, ne?

02:42:44AfrikaansGoeiemôre, Madam Speaker.

02:42:46Good morning, fellow councillors, all protocol observed. I'm rising on those three items. I've been a little bit covered by some of the previous colleagues. However, I'm focusing specifically specifically on item number seven, the MFMA report for June 2025, as this is the latest one. By the way, none of those reports have been

02:43:14presented to the Section 79 committees, so no oversight has been done so far. What is concerning about those reports, Madam Speaker, and we see that on the CapEx spending, as mentioned by the previous speaker, our CapEx spending was 79% this year, at least up from 71% last year, but still, from the R7.5 billion budget, only R5.9 billion was spent, and

02:43:41R1.6 billion, which is so much needed in the city, remained unspent. More concerning is that on our conditional grant spending, we only spent 83%. R615 million remains unspent and will most likely be returned to National Treasury. Also, money that we urgently need to spend in the city. What is furthermore concerning, if we look at one figure, the CapEx spending of City Power.

02:44:09City Power, on the May MFMA report, they had spent year to date R976 million. They managed to close off the year, 30th of June, one month later, to have CapEx spending of R1.64 billion, meaning that they have spent R646 million CapEx spending in one single month.

02:44:35Madam Speaker, I don't know if this is physically possible to spend R976 million in 11 months, and then you come in month 12 and you spend R664 million. Very, very unlikely. Madam Speaker, yes, the collection rate is up, and it's especially applauding to see that the collection rate for water in June was up to 84%, and that is really long overdue, and we hope that this can be sustained.

02:45:03But there is a concern as well. The city is aggressively trying to collect money from our honest paying residents by cutting them off, issuing termination notices on estimates. People that are paying honestly every month their bills, and they're still getting cut off. And I think the city is focusing to collect money where the money is available and neglecting the

02:45:29the other customers. Our debt is standing at R67 billion. It cannot creep up every month uncontrollable. And that brings us to debt impairment, Madam Speaker. And I'm sorry to say, I don't know if we can trust this MFMA report. On the MFMA report, it says our debt impairment came down from 6.9 billion, which was the actual figure, from an original budget figure of 8.2 billion.

02:45:59And if you only collect 86%, it cannot be that our debt impairment goes down. Just as an example, Madam Speaker, our 180 days plus debt increased from 47.8 billion in 2023/2024 to 56 billion in 2024/2025. That is an increase of 8.6 billion. How is it possible that our debt impairment is only 6.9 billion? It cannot be.

02:46:26But except from that, we see on our income statement an item that has never been there before, irrecoverable debt written off. There's no budget for that, and it's an amount of R635 million. That will also go down as an irregular expense because it's an overspending on an unbudgeted item. The same applies to employee cost, R588 million overspending, irregular expenditure.

02:46:55Bulk purchases, overspending R3.1 billion, irrecoverable expenditure. And the Freedom Front has warned the then MMC and the mayor about those items, and we see again those things happening. So, we again have to explain what is going on there. Madam Speaker, I'm closing off. The most alarming figure, and it was mentioned by my previous colleague, is our trade creditors. Our trade creditors went up from R1.6 billion by June last year to R18 billion by June 2025.

02:47:30That means that the city is funded by our creditors. That is why projects are halted because we do not pay our creditors. Madam Speaker, how is the city going to pay back R18 billion, money that has already been spent and that is owed to suppliers? We just cannot afford it. We cannot keep on this trajectory because those people are not going to be happy to wait forever to get their money. And of that R18 billion, R9 billion of that was incurred in June only.

02:48:00So, in June, we made massive debt. We incurred debt of R9 billion, and when are we going to pay this back? We do not collect enough money for this. Madam Speaker, to close off, the city's financial figures are really concerning, and we really need to improve them. Thank you very much.

02:48:19AfrikaansDankie, Raadslid.

Items 5–7 debate: ANC

02:48:20Councillor Modupi, ANC.

02:48:27Thank you, Madam Speaker. Honourable Speaker, fellow councillors, officials, and residents of the City of Johannesburg. As a point of departure, let me start by also following on the same line as Councillor Mkhonza.

02:48:53to say well, we welcome you, Councillor Loyiso Masuku, as a newly appointed MMC. And I hope that residents,

02:49:06Sesothole lona mo le le teng le utlwile ha Khanselara Mkhonza a bua gore ka gare go ANC re nale

02:49:14capacity. He believes that we can turn this city into being a better city. And I want to say, batho, even in our mayor, we have confidence. The only thing that we need to do is to make sure that we strengthen

02:49:36our institution to enable us to do our work. The same capacity that our newly appointed MMC, Loyiso Masuku, has been extolled of, our mayor still has. Madam Speaker, I also want to say to the residents, as they have listened, Councillor

02:50:05Nkonyeni speaks of once a great city. Meaning

02:50:11Sesothola ikutlwela le lona ge ba re e ne e ba

02:50:14City of Johannesburg. Since after 2016, we have lost that greatness as the City of Johannesburg. Now we are going towards 2026 local government elections. Please assist us that we do not come as a coalition, that African National Congress,

02:50:38it comes back strong so that it governs alone without coalition. Madam Speaker, I rise here to address the financial position of our city as captured in the Section 71 in-year monitoring reports for April, May, and June 2025.

02:51:07These reports, items number five, six, and seven, give us a clear picture of where we stand, where we have made progress, and where urgent attention is required. Over these three months, we have seen steady improvement in revenue collection.

02:51:35But at the same time, growing pressure on our cash reserves and uncontrolled expenditure that threatens our ability to sustain essential services. Madam Speaker, as the African National Congress, we can present the good news from these reports. Though in April our revenue underperformed slightly, you can see by May and June we collected more than what we had budgeted,

02:52:08up to R1.2 billion above target in June. Our residents, especially in electricity accounts, paid better, from 85% in April to almost 90% by May and June. This shows that with effort,

02:52:35confidence and better systems, residents are willing to honour their commitments. But Madam Speaker, we as African National Congress, we also acknowledge that there are challenges, very serious. Our spending is outpacing our income. In June alone, expenditure was 3% above budget, wiping out the benefits of higher collections.

02:53:03Our cash reserves, the money we use to pay Eskom, Rand Water, and to keep services running, are shrinking, from R5.2 billion in April to R3.7 billion in June. We are depleting funds that are meant to keep the city stable. Water and refuse collections remain weak,

02:53:32with only around three out of four bills paid. This is where much of our unpaid debt sits, and it hurts our ability to maintain these critical services. Coming to the capital expenditure, the money meant for building and upgrading infrastructure is still too low. By the end of June, we had only spent

02:54:0479%, as the previous councillors have observed, of our infrastructural budget. That means goods, I mean, like water, pipes, housing, and other projects promised to our communities have been delayed. However, what we need to appreciate about this figure of 79% is that you'll see that there was a slow or less expenditure in a period of three

02:54:37terms, three quarters. But just in a period of two months, we moved from about 48% of expenditure to 79, meaning that in just a period of two months, expenditure increased by 31%. This shows that if we work very well, there is a capacity. We must act, Madam Speaker. ANC believes that we need to

02:55:07put measures that will assist us in making sure that we spend our money better and we collect. In collecting, we must make sure that the poor are protected. We only pursue the capable. We must shield indigent households through the expanded social package, ESP, while targeting high-income households, businesses, and government departments that can and should pay what they owe.

02:55:36We must fix billing and collections. Our residents must trust their bills. Accurate, transparent billing and wider prepaid meter rollout will help both households and the city to stay on track. We must also control our spending. ANC believes that we cannot afford luxury. Every rand must go to service delivery, infrastructure, and safety. Non-critical hiring,

02:56:06overtime, and unnecessary contracts must be frozen or cut. We must restore trust, publish quarterly plain-language updates for residents. When people see honesty and improvement, they pay. When they see waste, they resist. We must earn their confidence. Fellow councillors,

02:56:35the situation is not hopeless, but it is urgent. Let us commit to a Johannesburg that is financially disciplined, socially just, and development-driven, a city where every rand is respected, every project is delivered, and every resident, rich or poor, sees their city is working for them.

02:57:03With these words, as the African National Congress, we note this report. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Items 5–7: MMC Masuku's reply (continues beyond this part)

02:57:11Thank you, Councillor Modupi. MMC Masuku.

02:57:18Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. To all the MMCs and fellow councillors. Speaker, noting Councillor Mkhonza's issues, I think all of us are clear that compliance is a non-negotiable, and we should never compromise on the issue of compliance. And linking it to the other councillors' points on

02:57:50fiscal discipline and ensuring that our money is spent for the services that the residents deserve. I just want to address the issue of the monthly budget statements. Through you, Speaker, Councillor Mkhonza, I think I take your point where you are making a proposal that the city has not been publishing the statements on the website

02:58:22and in the regional office. I think that is a fair criticism because at least the website is accessible, especially where there's areas where there's Wi-Fi, communities can then be able to access that, and I've taken note of that. I will speak to the acting city manager together with the group CFO and the different regional directors for us, firstly, to deal with the issue of loading on the website, but then to see how we can do

02:58:53a systematic way. It may not be on time all the time, but to get them there in the regional offices on the notice boards, I think that is a suggestion that you are making for us to improve at group finance, and I've taken note of that. Because, as you said, it speaks about public awareness and strengthening the issue of oversight for scrutiny by our residents. And then the second one,

02:59:24where you spoke about, you see, the act is very clear because it says the accounting officer of the municipality must, no later than 10 days, publish at the end of the month and submit to the mayor and the relevant provincial treasury. But because in Johannesburg we are

02:59:54actually dealing with the issue of transparency and oversight that Councillor Boer and Councillor Zitha spoke about, we're clear about that. We first take them to the Mayoral Committee. When they come from Mayoral, because they can't come to council without Mayoral Committee, from Mayoral Committee we then bring them to council. There is no requirement for that in that section that I've just read. But because we are very clear that it's not necessary not to share the information

03:00:30because the information actually assists us to make sure councillors contribute to us ensuring we improve. So, I would like us to really, let's put it to rest, the issue of always saying every council meeting the Section 71 reports are late. They are not late, councillors. There's no stipulation, but we bring them. And remember, our council meetings get disrupted sometimes. We end up actually even attending to reports of three months ago in a meeting of later than the previous months because of

03:01:04sometimes our meetings don't sit. But we've never hidden. We've always brought them because we are transparent. So, I'm pleading. And there was a point I think that was made that we're not doing oversight. This is the oversight, and we can still even take it to Section 79. Councillor Zitha, I take your point on the issue, and I think also Councillor Santana speaks about it, on revenue

03:01:35collection. Yes, we accept that there have been challenges, but Councillor Modupi did indicate that there was a slight improvement towards May and June, but then our expenditure in terms of, then cancels out all that good effort that would have been done by our officials. We've agreed with the team that we must work on, because all of you, we did indicate even in the strat session that the

03:02:04Project Lukhisa is one action that we are working on strongly to ensure that we deal with issues of revenue collection, and we're going to work together with management in terms of a strategy that actually also includes the employees, because labour, when I met with them, they've also raised issues on how they think that there are actually mismatches. So, after my meeting with the representatives and the shop stewards, we actually looked at how we can also improve because they are actually the people

03:02:37who are on the ground. The National Treasury reforms are one action that is actually going to put us in great stead, colleagues, because with those reforms, we discussed at the strat session how we've given back billing to the entities. And the point you were making about Joburg Water having done good work, we've implored, because if Joburg Water can do it, there's nothing stopping City Power from actually implementing the same, because

03:03:08then the strategy and the systems are supposed to be the same. Councillor Nkonyeni, yes, you've raised issues of money, and I don't agree with your point, through you, Speaker, where you say we've just turned a blind eye on mismanagement of resources. It's not true. We have not done it. This council, actually, in Johannesburg, you can go to any SALGA engagement, the City of Joburg is doing so well when it comes to the

03:03:39issues of financial mismanagement on the disciplinary board, our work in terms of ensuring that we deal with underspending and spending the UIFWs in terms of our finances. Furthermore, when we met with the team, one of the things we've raised, and I also raised this in the strat session of finance, the issue of the frequency of the disciplinary board, because if the disciplinary board is just there as a white elephant, it then defeats the purpose

03:04:13because these cases, they come, they pile up. Financial mismanagement cannot just be a by-the-way. That is why we've said the frequency of the disciplinary board becomes important so that we are able to deal with the matters speedily. I'm happy, Councillor Boer, to come back to you, probably in a written question or response form, where you are raising a query on, you're saying the numbers are not tallying when it comes to

03:04:43debt impairment. I've noted that. I don't have a specific direct answer on the figures now, but I'm happy to respond to it in a written form of questions. I've sent the point to the group CFO. And lastly, the issue of the unspent grants. It's one of the things that I've raised, because all of them, the PTNG, PPSG, and the NDPG, are all well below

03:05:1480%. Now, these are funds that are actually meant for service delivery to uplift our residents. Councillor Mabaso raises it almost all the time in our Mayoral Committees because if we don't spend grants and money goes back, then we can't get angry when National Treasury reduces and cuts on us. That is why we're very clear in the Mayoral Committee, if you don't spend, there must be consequences. Because if you are not spending,

03:05:45it means you are depriving residents. And we as the MMCs are not the ones who are actually the ones who must do the work on the ground; it is the administrators. So, we've put it very clear, and the Executive Mayor was very clear to the city manager and his team, the executive, the EMT, that if you do not spend, you have to be put on terms, because this is money that is supposed to assist us to improve the lives of our residents, and we're not going to be apologetic about that. We are not scared of oversight; it's not true.

03:06:18That is why we attend the Section 79 committees. And I've said this before: if there are MMCs who don't attend Section 79s, you must call them out. You must be able to call them out, because if we don't attend Section 79 committees, it means we as the executive are actually saying, "No, there's something to shield," and that shouldn't be the case, because Section 79 is actually a committee of council that needs to be respected, and all officials must, including, as much as we attend, the officials themselves

Finance MMC replies on items 5-7; items noted; lunch break

03:06:52must be able to attend the Section 79 committees. And then I think there was an issue raised, okay, that was raised by Councillor Nkonyeni, that was the oversight issue in Section 79. And then there was also an issue of us in terms of the cash movements and the inflows. For the month of June, they amounted to 8.8 billion versus the cash outflows, and as I was saying earlier on, this is including our bulk purchases of electricity and water,

03:07:32as well as the salaries citywide. On the issue of salaries, we have looked at the issue of overspending and our salary bill. Colleagues and fellow councillors, our problem still remains the insourcing that was done, and we cannot not speak about it. It remains insourcing that was done because we had not budgeted for it. That is why we will have that particular.

03:08:03But the staff is here; they have to be paid, and they are doing the work. So, what does this mean? This means we will always have this problem of overexpenditure on our salaries because we had not properly planned and budgeted for that particular item of insourcing at that time. What is the lesson? We must always do due diligence and not take decisions that will have an impact on our salary bill going forward. But that's in the past, but it's important to explain

03:08:36why we will have overexpenditure on the salaries, because councillors continue to raise the matter, rightfully so. And the last part, I think I take the point on ensuring that we spend the money and make sure we collect, and those who pay must not be subjected to more problems. And Councillor Boer, one of the things we are very clear about: big business has to pay.

03:09:11It can't just only be residents that we follow up. Big business has to pay, and if they are not paying, we have to cut them. We're very clear: government departments have to pay, because government departments also owe the city an enormous amount of money, which can actually assist. And those are programs and a commitment that we are making. And we continue to implore and thank residents who are paying. We thank residents who are paying, and we will work with our councillors to continue to ensure in our communities

03:09:45we do community engagements to make councillors aware and understand the importance of paying for your services. And that also goes without saying that even us in this chamber, we have that particular responsibility. I thank you, Madam Speaker. We ask council to note the reports.

03:10:02Thank you, MMC Masuku. Councillors, all three reports, five, six, and seven, is for information. Are these items noted? Noted. Colleagues, it's now 13:20. We are going to break for lunch. We are coming back at 14:20.

Resumption after lunch

04:09:05Test, test.

04:09:51Can we settle down so that we proceed? We are five minutes over our time.

04:10:03I'm not sure which Section 79 committee have that meeting.

04:10:16Councillor Sifumba, you have not been part of that Section 79.

04:10:23The Chair and, and, and my person there has been meeting. Colleagues, can we settle? We continuing.

04:10:38Councillors, councillors down this passage. Councillor Amad, can we be seated? We are starting.

04:11:01IT, the mics again.

Item 8: 2026/27 IDP, Budget and Performance Process Plan - opening debate

04:11:07Afternoon, councillors. We are resuming on item eight, and that is the tabling of the 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan, budget uh, sorry, Plan, uh, budget, the performance monitoring, and reporting process plan.

04:11:26Thank you, councillors, co- uh, item number eight. We starting with Councillor Harris from the ACDP.

04:11:40Thank you, Madam Speaker. And I trust everyone had a good lunch. Uh, yesterday

04:11:46It was an ironic spring day.

04:11:51On the one side in Ward 69, on the one side of the street, the young children were having a ball of a time throwing buckets of water at themselves. On the other side of the street, people were burning tires and blocking the roads with building material because there was no water to be had. I think this was just a clear indication that there areclaim

04:12:16gaps in the education about what the IDP is all about and the need for the IDP process. Madam Speaker, I'm rising to speak to item number eight, the tabling of the Integrated Development Plan, Budget, Performance Monitoring and Reporting Process Plan. As we near the end of this administration, we can reflect on the systems and processes of the Metro. Ward Councillors' five-year plans form the basis of the business plans

04:12:48and these plans inform the IDP. It is difficult though not to see this as a tick-box exercise. Yes, the administration must be commended for conforming to all the regulations and meeting the milestones as set out in the report. Yes, Ward Councillors are encouraged to table the requests of their wards and to request specific services. However, these are sifted

04:13:17and communities are provided with services and projects as determined by the Budget Steering Committee. Two cases come to mind. The first is despite the pleas for assistance, Region B remains the least resourced region and Wards 68, 69 and 82 rank among the most impoverished wards. Swimming pools and sporting facilities are crucial for the mental and physical health of communities, yet no resources are made available

04:13:46to build and secure facilities. Instead, many facilities stand derelict while communities suffer collective punishment for the deeds of unemployed and marginalized people. As the ACDP, we call for a more robust analysis of the socio-economic conditions of the citizens of Johannesburg. This analysis should enjoy greater prominence in deciding on an equitable allocation of resources. The ACDP notes and approves this item. Thank you.

04:14:18Thank you, Councillor Harris. Councillor Zigebe from the UDM.

04:14:27Madam Speaker, the process plan is not just a technical exercise, but a reflection of our collective priorities as a council. On the other hand, this process plan shows that Johannesburg has matured in integrating its planning cycles. The clear timelines for workshops, public comments, budget hearings and strategic sessions give a sense of structure and order. We also note that priorities such as basic services, economic inclusion, inner-city renewal and digital access remain firmly on the table.

04:14:56These are urgent issues our residents face daily, and it's encouraging that they are not being sidelined. On the other hand, Speaker, we must admit that residents are growing weary of hearing about plans while still living with potholes, unreliable power, unsafe communities, and persistent housing backlogs. A well-written process plan means nothing if its outcomes do not reach the streets of Soweto, Alexandra, Lenasia, and Sandton alike. What this plan

04:15:26does well is to outline where we are going. Where it falls short is in explaining how we will get there and how we will hold ourselves accountable when milestones are missed. Public participation, for example, should not just be meetings where officials present slides. It should be about residents shaping outcomes, especially the youth, women, and people with disabilities who often feel excluded. There is also a significant opportunity before us. Johannesburg will be hosting global summits like the G20 and U20 next year.claim

04:15:56These events must be leveraged not for prestige alone, but for lasting benefits, investments in infrastructure, jobs for young people, and opportunities for small businesses. The IDP process plan should speak directly to how these opportunities will be captured and translated into local development. Honourable Speaker, the truth is the process plan is a necessary tool, but it cannot be the end goal. The people of Johannesburg are looking for cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, jobs for their children, and dignity in service

04:16:26delivery. That is how they will measure us. Not on the number of workshops or compliance with deadlines, but on whether life in this city becomes better. In conclusion, we should support this plan as a framework, but we must also insist on greater emphasis on delivery, accountability, and community ownership. Our task as Council is to ensure that the plan moves beyond paper into the daily lived reality of the people we serve. I thank you.

04:16:54Thank you, Councillor Zigebe. DA Councillor Hooper.

04:17:01Good day, Chair, uh Speaker. Um, could I forfeit my time to Councillor Christians? I'll just speak on item nine. Thank you.

04:17:15EFF Councillor Mbambala.

04:17:24Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to the house. Greetings to all 29 battalions of the 26 July Movement led by our capable and competent caucus leader, a commissar and an MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku and our Chief Whip Councillor Thabisa Mogapi. Speaker, I would like to pose some critical questions with regards to Item 8, IDP process.

04:17:54Raising them will be our aim for the executive, including the administration, to ponder on the question raised and somehow plot for an effective IDP process. The first batch of questions are based on strategy and alignment. Beyond the listed six priorities,

04:18:15Councillor, can you just hold on? At the back there, can we please respect?

04:18:21Priorities.

04:18:22Mhm.

04:18:24Thank you, Councillor. You can

04:18:26Beyond the listed six priorities, what specific measurable targets will be used to define success in areas like economic inclusion and digital access? This is important in that who directly or indirectly benefits from economic inclusion, and also digital access will not reach everybody for obvious reasons, that not everyone has digital access. What happens to those that do not have digital access? How exactly will the

04:18:58city leverage hosting the G20 and U20 summits to directly benefit the 2026 to 31 IDP? Are there specific partnership or investment goals tied to these events? In essence, what are the long-term leverage of such an event, considering it is not an annual event? It comes once in a long periodical time. The plan aligns with many frameworks, namely Sustainable Development Goals, NDP, GGT,

04:19:29etc. How will the city manage potential conflicts or competing priorities between these different frameworks? The second batch of questions are based on public participation. Speaker, how will the city ensure that the online and social media engagement reaches a diverse and representative cross-section of residents, not just those who are already digitally connected? This is a concern because public participation at the moment

04:19:59is very low, whether it's face-to-face, social media, or online updates. The document promises clear feedback loops. What is the specific mechanism and timeline for providing feedback to residents on how their input from ward meetings and summits was used or not used in the final IDP? Speaker, what are the consequences for departments or municipal entities that fail to meet their submission deadlines, e.g., for draft

04:20:31business plans, as outlined in the process plan? This is important because from a legislative standpoint, the consequences are severe if the municipality does not comply with the MFMA and MSA requirements, which may result in sanctions from National Treasury. Also, a delay in one department disturbs the consolidation process, which will affect the other departments. This underperforming department, one has not seen any

04:21:01serious consequence management taken against them for such delays. Lastly, late submission could result in a department's project or operational needs not being included in the draft budget, directly impacting their ability to function and deliver services in the coming year. Madam Speaker, as the City of Johannesburg, very little feedback is given to this council on the IGR intervention, especially the DDM model. So, how does the

04:21:31District Development Model, DDM, actually change the way the City of Johannesburg works with the provincial and national government departments on a practical level, which will eventually result to a structured and periodical feedback of the council in the City of Johannesburg?

04:21:57Councillor Aphane from ActionSA.

04:22:02Honourable Speaker, members of council, Fabulous 44, and most importantly, fellow residents of Johannesburg. I rise on

04:22:11Can you please speak into the mic, please, Councillor?

04:22:14I rise on item eight, the tabling of 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan, Budget, Performance Monitoring and Reporting Process Plan. As the current five-year IDP term concludes in June 2026, the city should now be preparing to develop a new five-year IDP for 2026 to 2031 periodclaim

04:22:43in accordance with the legislative requirement. In line with Section 21 of the Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003 and supporting Treasury guidelines, municipalities are expected to table a time schedule of key deadlines for IDP and budget process by 31 August each year. To most residents, this exercise is like a merry-go-round where residents gather to express their frustrations in their communities,claim

04:23:14but nothing is done about it. Furthermore, the executive keeps on changing and changing. As a result, no one is held accountable. As ActionSA, therefore, we note this item. Thank you.

Item 8: DA's Christians and the dispute over his conduct

04:23:29Thank you, Councillor Aphane. Councillor Christians.

04:23:43Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'd like to start off by saying congratulations to Councillor Masuku. This report is one which actually is detailed in how we're going to follow the process. But this process is what we've been following for how many years now.

04:24:01Can you speak into the mic, please?

04:24:03I am speaking into the mic, Madam Speaker. It's right in front of me. Madam Speaker, the process is now a bit more detailed, but it still lacks a few tweaks. And before I even get to those tweaks, I must say, you know, the definition of insanity, I think we all know what it is: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. That's why I say it's documented these processes now,

04:24:33but it's still doing the exact same thing. And what is it that it is doing? I know when the MMC is going to stand up, she's going to say we're talking here about good governance.

04:24:44Can you take your seat, please? Councillor Raphadu.

04:24:51Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, I was trying to hold myself and not to stand up in this council. Um, I thought today we'll be running this council in a fair, dignified manner, but the disrespect towards you when you try to call and address some few issues, and the way the Councillor is addressing you is very unbecoming, and it's very wrong. Um, please can he withdraw uh that "it's in front of me"? The arrogant answering can't be correct. Thank you very much.

04:25:28Thanks for that, Councillor Raphadu. Um, I feel exactly the same way that you feel, and for the fact that he calls the MMC "she". Thank you. Councillor Christians, I'm sure you heard what Councillor Raphadu said. And please speak into the mic.

04:25:48Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I meant no disrespect. You said I should stand in front and speak into the mic. I am standing in front and speaking into the mic. I don't know what more I'm supposed to do.

04:25:57Councillor, Councillor, we did not ask for a debate.

04:26:00Madam Speaker, I'm not debating. So I said I apologize.

04:26:06Thank you.

04:26:08Thank you, Madam Speaker. I did say I apologize, and

04:26:10Can you carry on with your speech?

04:26:12I am, Madam Speaker, but you keep interrupting me.

04:26:16Carry on.

04:26:17Madam Speaker, you know, I feel very disenfranchised as a person who's taller than 1.9 m. I have to bend over and speak into a mic because you are not allowing us to do it properly, and then we're being chastised that we're not speaking into something, and then we get told we're being disrespectful when we're not. At the end of the day, Madam Speaker, we're talking about a process here. And I'm not too sure now how to explain, uh, in our culture, if it's a female, we do say "she", we don't say "he".

04:26:49So I don't know if that was also a matter of disrespect. So if that is a disrespectful thing from a cultural perspective, I apologize for that as well. So, Madam Speaker, the MMC, as I said, is doing exactly what we've been doing over and over and over again. But we're expecting different results. And that is the definition of insanity. So if that's not what people want to hear, then I'm sorry. But when we're going to talk to this item, the MMC is going to come in and say this

04:27:20process is to deal with good governance, accountability, and credibility. But it's not. When it comes to good governance, good governance is not a checkbook exercise where we just tick the boxes that we've done it, we've done the processes, we've tabled it before council, we've given dates ahead of time, and we've had those meetings. That is not good governance. Good governance is actually listening to the people and taking note of what they say, and not going there with already a foregone conclusion. Madam Speaker, accountability.

04:27:51Who are we accountable to in this council? We've got a plan here, but how many councillors who are sitting behind me and in front of me have actually been asked, "Are you okay with those dates? Are you okay with having public meetings in an open forum, or would you like to go into the new century and have online meetings because that is what your residents want?" It's not been done, yet we talk about accountability. Who are we being accountable to? We're only being accountable to our own bosses and our own owners of our political parties.

04:28:22And that is exactly what we're seeing before us once again. Madam Speaker, the next thing is credibility. If you recall, not too long ago, I stood up in this house and I spoke about credibility. The processes that are being asked we are being asked to accept going forward for the next IDP is doing exactly the same thing. We're not reaching 6 million people in the City of Johannesburg because we're doing the exact same thing, and we're going to get the exact same outcome. We were told, "Read."

04:28:54I was told, "Read." And when I read that document previously, it said 20,000 is the target. Is that a target for 6 million people? 6 million people, and somebody said yes from across from me. So clearly they don't understand where credibility comes from, because 20,000 for 6 million is not a credible number. And what was the outcome of the target of 6,000? It was 5,400, which was actually less than that, and 4,800 were the two outcomes. It did not reach that target,

04:29:24even though it was so low. Why? Because we're spelling out once again in this process the exact same thing. The exact same thing. And why? Because we are scared to say we are failing and we need help. Please, Ward Councillors who are sitting behind me, help me to get the numbers up. Ward Councillors sitting in front of me—notice I don't say to the left of me because there's no Ward Councillors there—those in front of me, please come and tell me, ha!

04:29:55Please come and tell me how do we get the numbers up in your wards, because that is what's going to give us credibility in this process. So, Madam Speaker, we can listen to what I have to say, or we can already close off and give Councillor Raphadu the ignition that, you know, whenever Councillor Christians stands up, let's call a point of order to see if he goes off track. But I've got it here on the—I'm not going to go off track, Madam Speaker, because ultimately I'm credible when I'm talking about it because I'm talking about facts and figures, I'm not talking about hearsay.

04:30:24Councillor Christians.

04:30:27Through you, Madam Speaker, my apologies.

04:30:28Point of order. Ugh.

04:30:31Madam Speaker, we need to correct something, and I know that this council is being flighted out there and they are recording. So,

04:30:42Councillor Wax.

04:30:43For my Speaker, a former Speaker of Council.

04:30:45Councillor Wax, Councillor Wax.

04:30:48Uh well, let me address you. Let me not address him. Please, can Councillor Christians not take it as a sign of disrespect when I'm standing up to caution around the issues of disrespect? It can never be. So please can he withdraw that as a point of personal explanation? Thank you. Mara, the former Speaker should know better, not howl. Thank you.

04:31:12Councillor Raphadu. Councillor Christians, can you continue? Your time is running. I stopped it, but it's going to run.

04:31:21AfrikaansCouncillor Raphadu, asseblief tog.

04:31:24Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this process is something that's legislated. Now, can we just accept that we're going to follow what the legislation says as a tick-box exercise, or we actually want to do it genuinely? And credibility is where the genuineness comes into it. We are failing our society, we are failing Johannesburg, and clearly we are failing this house. I thank you.

Item 8: ANC support, MMC reply and approval

04:31:52Councillor Modupi from the ANC. Thank you, Councillor Christians.

04:32:03Uh, thank you, Madam Speaker. Honourable Speaker, members of the Mayoral Committee, fellow councillors,

04:32:18Sesothoand baahi ba toropo ya Johannesburg hape ke le dumedise. Ke kgutle hape ke dumedise le baeti ba rona ba teng eh kwano mona lekgotleng la rona.

04:32:33Madam Speaker, I rise here on behalf of the African National Congress, carrying the voices, hopes, and urgent needs of the communities we serve. We are not here to trade words. We are here to set in motion a plan that can change lives. Before us is the 2026-2031

04:33:02Integrated Development Plan process plan. This is no ordinary document. It is a strong, disciplined, people-centered blueprint for a Johannesburg that works for everyone. It provides clarity: no more confusion about who is responsible. It provides timelines: no more endless delays.

04:33:32It demands alignment: no more scattered projects that do not connect. And most importantly, Madam Speaker, it enshrines the voice of our communities, ensuring that we listen before we act, that we plan with our people, not for them. These strengths are not just technical details; they are the foundation of dignity,

04:34:03a clear plan means water flows to taps sooner. Strict timelines mean roads are repaired before they fail. Community-driven priorities mean no ward, no neighborhood, no family is left behind. As the ANC, our commitment is simple: we do this in the best interest of our communities.

04:34:33We do this so that when residents speak of local government, they speak not with despair, but with pride. We do this so that five years from now, we can all point to real, visible improvements: safer streets, working infrastructure, opportunities for our youth, and say with confidence: we planned it, we budgeted it, we delivered it

04:35:04together. Colleagues, this is our moment. Let us adopt this process plan not as a formality, but as a declaration—a declaration that Johannesburg is ready to move from politics to performance, from promises to proof, from debate to delivery. As the ANC, we support the report. Thank you very much.

04:35:32Thank you, Councillor Modupi. MMC Masuku.

04:35:40Thank you, Speaker, and to all the councillors. Um, I don't agree that this is merely a tick-box exercise. Um, I think we all have a responsibility to ensure our communities participate and come out. And Madam Speaker, I'm going to disappoint Councillor Christians, because I'm not going to say the things that he expected me to say. But I am going to say, yes, as much as this is legislated,

04:36:10but we must do our part because it's about a deeper civic involvement of our communities. So, um, if we must make sure that this must happen, yes, we must all do it together. And as Ward Councillors, um, we must therefore not fail our residents, and we must make sure we mobilize our residents to actually come out and attend sessions that are meant to make sure that they are part of the decision-making,

04:36:40to make sure that they are empowered to engage and make legitimate contributions into the society that they, because they are the residents of Johannesburg. And remember, this process is about also building trust. Now, Madam Speaker, the Democratic Alliance always stands and speaks about um how they will do better and so forth. Now, this is an opportunity to do better.

04:37:11This is a call to action for all councillors to say from your respective caucuses, make sure residents participate in the processes. And Madam Speaker, Ward Councillors must also participate and not boycott IDP sessions! Because councillors, some of them, they know themselves, they don't attend.

04:37:39Just hold on, MMC. Councillor Rahn. Councillor Rahn has put up her hand, but others are screaming at the back. Can we not have that?

04:37:48Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, if I could just please put on record that our councillors were all in attendance for their ward IDP sessions, we pulled the records.claim

04:37:56Thank you, Councillor Rahn. Councillor Rahn, thank you. Councillor, Councillor, Councillor Deppe, please. Please, Councillor Deppe. Councillor Rahn, can you speak to your councillor, please? Thank you, MMC.claim

04:38:16Out of the 18 public participation processes, more than 10 of them, community members complained about the absence of some Ward Councillors who were not there in their wards. So what I'm speaking is a fact, and Madam Speaker, we can actually even publish those. So the onus is also on us as public representatives to be truthful to what we say. And when we say that we must encourageclaim

04:38:46people, we must do it honestly, and so that the residents also are empowered and they gain the agency that is required in terms of inputs and participation. And so that when we do the decision-making process, at least at the back of our minds we're aware. Yes, the numbers are not always possible to reach, but there is improvement. And if we can do a comparison, which is not necessary—it's not necessary for us to beclaim

04:39:16doing a comparison in the previous years—but there has been improvement. And I'm correcting the councillor that said uh social media and online are the only methods. No, in the physical meetings there's also an opportunity for you to submit manually. There are forms that are there, so the submission is there, but there is a process for those who prefer online to connect online. So I ask council to approve, and I'm imploring

04:39:49all councillors to go to their communities and encourage community members to participate in processes of engagements in our city, because as residents, they have a right to voice themselves and make sure that we have meaningful public participation, and we have an obligation as councillors to do that as well. I thank you.

04:40:18Thank you, MMC. The recommendations are on page 8.6. Is the item agreed to?

04:40:26Agreed.

04:40:27Thank you.

Item 9: 2025/26 Public Participation Outcomes Report - first speakers and time-donation dispute

04:40:31We're now on item nine, and that's tabling of the 2025/26 Public Participation Outcomes Report of the CBP and IDP process.

04:40:41Thank you. Item nine, we start off with the ACDP councillor, Councillor Harris.

04:40:51Uh, thank you so much, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on item nine, the tabling of the 2025/2026 Public Participation Outcomes Report. Uh, as councillors, we can attest that these sessions did indeed take place, and they are taking place. The participation methodology as described in the report is accurate. However, the accuracy, seriousness, and effectiveness of these sessions

04:41:21is another matter altogether. The Human Settlements is not mentioned as a department that is critical to the health of Region B. The poor condition of the rental stock as well as the old age homes in Ward 82 and other wards was discussed, but when the IDP was presented, it was stated that there is no budget

04:41:46to attend to the myriad of problems. The Sports and Recreation Department gets a free pass always because facilities are derelict and not fit for purpose. And the reason given is because of the chronic vandalism. The whole public participation

04:42:08process activity is really just, it's a stressful time for residents because they come out and complain and the words are spoken, but nothing gets done about it. Communities are asked to identify priorities, but when they do, the only priorities that appear is the priorities that officials decide they need to get. So these

04:42:37processes are not really grounded in fact. The ACDP notes these reports and we apologize to communities for the flaccid attempt to create the impression that they are being heard. I thank you.

04:42:51Thank you, Councillor Harris. Councillor Zigebe.

04:43:03Speaker, uh there's something that the AIC would like to say.

04:43:14Councillor Mhlongo.

04:43:17Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, I know that I'm on the speaker's list, but I want to donate my speaking time to Councillor Zigebe. Thank you.

04:43:34You are killing the AIC. You are honestly killing the AIC. I, I hope they can hear you. Councillor Zigebe,

04:43:45you've got six minutes.

04:43:48Honourable Speaker.

04:43:49Councillor

04:43:51Christians.

04:43:56Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'm a bit concerned. Correct me if I heard wrong. The speaker that stood up just now said he's not on the speaking list, but he'd like to donate his time. If you're not on the speaking list, you don't have time. You can't donate your time.

04:44:10He's on the speaker's list. He's on the list the same way, the same way, the same way that Councillor Khanyile was on the list, he was on the list.

04:44:23Madam Speaker, the list we have printed before us does not have it.

04:44:24Yes, he was on the list. He had given us the name in the morning, the same way Councillor Khanyile had given the name.

04:44:34Madam Speaker, I'm not arguing with you. All I'm saying is the list we've been given did not have it, so but thank you for that clarification and please give us the updated list. Thank you.

04:44:41Can you, can you look at the list on item number four?

04:44:49Thank you, Councillor Zigebe. I wouldn't do illegal things. I wouldn't.

04:44:57I think people were absent in the morning and they only woke up because you fed them, Honourable Speaker. That is fine. That means you are a good host, Speaker.

04:45:07Councillor Zigebe, can you just hold on? Councillor Belinda, if you go to item number four, I'm making a, I'm, I'm showing you. If you go to item number four, Councillor Khanyile is not on the list, but he had, they had given us the name and it was not there when we printed. So the same applies to Councillor Mhlongo. Thank you.

04:45:34Councillor Belinda. Councillor, your time is waiting for you.

04:45:40We don't have a problem, Madam Speaker, for the person giving his time away. We are just querying the fact that we're on item 10 and you are referring to item four.

04:45:49No, no, no. I was making a comparison with Councillor Christians.

04:45:55Okay. Thanks, Madam Speaker.

04:45:56Thank you.

04:46:01Uh Councillor Belinda, we're on item nine, not 10.

04:46:04Councillor, can you move on to your, your item, please?

04:46:06Thank you.

04:46:09Honourable Speaker, the report before us touches the very foundation of democracy, accountability and service delivery in our city. This report is not just about process compliance, it is about whether the people of Johannesburg feel heard, represented and ultimately served by those entrusted with public office. At the outset, the city has fulfilled its constitutional and legislative obligations in ensuring that um public participation takes place. And it is encouraging to see that almost 10,000 residents engaged

04:46:39through community-based planning sessions and regional IDP summits. That is no small achievement. The adoption of the asset-based community development approach is also a progressive step, moving us from treating communities um as passive beneficiaries to recognizing them as partners in co-production and development. The structuring of sessions into ward clusters and regional summits demonstrates an effort to draw grassroots voices into the broader IDP and budgetary processes

04:47:09of the city. These are commendable achievements that should not be understated. Yet, Speaker, while the process deserves recognition, our role as councillors is to interrogate where improvements are necessary. The report itself admits that not all sessions were well attended and that mobilization must be strengthened. This raises questions about whether our outreach has been broad and inclusive enough. Were the voices of young people, women, um and persons with disabilities,

04:47:39and informal traders, were fully represented in these engagements? A participatory process can only claim legitimacy when those who are most vulnerable and most affected by service delivery challenges are part of shaping the outcomes. Another concern lies in the absence of a clear feedback loop. Communities raised priorities year after year, but there is little clarity on what is being implemented, what is planned, and what remains unresolved. Without a transparent mechanism to show progress,

04:48:09public participation risks becoming an exercise in expectation management rather than delivery. Communities want to see action, not only acknowledgement of their concerns. We must also be honest about the recurring nature of the issues raised. Infrastructure backlogs, informal settlements, um and unemployment, crime, unstable utilities and urban decay have been reported repeatedly across the regions. This consistently, this consistently suggests

04:48:40that while participation is happening, the capacity of key entities such as the Johannesburg Roads Agency, City Power, Joburg Water and Human Settlements remain insufficient to resolve these matters decisively. This is not only a governance question, but a structural challenge that must be addressed through stronger resourcing, partnerships and accountability. Moreover, the process has remained largely physical in nature, despite Johannesburg being a youthful and technologically connected city.

04:49:09The lack of digital engagement platforms such as online surveys, WhatsApp feedback channels or ward-based dashboards is a missed opportunity to expand inclusivity and participation. We cannot continue to rely solely on town hall and cluster meetings when technology provides an opportunity to reach a wider and more diverse cross-section of our residents. These gaps, however, should not be seen as failures, but as opportunities. We can strengthen mobilization by working more closely with ward councillors, community radio

04:49:39and digital platforms to improve inclusivity and attendance. We can develop public-facing dashboards to track progress on community priorities so that residents know what is completed, what is planned and what is delayed. We can ensure that quick wins identified by communities are delivered within the financial year as a way to build trust. Entities must be resourced and supported where necessary, but where they consistently fail, council must exercise firm oversight and demand consequence management. We must

04:50:09also innovate by piloting participatory budgeting, youth-led forums and digital engagements to deepen the culture of participation. This report reflects the strength of our democratic systems and the continued commitment of our people to engage with their government. But it also highlights the need for us to move beyond participation as an event towards participation as a sustained partnership. Our challenges as leaders is to ensure that voices translate into budgets, that budgets translate into delivery,

04:50:40and that delivery translates into a better life for all who call Johannesburg home. For these reasons, I support the noting of this report, but urge this council to address the gaps so that participation becomes not only meaningful, but impactful in changing the lives of our people. Madam Speaker, before I sit down, I'd like to wish the coach of Orlando Pirates and the staff um a, you know, a speedy recovery as they are in hospital after doing a very patriotic job

04:51:10in helping those who were in accidents. Also congratulations uh to Councillor Masuku and also to Councillor uh Zungu.

04:51:18isiZuluEyi washiya uChief Whip.

04:51:19Thank you.

04:51:22Thank you, um Councillor Zigebe. Councillor Christians from the DA.

Item 9: DA, EFF, ANC speakers, MMC reply and approval

04:51:31Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, before I start, um I'll only be taking two minutes of my four minutes. The other two minutes will be going to Councillor Hooper. From the DA to the DA, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in this item, we talking about the outcome report of CBP. I think we need to spell out CBP. It's community-based planning. Now, I don't understand how community-based planning can be done when you cluster wards together

04:52:01to the extent where some community members cannot even get to the ward where it's being held outside of their area. Madam Speaker, we make that call once again. Speak to our ward councillors. They're willing to help. They can set up the meetings in their communities as the word says, community-based planning. That is the only way we're actually going to deal with proper public participation and not the farcical thing that we are seeing today. Thank you.

04:52:38Councillor from the EFF, Councillor Mbambala.

04:52:44Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings. I rise on item number nine. Greetings to all 29 battalions of the movement of the 26 July Movement led by our capable and competent caucus leader, a commissar and an MMC, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, and our Chief Whip, Councillor Tharisa Mogapi. The EFF always prides itself with superior logic guided by its seven cardinal pillars, complimentary pillars, manifesto and policy discussion documents. We bring this to the city not to always complain,

04:53:15but to also offer solutions. So on the given that some sessions were poorly attended, we recommend to the City of Joburg that it implements specific strategies to improve mobilization and ensure more democratized representation in the future. This should be a deliberate, well-thought-out process that will indeed bring a proper and meaningful participatory process. Then the city should also

04:53:45look into the digital divide because the document notes a digital divide as a community issue and that online sessions were held. The city should ensure that the online participation method did not exclude those without reliable internet access. In essence, there should be an audit process as the city branches out into each ward and region, ensure that it assists areas where there is unreliable internet access, and that when addressed,

04:54:15it is used for the COJ participation. The asset-based community development, ABCD, approach is mentioned. How was the methodology specifically implemented in the sessions? How was it different from previous years' methods? On this issue of targeted groups, what are the specific distinct outcomes of issues raised in the target sessions with women, youth, business, and people with disabilities that were different from the general public sessions?

04:54:46The city should also encourage a culture of community-driven projects and the city should showcase and motivate other communities with these projects without being responsible for them. The unfunded community-based projects prioritized from the 2024 to 2025 budget, where the total is 405 according to the report, which resulted in unmet priorities, should also be cited for the, for we expect

04:55:16reports to council concerning these projects. There are also many low-hanging fruits out of quick turnaround projects within the COJ, which should be identified per ward and report on the status of their implementation. In intergovernmental relations, issues which are outside the city's direct mandate, for example, policing, SAPS, education, health, etc., what specific agreements or follow-up processes are in place with provincial

04:55:46and national government departments to address them? For example, in the division of revenue annexures, there are grants for schools, clinics, etc., which are not under the jurisdiction of the municipality

04:55:5930 seconds, Councillor.

04:56:01and yet the community comes to the councillors to assist where there is provincial jurisdiction. So one day, through effective IGR forum, which should be an engagement in council, we should consider getting clinics, schools under the municipality because we have JMPD, we can leave SAPS. As we note the two recommendations, I thank you.

04:56:24Thank you, Councillor. Um, Councillor Hooper from the DA.

04:56:33Number one.

04:56:38Uh, good day, Speaker. I rise to speak on item nine, all protocol observed. Uh, Speaker, while we believe that public participation is crucial, we do not support the current iteration of the budget due to skewed priorities, wastage, and a focus on misusing credit meant for unfunded mandates or basic services. The main issues with the SDBIP process are an ongoing focus on low-level, easy-win KPIs for departments and directorates and the entities,

04:57:09which perhaps represents a servile and obsequious method of making the current GNU MMCs look good. And the issue with the linked CBP process was a lack of advertising, which resulted in poor attendance and a lack of participation in the sessions. While CBP sessions have previously assisted with formulating strategic projects that truly benefited disadvantaged communities, as of late, they have become a tick-box exercise. CBP workshops are often

04:57:38delayed, postponed, or poorly organized by officials and certain councillors and ward committees that should be doing more to ensure participation by community members. The city can evidently do more to communicate the importance of CBP sessions and advertise those sessions by Group Communications and Marketing, the Speaker's Office, our regional service centres, and ward councillors themselves. Speaker, the city should adequately and effectively advertise

04:58:10uh CBP sessions to residents to ensure informed participation, actually strengthen our democracy within the city, and to meet legal obligations, as well as foster accountability and improve the relevance and effectiveness of our city's development plans and services by aligning them with community needs. Speaker, that said, the city and the current administration, led by a bunch of neo-Marxists, can certainly do more to ensure the SDBIP is actually aligned

04:58:40to a better budget, you know, focusing on revenue enhancement and improved KPIs, and the CBP process should result in projects that are actually aligned to the real needs of residents. Speaker, please note our disapproval and dissent for item eight and nine. Thank you.

04:58:59Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Modupi from the ANC.

04:59:12SesothoUh ke lebohe hape Motsamaisi wa dipuisano ka hara lekgotla.

04:59:19On this item, the African National Congress will be supporting it. However, there are some issues I would like to highlight that are emanating from the debate. I think that our definition of the community as presented by Councillor Christians would not be assisting us. I think the manner in which uh this public participation are conducted

04:59:50by clubbing the wards together is working very well. Because communities are not defined by wards. I can tell you, as the ward councillor of Ward 67, I serve more than one community. We've got a community with a common characteristic which cuts across uh two wards, which is 66 and 67, Yeoville and Bellevue. Now, it would not

05:00:19make sense for you to say you want to only focus on Ward 67 when the challenges of Ward 67 and 66 are the same, uh particularly Yeoville and Bellevue. Then you are going to have another community which is on Upper Houghton, Killarney. Now, their needs are going to be different from those of Yeoville and Bellevue. Now, I think when you club the wards, I think the city would have

05:00:49taken into consideration to say, let us bring these people together so that each of the members of these different communities are able to raise uh their issues. I want to uh support this report. Thank you very much.

05:01:05Thank you, Councillor Modupi. MMC Masuku.

05:01:12Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and for the comments. We ask council to um approve the report.

05:01:19Thank you, MMC. Councillors, colleagues, the recommendations on page 9.8, is the item agreed to?

05:01:27Agreed.

05:01:29Thank you.

Item 10: Ratification of municipal valuer appointment

05:01:33We're now on item 10, and that is the ratification report for appointment and designation of the municipal valuer for the remaining period for the general valuation roll and, sorry, general valuation roll of 2023 and supplementary valuation rolls.

05:01:52Councillor Harris, ACDP.

05:01:58Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on item 10, the appointment of the municipal valuator. The ACDP expresses its thanks to the retired Director of Valuation Services, Mr. Piet Eloff. We also welcome the appointment of Mr. Fayiz Shaik as the municipal valuer. We understand the need for the city to maintain a municipal valuation roll. We also understand the need for the city to generate revenue through a fair way

05:02:28of valuing properties. It is not ethical, though, to maximize revenue by over-inflating the value of properties. Yes, there is an appeal process, but the general feeling is that this process places an unduly heavy burden on the property owner to successfully lodge an appeal. We wish you well, Mr. Shaik. As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean. Please re-evaluate the process of valuation, objections, and appeals as you settle into your new role.

05:03:00Restore the confidence of property owners in your office by ensuring that valuations are in line with the guidelines of professional property valuers, and resist the pressures to have property owners unduly taxed in the quest to generate as much income as possible for the city. The ACDP notes this item. Thank you.

05:03:23Thank you, Councillor Harris. Councillor Boer.

05:03:30Thank you and good afternoon, Madam Speaker, fellow councillors. Um, we wish uh the retired municipal valuer, Piet Eloff, a pleasant retirement. He, however, retired uh five months ago already, Madam Speaker, on the 31st of March. He went on retirement. On the 1st of April, we appointed Fayiz Shaik as the acting valuer. Madam Speaker, this report comes to council as a ratification report again. Why only five months afterclaim

05:04:00the new appointment has been made, council gets informed of the new valuer? This is not the way business should be done. Um, in the report, it says that Fayiz Shaik is appointed until the next valuation, June 2027. Madam Speaker, this position is so crucial to the city to have a competent, uh really a valuer that can do the valuation with the highest dignity. Um, it is crucialclaim

05:04:31to have a permanent valuer appointed again long before 30th of June 2027, so that he can do a proper valuation roll on the 30th of June and minimizing the complaints from our residents. So although we welcome the appointment of the acting valuer, we really urge the city to appoint a permanent one as soon as possible. Thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

05:04:58Thank you, Councillor Boer. EFF, Councillor Nethamba.

05:05:11Thank you, Speaker. And I rise to speak on item 10. I greet you all in the name of cardinal pillar number three, which is building a state and government capacity. Speaker, the role of a valuer is not merely a title. It is a commitment to the principle of equity and justice and community empowerment. In a time where our city faces challenges of inequality and disinvestment, it is vital that

05:05:41we embrace a valuer who understands the importance of serving the public interest above all. Appointing a highly qualified and experienced individual in the city is a big part of building a state and government capacity. The valuer's responsibility extends beyond merely property assessment. They are essential in ensuring that every citizen's voice is heard in planning and development of Johannesburg.

05:06:16The citizen's voice is heard in planning and development of Johannesburg. We need a valuer who prioritizes community needs, especially in historical marginalized areas. It is essential that they recognize a value of community spaces, affordable housing, and sustainable development that respects our environment and heritage. As we move forward, as the EFF, we demand transparency and accountability from this office. The appointment should reflect the commitment

05:06:47of fairness and inclusivity, ensuring that the interest of all Johannesburg residents, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are prioritized in every valuation decision made. Let us not forget that our city's future centers on how well we manage our resources and how equitably we distribute them. We need a valuer who will work tirelessly to bridge the gap created by decades of inequality,

05:07:17someone who will advocate for policies that foster inclusivity and social justice. The EFF commits to holding Mr. Shaik accountable to the community of Johannesburg, pushing for a vision of Johannesburg that thrives on unity, diversity, and equality growth. Our city deserves nothing less than a commitment for fair and just valuation process that uplifts everyone in the city. In conclusion,

05:07:48the appointment of our municipality valuer is not merely an administrative task. It is a reaffirmation of our dedication to the people of Johannesburg. However, it is our hope that the municipality will, over time, do away with appointing on an acting basis for continuity. This position must be filled permanently. As the EFF, we note the report. I thank you.

05:08:18Thank you, Councillor. ActionSA, Councillor Nkonyeni.

05:08:29Uh, greetings, Speaker. All protocols observed. Speaker, Councillor Modupi should stop using 2018 as a scapegoat. True maturity starts when you stop blame-shifting and start taking responsibility for your own failures. With that said, Madam Speaker, today we are asked to ratify the appointment of Mr. Fayiz Shaik as the acting municipal valuer for the City of Johannesburg. As ActionSA, we acknowledge

05:09:00the importance of this role. The Municipal Property Rates Act is clear: the city must designate a qualified municipal valuer to maintain the general valuation roll and its supplementary rolls. This is not optional; it is legal and an operational necessity. We therefore support the appointment of Mr. Shaik because he is a registered professional valuer with nearly two decades of experience in both public and private sectors. His qualifications and track record are not in question.claim

05:09:31The city needs a municipal valuer, and Mr. Shaik appears capable of fulfilling this mandate. However, Speaker, our support does not come without serious reservations. We are deeply concerned that council is being asked to ratify an appointment that has already taken effect, backdated to the 1st of April 2025. This is not just a procedural oversight; it is a governance failure. The acting city manager made the designation months ago, and only now is council being askedclaim

05:10:01to rubber-stamp it. This undermines the role of council as the oversight body and sets a dangerous precedent. Furthermore, the report confirms that Mr. Shaik has been drawing an acting allowance for a position that is already budgeted for. Let us be clear: Mr. Shaik is currently employed full-time as Deputy Director in Valuations, a funded post. Since April, he has also been acting as municipal valuer and receiving an acting allowance on top of his existing salary. This raises a critical question:claim

05:10:32What is happening to the rest of the municipal valuer's salary that is already budgeted for? Is it being saved? Is it being redirected? Or is it simply sitting idle while the city delays recruitment of a permanent appointee? This is a matter of financial accountability, and council deserves a clear answer. Speaker, we must also ask: Why did the city not initiate the recruitment process for a permanent municipal valuer when it knew Mr. Piet Eloff was retiring? His departure was not sudden.claim

05:11:02It was scheduled. Yet no proactive steps were taken to ensure a seamless transition. Instead, we are now dealing with a reactive appointment five months into the acting term. While the Municipal Property Rates Act does not prescribe a fixed term for acting appointments, it is widely understood that such appointments are temporary by nature and intended to ensure continuity while a permanent recruitment process is underway. The absence of a recruitment plan and a timeline is deeply troubling. Moreover, the Municipal Systems Act,

05:11:33which governs broader municipal administration, requires that acting appointments not be used to indefinitely delay the appointment of a permanent candidate. Prolonged acting arrangements, especially

05:11:46without transparency or council oversight risk undermining the integrity of our governance processes. In conclusion Madam Speaker Action SA believes in good governance, transparency and accountability. We will support this item because the city must continue its valuation work. By let it be known, our support is conditional on a clear commitment for the executive to one, end the practices practice of backdated and unilateral appointments.

05:12:12Number two, commence the recruitment process for permanent municipal valuer immediately and number three account for full use of budgeted salary for this position. Let this be the last time we are asked to ratify what we already have been what we have already done and possibly what should have been done what should not have been done at all. Thank you Speaker.

05:12:36Councillor Santana DA.

05:12:42Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on Item 10, the ratification report, appointment and the designation of the Municipal Valuer for the remaining period for the General Valuation Roll 2023 and Supplementary Valuation Rolls. Madam Speaker as the Democratic Alliance, we wish Mr. Piet Eloff a

05:13:02well rested and enjoy his pension years and do what he wanted to always do if he has the time to do so. Over and above that, yes Madam Speaker we are concerned by the fact that this is five months in the waiting. Why couldn't we get this report earlier? You know we've been sitting since the 1st of April. We've had council in every single one of those periods. So we do are greatly concerned by the delay in actual fact the reports.claim

05:13:29But that being said Madam Speaker we note the report as the Democratic Alliance, thank you.

05:13:35Thank you Councillor Santana. ANC Councillor Nofemela.

05:13:48Thank you Speaker and greetings to you, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Mayoral Committee, not forgetting to congratulate the newly appointed MMC for Finance.

05:14:02isiZuluNgiyithatha amaMbokodo. Wamukelekile.

05:14:06Greetings furthermore to the incoming Chief Whip in waiting, the ANC Caucus, fellow councillors, I greet you all.

05:14:18Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 10. The report brought before council is for compliance purposes. Compliance it's a key value in good governance of any institution. Be it public or private, it ensures that unauthorized and irregular practices are curbed for the smooth running of such a body. Madam Speaker,claim

05:14:45the city is taking valuation process very serious hence this item. The valuation matter Madam Speaker is a bedrock and strategic element and without it, it will be very difficult for any municipality to generate its own revenue through property rates. The property rates is the main source of revenue in the City of Johannesburg. For that reason Madam Speaker, there is an urgency to ensure that the vacancy in the office ofclaim

05:15:15Municipal Valuer is given a mandatory attention. The office was left vacant early this year in March 2025 to be exact after the retirement of the former incumbent. Madam Speaker as the ANC we support the appointment of Mr. Sheik and I thank you.

05:15:36Thank you Councillor. MMC Masuku.

05:15:43Thank you Madam Speaker. The comments are noted. The report was readyclaim

05:15:50was ready in June then the council meeting of June only dealt with the motions that's why then because it had already gone through to programming then in June we only dealt with the motions. Thenclaim

05:16:07in July we didn't have and then in August we it was also on the agenda and we unfortunately also couldn't deal with it. That's why we dealing with it now in September and I think as I indicated earlier that sometimes reports even if they are a month or two months late then the protracted processes of our own meeting procedures then create a delay,

05:16:33but I think the comments are noted from all the councillors and we ask council to approve the report. Thank you Madam Speaker.

05:16:41Thank you MMC. Colleagues the recommendations are on page 10.5. Is the item agreed to? Thank you.

Item 11: Post African Forum on Urban Forests outlook

05:16:54We proceeding with Item 11 and that is the post African Forum on Urban Forest Strategic Outlook and Key Upcoming Initiatives for August 2025.

05:17:18Councillor W. Raholane I hope I pronounce it right from the EFF. Raholane.

05:17:26SepediRaholane.

05:17:27Okay, thank you so much.

05:17:29Thanks for all.

05:17:32Madam Speaker, honorable councillors and residents of Johannesburg. I rise on behalf of the Economic Freedom Fighters to respond to Item 11. The strategic report following the Second African Forum on Urban Forests. The city must be congratulated to successfully hosting this historic event in March 2025. Over 430 delegates from more thanclaim

05:18:0235 countries gathered here in Johannesburg to explore how African cities can build resilience through urban forests. The gathering brought together mayors, academics, international agencies, grassroots organization, youth groups and civil society under one roof. It has positioned Johannesburg as not only a global economic player,claim

05:18:29but also climate aware forward-looking city that is willing to take bold action. However, Madam Speaker, we must be honest about what this moment means for the people on the ground. Hosting the AFUF is an achievement, but the real legacy must be felt in the lives of the people in Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Eldorado Park, Orange Farm and all communities whose skies remain grey and whose streets remain treeless.

05:19:01If people cannot experience the benefits of this international engagement, then it becomes just another conference that serves the elite while excluding the poor. The EFF does not celebrate visibility without transformation. We are not satisfied with declarations if they are not implemented at ward level. The AFUF was held under the theme: Green Horizons:

05:19:31Shaping the Future Resilience of African Cities through Urban Forests. This is a noble vision, but green horizons must not be reserved to the suburbs. Green must reach our settlements, our hostels and our backyards. The report mentions greening events at Diepsloot Memorial Park and the participation of young people in the Green Careers Expo.

05:19:56This is a positive start, but what will follow? Will trees be maintained? Will young people be employed in climate jobs? Will informal settlements be sorry, will informal settlements be reforested? These are the questions that matter to our communities. The EFF's position is clear. Environmental justice is social justice. The apartheid spatial legacy persists in who has trees, who does not.

05:20:27It persists in where parks are located, in where green jobs are created, and in who is consulted when the city makes climate plans. We welcome the international partnerships and the over R3.6 million raised from sponsors including FAO, UN-Habitat and the Department of Forestry. We also note that the city allocated R10.5 million to the forum,

05:20:57but we must ask how? How will that R10 million now be spent across all 135 wards? We want each community to benefit, not just from events, but from permanent green infrastructure, youth employment opportunities and agroforestry programs that are accessible in local languages. The report outlines a number of exciting post-forum initiatives

05:21:27from a peer learning session with Kampala.

05:21:30Five seconds, Councillor.

05:21:31To JCPZ participation in events in Rome and Cape Town, and a youth-led climate action dialogue between N'Djamena and Johannesburg. We support these, but we caution council that our benchmark for success must not be how many panels we sit on, but how many lives we transform.

05:21:56Thank you Councillor.

05:22:01Councillor from Action SA, Councillor Nyaqela.

05:22:07Greetings Madam Speaker. All protocols observed. May I also extend

05:22:14L. Coogan.

05:22:28Okay. Good day Speaker, MMCs, councillors and residents, all protocol observed. Today I rise to speak on the Post-African Forum on Urban Forests Strategic Outlook and Key Upcoming Initiatives. So on the last day of the forum was the 21st of March this year and it was the International Day of Forests. There was also a Career Expo,claim

05:22:57tree planting, giving out of fruit trees and tours of various greening initiatives to enhance urban forestry and enhance sustainability. From the outset, let me state that our duty is to represent residents, act in their interest and ensure there is true public participation and that information that affects them is shared in a manner that the knowledge can be understood,

05:23:27acted upon and appreciated. So I will start with an example. Did anyone know there is an initiative on Heritage Day on the 24th of September to have 1 million trees planted in South Africa? I found out last week on another forum I serve on. So let's explore this further. We understand that there is collaboration between EISD and Community Development,

05:23:59with JCPZ being the implementer of policies that emanate from EISD. So we need to be dealing with our communities across the spectrum, as we say from the cradle to the grave. So in both entities, there is often an exclusive talk shop modus operandi, particularly when it comes to the Climate Action Plan in the city. In order for the current situation to be better understood, accepted and to obtain support,

05:24:32Section 79 committees and residents need to be able to see and appreciate exactly what nature-based solutions for CAP are being implemented in the city, where our city translates climate commitments into local action, what urban forest mapping looks like, advancing urban forestry as a tool for climate resilience,

05:25:02examples of heat island mapping so residents can see the implications of how it will affect them. Evidently, urban forest mapping was exceptionally well received at the conference, but we are yet to find out about it, let alone share it with our residents. Yet our city is supposedly regarded internationally as thought leaders with respect to urban greening.

05:25:31And then without belaboring the point much further, there was a RISE Africa conference in Cape Town on the intersection between urban forestry and biodiversity. And then in Kampala, there was a sharing of tools and practical insights in terms of the Johannesburg Declaration on Urban Forests in April 2025, which promotes urban forests and urban sustainability. And then SALGA had a conference on advancing the green agenda.

05:26:03Who would have known? We should have. It should be part of our toolkit to support translating climate commitments into tangible local action and to understand what potential the green agenda has for our city and for our residents. We need examples and KPIs set up in the various portfolios in the city so that they become measurable and implementable. In order to deal with the various rigors and changes climate change is bringing about,

05:26:37we want to know that our city is making a plan. What can we as councillors share with our residents that will bring them comfort, understanding, inclusion, and a way to deal with our changing environment due to climate change? I really don't believe we should be focusing on putting on a good face to the outside world while neglecting to share the plans and good news with our relevant Section 79 committees and our residents.

05:27:08This is like putting on a good face to the world, but not worrying about your own home. So I want to know what difference do urban forests, nature-based solutions and the implementation of the Climate Action Plan make to us as the local government of supposedly the largest city in Africa and also supposedly

05:27:36the largest urban man-made exotic forest in the world? Please provide practical knowledge of trees that are suitable for the area that they are planted in. Don't give us massively expansive riverine trees on narrow pavements that have to be repeatedly chopped to keep under control. Propagate trees that are low maintenance, that provide shade,

05:28:06that don't drop thorns underfoot or grow through our power lines with their height, and their roots raising the concrete on pavements, roads and even cracking pipes in their quest for adequate water. So provide methods for rainwater to be channeled to the trees with enough space at the base of the trees to allow absorption, whether on pavements, parks or other open spaces. Map the polyphagous shot hole borer that is rampaging through our suburbs and share it with us,

05:28:38so we can start planning where suitable indigenous replacement trees are going to be needed to be planted that are not susceptible to the ravages of this beetle. Provide staff with knowledge to prune our trees correctly, so they still retain their form and shape without unnecessarily mutilating their form. And lastly, we want an inclusive and sustainable process for the urban forest in our city. Maybe learn from the past and make better selections of tree species

05:29:12from a form, maintenance and environmental point of view. Please cultivate and plant indigenous trees from our selection of over 1,000 indigenous trees, and also fruit trees, especially in areas where residents would appreciate the fruit to supplement their food. Let's plan better. Let's not only be content with our urban forest being the largest man-made urban forest in the world,

05:29:42but also the most significant both in beauty and provision of habitat, low maintenance, but also providing shade and oxygen to boost our health and well-being. The forum sought to implement and scale up nature-based solutions for climate resilience, biodiversity and livability. This means translating climate commitments into tangible local action in terms of both the NDP and the global climate goals. As the DA, we request

05:30:15the incorporation of the above measures so we can all proudly say, as per the Johannesburg Declaration 2025 Second Regional African Forum on Urban Forests, we strongly believe in the power of collaboration

05:30:3410 seconds.

05:30:35and meaningful partnerships to conserve, preserve, restore and expand urban forests, green spaces and natural-based solution.

Point of order on photography in the chamber

05:30:49Councillor Calling order on who, Councillor? Yes, Councillor Marumo.

05:31:01Thank you, thank you Speaker. With all due respect, Councillor Foley is busy taking pictures in council and

05:31:10Which councillor?

05:31:12Councillor Foley. Councillor Foley was busy is busy taking pictures this side. Is it allowed?

05:31:20Councillor Foley, can you stop doing that? It's not allowed.

05:31:30Sorry Speaker, in fact he should delete because he was busy taking it at the executive. May we request him to delete?

05:31:36Thank you, thank you Councillor Marumo. Can we stop doing, Councillor Christians, asseblief, no. Let's not do that.

05:31:46Can you delete Councillor? Can we have Councillor Xuma of the ANC. Can we stop this? I've noticed that there was two other councillors that did it earlier on.

05:32:03Thank you very much Speaker. As the ANC we note the report, thank you.

05:32:08Thank you Councillor Xuma.

05:32:13AOB? Oh, it's you Councillor. Thank you Councillor. Colleagues, before you go MMC, colleagues at the back there with Action SA, please can we stop?

05:32:29And Councillor you too, Councillor Zitha.

05:32:36Can we please not do that? Councillor Belinda. Okay, can you sit? Thank you Councillor MMC Mgcina, thank you.

05:32:58Thank you Madam Speaker. Greetings to councillors in the chambers, MMCs, fellow councillors and residents of our city. The African Forum on Urban Forests, AFUF, was a great success in Joburg or Joburg hosting it, as you would have heard councillors. The conference also Madam Speaker created a dynamic platform for dialogue,claim

05:33:29collaboration and solution-driven strategies addressing pressing challenges while unlocking new opportunities for growth and development. We note the involvement of course of the different thought leaders who were part of the delegation to the conference, policy makers, innovation and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. As well we acknowledge the comments made by councillors in this chamber

05:33:59Councillor Raholane, Councillor Nyaqela and Councillor Coogan, as well as Councillor Xuma. We note all the comments as they have made and I think deliberations would be made as well I think at Section 79, but we are humbly requesting that this report be noted. Thank you very much Madam Speaker.

05:34:27Thank you MMC. This report is for information. Is the item noted? Thank you councillors.

Item 12: JCPZ Revenue Enhancement Strategy - withdrawal dispute

05:34:38Item 12 is the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Revenue Enhancement Strategy.

05:34:45We have ATM Councillor Magwentshu.

05:34:50Greetings Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor. Greetings to the incoming Whip of Council. Greetings to Chair of Chairs.

05:34:58Councillor, can you just hold on? Councillor Larix Mazibuko.

05:35:09Can you switch off Councillor Magwentshu?

05:35:13Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I think as Section 79 we do have a principled agreement that this item should be re-tabled

05:35:22Councillor.

05:35:23No, the MMC is not in the house Madam Speaker, please do not interrupt. So what I'm saying is we do have a principled agreement as the Section 79 that this item should be re-tabled after we have actually exhausted it in Section 79. Also the member in charge and the chairperson of the committee is here to also represent

05:35:41Councillor. Councillor Larix. The chairperson would have told us that. So we are continuing as we have a speakers list. Councillor Magwentshu, you are free to speak. Councillor Larix, no.

05:36:07Thank you Councillor Magwentshu.

05:36:11Speaker, as the ATM we rise to support the report on Revenue Enhancement Strategy from JCPZ. Speaker, these interventions will diversify the revenue base, reduce pressure on the city's budget allocations and create a more resilient

05:36:26Councillor Magwentshu, just hold on. Councillor Zitha. Nyaqela, please. Thank you Councillor Magwentshu.

05:36:40Speaker, these interventions will diversify the revenue base, reduce pressure on the city's budget allocations and create a more resilient funding model. Importantly Speaker, all initiatives seem to be guided by a legislative compliance, transparency and good governance with appropriate oversight mechanisms. Council's approval is essential to operationalize the strategy enabling JCPZ to shift from a dependency model

05:37:11to a self-sustaining entity that safeguards the Johannesburg environmental and social infrastructure. I therefore move for the adoption of the Revenue Enhancement Strategy, thank you.

05:37:27Thank you Councillor Magwentshu. Freedom Front Plus Councillor Smit is not here. Okay.

05:37:34Thank you Madam Speaker, I'll speak on his behalf.

05:37:37Thank you Councillor.

05:37:39Madam Speaker, I think that all of us that serve on Section 79s, we know how important

05:37:45Just hold on Councillor. Chair.

05:37:53Madam Speaker, Madam Speaker, in terms of Item 12, I tried to reach out to the MMC the other day and it was a cul-de-sac. And indeed I was expecting further interactions this morning to say as Section 79 Committee, there are substantive issues pertaining

05:38:23to this matter. So we do request a discussion on this matter in the Section 79 Committee before it comes to council. Thank you Madam Speaker.

05:38:58Chair of Chairs, I'll hear what you have to say, but then we are also going to give our comment now. We'll give what we Because I don't understand, the chairperson of the committee was supposed to get up or the chairperson was supposed to tell us earlier on that you are withdrawing it. It should not have been Councillor Larix Mazibuko doing that and then we carry on and then the chairperson comes after we've allowed Councillor Magwentshu

05:39:30to carry on and then you come and you give us a report that you took it to the MMC and it went from where to where and now we are stuck here. Colleagues, is there confusion in ComDev? It looks like there's confusion.

05:40:02I'm waiting for all of you because everybody is screaming from the back and I know that we do it by show of hands.

05:40:19Chair of Chairs, your hand was up and then I'll take the other hands.

05:40:32Can I be protected Speaker from Councillor Belinda? I think she's trying to intimidate.

05:40:38We will take her hand now, but your hand was up first as the Chair of Chairs.

05:40:42No, no, thank you very much. I'm not rising to to quote any rule. I want to speak of a process. And I had thought that the councillors in that committee would understand how the process flow in as far as executive items are concerned. And Speaker and the house, kindly forgive this committee. I don't think that

05:41:12that will happen again in the future because these are things that happens when we start with the meeting in the morning when you're doing elevations, when you are asking for which item to and the committee Section 79 can't withdraw an executive report. It is the executive that can do that, but they do that by asking the executive or LOEB to do that. And that's why I'm saying let's forgive these councillors in that committee for this error. I'm sure

05:41:46or they were frustrated by the fact that the MMC concerned is not present in the meeting. It could have been an oversight there and there, but I want to ask the House that we actually forgive. But I'm sure we'll continue to try and improve this line of processes on how we actually deal with items. Thank you very much.

05:42:12The executive is here. The EOB is here and the EOB will guide us.

05:42:19On you, Speaker.

05:42:21Oh sorry, Coun-

05:42:23Who's it? Councillor Dladla?

05:42:26Order on you, Speaker. The item was tabled. A debate ensued. You on Speaker then you want an item so if you're going to set a new precedence that is going to be questionable. So if you are saying the executive must guide, guide on what, Speaker? The matter is tabled. We are discussing. It must either be supported or not supported and then we move. Thank you.

05:42:50Thank you, MMC. So I won't allow any hands. We'll go as far as the speakers

05:42:55Speaker?

05:42:56continue with the speakers list.

05:42:57Speaker, my hand has been up for the last 10 minutes.

05:43:02Councillor Dladla, and then we continue with the list. Councillor Dladla.

05:43:07No, thank you very much.

05:43:09Not going to change anything. The MMC has just given us guidance.

05:43:13No, Speaker, it's fine. I'm just saying that it's unfortunate if you want to call it an oversight on the part of the committee. But in the last sitting all of us who are sitting in that committee members of that committee we had an agreement. Though understanding what the member is saying that this could be an executive report.

05:43:40But what I'm saying here is that even in the last sitting where all of us were here, all members of that committee were here, we all agreed like Mazibuko was saying, we all agreed in that sitting to say this item should not be put in this Council. We agreed.

05:43:59Thank you, Councillor.

05:44:01And that information as well, Speaker, was communicated to you. And I'm saying that when I say it's an oversight, maybe from your eyes it could be you can say it's an oversight on the part of the committee, but we are saying it's an oversight on the part of everyone who's here including yourself, Speaker.

05:44:20Thank you, Councillor.

05:44:21Thank you very much.

Item 12: remaining speakers

05:44:22Thank you. This item has not reached us that it had to be off from the agenda, otherwise it would not have been here today. It would not have been here. It did not reach this table. So it would not have been here. We are going to continue as we have started it, and that is where it is. Councillor next person, Councillor Smit. Councillor De Lange, will you speak on behalf of him?

05:44:49Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I understand the process, and I think here we just mis-kicked the ball and we didn't kick the goal. It should have been withdrawn, but in any case it's on the table now. And I can now just debate on the concerns that I received from Councillor Smit. Even in my own committee if there's a new strategy or a turnaround strategy or something that can benefit the city as a whole or the department as a whole or the zoos or the parks,

05:45:19then it is nice to interrogate it at Section 79 to see if it's sustainable, is it something that makes sense, is it a workable plan. And according to the information that I received from my colleague, Councillor Smit, there's some serious financial concerns within this specific item. And hopefully this is not going to come back to community development and then it's just going to become a matter arising and then it's going to stand over for months and months.

05:45:52So we note this with concern, and it's really a pity it wasn't circulated at Section 79 for interrogation. Thank you.

05:46:01Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Raholane.

05:46:13Thank you, Madam Speaker, honourable councillors and residents of Johannesburg. As EFF we note the report. Thank you.

05:46:25Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Lyrics Mazibuko.

05:46:48Madam Speaker, I think we were very categorically clear, not only myself, but other committee members in terms of articulating the ideals and aspirations of the committee as to where we stand. There is a principled agreement as a committee that this item should be withdrawn. The ruling I accept, but I think we are clear that there is no way in our right conscience we should actually support this item. We're still steadfast in our request that this item should be withdrawn in order for us to discuss it thoroughly and articulate our views at the Section 79. Thank you very much, Speaker.

05:47:26Thank you, Councillor Mazibuko. Councillor Mashinini from the ANC.

05:47:35No, thank you, Speaker. Where I come from they always teach us you must always be combat ready. So...

05:47:49Councillor Mashinini, can you speak into your mic, please?

05:47:51Oh, I'm sorry. As I was saying, Speaker, that where I come from they teach us that we must always be combat ready. So greetings, Speaker, Honourable Acting Mayor and members of the Mayoral Committee. Today I rise on Item 12, which deals with the City Parks and Zoo and the revenue enhancement strategy. Allow me to quote Charlotte Maxeke, "The work is not for yourself. Kill that spirit of self and do not live above your people, but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you." Close quote.

05:48:33Councillor De Lange and that row there of the EFF, please. Councillor De Lange, asseblief. Thank you.

05:48:42Colleagues, this strategy presentation by the JCPZ is not just another policy document. It is a forward-looking plan that demonstrates the innovative initiative and the practical approach of sustainability. It addresses the challenges that are faced by the Department of shortages of cemetery and leverage spaces.

05:49:08It creates opportunities for donation and sponsorship, enhancing that our parks and open spaces are restored to maintain the transformed into places of pride of our communities. Most important, it reduces the... Speaker, can you protect me, Speaker?

05:49:25Colleagues, starting in the corner here with Councillor Rahn and all of you, can we please? We have nine items still to go through. Can we please? Especially the councillors all at the back, left and right. Thank you, Councillor. You can continue. We stopped your time.

05:49:54Oh, thank you, Speaker. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, most important, by reducing reliance on the municipal funding, this strategy eases pressure on the City's already strained finances, allowing us to redirect the resources in other urgent priorities while stimulating, boosting the economy and creating jobs. Honourable Speaker, we note this report.

05:50:19Thank you. Thank you, colleagues.

Item 12: MMC reply and division of the house

05:50:28The recommendations are on pages 12.6. Is the item agreed to?

05:50:37Sorry. MMC, yeah, this is one item that I don't know where we going to go.

05:50:49No, thank you, Madam Speaker. I think the strategy we are all aware that it seeks to ensure that there's a financial sustainability at the JCPZ, to reduce reliance on municipal grants, also to unlock new income streams to support biodiversity conservation, parks maintenance and the zoo operations, and to also enhance the visitor's experience while driving the socio-economic development in the city.

05:51:22Madam Speaker, I ask that we approve this report and also say to Councillor Mazibuko, through you, Speaker, that this item can still be discussed at the Section 79. Thank you very much.

05:51:38Thank you, MMC. As I said previously, the recommendations are on page 12.6. Is the item agreed to?

05:51:54Okay, can we just keep quiet? The recommendations are on 12.6. Is the item agreed to?

05:52:15And the yes have it.

05:52:33I have many ears around me and the ears around me says they heard a lot of yes.

05:52:47I see the hand of Councillor Belinda. I saw your hand and I saw the hand of Councillor De Lange. Those are the two hands that I saw. Councillor Belinda.

05:53:02Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can we please request for a division of the House?

05:53:06Councillor De Lange.

05:53:11AfrikaansEk verstaan nie daai tel nie.

05:53:14Madam Speaker, I do respect you, but what you just did, why do you ask twice? The no's clearly had it. No, let's... Please protect me, Speaker. Be fair. The no's had it, Speaker. Then it didn't suit the other side of the room, then you ask again until the yeses have it. Speaker, we can't continue like that. Thank you.

05:53:41Councillor De Lange, it did not sound like anybody had it. It did not sound like it because it was a balance between the yes and the no. But we will give you the division of the House.

05:54:05Can we see those that abstain? Can we see those that abstain? Can we see the no's?

05:54:48Colleagues, we vote with our hands, please. We vote with our hands. Councillor Rahn, we vote with our hands.

05:55:18Shame, you abused.

05:55:30isiZuluIt's amazing how a little voting lingavundulula abantu ngaphandle.

05:55:40What do you want from ActionSA?

05:56:28Thank you for raising your hands. You can lower your hands. Can I see the yeses? Can I see the yeses?

05:56:45Hey, they don't even know what's happening in the committee. They are voting.

05:56:51Majority.

05:56:53Whitewash, whitewash.

05:56:56isiZuluHhayi khona.

05:57:07isiZuluYabaliwa

05:57:22Speaker, the DA councillors are taking pictures.

05:57:30No one. Take us to court.

06:00:42You may lower your hands. Thank you.

06:01:12There's no one that abstained. The no's are 66 and the yeses

06:01:29163. The 163.

06:01:31The yeses are 163.

06:01:42There's no one that abstained. The no's are 66 and the yeses are 163. I thank you. Councillor Christians.

Dispute over Rule 84 and roll-call rules after item 12 vote

06:02:09Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise in terms of Rule 84. I'd like to officially record the opposition of the Democratic Alliance to this item. It's actually a travesty of justice that a committee decision has been overturned in this House. Thank you.

06:02:28Councillor Raphadu, and then I close.

06:02:31Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:02:32Okay, Chair of Chairs afterwards.

06:02:34Chair of Chairs after me. Thank you. Madam Speaker, I think now the rules are being abused. They are really being abused. People can't vote, then when they are chowed, then they want to record some... Madam Speaker, please can you stop the howlers? It doesn't take brain power to howl. Let them relax for now. Madam Speaker, I'm addressing you. Please can legal advise us around this process on how to move forward, because now I think this is a real travesty.emotive

06:03:02Real travesty of justice when the rules are abused.

06:03:07Okay, we get your

06:03:08Oh, secondly, lastly before I sit down, Madam Speaker, I implore you. Please can we make sure that the rules committee sits as urgently as possible to close such loopholes that they are using because this can't be correct. Thank you very much.

06:03:22Thank you. Chair of Chairs.

06:03:26Councillor Christians, can you just hold on, please? Okay, I've seen your hand. You're intimidating me.

06:03:34No, through you, Speaker, I hope when this Council is over, Councillor Christians, through you, Speaker, we'll have what we call a lesson learnt. Part 6 of Standing Rules and Orders of Council, 86(1), (2), (3) puts clear clarity on the matters at hand. The rule that Councillor Christians is quoting, which is in reference to motions, which is Rule 94... So you read 86, perhaps let me go through it. "After a question has been put and the presiding officer has indicated whether the yes or no have it, any councillor," and in this case it was Councillor Belinda, "any councillor may demand a roll call. (2) Whenever a roll call is demanded, the presiding officer shall satisfy him or herself that the request is not frivolous and vexatious by putting the item to a vote, which vote shall be by show of hands. (3) The Council Secretariat shall tally the number of votes received, advise the presiding officer, who shall promptly announce the results. Where the difference in the vote is five hands or less, the roll call procedure in accordance with Rule 87 must be carried out." That is Rule 86.

06:05:22This is a lesson learnt. I think Councillor Christians will take stock home. But if you go to Chapter 7, which is 94 that he quoted, it's talking on motions. It's not even talking about what you have tabled now in Council. So I think when we quote rules we must also try and understand what are these rules referring to. Thank you.

06:05:54Before I take any hand, before I take any... Christians, before I take your hand, Councillor Christians, just hold on.

06:06:07isiZuluYa, giraffe.

06:06:32Okay. Advice that I'm getting from legal is that... Can we listen? Because tomorrow we're going to come with the same one. That there was... This Rule 84 was in front of the rules committee and the rules committee had given a resolution on that, right? So we will give you that now as soon as they've got that resolution, right. Can we then wait until legal gives that? We'll carry on with the meeting to go to other matters.

06:07:20No, giraffe.

06:07:24Councillor Belinda, is your hand also up for Christians or is it up for yourself? Christians. No, I'm asking because you, the two of you... Councillor Christians. Councillor Christians.

06:07:43Thank you, Ma'am. Madam Speaker, I actually had my hand up to rise in terms of Rule 73, and 73(3) talks about personal explanation. The reason why I raised my hand is because I was misquoted. I said Rule 84, not 94, yet I was being attacked on Rule 94. Maybe it's my new dentures, [af] maar dis nie die Kaapenaars se ding. [en] Thank you.

06:08:07Chair of Chairs, Chair of Chairs, Chair of Chairs and Councillor Raphadu, Councillor Christians is right. He got up on Rule 84, and that is the exact rule that was at the at rules, and there was a resolution on that rule. So it was 84 and not 94.

06:08:36Can I close it, please? I'm going to close it. I'm not taking any hands. I'm not... Councillor Belinda, I'm not taking any hands, and can we not point each other? Can we not do that and point each other? We will wait on the report from the rules committee. They are looking it up, and during the course of this meeting we will come out with it.

06:09:05No, can we close it? Can we close it? It was approved in Council. In Council it was approved. I thank you. We're going to the next item.

06:09:30Colleagues, can we carry on with the business? Chair of Chairs and Councillor Belinda and Councillor Raphadu, if we have to call you to order again, you'll be out. The three of you, Councillor Belinda, Raphadu and Chair of Chairs, if you don't behave, we are going to remove you. Thank you.

Item 13: South African Cemeteries Association Conference 2025

06:10:01Councillors, we are on Item 13, and that's the SACA, that's the South African Cemeteries Association Conference for 2025.

06:10:12Councillor Raholane.

06:10:19Raholane, Speaker, not Raholane.

06:10:23Try.

06:10:26SesothoYo we.

06:10:30Thanks, Speaker, honourable councillors and residents of Johannesburg. I rise on behalf of Economic Freedom Fighters in response of Item 13, which recommends that this Council note and support the report of the City to host the 2025 South African Cemeteries Association Conference through Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. The EFF supports the intention behind this report, but as always

06:11:01we interrogate whether the benefits will be equally felt by the people of Johannesburg, especially the poor, the working class, and those relegated to the margins of the city, even in death. Madam Speaker, it is no small matter that Johannesburg has been approached by SACA to host this influential national platform. The expected attendance of 150 delegates including municipal leaders, technical experts and private sector partners presents a strategic opportunity to shape the future of burial management in South Africa. The conference theme, "Eternal Evolution:[@00:30:00]

06:11:46for me for sustainability is relevant and timely. However we remind Council that evolution must not be code word for exclusion. We do not support sustainability models that will sacrifice cultural dignity and the burial rights of the poor under the excuse of urban modernization. At the EFF we view death not merely as an administrative matter,

06:12:16what is it? It's deeply spiritual, cultural, and familial process that demands the protection. We are encouraged that the report links the conference to priority sustainable service delivery, priority resilience and smart city, and priority two, response and proper for governance. But these priorities must be lived out in the daily experiences of our communities, many of whom are

06:12:46unable to access affordable, safe and different burial sites. The land crisis is real. Families are forced to bury loved ones in overused, unkempt cemeteries far from home, municipal grave fees are unaffordable. Traditional burial rituals are compromised, and in some wards there are no available burial spaces

06:13:16left. The report is correct in identifying land scarcity, climate impact and democratic pressure as major challenges. But we must respond with a pro-poor agenda, not just technical innovation. Green burial and cremation option must never be presented as compulsory for the poor, while the rich continue with lavish funerals in private

06:13:46cemeteries. We note with appreciation the wide thematic scope of the conference.

06:13:5340 seconds, Councillor.

06:13:55From sustainable burial practice and horticultural landscaping to religious inclusion and the sociology of grief. These are not just technical issues, they are political. The report also outlines a solid government model for conference planning and coordination, and we support the cost of 650,000 being absorbed with JCPZ operation and marketing budget. However, the value of this event must not be measured by logos and lanyards,

06:14:28Five seconds.

06:14:30but by policy reform and public sector improvement that results from it. Madam Speaker, the EFF calls on this Council to ensure that the SACA conference becomes a platform for transformative death care policies that will

06:14:53Councillor Mashinini from the ANC.

06:15:00Have you seen?

06:15:06Thank you, Speaker. I'm going to speak on behalf of the committee as Councillor Mazibuko. The revolution and women's liberation go together. We do not talk of women's emancipation as an act of charity or out of a surge of human compassion. It is a basic necessity for the revolution to triumph. Quote by Thomas Sankara. As the ANC we note the report.

06:15:35Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mgcina.

06:15:44Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is fundamental that I indicate to the house that this conference was organized by the South African Cemeteries Association in cooperation with the JCPZ on behalf of the City and the SALGA. And also we are noting that the private sector also played a very vital role in this particular conference. We also note that the Executive Mayorclaim

06:16:14made an emphasis on the commitment of the City to transform cemeteries into dignified long term sustainable spaces. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to request the house to note the report. Thank you.

06:16:29Thank you, MMC. The recommendations are on page 13.4. Is the item agreed to? Agreed. Thank you.

Speaker's reading of earlier council resolution on voting and abstentions

06:16:42Item 14.

06:16:49Colleagues, the minutes of the previous Council states that Councillor Christians, DA, stated that a discussion had been held and it was resolved that additional recommendations be added as reflected in the recommendations below three and four. The Speaker asked Council if they agreed with the proposed recommendations, and it was agreed. It was resolved that Council note the report of the rules committee

06:17:23that during the voting process, the Speaker first recognize the Councillors who wish to abstain from the voting process. Three, that Council notes that when Speaker put an item to a vote, she must first recognize the Councillors who are opting to abstain first prior to move into those who are in support of the item, including those who are not in support

06:17:53of the item. That any party caucus which opposes the item to be voted on may request for a decision not to support the item to be formally recorded in the minutes in line with rules 84 of the standing rules and orders of Council. When I read it in the last Council meeting, Councillor

06:18:22Christians also denied that it was not him, but there it is now, and that is what the ruling was. I thank you. So, we'll remember for the next time.

Item 14: Progress report on the CoJ CCTV by-law

06:18:38Councillors, we proceed with item 14, and that's the progress report.

06:18:42Can we ask Councillor Mazibuko, please, move out silently?

06:18:52Item 14 is the progress report with the implementation of the CoJ CCTV by-law.

06:18:59The ACDP, Councillor N. Mkhonza.

06:19:05Yes. Shalom, shalom once again, Madam Speaker. Allow me to first quote from my guiding manual, the Holy Bible. From Proverbs 28:13, He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 14 on the agenda, the progress report on the implementation of the CCTV by-law. The ACDP welcomes the decision to rescind the resolution

06:19:35on this by-law. We appreciate that at last maturity and sanity have prevailed in recognizing that the CoJ failed to meet the clear legal requirements of section 160(4) and section 12(3) of the Municipal Systems Act, as well as rule 140 of the Standing Rules of Council when this by-law was promulgated. This failure should never have occurred. As public reps, we have a duty to protect every cent of

06:20:05public money from unnecessary litigation and instead to channel our focus and resources towards genuine service delivery for our residents. The ACDP raised concerns at the time this by-law was forced through with arrogance and disregard of due process. Among these concerns were the risk of privacy violations, particularly in light of the City's obligation under the PAIA regulation and its registration with the Information Regulator.

06:20:35We are compelled by law to promote transparency and openness, yet we fail dismally to do so. Section 152(1)(a) of the Constitution is clear, local government must provide democratic and accountable governance. The rationale for withdrawal has been tabled, but we must interrogate it further. Public trust. The report suggests that rescinding the resolution will help restore public trust. While this is a step in the right direction, the ACDP maintains

06:21:05that trust will not be rebuilt if Council continues to entertain frivolous motions that distract from service delivery and continuity. Good governance must be demonstrated consistently, not selectively. Review committee. The ACDP demands clarity on who will serve on the review committee. We strongly recommend that the Councillors from both the ruling party and the opposition be represented to ensure balance, oversight, and accountability.

06:21:3330 seconds, Councillor Mkhonza.

06:21:35On financial implications, the report is silent on the financial impact of restarting the process of public participation to draft a new CCTV by-law. This omission is unacceptable. Council must be transparent with residents about the costs involved and how this will be managed responsibly. I thank you, Speaker.

06:21:55Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. From the EFF, Councillor Mkasi.

06:22:04Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to our caucus leader, Khomotso Dr Mgcina, our Chief Whip, Councillor Thabiso Mogapi, and the dedicated ground forces of the EFF present today. Warm revolutionary greetings to the residents of City of Johannesburg. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's Month, named in honor of the historic march on the 9th of August 1956 against the introduction of pass laws targeting African women, we recognize

06:22:34the brave women of this nation who stood firm against the oppressive apartheid government of J. G. Strijdom, risking their lives in the fight for justice. Women remain the backbone of our families and our organization. To all women involved in community struggles, do not get tired, continue fighting for your communities. Let the spirit of 1956 generation who declared that enough is enough and confronted the evil apartheid regime head on inspire you. As the EFF, we will continue to celebrate

Item 14: EFF on withdrawal of CCTV by-law

06:23:04our pillars beyond the month of August as we appreciate and acknowledge their vibrant role in society. Speaker, one of the most concerning parts of the apartheid regime was the introduction of laws without public consultation, expecting us all to respect laws that we had no say in. This unfair practice reminds us of the Berlin Conference, which made the brutal decision to divide the African continent without consulting of African people. As a result of this imperialism conference,

06:23:34we are still suffering the consequences today. Europeans fundamentally shared amongst themselves the wealth of this continent while disregarding African culture and its people. Speaker, today we are sitting in this democratic Council to withdraw a by-law where due process was not followed, which led the residents to take the matter to court. We are being asked to withdraw this by-law solely because section 160(4) of the Constitution, section 12(3) of the Municipal Systems Act,

06:24:04and rule 140 of City of Johannesburg Standing Rules and Orders were not adhered to, resulting in court challenge. What concerns us most is that we make rules in this chamber, then later on we fail to follow them. What kind of madness is that? Speaker, the Public Safety Committee has the responsibility to conduct public participation whenever a new by-law is introduced or amended concerning public safety. That is the committee's obligation as outlined

06:24:34in the committee's terms of reference. However, only two virtual consultations were held on November 7 and 11, 2024, with just 23 members of the public in attendance on both days, which included City of Johannesburg officials and responsible Councillor. The Economic Freedom Fighters believe that when choosing officials for local government, we should focus on their skills and qualifications rather than their political connections or party loyalty. This approach is important because it helps us find

06:25:04people who truly know how to manage their responsibilities of their roles effectively. By prioritizing talent experience, we can reduce the risk of public scandals and poor management that often happen when positions are filled based on political relationship. In this end, this strategy not only upholds the integrity of local government, but also improves the quality and accountability of services provided to the community.

06:25:2740 seconds, Councillor.

06:25:31As the EFF, we propose two measures to address future court challenges. Establish a minimum attendance threshold of 200 participants for public consultation by-law introduction and amendment. This will enhance community engagement and ensure diverse perspective in decision making. Conduct physical public consultation in accessible locations to empower residents, encourage direct engagement with City officials and foster transparency. Speaker, in closing, the EFF support the recent decision to remove the Chairperson

06:26:01of Public Safety. The Chairperson didn't ensure important public consultations were held properly.

Item 14: ActionSA and DA on the CCTV by-law

06:26:08ActionSA, Councillor Moatshe.

06:26:24Councillor, switch off your mic, please. Councillor, switch off your mic, please. Councillor Moatshe.

06:26:34Thank you, Speaker. Moatshe, indeed. Greetings to you, Speaker, the acting Executive Mayor, ActionSA's caucus leader, Councillor Marcel Coutriers, fellow Councillors in the chamber, and special greetings to the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, I rise to speak on item 14, the progress report regarding the implementation of the CoJ CCTV by-law.

06:27:05Speaker, the sad reality is that we are yet again confronted with the consequences of a government that has become ignorant, arrogant, and dismissive of the very people who placed them in position of power. The ANC-led government has perfected a culture of governance that reduces consultation to a mere box-ticking exercise instead of respecting it as the cornerstone of democracy. We saw this play itself out nationally in the so-called National Dialogue,

06:27:35which was nothing more than a tick-box exercise to create the illusion of inclusivity. And here in the City of Johannesburg, the same culture has taken root, a culture that undermines accountability, disregards transparency, and sidelines the voices of our residents. Speaker, let us be clear. Public participation is not a favor. It is a constitutional requirement and a democratic necessity. When you ignore it or do a bare minimum on it, you invite

06:28:05court challenges, waste resources, and erode public trust. ActionSA refuses to be watchdogs of incompetence, shortcuts, and political arrogance. Instead, we will be watchdogs of good governance, transparency, accountability, and genuine consultation. This is the essence of our founding principle, the People's Dialogue. When we say let's fix South Africa, we mean creating a culture of governance where residents are not just informed,

06:28:35but actively involved in shaping decisions that affect their lives. Speaker, had this Council respected these principles from the onset, we would not be sitting with court orders instructing us to undo our own work. ActionSA notes this report.

06:28:52Thank you, Councillor. DA, Councillor H. Masera.

06:29:05SepediEre ke go leboge, Speaker, ke boše ke go dumediše. Ke dumediše le maloko ka moka a lekgotla la toropo ya rena ya Johannesburg, ga mmogo le badudi ba toropo ye ya rena e botse.

06:29:17Speaker, I rise on item 14, which is the progress report with the implementation of the CoJ CCTV by-law. Speaker, the Department of Public Safety is one of the largest in the City,claim

06:29:34with more than 10,000 employees, including over 4,000 JMPD officers. It is tasked with protecting the safety of 6 million residents across seven regions and 135 wards. We all know that no city can prosper when its people live in fear, unable to go about their daily lives without risk of harm. Yet, the ANC-led coalition has once again shown that the safety of Johannesburg residentsclaim

06:30:04matters little to them. Instead of ensuring that every measure to enhance security is lawful, constitutional, and effective, they choose to bulldoze ahead with a CCTV by-law that was riddled with defects, legal and procedural. The Democratic Alliance warned in the Public Safety Committee and even in this Council, Speaker, that this by-law was flawed. We cautioned that it needed proper alignmentclaim

06:30:34with the Constitution and legislation such as the Private Security Industry Regulation Authority Act. We called the public participation that was genuine, not a box-ticking exercise. Industry experts submitted serious concerns, but they were ignored. This is not how laws are made in a constitutional democracy. And today, under legal pressure, the City is forced to withdraw the very same by-law

06:31:04we advised against adopting. This is a self-inflicted embarrassment and a costly one for the residents of Johannesburg, who expect competent governance, not reckless shortcuts. The DA welcomes this withdrawal of this invalid by-law, but let it be a warning, Speaker, that laws that do not respect the Constitution will never stand. We will continue to fight for a city where the rule of law,

06:31:34public safety, and accountability are non-negotiable.

06:31:38SepediKe a leboga, Speaker.

Item 14: ANC Councillor Nair and a point of order

06:31:40Thank you, Councillor Masera. Councillor Nair from the ANC.

06:31:47Greetings, Madam Speaker, the Honorable Mayor in absentia, members of the Mayoral Committee, the City Manager, officials of the Council, fellow Councillors, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 14, the item to rescind the decision of the Public Safety CCTV program. Madam Speaker,

06:32:16I stand here and I hear members of the Public Safety Committee moving blame. I want to be man enough and have the integrity to say that every one of us in that Public Safety Committee should take some blame. We talk about wasteful expenditure. Here's a typical example of wasteful expenditure. And I do not think it's fair when it comes from the opposition that we now push the blame onto the ANC. It wasn't only the ANC that pushed this through the Council.

06:32:46Every one of us should look within ourselves and accept that we have erred. We have erred as a Public Safety Committee because this should not have been allowed to be given to go ahead. And I think the moment has come when we as so-called leaders of society...

06:33:02Councillor Nair, can you hold on? Councillor Christians.

06:33:12Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I humbly appeal to you to ask Councillor Nair to... It depends on your culture. Madam Speaker, to actually not mislead this house. When this came to Council, the DA opposed it, and we continue to oppose it. He cannot say that all of us in this house agreed to it. Thank you.

06:33:38He did not talk about Council, he spoke about the committee. I thank you. Councillor, can...

06:33:45Thank you, Madam Speaker, I spoke about the...

06:33:48Councillor, can you carry on?

06:33:50Thank you, Madam Speaker, I spoke about the portfolio committee and I do not put... All of us in the portfolio committee, and I did not put blame on anyone. I said I have the integrity to stand here and accept that I also erred. Madam Speaker, this thing was brought to the Public Safety Committee and we have to accept as a committee that this thing was pushed through. This should not have been allowed, and I have learned from this. I've learned from this that we should not allow any chairperson or any utility of the City to push through such an important

06:34:20by-law, and we have paid the cost as the residents of the City of Johannesburg. I'm also a resident and I also pay my rates and taxes, so it's cost us, it's wasteful expenditure. And I'm saying that let's look at... as leaders of society and leaders of the portfolio committees we sit on, let us look within ourselves. I then want to raise the issue of what is the quality, what is the capacity of our legal brains in the City? Because for the last few years that I've been following what's happening in the City, every time someone takes us to court, be it with

06:34:50an eviction, be it with a by-law, we lose. We lose, and it costs us money. So we then as a City and as leaders of the City look at what is our legal capacity currently in the City. Do they really know what's going on, or should we really get some legal brains in here that can advise the City going forward? Madam Speaker, you know, the CCTV thing, and I'm not going to be the most famous person here,

06:35:20but I want to say it, that the CCTV is for the rich, is for the advantaged, it's for communities of the advantaged communities. There's no CCTVs in Diepsloot, there's no CCTVs in Ivory Park, there's no CCTVs in our informal settlements. So who does this really affect? It affects the advantaged, the haves. We've become a society of haves and have-nots. This really affects the haves. But in saying that, when we take this policy back to Council, let us also think about how can we

06:35:50use CCTV to enhance the safety of the masses of the City? Because the masses of the City are the ones most affected by crime and grime, by abuse daily. And we stand here and want to pass comment on what happens to the residents of the City of Joburg, but the majority of the City of Joburg, the masses of the City of Joburg, the people are actually neglected. Madam Speaker, I want to raise this issue of public safety. It is,

06:36:20and I once again want to stand and say that it is the most important portfolio in the City. If we have law and order in the City, everything else will fall in place. In that said, my appeal to the MMC, to Public Safety, let us start with by-laws and implement by-laws. We don't really need CCTV cameras to implement by-laws, but let's get back to the nitty-gritty, to the basics. It's about the broken window policy. As we look out the window here

06:36:50and we see a whole lot of homeless that used to be right within this facility, they've just been moved and they've been moved across the road. My appeal to Public Safety, my appeal to Social Development, to the various entities in the City, can we come together and really look at how do we sort out the problem of the homeless, the recyclers, the vagrants, and recently the invasion by a large number of drug addicts that have taken to our streets? We need to find

06:37:20answers to this, because I think the moment we bring some law and order to our City, we will achieve what we want for the residents of the City of Joburg. In saying that, Madam Speaker, we have no option but to rescind this, so it's not a decision we're going to vote on. The courts have ordered us that we do rescind this. As the ANC, we want this policy rescinded, and when it goes back, let us really spend some quality time to look at how is this policy going to be impacted and then brought

06:37:50back to Council. I submit. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Item 14: MMC Tshwaku replies and recommendations put

06:37:55Thank you, Councillor. MMC Tshwaku.

06:38:06No, thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings to the EFF battalion that is here today, all my colleagues, the Whip, the Chair of the MPAC, and everyone that's here today, also the Chair of Chairs, MMC that are here today, my colleagues, all the Councillors that are here, and the Mayor in absentia. I think that, Speaker,

06:38:36the issue for this by-law is that it was crafted around 2016 sort of, and it was more in terms of there were many people who were putting these CCTVs everywhere. Okay. So the City wanted to know in terms of who's putting this CCTV where, so that you don't have Councillor, you know, Da Rocha

06:39:06to become some peeping Toms, where they will put cameras in strategic areas. You know, so they were trying to say that you will have peeping Toms that were there. So, it was more the intention was I think it was noble, because you need to know ukuthi who's putting things where. Da Rocha will put this thing in some angle

06:39:36where they will see what's happening in your place.

06:39:42MMC, can you take your seat? Councillor Da Rocha. MMC, can you take your seat? Councillor Da Rocha.

06:39:45He's been sleeping, by the way. He's been sleeping.

06:39:52Thank you, Madam Speaker. Seeing that the MMC is picking on me, let me say to him that if he was doing a better job and we had better police protection, we really wouldn't need cameras, would we? Thank you.

06:40:10Da Rocha, Councillor Da Rocha, you are my friend. Me and you talk a lot. You are my friend, by the way.

06:40:16MMC, can we stick to the item?

06:40:22Thank you very much, Speaker. So, the intention was very noble, but there were now some elements where people they had to make some profit on it. Many companies came in around this time, so it really passed in Council, this item, and then, but there were many dissenting views. And I know many of you have been saying that, by look, that guy there, you know, is a

06:40:52dictator, he doesn't want to listen, but we listened. We listened to each and every input, and then I think that the decision to really take this back so that you have a proper consultation of all stakeholders was a noble idea, and it was a noble decision, because we want to listen, we're a government that listens. We're not like the others that are... You know what I mean. So, we are going to go back into

06:41:22this and ensure that stakeholders are actually participating in this by-law. And one of the things that probably it was because there were some other clauses that were a bit ambiguous, Chair of Chairs, that some of them that, you know, you... But the interpretation, it was very difficult in terms of saying that you allow people to post videos, you know, when there's an incident happening and...

06:41:46You know, this thing of posting some incidents happening on Twitter and everywhere. So you might people were interpreting differently whether it is allowed or not. I said, guys, this is ambiguous and the law is not supposed to be like that. Let us go back. Let's consult and let's listen to all those voices there. But we need to know who's putting cameras where so that you don't have peeping toms.

06:42:09And then also at the angle, it was just saying that where are you putting it? We must know at the city you must not put cameras everywhere on that nature. But anyway, we know this report and we wanted to really go on. Thank you very much.

06:42:23Thank you, MMC. Colleagues, the recommendations on page 14.4, is the item agreed to?

06:42:33Thank you.

Item 15: Alternative waste treatment report withdrawn

06:42:36We're now on item 15, and that's the report to notify council of the outcome of the 60 days public notice for the alternative waste treatment technology project under public-private partnerships.

06:42:51Thank you, SCC. ACDP Councillor Harris.

06:42:56Speaker. [00:01:12] [no speech]

06:43:03It's MMC Sekwaila.

06:43:05No, apologies, Speaker. Good afternoon once again to you. I would like to withdraw the report, thanks. [00:01:26] [no speech]

06:43:16MMC, can you repeat? Can you repeat what you said? [00:01:36] [no speech]

06:43:27MMC, can you please repeat?

06:43:28I'm saying, Speaker, I'm withdrawing the report, thanks. Sure.

06:43:33Thank you, MMC. [00:01:49] [no speech]

06:43:41Go to 16. [00:01:56] [no speech]

Item 16: Section 57 performance agreements – ACDP

06:43:46Item 16 is the tabling of the performance agreements of the city manager and managers directly accountable to the city manager, those are section 57 managers for the financial year 2025/26.

06:44:00Thank you. ACDP Councillor Mkhonza. [00:02:19] [no speech]

06:44:09Shalom, shalom once again, Madam Speaker. I stand to speak on item 16, performance agreements of section 57 managers. Allow me to first, again, quote from my guiding manual, the holy [00:02:39] [no speech]

06:44:27Councillor Mkhonza, just can you have a seat? Councillor

06:44:32Smit, water. Can we give water, please? Can we give water, please, protocol?

06:44:42Thank you. You just lift your bottle. Councillor Mkhonza.

06:44:49Yes. Proverbs 14:23. If you work hard, you will have plenty. If you do nothing but talk, you will not have enough. We must start, Madam Speaker, by acknowledging the inclusion

06:45:04Colleagues, colleagues, please.

06:45:08I hope the clock is not moving there, Madam Speaker, because

06:45:11Thank you. You can go.

06:45:12Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Yeah, so as I was saying, we must start by acknowledging the inclusion of other KPIs, especially the increase in customer satisfaction index, which we have dismally performed as a city, and the 85% SLA respectively. Additionally, the percentage resolution of customer complaints within stipulated turnaround times, which includes

06:45:40the ombudsman, must be taken seriously as it has direct impact on revenue management and or collection. The stakeholder management KPI is a game changer in our opinion, because as the ACDP, our policy position is that broad consultation with relevant stakeholders should be consistently conducted as this will, one, enhance and nurture sound working relationships and enable efficient

06:46:10and sustainable service delivery; two, a culture of payment and a sense of responsibility will be promoted; three, introduces educational programs; and four, joint efforts by private institutions and community-based organizations will be normalized. The persistent service delivery challenges stem from a lack of effective implementation, which is a direct reflection on the responsibilities of our administrators

06:46:39and entities. It is imperative that we treat performance agreements and SDBIPs with the utmost seriousness.

06:46:47Councillor Mkhonza, just hold on. The third row from the back. [00:05:06] [no speech]

06:46:54Can we please stop what we're doing? [00:05:10] [no speech]

06:47:00No, they know which side. [00:05:16] [no speech]

06:47:05Please. Thank you. Councillor Mkhonza, you can carry on.

06:47:09Yes, thank you very much. This should not be reduced to a mere compliance exercise under section 57 and the performance management regulations. Instead, we must enforce strict consequence management to ensure accountability. As the ACDP caucus, we will closely monitor the targets set. It is crucial that we move beyond a survival mindset and strive for excellence in governance. Municipal financial viability and management KPI

06:47:3731 seconds.

06:47:39The municipal financial viability and management KPI will be closely monitored as fiscal responsibility is non-negotiable. We continue to restate that both the acting city manager and the executive mayor to be decisive in taking action in instances of misappropriation of funds and non-performance. We cannot afford to have managers who are merely placeholders signing off documents without conducting thorough due diligence.

06:48:09Two seconds.

06:48:11We call on the administrators and entities to prioritize the implementation of council programs and the projects that will enhance service delivery. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Item 16: FF Plus on performance management

06:48:20Thank you, Councillor. Freedom Front Plus Councillor De Lange.

06:48:27Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. Madam Speaker, I just want to bring this around to make a point, and everybody must please listen to me carefully and don't boo me or howl. Madam Speaker, we are all taxpayers in this chamber, and all the officials that works for government are also taxpayers. But there's a difference between us and the private sector. We don't contribute anything to the economy. The taxes that we pay flow back into the fiscus, where the corporates and the private sector out there,

06:48:57they pay taxes on something they produce or a service, and those taxes pay us. We get paid by taxpayers' money. Now, Speaker, I'm using this point because there's a difference between a performance management system and a contract. And I've picked this up, even though the performance management contracts of the city managers and the section 56 manager are in line with section 57(1)(b), (4)(a), (4)(b),

06:49:27and (5) of the Systems Act. They do get reviewed annually, and then September, December, January, and April, they are also up for review. But, Madam Speaker, in the private sector, when there's a CFO, an MD, a head of a specific department, those people's bonuses are connected to personal performance linked with the performance of the organization.

06:49:59Now, that is lacking. I see if a specific section 56 manager performs extremely well, they get a 14% bonus on their CTC. That is the first problem, Madam Speaker, because in their department, I'm taking my own section 79, economic development, if the executive director, if the department does well, she gets a 14% bonus,

06:50:26but the entities connected to that department is failing. And that is a problem, Madam Speaker. When you have a factory, you've got production, you've got packaging, you've got logistics, and you've got sales. If all four of those with the finance department doesn't perform well, nobody gets bonuses. Madam Speaker, my last concern with these performance management contracts, in the private sector, doesn't matter if you are a chief financial officer or you are a sweeper in the company,

06:50:56if there's a performance review in place and you do not achieve your KPIs, you get a written warning. Then you get a second written warning, third written warning, bye-bye, you're out the door. It looks like it's impossible to fire a city manager or a section 56 manager. The only thing that I could pick up is if they do not achieve their KPIs, there will be development support. Now, oh my word. If you are educated up to that level, Madam Speaker, nobody must hold your hand.

06:51:28Five seconds.

06:51:30Nobody must hold your hand. First warning, second warning, third warning, goodbye. Thank you, Madam Speaker. [00:09:50] [no speech]

Item 16: EFF and ActionSA positions

06:51:41EFF Councillor Nhlapo. [00:09:58] [no speech]

06:51:48Greetings to the speaker, greetings to the EFF Chief Whip, the EFF Caucus Leader, and all councillors at large. I rise on item 16, performance agreements of the city manager and managers directly accountable to the city manager, section 57 managers for the financial year 2025 and 2026. The EFF notes the report. Thank you.

06:52:15Thank you, Councillor Nhlapo. ActionSA Councillor Coverdale. [00:10:34] [no speech]

06:52:28Good day, Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. Good day, Speaker, the formidable 44, all protocols observed, and greetings to our sober-minded Caucus Leader, Marcel Coutriers. Speaker, agreements clearly link to the IDP, Integrated Development Plan, and the GDS, Growth and Development Strategy, strong emphasis on financial sustainability and clean governance reflecting Auditor-General's findings.

06:52:59Departments show sector-specific KPIs, but they share outcomes like better service delivery and citizen satisfaction. Thus, the city manager PA sets the tone for accountability across all entities linking directly to executive mayor oversight. Speaker, there are, however, risks observed.

06:53:26Some targets are broad and ambitious without clear resource allocations. Departments often rely on interdependencies, example, housing need finance plus infrastructure, which could delay service delivery. Monitoring mechanisms vary in strength across agreements. High dependency on rates and tariffs in an environment of low collection rates. Risk of unfunded mandates. Yes, Speaker, promises without matching budgets.

06:53:57Governance and accountability reflect weak consequence management historically.

06:54:03isiZuluIsiZulu, sithi unomlando omubi kabi.

06:54:10AfrikaansIn Afrikaans sê ons, slegter as slang dot, dot, dot se koelte.

06:54:18Speaker, risk of repeat Auditor-General findings if oversight [00:12:39] [no speech]

06:54:27There's a risk of a repeat [00:12:44] [no speech]

06:54:31Just hold on. [00:12:46] [no speech]

06:54:35Speaker, there's a risk of repeat Auditor-General findings if oversight is inconsistent, not to mention the worst AG report Johannesburg has received in history. All this is under the leadership of the GLU. Service delivery protests show ongoing dissatisfaction. Coronationville residents are protesting daily for basic need: water,

06:55:03isiZuluamanzi,

06:55:04Afrikaanswater.

06:55:06This is a need for improved There is a need for improved communication and transparency with residents. [00:13:29] [no speech]

06:55:18Projects often require multiple departments, example, housing plus roads plus utilities, but siloed operations slow implementation. In summary, the KPI agreement shows strong intent and alignment with the city strategy, but financial strain, skills shortage, and weak monitoring and infrastructure backlogs are the biggest threats to successful delivery. As ActionSA, we want the best for our citizens and hope that the plan works out.

06:55:50The report is noted.

06:55:51nlGoedendag,

06:55:52and I thank you.

Item 16: DA Councillor A. Marais on section 57 amendments

06:55:54Thank you, Councillor Coverdale. The DA Councillor A. Marais.

06:56:01Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, fellow councillors, council officials, ladies and gentlemen, this is a sorry tale of how administrative bungling 14 years ago in the most exalted political forum in the land continues to confuse and confound. In 2011, a bill to amend the Local Government Municipal Systems Act was introduced in parliament by the then Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

06:56:30The laudable primary objectives of the amendments were to prevent politicians and other connected members of the tripartite alliance in search of a generous salary, pension, and the pickings of local government office from continuing to be appointed to senior management positions in municipalities and to professionalize municipal management. The bill passed through parliament, but unfortunately for the minister, the beneficiaries of this patronage did not take kindly to his interference.

06:57:02So much so that SAMWU, the South African Municipal Workers' Union, brought court proceedings to challenge the constitutionality of the amendments. To complicate matters, new regulations had also been issued in terms of the amended act designed to achieve the objectives of the amendments. The litigation took some time to reach finality, but eventually the tumultuous day dawned on 9 March 2019 when the Constitutional Court handed down judgment.

06:57:33The court held that the wrong procedure had been followed in parliament in enacting the amendment bill and set it aside. This was despite the amending act having come into force on 5 July 2011, almost eight years earlier. The effect was that the amendments introduced to the act in terms of the bill and the regulations which had been promulgated pursuant to those amendments were undone, and the act and regulations in force reverted to their pre-amendment state.

06:58:04It is not known what became of the hapless parliamentary advisors who had steered the passage of this bill on the wrong course through parliament. Eventually, a further bill, which largely resurrected these amendments, was brought to parliament and enacted. However, the confusion caused by the impact of the setting aside of the original amending bill and the regulations promulgated in terms of its amended provisions has not been laid to rest. This is evident in the reference to section 57 of the Municipal Systems Act in the report.

06:58:38The drafter of this report has reflected the version of this section which came into effect following the setting aside of the amending act by the Constitutional Court, but not the version which is currently in effect as a result of the further amendment of the act in 2021 and 2022. In terms of that further amendment, section 57(2) of the act provides that the performance agreement must be concluded within 60 days after a person has been appointed

06:59:08as the municipal manager or as a manager directly accountable to the municipal manager, failing which the appointment lapses, provided that upon good cause shown

Item 17: Opening contribution on senior-manager vacancies

07:11:46[inaudible] implemented despite our numerous call for this officials for urgent implementation.

07:11:54Speaker, we know that City of Joburg is riddled with inefficiencies, mismanagement, and outright corruption. The decay is systemic, it is destroying what should be the heart, the economic heartbeat of our country. By saying that, I also want to welcome Nyamakayise Zungu to the department. There's a lot to be done. Um I'm sure with you we can do we can do much.

07:12:24Speaker, for months and years, we have debated occupational health and safety compliance within city properties. We have debated the arrivals of fire engines, we received two a month or two ago. We have debated the Johannesburg Property Company, JPC, and the decaying Metro building. Debated the city's failed tender processes, matters arising dating back to years. Conducted countless oversight visits.

07:12:56We have debated and argued over hundreds of millions of UIFWs that are written off due to maladministration. We have made recommendations. We have exposed non-performing entities and individuals. We have held meetings after meetings, yet very little is done. Or we are completely ignored. Speaker, the greatest betrayal

07:13:25is not just the incompetence of these officials. It is the fact that these officials are the very people who come from our communities in Soweto, in Alex, in Diepsloot. They come from there, who should understand the struggle of the residents of City of Joburg, especially the poor communities. Yet, they have become the new face of a failed government, all while singing liberation songs, smiling in their expensive suits,

07:13:55and pretending to speak the language of transformation and freedom. This is not just poor management, Councillor Raphadu, through you, Speaker. It is also a calculated betrayal. While the city crumbles and poor communities suffer, tenders are handed out to families, friends, and cronies often at grossly inflated prices

07:14:25by these officials. These officials, the very ones entrusted with the city's budgets and performance, live in expensive suburbs, drive luxury vehicles and remain completely detached from the suffering they perpetuate. These officials' incompetence and betrayal are just not painful, they are personal, they are devastating. Speaker,

07:14:54where the DA-governed municipalities exist, they already stand as a beacon of good governance, in audits and service delivery that actually works. Highly qualified individuals appointed on merit, not politically connected cadres whose only concern is self-enrichment. Until we honestly and unapologetically hold these officials accountable,

07:15:21Well done.

Item 17: EFF and ActionSA on vacancies and the City Manager post

07:15:23Can the whips get their councillors to come in? I believe councillors are relaxing outside. Councillors are sitting and relaxing outside. Can we get them to come in? Can we get Councillor Nhlapo from the EFF?

07:15:54Councillor Nhlapo, EFF. Can you switch off your mic, Councillor Kgeletsane? Kgeletsane? Thank you.

07:16:06Greetings once more to the Speaker, to the EFF Chief Whip, to the EFF caucus leader, and all councillors in the house. I rise on item 17. The EFF would like to commend the department for informing council on the currently filled positions. We note that out of 22 senior manager positions in the core department, 17 of them are filled and five are still vacant. As the EFF, previously we stated to the council in June 2025,claim

07:16:37that if a person can act in a position, what keeps or prevents the city to appoint that person? As it shows that if he or she can act, that simply means that she or he is competent to occupy the position permanent. Today, I raise a critical issue of five senior management positions in our city are still vacant, and three out of and three of them have no clear recruitment process as per table shownclaim

07:17:07on the report. Those three positions are crucial to the well-being of our people, yet recruitment for these posts have lapsed, leaving the city without permanent leadership. While acting managers are in place, we cannot continue with temporary leadership. Acting positions lack the stability and accountability we need as the city. The City of Johannesburg deserves permanent, qualified leaders who can bring real change. As the EFF, we call for the immediate actionclaim

07:17:37to fill the positions with qualified individuals. The people of Johannesburg deserve a government that work that work efficiently and responsibly. Let's fix this and let's fix this and put the people's needs first. The EFF note the report. Thank you.

07:17:57Thank you, Councillor Nhlapo. ActionSA, Councillor Chuma.

07:18:13Uh greetings, Speaker, fellow councillors, the executive, the fabulous 44. How could I forget uh the residents of Johannesburg in the gallery and across all platform. Speaker, I think Speaker, I think I must remind this council and the City of Johannesburg residents what ActionSA stands for, particularly when it comes to governance. As ActionSA, we believe in ethical leadership and good governance. We see these two as cornerstones

07:18:43to successfully running the municipality, which will be characterized by proactiveness in its administration and will effectively see the residents receive the service delivery they deserve. It is in this belief that we invite the residents of Ward 130 to vote for ActionSA, as we continuously see Tshwane flourish under our Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya. Speaker, the report in front of us goes against this important cornerstone. We find it very problematicclaim

07:19:14as ActionSA. For instance, three positions on the report state that the recruitment has lapsed. That is not enough. We need transparency as this council and the residents of why. Then comes a classical case of malfeasance against the council and the residents of Johannesburg, cemented by the lack of political will by the executive. Since December 2024, the city has not had a permanent city manager. And the reportclaim

07:19:44states that the current acting city manager will act until the position is filled. Mind you, he is not the first one acting in this position. All we need to know as councillors is how far are you in the progress of filling this critical role? Because the posture we are getting is that you do not want to fill this role for reasons known to you, not in the best interest of the city and its residents. Only last week on EWN, it was reported thatclaim

07:20:14the former city manager is topping the list of candidates. Why do we have to hear this from news instead of it being contained in the report if you have concluded the interviews process, or where you are in the recruitment progress? As we disappointingly note this report as ActionSA. Thank you.

Item 17: DA, ANC and MMC Zungu

07:20:34Thank you, Councillor Chuma. The DA, Councillor C. Finn. Thank you.

07:20:46Good day, Madam Speaker, Mr Mayor, members of the executive and the legislature, all protocol observed. Item 17 deals with the acting arrangements of senior managers in the city, one of which is the head of department for Public Safety. It comes as no surprise that this acting arrangement has been allowed to lapse, placing the city and our residents at risk. Even more shocking is the fact that this position has been vacant for some time now, leaving the

07:21:16Department of Public Safety without stable leadership. Whilst crime rocks our city to its core, and our emergency services continue to grapple with a lack of resources, the ANC-EFF-PA coalition sees it fit for a Hollywood scene to play out with actors at every turn. When will the ANC-EFF-PA coalition take the concerns of our community seriously and appoint stable leadership for the department?emotive

07:21:46What will it take to convince the leadership of the city that our communities deserve better? Are they waiting for more death and destruction before they act? The DA urges the ANC-EFF-PA coalition to treat Public Safety with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. For too long, the department has been treated as the stepchild of the city. This situation cannot continue if we have any hope of stabilizing our city.emotive

07:22:16The a DA government would ensure that vital leadership positions are filled and that the department would be properly resourced and equipped to deal with rising crime and a growing need for emergency services. I thank you.emotive

07:22:33Thank you, Councillor Finn. MMC Zungu.

07:22:46MMC Zungu.

07:22:56isiZuluNgicela ningivulele. Ivulekeni.

07:22:59No, thanks, Speaker. Uh Speaker, I while noting uh all the concerns, Speaker, and the comments, what I must uh state this, Speaker. Um I think uh we need to be honest, Speaker.

07:23:14Uh MMC, there was another name that we got in. ANC, Councillor Ngema. Apologies, it's written in hand.

07:23:25No, thanks, Speaker. Uh greetings to you and um greetings to all the councillors in the house and the residents um uh in the City of Johannesburg. The African National Congress uh notes the report. Thank you.

07:23:45Thank you, Councillor Ngema. MMC Zungu.

07:23:50No, thanks, Speaker. Uh Speaker, um let me uh acknowledge the comments and the concerns from uh councillors. But let me also state this, Speaker, um while uh we'd want to critique, uh where possible, we must also be able to uh commend where we are required to do so. I think, Speaker, out of 22 uh of these uh posts,claim

07:24:20we have been able to fill 17, uh Speaker. I must uh then also confirm that uh the issue of the city manager is at an advanced stage, Speaker, and uh we've uh made some strides. And uh I think uh we do know that there might be some issues here and there, but I think we are working on them, Speaker. It cannot be all lost. We cannot be speaking as if uh this thing never happened under the DA. They were leading the city, Speaker, and um they are they're from there.claim

07:24:51And they were not able to fill these positions that we filled, Speaker. And instead, they were just purging uh the officials, Speaker. So, uh Speaker, I um then ask the council to note this report, Speaker. Thank you very much.

Item 17: Recommendations put, DA dissent, break request

07:25:05Thank you, MMC. Colleagues, um the recommendations are on page 17.9. Is the item agreed to?

07:25:15No!

07:25:22I'm going to put it again. Recommendations are on pages 17.9. Is the item agreed to?

07:25:31Yes!

07:25:34You still can't hear. You still can't hear.

07:25:50The yes have it.

07:26:01Can we go the third time? The recommendations on page 17.9. Is the item agreed to?

07:26:09Yes! Yes!

07:26:37Colleagues, the yeses have it.

07:26:51Councillor Christians. Colleagues, colleagues, can I listen to Councillor Christians?

07:27:05AfrikaansBaie dankie, Voorsittende Beampte. Ek staan in terme van reël 84.

07:27:11Madam Speaker, we'd like to uh the to record the opposition of the Democratic Alliance in this regard, and we reserve the right to to to take legal advice as well. Thank you.

07:27:25AfrikaansEk het gedink jy gaan voortgaan in Afrikaans. Baie dankie.

07:27:33I saw a hand. Councillor Coverdale.

07:27:40Yes, uh thank you, Speaker. ActionSA would like to request a 30-minute

07:27:44I can't hear you at all.

07:27:46ActionSA would like to request a 30-minute caucus break. Thank you.

07:27:51I was asking on the item.

07:27:56Item is closed!

07:27:58The yeses have it and the dissent of the DA. Thank you. Um MMC Zungu.

07:28:08Uh thanks, Speaker. Speaker, I want uh maybe Councillor Coverdale to assist me with a hairstylist. I'm liking

07:28:16When people are tired, ne, they say things.

07:28:31Councillor Coverdale. Councillor Coverdale, you have asked for the break. I'm addressing you. Can we please go for item 18, and then we're going to have a break because then the IEC comes in. So then we then we have a break. Let's move with this, and then we have the then we do the uh the item 3. item three that was asked for, and then the IEC is going to come in, then we have a break. Can we do that?

07:29:05Yes.

07:29:06AfrikaansBaie dankie.

07:29:07Uh Speaker, because ActionSA is progressive, I agree.

07:29:11AfrikaansBaie dankie.

Item 18: Moving in-committee and minutes shortage

07:29:19Okay, colleagues, item 18 is an in-committee item, right? Thank you.

07:29:30Okay, I see the cameras are off. Can we ask people in the gallery to please excuse us? Everybody and switch off your cameras. Those that have standing cameras, switch it off, please. Or even move with your camera.

07:30:36We are going to close the doors. We are going to close the doors. We are closing the doors. We're going for in-committee. So, if you're outside, you're outside.

07:41:13Can we indicate who doesn't have the minutes because we are going to have to do a report.

07:41:34I can't see when you are walking and you are putting your hand up that you are here. We need to look at who doesn't have the minutes. Can we keep get hands for minutes? Can you count how many?

07:41:51Okay, who doesn't have minutes? You don't have minutes and you don't have reports. You have a report. You only need a minute.

07:42:11Okay, can you just hold on? We'll give it out now.

07:43:13Colleagues, we are just printing more minutes. We should have it now.

07:53:35Those of you that don't have documents, they just fetched the minutes. I want to apologize. I'm not sure why they didn't do it earlier.

07:53:50Okay, Sifumba. I've already said that, Councillor Sifumba. I said that.

07:57:26Colleagues, we all have the report, right? We all have the report. We all just don't have the minutes. Am I right?

07:57:52Can I have an indication how many of us don't have the minutes? Okay, it's not all of us. The others have minutes. Okay, so what we're going to do is we're going to defer the minutes,

07:58:07but we're going to carry on with the actual report. So the minutes will be deferred. Those of you that have minutes, please put your minutes on the side so that we can take back the minutes. We'll take back the minutes. We will only deal with the report. Is that fine? Thank you, colleagues.

07:58:31I want to apologize. I don't know what the officials did. In all honesty.

Item 18: Code of Conduct outcome for Cllr Mnisi

07:58:50We're now on the Item 18, and that's the outcome of the investigation into the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for councillors, and that's for Councillor Nomoya Mnisi.

07:59:03Can we call on the member in charge, Councillor Rahn?

07:59:13Madam Speaker, the DA would like a 15-minute caucus break just to discuss the item, please.

07:59:25Councillor Rahn, they've already read the item in.

07:59:56Colleagues, are we aware that it's only the chairperson that's speaking on this report? So we are aware of that. So I'm not going to give you 15 minutes. I'll give you 10 minutes. Thank you. I'm giving you 10 minutes.

08:00:25Can you please don't take pictures of the report? Asseblief! Asseblief! I'm asking nicely.

08:00:35Speaker, the DA took the report out.

08:00:46They took the report out.

08:18:20and then the annexure, the numbering of the annexure, uh is not a problem when it goes to the MEC. Uh I'm not sure whether that is is satisfying to you.

Election of Rules Committee chairperson

08:31:18Jacques Hoon, and the seconder is Devon Steenkamp. They've all been signed. Yeah. So, can we

08:31:52These forms are all correctly filled in and they are all accepted. Yeah, all three of them. Can we have these Can we have the persons Can we have the proposer, Floyd. Floyd Ngwenya.

08:32:29Uh thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Let me start by greeting members of the Mayoral Committee, uh Councillor Chauke, our incoming Chief Whip, uh all uh Chairpersons of Section 79 uh committees, all councillors present, and uh guests in the gallery. Uh Speaker, I, Councillor Floyd Ngwenya, hereby nominate Councillor Joe Mofokeng as the Chairperson of the Section 79

08:33:02Rules uh Committee as per rule uh as per standing rule number 24 of the standing rules. Thank you very much, Chair.

08:33:11Can we have the seconder?

08:33:19Um thank you, Madam Speaker. And greetings to you. Um I, Councillor Nokuthula Nofemela, second the nomination of Councillor Johannes Mofokeng as the Chairperson of the Rules Committee, and I thank you.

08:33:44Can the nominee accept or not accept?

08:33:50Uh good evening, Speaker. I, Councillor Johannes Mofokeng, accept the nomination. Thank you.

08:33:59Thank you. Councillor Christopher Avant-Smith.

08:34:08Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, Councillor Christopher Avant-Smith, hereby nominate uh Councillor Jacques Stephen Hoon for the position of Chairperson of the Rules Committee. Thank you.

08:34:24Thank you. Can we have the proposer the seconder, sorry.

08:34:33I, Councillor Devon Steenkamp, seconds the nomination for Councillor Jacques Stephen Hoon um for the position of Chairperson of Section 79 Rules Committee.

08:34:45Can we have the nominee?

08:34:50Uh thank you, Speaker. I, Councillor Jacques Hoon, accept the nomination.

08:34:56Thank you. Can we have the third one, proposer Elmari Atterbury, Councillor Elmari Atterbury? Atterbury.

08:35:05Thank you, Speaker. Um I withdraw the nomination.

08:35:09Okay. So, there's only two. It's um the one from that was proposed by Councillor Floyd Ngwenya, and coun- and then the other proposer was Christopher Avant-Smith. Can we have those that are voting for Councillor Joe Mofokeng, can we see the hands?

08:36:17Yield.

08:36:34IT. IT.

08:37:19Okay, you may lower your hands.

Objection to the voting process

08:40:27Wait now. No, the whole process is wrong. It's flawed. Why?

08:40:34Councillor Councillor Coverdale.

08:40:41Madam Speaker, the process that we just followed now, you read it out last week that the when you start off, you should first there's a there's a there's a certain way you should do it and you didn't follow it.

08:40:55Councillor Councillor, I cannot hear you.

08:40:57You didn't follow the process which you just read out to us last week in the same council that we first need to vote in in in with you need to show the dissent. The dissent first and then

08:41:12No, no, no, Councillor. No, this is not

08:41:14And that is how that is the process that was followed last week, and you said it, you read it.

08:41:17No, this is not it's not a motion. It's not a motion. You were doing an election.

08:41:21But even if it is, it's in the voting process.

08:41:23It's not a motion. We were doing an election.

08:41:26And Speaker, then secondly

08:41:28It's not a motion, Councillor. Can we not, it's not a motion. It's an election.

08:41:29Secondly, I ask for a caucus break. Speaker? Yes

08:41:54I'm going to I'm going to call as long as I am being still the speaker I'm going to ask that we workshop all our counselors so that we can understand the rules I must be honest with you there was a term when people knew their rules by heart and I think it's time that we do that because I've noted that people are agreeing party line, but they do not read the documents of council.

08:42:28So I'm going to ask and I'm going to definitely do that whilst I am still the speaker so that we know our rules. Thank you so much. We are now going over to the next item.

Election of Whip of Council: procedure and IEC briefing

08:42:45Counsellors, the next item is the election of the whip of council.

08:42:55I don't have it.

08:43:08Colleagues, we're just waiting for the process.

08:49:31Okay, is the IEC here?

08:49:35Thanks, colleagues. Can we carry on?

08:49:42Okay. Um the item has been read in. In terms of item seven of the scheduled elimination procedure, if no candidate receives a majority of the votes as we are continuing where we left last week, the candidate who receives the lowest number of votes must be eliminated and a further vote taken on the remaining candidates in accordance with item six. This procedure must be repeated until a candidate

08:50:14receives the majority of the votes. When applying sub item one, if two or more candidates each have the lowest number of votes, a separate vote must be taken on those candidates and repeated as often as may be necessary to determine which candidate is to be eliminated. In terms of item eight, further meetings, if only two candidates are nominated, or if only two candidates remain after an elimination procedure has been applied

08:50:46and those two candidates receive the same number of votes, a further meeting must be held within seven days at a time determined by the person presiding. If a further meeting is held in terms of sub item one, the procedure prescribed in the schedule must be applied, which we are going to do, as if it were the first meeting of the election in question. If at a further meeting held in terms

08:51:16of sub-item one, only two candidates are nominated, or if only two candidates remain after the elimination elimination procedure has been applied, and those two candidates receive the same number of votes, the person presiding at such a meeting must determine by lot who of the two candidates will hold the office for the election that has taken place. So councilors note

08:51:46that the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, has been requested to again conduct the elections and they have acceded to the request. I therefore request all councilors to cooperate with the IEC in this regard. The meeting will now proceed with the elections of the Whip of the City of Johannesburg Municipality in accordance with Schedule 3 to the Act as mentioned earlier. At this point,

08:52:16I will ask the IEC to take us through the election process. I thank you.

08:52:23IEC

08:52:45I think can we have the mics working?

08:52:50Thank you. Good evening speaker. Good evening to counselors and officials of the city. In our midst we are continuing with the election and I'm just going to repeat a few things since we are just going to be repeating the process again just for the benefit of those who are new

08:53:22amongst us we are going to have an election which is going to be conducted in secret and the form of identification will remain a green barcoded ID or a valid ID card smart card and nothing else will be accepted and in relation to the vote, each

08:53:56voter will be entitled to cast one ballot. The voters' roll will be the one which was used when we started this election on the 28th of August and the names of the voters will be called one by one per party. And I think the sorting of the party is alphabetical. So,

08:54:27uhm we are going to be setting up a voting station in the middle here and in relation to the ballot paper, we the last time when we stopped, we had two candidates and that will remain the number of candidates which will be contesting

08:54:59the election of today. So, we are not going to waste much time other than to indicate that we are going to request that the political parties nominate the party agents as we have always done so that they will then observe

08:55:30the process. And I should indicate that in relation to printing of the ballots, we are going to be printing the same number which we've been printing in the past, which is 273. And then that number will be confirmed by the party agents before we start with the voting process. May I then without

08:56:01further ado, Speaker, just request that IEC be given about 20 minutes to set up the station so that we can prepare for the election.

08:56:15You are granted.

DA caucus break before the whip vote

08:56:19Councillor Niemand. Thank you.

08:56:28Yeah, thank you, Speaker. Uh the Democratic Alliance would like to have a 30-minute caucus break, which can include the 20 minutes which the IECs just need the extra 10 minutes, if you permit that.

08:56:46Caucus break, you'll come back at at 19:30.

08:56:55We'll come back at 19:30.

08:57:01It doesn't sound good if you are screaming cuz I don't know if you're saying fast or far.

08:57:11We'll come back at 19:35 19:35.

09:26:06Can all caucus leaders get their members in? Colleagues, can all caucus leaders get their members in?

DA withdraws from the whip election

09:26:35Colleagues, we are back. Is it Caucus leaders, are your members here? We are going to start. IEC, it's your process. Councillor Niemand.

09:27:09IT, can you please assist with the mic?

09:27:14Now, thank you, Speaker. I asked for a caucus break and thank you for allowing us that. I'm ready to report back. Speaker, on Thursday night, I informed you that I believe that you are outside the process. And in light of that, and after you've announced now and it's clear that you're just continuing, the Democratic Alliance will be withdrawing from this process, as we deem it to be illegal. We are reserving our rights.

09:27:43And thank you for allowing us for the caucus. Thank you, Speaker.

Dispute over Cllr Raphadu's remarks

09:27:54Councillor Raphadu.

09:27:56Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. In light of what has just been said, Madam Speaker, please, can you it be noted that the Democratic Alliance is deliberately collapsing caucus, and if they leave, can they be taken to ethics? Thank you very much.

09:28:21Councillor Christians. I did not recognize Councillor, sorry. I too I did not recognize you, Councillor Christians. I was going to say to you, Councillor Christians, when Councillor Niemand put up his hand to speak, no one screamed at him. No one. No one. Councillor Raphadu stood up

09:28:47and everybody started screaming at him. And it was his point. Councillor Rahn, your hand was up. Just hold on. Councillor Raphadu did not finish. Councillor Raphadu.

09:29:06Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm saying, Madam Speaker, in line of what has just been said, this is a deliberate attempt to collapse this council. Deliberate. So, in light of this, Madam Speaker, and I think you're the only Speaker here. Please. Please, Madam Speaker. Can this be noted so that tomorrow when we write to Ethics, it can be noted on this regard? Thank you very much.emotive

09:29:37Councillor Rahn. Councillor Rahn's hand was up before yours.

09:29:47Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm using the Councillor Avant-Smith's mic just so you can see me behind the boxes. Madam Speaker, just for the record, the Democratic Alliance is not leaving the room, so we are not collapsing the meeting so that there's no quorum. However, I am withdrawing as the candidate in light of what Councillor Niemand has said.

09:30:21Colleagues, colleagues!

09:30:34Colleagues. Colleagues. Colleagues. Before I give you the opportunity, Councillor Belinda, Colleagues, can I have your attention? Can I have your attention? I will give you a chance. Colleagues, can I have your attention? I think

09:31:11Is everything fine there? Colleagues, is the councillor okay? Uncontested. Can we settle?

09:31:34Okay, Councillor Raphadu, can I speak? Can I speak? Colleagues, Councillor Niemand, can I be honest and brutally honest? And maybe sometimes that's my downfall, that I am very transparent and very honest. I

09:32:03After Thursday, I consulted with the IEC to ensure that I'm doing the right thing. And I consulted with the IEC again this morning to ensure that I'm doing the right thing. Because if I was not doing the right thing, I was going to admit and say I didn't do the right thing. But I spoke to the IEC, and I was given the confidence that I did the right thing.

09:32:33And I'm going to leave it there, because I did speak to the IEC, and for whatever reasons you are withdrawing, it is noted that you are withdrawing. And that's just what it is. But I can tell you, and the IEC is here. The IEC is here. I consulted with the IEC. I consulted with legal to understand whether I'm doing the right thing.

09:33:03Because I'm very scared. I don't like courts. I don't like courts. I didn't even get married in court because I'm scared of that. So, that's where I am, and I have the conviction that I've done the right thing. Councillor Belinda, I'm closing this, and I'm not going to open it up for anybody else after this.

09:33:49Councillor Belinda, I can't hear you. Are you speaking in silence?

09:34:01IT, can you assist her with a mic?

09:34:03Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as far as I recall, the rules allow free speech and allow caucuses. And there are times when caucuses have to consult when we raise an issue, and that also include consulting with our legal team. I just want to say, Madam Speaker, I would like you to ask Councillor Raphadu to withdraw. We were very clear

09:34:33that we were withdrawing from the process. We never said we are leaving the council chambers or we are withdrawing from council. We said we are still here. We are withdrawing from the process based on legal opinion that we have sought. So he must please withdraw it.

09:34:51AfrikaansDankie.

09:34:52Councillor, can you withdraw what you said, that they're going to collapse? Just that.

09:34:57Withdraw what, Madam Speaker, exactly? Withdraw what, exactly? I want to be sure when I withdraw. Withdraw what? What?

09:35:20Withdraw what?

09:35:25Okay, Councillor Raphadu, Councillor Raphadu, I've spoken to legal, and legal says whilst they are here, they are not collapsing. They are just withdrawing their candidate, and they are withdrawing from, yeah, as Councillor Rahn said, they are withdrawing their candidate. So that's what we are taking in. They are withdrawing their candidate.

09:35:55Councillor Raphadu, can we move on?

09:36:11Madam Speaker, Madam Speaker, I'm sure that this council allows for free speech. And where I've erred, Madam Speaker, where I've erred, and which I think I haven't, I will withdraw for the sake of council to continue, just for the sake of council.

09:36:30No, not for the

09:36:35Councillor Raphadu, just withdraw.

09:36:41Withdraw.

09:36:42He must join me in training.

09:36:45Madam Speaker, I'm saying I'm withdrawing because I want council to proceed.

09:36:53He needs to join me in training.

09:38:15Colleagues. Councillor Christians, I saw your hand up. I want to proceed. And Councillor Raphadu has withdrawn, right?

09:38:48withdrawing.

09:38:49Can you please switch off your mic, Councillor Christians?

09:38:55Madam Speaker, for the sake of unity, I'm withdrawing. I'm withdrawing unconditionally. Unconditionally. Unconditionally, for the sake

09:39:17Councillor Christians.

09:39:27Okay, Councillor Christians, you've withdrawn your hand, ne?

09:39:33Madam Speaker, the reason why I'm still sitting is the first time I put up my hand, you told me I was shouting at you and I must sit down. Second time I put up my hand, you told me to sit down. That's why this time I just sat when you called me. Madam Speaker, I'm rising in terms of Rule 72.

09:39:44No, Councillor Christians, I'm not a bully. I said Councillor Raphadu's hand was up. He spoke. I asked him to withdraw. He withdrew. I then said to you, Councillor Raphadu has withdrawn, are you withdrawing your hand that was up? That's what I asked you. So you're shaking your head and that means no, so can I hear what you want to say?

09:40:13Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the reason why I'm rising, in terms of the rules, you are allowed to allow for debate, which you did when Councillor Raphadu was speaking. And that is why I raised my hands on a point of order. Madam Speaker, you have breached the rules again there by allowing him to continue to debate. Now, the rules is very clear and legal can tell you that, that if you allow one councillor to debate, you have to allow everybody else in the house to debate. And that's what you did with Councillor Raphadu because he did not stand

09:40:43on a point of order. And that is why this house denigrated into the manner it did, Madam Speaker. All our leader did was stand on a point of order to say that Councillor Raphadu misled the house and he needed to retract what he said unconditionally, which he did not do twice. When I raised my hand the third time, it was to say that in terms of the rules, when you rule, he has to do what you say. He cannot be debating with you, but you allowed it to happen again, which is again

09:41:13a breach of the rules, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we cannot have this house denigrate the way it is because you are not following the rules. Please do that, or else we'll be sitting here till 10:00 every night. Thank you.

09:41:23Councillor Christians, Councillor Christians, there was no debate. I insisted on him to withdraw. Even when he said he's withdrawing with this and that, I said, "Please withdraw unconditionally." And it seems like you are wanting a debate. There was no debate. I reprimanded

09:41:46[inaudible] in withdrawing unconditionally.

09:41:51Dialogue

09:42:03Colleagues, I'm carrying on. I've closed Councillor Raphadu has withdrawn.

09:42:10Councillor Raphadu, please.

09:42:15He has withdrawn, Councillor Mhlongo.

09:42:20Shoo.

Councillor Chauke declared Whip of Council

09:42:23In terms of Item 5 of the schedule, if one candidate has remained, the person presiding must declare that candidate elected.

09:42:35Councillor Chauke is the remaining councillor.

09:42:46Councillor Chauke, where's Councillor Chauke? So I declare him, neh?

09:42:53So Councillor Chauke is now declared the Whip of Council.

09:43:16We spoke to IEC, neh? We asked we asked

09:45:16Colleagues,

09:45:19colleagues, can we settle down? Can we can we settle down?

Announcements and closure

09:45:41Uh councillors, we are now on announcements and closure.

09:45:58isiZulu[inaudible] uMalema uzophatha. Hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu

09:46:16Can they hit the bell? Hit the bell. No, no, no, don't.

09:46:25isiZulu[inaudible] sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha.

09:46:32isiZuluUMalema uzophatha. Hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. UMalema uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha.

09:46:49Colleagues, can we close the meeting? I want to close.

09:46:54isiZulu[inaudible] ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. UMalema uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. UJuju uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha.

09:47:13isiZuluUJuju uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. UJuju uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. UJuju uzophatha

09:47:30Colleagues, colleagues, councillors, councillors, councillors, councillors.

09:47:33isiZuluHhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. UJuju uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. UJuju uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu, hhiyo ha. ULavoo uzophatha, hhiyo ha, ngoba sipheth' isibhamu.

09:47:59Colleagues, colleagues,

09:48:04councillors.

09:48:07Councillors, Chair of Chairs, Chair of Chairs, can you assist me to calm them? Councillors, can we just complete the session? Can we complete the session, please? Councillor Zitha, can we complete the session, please?

09:48:35Colleagues, I'm closing. We don't have any announcements, but congratulations to Councillor Chauke uh on being the Whip of Council. And um yeah, we are closing the session. Thank you very much. And there's no announcements. We will then um swear in the councillor on Friday morning at 10:00.

09:49:05You'll be sworn in as the Whip, as you are an official. And we will also then um have council on the council date. Thank you so much. May you all travel safely.