Transcript: 33rd Ordinary Council Meeting, Day 1

Quorum and call to order

00:04:43Councillors we are going to start can we have our seats.

00:04:53LOB.

00:05:00Councillors our time is up can we be seated? There's 206 councillors that has that has registered so we do form a quorum. Councillor Smit can we be seated, the councillors the two councillors of the EFF there can we be seated? Deputy Whip can we be seated? Thank you.

Applications for leave of absence and late arrivals

00:05:35Uh councillors we now proceed to applications for leave of absence.

00:05:40Thank you Secretary to Council we have received written apologies from Councillor A. Stewart that is ill health, Councillor Crichton ill health, Councillor Niemand ill health that is here, Councillor F. Roberts private business.

00:06:00Councillor Mokoena from the APC urgent private business, Councillor L. Nkosi ill health, Councillor J. Ngwenya ill health, Councillor Mosehla urgent private business, Councillor E. Ntshidi out of the province, Councillor S. Wissler out of the province, Councillor N. Johnson out of the province, Councillor C. Mohlala out of the province. We also have late arrivals,

00:06:36Councillor Masuku um MMC, MMC Masuku late arrival due to attending the engagement between National Treasury Political Leadership and the City's Leadership on the Metro Trading Services she's accompanied by the Executive Mayor. MMC Makhafola is asking for early departure at 1600 hours if council will still be in session, Councillor Nhlapo early departure at 1600 hours if council will still be in session. Are there any further

00:07:13apologies? Councillor Smit and then Councillor Makhuba and then Councillor De Lange and then Councillor

00:07:30Councillor Magwentshu and then Councillor Simonse and then Councillor Mofokeng you'll be the last one. In that sequence can we do it. Can you go number one.

00:07:48Thank you Madam Speaker, I think there was a bit of confusion it's Councillor Zone Hughes not Councillor Niemand with the LOA sorry we will change that. And then also we have some people who've gone off ill today Councillor Truluck and Councillor Louw.

00:08:06Um Councillor Dyers will arrive late and I've asked uh if Councillor Mohamed can leave at midday to write an exam and Councillor Pietersen on party business at 5:00 p.m please. Thank you.

00:08:21Thank you Councillor Smit, the next one.

00:08:25Thank you Speaker, um for the IFP Councillor Mabaso will arrive uh MMC Mabaso will arrive late thank you.

00:08:35Thank you Councillor Makhuba, next councillor? Councillor Magwentshu your hand was up.

00:08:46Uh thank you Speaker, uh Speaker Councillor Mhlongo from the AIC is running late, he's on his way thank you.

00:08:56Thank you Councillor Magwentshu, Councillor Simonse?

00:09:02Good morning Madam Speaker, Councillor Dwayne Ponsonby and Councillor Kunene is running late. Thank you.

00:09:08Thank you councillor. Councillor De Lange?

00:09:11Good morning Speaker. Um Speaker from the Freedom Front side if we are not done by 1800, 6:00 p.m, Councillor Boer and myself would like to leave for urgent private business. Thank you.

00:09:24Thank you Councillor De Lange there was another hand. Councillor Mofokeng?

00:09:32Uh good morning Speaker. Councillor Eunice Mgcina and Councillor Rufus Maswazi late arrival. Councillor Sebenzile Mabuza, Councillor Livhuwani Ndou and Raphadu ill health. Thank you.

00:09:49Thank you Councillor, Councillor De Lange?

00:09:59Councillor can you switch off your mic?

00:10:01Thank you Speaker, just a correction it's Councillor Boer, Councillor Pelzer and myself at 6:00, thank you.claim

00:10:09Thank you so much. Councillor Mogapi?

00:10:15Thank you Speaker, greeting everyone. From the EFF it's Councillor Nkosi ill health, Councillor Ngwenya ill health, Councillor Mosehla private business and Councillor Tshwaku private business and Councillor Mkasi private business. Councillor Nhlapo requesting to leave at 4:00 if we are not done and Councillor Makhafola also at 4:00 if we're not done, thank you.claim

00:10:39Thank you Councillor we've noted the ones you have added, we've called out quite a few of them. Thank you so much. Are the apologies noted if there's no other apologies?

00:10:56Councillors we proceed with...

00:11:05Councillor I can't see your name, there is a councillor from ActionSA?

00:11:11Councillor Ntombela Speaker thank you. As ActionSA Speaker we're asking for 30 minutes break. Thank you.

00:11:20I can't hear you?

00:11:22As ActionSA we are asking for a 30 minutes break.

00:11:29Councillor we are on apologies and we are doing official notices, we will then look into breaks. Thank you.

Official notices and welcome of new councillors

00:11:41We are now on official notices.

00:11:45Councillors please join me in wishing well to the councillors who are celebrating their birthdays during the month of September. Further join me in welcoming the following councillors to the City of Johannesburg Council, Councillor Nduduzo Mzolo who replaced the late Councillor Thulani Buthelezi as the Ward Councillor of Ward 130 and we'd like to congratulate the ANC for winning Ward 130 by-elections.

00:12:22Can we... Can we also can we also in his absence as he will be late welcome Councillor Kenny Kunene who replaced... Oh he's arrived! Where is he? Oh! Can we also

00:12:46Okay colleagues, I looked somewhere else. Can we also welcome Councillor Kenny Kunene who replaced Councillor Liam Jacobs who resigned as the Patriotic Alliance PR Councillor. Can you stand Councillor?

00:13:06Thank you so much councillors and welcome to those councillors and happy birthday to the September babies, I thank you.

00:13:26Councillor Rahn?

00:13:29Thank you Madam Speaker just to make you aware the livestream is not working correctly. Um the feed is patchy and the sound's not great just for the record. Thank you.

00:13:40I know that IT said they are working on it. So maybe it's waiting for us to stop disturbing council, just a light note Councillor Rahn. Okay they are working on it I've got confirmation that they're working on it. Thanks councillors, next item SCC.

Confirmation of minutes of the 32nd ordinary and 43rd extraordinary meetings

00:13:58We move now to confirmation of minutes and these are minutes of the 32nd ordinary meeting held on the 28th of August 2025 and also minutes of the 43rd extraordinary meeting held on the 2nd of September 2025.

00:14:16Thank you councillors. As per the um minutes can we have Councillor Mogapi and then Councillor Fourie-Shawe, Mazibuko and Mkhonza in that fashion. Councillor Mogapi?

00:14:32Thank you Speaker we are fine.

00:14:34Okay. Councillor Yongama? Councillor Fourie-Shawe?

00:14:46Thank you Madam Speaker. Um just for clarification on the format for the recording of dissent um in the minutes. For example the 43rd extraordinary meeting item 17. Usually after the resolutions are minuted the dissent is noted. Um the... Sorry. Okay. Um

00:15:16Just hold on Councillor Fourie-Shawe. People in the gallery you should not be heard, you should be seen. So can we please ask you not to do what you are doing please everybody in the gallery. Please. Thank you.

00:15:37Thank you Madam Speaker. So before the resolution is minuted there is mention made of Rule 84 and that whole paragraph that's usually in the minutes. That paragraph is usually after the resolutions to indicate that the dissent was noted after resolutions were tabled or put to the house. So I just want to confirm that this is the new format that it won't because it appears that perhaps we have abstained or dissented before the um it was tabled the items, the resolutions were put to the house. So just for clarity, thanks Madam.

00:16:17Thank you Councillor Fourie-Shawe we will look into that. ANC, Councillor Mazibuko.

00:16:28Thank you Speaker.

00:16:36On the minutes of the 2nd of September on page 12 and 13, can we please correct Councillor Ndou's surname. And then on page 15 on paragraph number three, um deeds of restrictions can we correct the spelling of restrictions. And then on the um resolvedclaim

00:57:14provincial and national is in the uhm in the gallery. Please can you talk to him.

00:57:23AfrikaansEk skinder nie.

Return from ActionSA break and questions for written reply

00:57:31Thank you so much councilors. Can we settle? Uhm Action SA you've asked for 30 minutes. Can you report back to the house?

00:57:43Madam Speaker, we do appreciate opportunity. Action SA is good. We can go on. Thank you so much.

00:57:50Thank you councilor. Action SA is good within Action SA. Next item STC.

00:57:59Councilors, we resume with item five and those are questions for written reply of which notice has been given in terms of rule 105 subsection two and rule 111A of the Standing Rules and Orders of Council.

00:58:15Can we in the absence of the Executive Mayor get the Leader of Executive Business to respond to the questions? They are written questions, Leader of Executive Business.

00:58:43Eh greetings, Speaker. Greetings to councilors and greetings also to our guests. Speaker, the questions are loaded on the drive. Thank you, Speaker.

00:58:53Thank you. So the executive questions are loaded on the drive. Uhm the Chair of Chairs.

00:59:04Thank you very much uh Madam Speaker, honorable councilors, all protocol observed. The Legislature questions are uploaded on the drive. Thank you very much.

00:59:16Thank you so much, Chair of Chairs. I hope all Whips have heard that all the questions are uploaded on the drive. Thank you so much. STC.

00:59:37Councilor Chair of Chairs, Councilor Marema.

00:59:43Uh thank you very much once again, Honorable Speaker of the Council of City of Johannesburg. I rise to make a request to yourself in terms of elevation of Legislature uh reports. I would want to request that

01:00:00That we start with recommendations to council. And on the recommendations to council, I want to have an item, Item 65, elevated uh before you go to the elections of uh chairpersons uh of the portfolio committee. Yeah, it's common cause that uh when we get to that, we make sure that the candidacies are in the

01:00:30in the committee. So, hence the motivation for the elevation, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Recommendations to council and elevation of Item 65

01:00:44Thank you so much, Chair of Chairs. Um STC?

01:00:52Uh we now on uh recommendations to council as the seventh item.

01:01:00The legal, ah, Leader of Executive Business, can you table your recommendations?

01:01:11No, uh greetings again, Speaker. Thank you very much. On behalf of the Executive Mayor, I then thereby rise to table items from the Executive. Thank you.

01:01:24Thank you so much, um, Leader of Executive Business. I think Councillor Marema, you know why I'm laughing. Councillor Marema, can you table your recommendations?

01:01:38Thank you very much, uh, Honourable Speaker of Council of the City of Johannesburg. Once again, I rise to table the uh recommendation from legislature. I thank you. And I thought that, Speaker, uh during my uh request for elevation, I thought you would accede, but uh I see it goes without saying that you have already agreed with myself. I thank you very much.

01:02:05Thank you so much, um, Chair of Chairs. We have acceded to and um we are going to elevate Councillor De Lange?

01:02:20Um thank you, Chairperson. I did approach your team earlier. Um and I think this is the right moment. My name wasn't added to Item 40. It was sent through to your office. If you can just add my name as a speaker to Item 40, please. Thank you.

01:02:41Councillor De Lange, at the table we have added it. It might not be on your on your list, but on our list we have added it. They've given me the adjustment. Thank you so much, um Chair of Chairs, we are acceding to your request. I just want to check, the item is Item 65 that we would elevate.

01:03:11Um Item 65 will be elevated. Councillor Da Rocha?

01:03:18Uh thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am pleading to you as a fellow councillor uh about what's going on, and we as councillors, we are ignoring what's happening in the wards, and we are not discussing water issues in the ward, and residents are sitting without water for months and months and months, and the Mayor is not even here. And I think that this council's responsibility is to actually have a debate on the water issue that's currently affecting thousands of residents across Johannesburg.

01:03:56Councillor Da Rocha. Um can I can I ask on which item are you now? Thank you so much, Councillor Da Rocha. MMC Mnisi? LOEB? Thank you. Uh we will proceed as per the agenda.

Item 65: changes in membership of Section 79 committees

01:04:20The elevated item, which is Item 65, uh Changes in Membership of the Various Section 79 Committees.

01:04:31Chair of Chairs, I don't have speakers on the item. Chair of Chairs, LOEB, LOEB and Councillor Sifumba, please. Oh, I'm not sure, I can't see. Sorry, sorry. Apologies.

01:04:55Whoever's mic was, Councillor Da Rocha, can you please switch off your mic? Please lift your mic so I can see. Thank you.

01:05:04No, thank you, um, Madam Speaker, once again. Um, on the item that I have asked, the reason for no speakers there is because you don't debate change of membership. Uh, it is just so that we make sure we comply in terms of the uh the the precedence or the working of council when and we did deliberately because we know that the the chairpersons, committee chairpersons that we are going to

01:05:34elect or nominate today have to be part of the committee, so which is why we we requested for for this item to be elevated, seeing that the election of chairpersons is Item 6. So, there is no need for a debate. I think uh we're asking for council to note the changes of membership to that effect. Thank you.

01:05:59Thank you so much. Can we note the item, Item 65, change of membership? Is the item noted? Thank you, colleagues.

Item 6: election of Public Safety committee chairperson

01:06:16Uh councillors, we resume to Item 6, and that's the election of chairpersons uh for the following Section 79 committees in terms of Rule 24 of the Standing Rules and Orders of Council, and that is the chairpersons for Public Safety and also for Finance, and lastly, for Environment and Infrastructure Services.

01:06:46Councillors, please note that the elections of the chairpersons of Public Safety, Finance, and Environment and Infrastructure Services will be done in accordance with Rule 24. Councillor Mhlongo and Councillor Yongama. Will be done in accordance with Rule 24 of the Standing Rules and Orders of Council. In this instance, voting will be by show of hands

01:07:17on the basis that the aforesaid positions are not part of Schedule 3 to the Municipal Structures Act, 1999, Act 117 of 1998, apologies, Act 117 of 1998. The procedure set out in that schedule applies whenever a municipal council meets to elect a Speaker, an Executive Mayor, a Deputy Executive Mayor,

01:07:47or a Deputy Mayor, or the Whip of Council. I've issued nomination forms to all political parties, whips of political parties, to submit nominations for the said positions. Please note that we are going to deal with these in the order that they appear in the notice. Colleagues, I am saying to Councillor Zigebe and Councillor Mhlongo, can we not

01:08:17disturb council because we've been receiving and councillors asking why do we have council on a Monday? But it is clearly because we do not take attention to what is given to us in council. And thus, we then all say yes to what is given to us, and then we come back and we ask Speaker, why do we have council on a Monday? It's not Speaker that decided.

01:08:47It was the 269 plus the Speaker that voted for that roster to go around. So, if we can focus and have attention, we will understand uh uh everything in council. I thank you. Councillors, we will start with the election of the Public Safety Committee Chair. I've received two nominations, and the first one is proposed by Councillor D.

01:09:16Manganyi, seconded by Councillor Nyembe, nominating Councillor N. Makhuba. The second nomination is proposed by Councillor J. Horwitz, seconded by Councillor C. Avant-Smith, nominating Councillor S. Maila. The forms have been correctly filled and accordingly signed by the proposers, the seconders, and the nominees. I will now allow

01:09:47the proposers, the seconders, and nominees to please read out the nominations and accept and acceptance respectively for record purposes. We will start with Councillor Manganyi from the IFP, followed by Councillor Nyembe, then Councillor Makhuba, and thereafter we will do Councillor Horwitz, followed by Councillor Avant-Smith, then Councillor Maila in that order. I thank you.

01:10:18isiZuluNgibingelele,

01:10:20Speaker, thank you. I, Councillor Dalcy Mantoa Manganyi, hereby nominate Councillor Helen Nonhlanhla Makhuba for the position of Chairperson of Section 79 Public Safety Committee. Thank you.

01:10:34Thank you, Councillor Manganyi. Councillor Nyembe?

01:10:41Thank you, Speaker. Greetings, councillors. I, Councillor Mkhuliseni Mduduzi Nyembe, seconds the nomination.

01:10:55Thank you. Acceptance of Councillor Makhuba?

01:11:03Thank you, Speaker. I, Councillor Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba, accept the nomination for the position of Chairperson of the Section 79 Public Safety. Thank you.

01:11:19Thank you so much, councillor. Councillor Joanne Horwitz?

01:11:27I, Councillor Joanne Horwitz, hereby nominate the excellent Councillor Solomon Maila for Chairperson of the Section 79 Oversight Committee of Public Safety.

01:11:40Can we have the seconder, Chris Avant-Smith?

01:11:43Thank you, Speaker. I, Councillor Chris Avant-Smith, hereby second the nomination for Councillor Maila for Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee. Thank you.

01:11:56Councillor Colleagues, it's a pity I'm sitting this side. Councillor Maila, can we, uh, Councillor Solomon Maila, can we have your acceptance?

01:12:11Thank you very much, uh, Madam Speaker. Greetings and salutations. As the longest-served Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee in this term, I do accept with utmost humility my party's nomination to return as Chairperson. I thank you.

01:12:40Thank you, councillors. Okay, we will, these forms are all properly filled in, signed, everything. We will now, uh, move over. Colleagues, we will have those

01:13:14Colleagues, can we carry on to the voting? Those voting for Helen Nonhlanhla Makhuba to be the Chairperson of Section 79 Councillor Christians? Colleagues, colleagues, can you just hold on? Councillor Christians? I'm recognizing you. We are voting now.

01:13:41Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise in terms of Rule 72 in terms of process. There is a council resolution that states that we will start with abstention first before we go on to the other voting. Thank you.

01:14:08I thought that thing in front of your mouth will make you not talk to me today. But when I you do it. No, we needed a lighter moment, Councillor Belinda. Um, can I get those people that abstain from voting for both of the people? Those that abstain. You, those that abstain from Makhuba.

01:15:44Okay, your hands can be lowered. Those voting against. Thank you. Those voting for Councillor, we are just following what Councillor Christians has asked us to do. Um, those voting in favour of Councillor, um, Nonhlanhla Helen's, um, Makhuba.

01:18:05Colleagues, you may lower your hands. We'll just wait. LOEB and MMC Mnisi, you can lower your hands.

01:18:24It's Maila. Okay, those who abstain from voting for Councillor Maila, can we see the hands? Is it Maila? Okay, sorry.

01:20:10Okay, you can lower your hands. Those who says no. For Councillor Maila. Those who says no.

01:20:33Councillor Christians. Those who says yes for Councillor Maila.

01:21:52Thank you, colleagues. You may lower your hands. They're just counting. You may lower your hands. Councillor Da Rocha, those heads are making you not to hear. Lower your hands.

01:22:37Colleagues, for both Councillor Makhuba and Councillor Maila, those that abstained, they are consistent, it's 27. Those that voted for Councillor Maila is 68. And those that voted for Councillor Makhuba is 130. So, Councillor Makhuba is duly elected as the Chairperson of Public Safety.

Item 6: election of Finance committee chairperson

01:23:16Thank you, councillors. We, we are now going, we are now going over to the Chairperson of the Finance Committee. I've received also two nominations, and the first one is proposed by Councillor D. Modupi, seconded by Councillor F. Abdool, nominating Councillor M. Cook.

01:23:47The second nomination is proposed by Councillor D. Schay, seconded by Councillor T. Meyers, nominating Councillor C. Santana. The forms have been correctly filled and accordingly signed by the proposers, the seconders, and the nominees. I will now allow the proposers, the seconders, and the nominees to please read out the nominations and acceptance respectfully

01:24:21for, for record purposes. We will start with Councillor Modupi, followed by Councillor Abdool, then Councillor Cook. Thereafter, Councillor Schay, followed by Councillor Meyers, and then Councillor Santana in that order. Can we start with Councillor Modupi?

01:24:50Thank you, Speaker. I, David Nthako Modupi, hereby nominate Councillor Matthew Cook for the position of the Section 79 Finance Committee. Thank you.

01:25:08Can I have the seconder, Councillor Abdool?

01:25:12Thank you, Speaker. I, Fatima Abdool, hereby second the nomination of Councillor Cook in the position as Section 79 Chairperson of Finances. Thank you.

01:25:24Can we have the acceptance from Councillor Matthew Cook?

01:25:29Thank you, Speaker. I, Councillor Matthew Cook, hereby accept the nomination for Section 79 Chairperson for the Finance Committee.

01:25:38Thank you, Councillor Cook. Can I have Councillor Schay?

01:25:49Morning, Speaker. I, Councillor Daniel Schay, hereby nominate Councillor Christopher Glen Santana, the accountant, to be the Section 79 Chair of Finance. Thank you.

01:26:00Thank you, Councillor Schay. Councillor Tyrell Meyers?

01:26:05Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, Councillor Tyrell Meyers, hereby second the nomination of Councillor Chris Santana for the Chairperson of the Finance Section 79 Committee. Thank you.

01:26:15Thank you. Can I have the acceptance from Councillor Santana?

01:26:20Thank you, Speaker. Um, I, Christopher Glen Santana, hereby accept the nomination as the Section 79 Finance Chairperson. Thank you.

01:26:38Thank you. At this point, we're going to start voting by show of hands. Right. Those that abstain, can we have you? For Councillor Cook.

01:27:00Councillor Christians? Voting has started.

01:27:06Sorry, Madam Chair. Madam Speaker, you are, you are doing the same thing you did in the last one. You are not following the correct process. It's an abstention on the vote, not per individual. So, please, can we just get one vote on the abstention because it's an abstention from the vote. Thank you.

01:27:22Councillor, we are voting for two different people. They might change and might vote for the other person. No, Councillor, no. It's for two different people. Thank you. And, and, and legal is also screaming in my ears that I'm doing the right thing. Thank you, Councillor. Thank you. Councillors, keep up your hands. They're counting you.

01:28:48Thank you so much. You may lower your hands, councillors. Those that vote in favour of Councillor Cook, can I see the hands?

01:29:13And yes.

01:30:57Thank you, colleagues. You may lower your hands. Those Those that abstain from voting for Councillor Santana, can we see your hands?

01:32:06Thank you so much. You can drop your hands. Those in favour of Councillor Santana, can I see the hands?

01:33:18You can lower your hands, colleagues. Thank you.

01:33:37Councillors, those that abstained for Councillor Cook is 27. Those that said yes is 132. Those that abstained for Councillor Santana is 27. And those that said yes is 68. That means that Councillor uh Cook is duly elected as the Chairperson of Finance. I thank you.

Item 6: election of Environment and Infrastructure Services chairperson

01:34:22Thank you, colleagues. We are now going to the elections of the Chair of Environment and Infrastructure Service. I have received We have received two nominations, and the first one is proposed by Councillor T. Madiba, seconded by Councillor N. Mutavhatsindi nominating Councillor D. Ngoepe.

01:34:56The second nomination is proposed by Councillor H. Rahn N. Rahn, seconded by Councillor C. Avant-Smith, nominating Councillor T. Meyers. The forms have been correctly filled and accordingly signed by the proposers, seconders, and the nominees. I will now allow the proposers, the seconders to

01:35:24please read out the nomination and accepted acceptance, respectfully, for record purposes. We will start with Councillor Madiba, followed by Councillor Mutavhatsindi then Councillor Ngoepe, thereafter Councillor Rahn, followed by Councillor Avant-Smith, and then Councillor Meyers, in that order. Can we do it in that order? Councillor Madiba?

01:36:04Can you try the speaker behind the, the, the mic behind you? Can we ensure that all our mics are off? IT?

01:36:22Ah, ah, ah, ah. It's fine. You'll go to another mic.

01:36:26Thank you, Madam Speaker. And greetings to you. I, Councillor Tumelo Joseph Madiba, here

01:36:43IT, can we check? There's always a problem with those mics there. Can we please check those mics? Unless we have a roving mic for there.

01:36:58I, Councillor Tumelo Madiba, hereby nominate Councillor Charmaine Sibongile Ngoepe for a position of Chairperson of Section 79 Environment and Infrastructure Services Committee. Thank you.

01:37:14Thank you, Councillors. Can I have Can I have Councillor Mutavhatsindi? Please second it. Apologies, Councillor, um

01:37:29TshivendaNdi masiari

01:37:32Speaker. Speaker, I would like to, to, to follow me when I said my surname so that tomorrow you mustn't use the hammer on my surname. My surname is Mutavhatsindi. Mutavhatsindi. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker, I, Nndwakhulu Mutavhatsindi,

01:38:00are here to second the nominee. Thank you.

01:38:06Thank you. Can we have Councillor Ngoepe please accept the nomination or decline?

01:38:18Greetings, Speaker. I, Charmaine Sibongile Ngoepe, accept the nomination, Chairperson of Section 79 EISD.

01:38:31Thank you, Councillor. Can we now go over to Councillor Rahn to do the nomination?

01:38:40Decline.

01:38:43Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, Councillor Nicolene Jacqueline Rahn, do hereby nominate Councillor Tyrell Meyers for the Chairperson position of EISD, Environment Infrastructure and Service Delivery. Thank you.

01:38:57Thank you, Councillor Rahn. Can we please have the seconder, Avant-Smith?

01:39:03Thank you, Speaker. I, Councillor Chris Avant-Smith, hereby second the nomination for Councillor Tyrell Meyers for Chairperson of EISD. Thank you.

01:39:16Thank you. Councillor Meyers, can you accept or decline?

01:39:22Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, Councillor Tyrell Meyers, hereby accept my party's nomination. We never run away from a fight, and the fight right now is about water. Thank you.

01:39:32Thank you, Councillor. We will now start the voting at this point, and it will be the same procedure by show of hands. And we will now ask that those that vote in favour of council that, that abstain from voting for Councillor Ngoepe, please, can we see your hands?

01:40:12Why did you take my papers?

01:41:07You can lower your hands, Councillors. Can I see those that are voting in favour of Councillor Ngoepe?

01:41:34isiZuluNgoepe.

01:43:02Thank you, colleagues. Those that abstain from voting for Councillor Tyrell Meyers.

01:44:20You may lower your hands, colleagues. Can we have those who vote in favour of Councillor Tyrell Meyers?

01:45:11Thank you, colleagues. You may lower. We'll get the results now.

01:45:56Thank you, colleagues. Um those that abstained for Councillor Meyers, 27. Those that voted in favour of Councillor Meyers, 68. Those who abstained for Councillor Ngoepe, 27. And those that voted in favour is 132. That uh informs us that Councillor Ngoepe

01:46:25is duly elected as the Chairperson of EISD. Thank you.

01:46:50Colleagues. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you so much, colleagues. Thank you so much, colleagues. We are now done with the elections. We are now going over to the next item.

Dispute over Cllr Echeozonjoku's remarks and refusal to withdraw

01:47:19Uh I see that we are leaving the chamber. Councillor Belinda, it's Echeozonjoku. Got it right.

01:47:34Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's Echeozonjoku. Madam Speaker, I just want to echo what the ANC Chairperson said. Singing, very good. That service delivery, dololo.

01:47:46Ay, Councillor Belinda, no. No. That's nowhere That's nowhere a point of order in any of our rule books. That is nowhere a point of order in any of our rule books. Colleagues, colleagues, colleagues. Can we continue? I'm not going to end

01:48:10What's his name? What's his name, Councillor? Councillor Mofokeng, you are the only one I'm going to Colleagues on my left on my right, please. Colleagues on my right. Colleagues, I need to hear what your Whip is saying.

01:48:36Colleagues. Colleagues. Councillor Mofokeng is on the platform. Can I hear what he wants to say? Colleagues, please.

01:48:54You have capacity, but Helen drove all the way from Cape Town to be a Mayor here in Joburg, that you have capacity.claim

01:49:24Colleagues, colleagues, colleagues, can we, can we can we please not do what we are doing? Councillor Belinda, nowhere in the rules is the singing of a Chairperson saying it's nowhere in the rules. And now we are starting to degenerate Council, because now this one will say that and that one will say that.

01:49:55It's not a point of order, and I'm not going to allow you. I am not going to allow you, Councillor Belinda. I'm not. I'm not going to allow you. I'm ruling, I'm not going to allow you. I'm not going to allow this house to degenerate. We are going to carry on with Council. We are going to carry on with Council, because now it's a point of order. I, I am denying you.

01:50:25I am denying you. You cannot put a point of order on a point of order. Councillor Mofokeng has put a point of order, and they have asked you to withdraw. And we cannot allow this. I'm not going to And your hand is up to Listen to me. Please listen. Your hand is up to withdraw,

01:50:55because I need us to carry on with Council. It doesn't mean because we have two days, we have to carry on the way we are doing things. I'm going to continue. Colleagues, can I continue? I'm going to continue. Can you You can only withdraw, nothing else. You only withdraw, nothing else.

01:51:37Colleagues on my right. Colleagues on my right. Colleagues on my right, I am not going to allow Councillor Belinda to speak, 'cause I'm getting noise from this side. I won't be able to know what to do. Councillor Mofokeng has asked that she withdraw, and that's where I'm standing on.

01:52:07And if she doesn't withdraw, I will I, I, I will do another ruling. Councillor Christians, I'm not recognising another point of order. We are done. We are trying to Unless If it goes this way, I'm going to continue with the business of the day. Councillor May, Councillor May, don't do that. Please don't do that.

01:52:39Please don't. Councillor Belinda, you only stand up if you withdraw. If you don't withdraw, you remain seated and we'll carry on, and we will decide at this table how we deal with the issue. Thank you. She doesn't want to withdraw. We'll take a decision how we deal with it. Can we continue on the business of the day? Can we continue with the business of the day?

Items 1-4: Community Development fourth quarter performance reports, introduction

01:53:18Uh Councillors, we are on recommendations to Council, starting off with Item 1, which is the Performance Assessment Report for the Community Development Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025, read together with Item 2, which is the Performance Assessment Report for the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, and also read with Item 3, and that's the assessment Performance Assessment Report uh for the Joburg City Theatres

01:53:49uh for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025. And the above items are read together with Item 4, which is the Oversight Report of the Section 79 Community Development Committee on the 2024/25 Fourth Quarter Performance Assessment Report of the Department of Community Development, Joburg City Theatres, and Joburg City Parks and Zoo for the financial year period April to June 2025.

01:54:15The Chairperson of um Ethics, your hand is up. Can I hear? Are you on the reports or

01:54:24No, thanks, Speaker. Speaker, I think it's important that we maintain the decorum of the house, Speaker. And Councillor Belinda refused vehemently to withdraw, and you said you will issue your ruling. But we thought you continued to say that let's proceed with the business of the day. We don't know, Speaker, what kind of a precedence are you setting. I'm just standing on clarity on that, Speaker. Thank you.

01:54:52Councillor Chair of Ethics, I ruled that if she doesn't get up and, and, and withdraw, we will take a decision how to deal with the matter. And you will definitely get it in the next meeting as to how are we going to deal with her. The rules allows it. The rules allows it, Councillors. We will deal with Councillor Belinda

01:55:22accordingly. Colleagues, no, no, no, you see, now you are degenerating this house. Colleagues, it doesn't mean because your leaders are here today, you have to do what you are doing. Please don't. Don't.

01:55:40SesothoTswang, le ya nkgolela.

01:55:42I've ruled, and I'm going to go to the speakers list. I'm going to go to the speakers list. We will deal accordingly, and, and, and Chair of Ethics, you will be roped in so that we deal with the issue. Thank you.

01:56:04Thank you, Councillors. I'm going to the member in charge, Councillor J. Mokome.

01:56:16Oh, Speaker, thank you. Speaker, in this house, I rise to present on behalf of Section 79 Community Development Oversight Committee the Fourth Quarter Oversight Report for the Department of Community Development and its entities for the period 2024/2025 financial year

01:56:46for the period from April to June 2025 for consideration. Thank you.

Items 1-4 debate: ACDP, FF+, GOOD and UIM

01:57:00Thank you, member in charge. We'll now call on ACDP, Councillor Mkhonza.

01:57:12Shalom, shalom once again, Madam Speaker. Um allow me to first acknowledge our Almighty God, eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. To also um acknowledge um our beloved residents, and I greet you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Uh Madam Speaker, allow me to first quote from my guiding manual, the Bible,

01:57:40um from the book of Proverbs 14:23. It reads as follows: "If you work hard, you will have plenty. If you do nothing but talk, you will have not enough." Madam Speaker, um allow me to commend the 100% achievement of the measured 28 KPIs of the 30 KPIs. Such performance should be replicated across the city.claim

01:58:11Madam Speaker, we further appreciate the retention um of patrons as well as the attraction of new patrons. Lastly, Madam Speaker, we are encouraged by the creative entrepreneurship program which promotes inclusivity and economic development in the art sector, and the decline in revenue income for catering and hospitality is greatly appreciated.claim

01:58:41I think I must repeat this one. We appreciate the decline in revenue income from catering and hospitality. We say well done, because we don't need to buy food for ourselves. We need to um deal with the water infrastructure. Madam Speaker, however, we need to highlight the unacceptable um cut and paste syndrome in the city, as highlighted in page 3.2.

01:59:10I'm not going to read it. And Madam Speaker, the the next question to the MMC um of Community Development, um we'd like to know as the ACDP caucus that why was KPI 23 not measured, as it speaks to the percentage of predetermined objectives achieved. So, the MMC, this is your question. And also on a lighter note, MMC

01:59:39um Nkokou, do you need land to maintain swimming pools? I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:59:48Thank you. Councillor P. Smit from the Freedom Front Plus.

01:59:54Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise on the point of the quarterly परफॉरमेंस

02:00:00reports for the fourth quarter for the 24/25 financial period.

02:00:06One of our major concerns is that the service, um, team that was supposed to be established, which was approved by council, has still not been done in this quarter. This has been ongoing since 2016.

02:00:18I'm hoping that by the end of this year that it will be, um, up and running, but I have serious doubts as to whether that be the case because it's the department seems to be dragging its feet on on this continuously.

02:00:30The swimming pool situation is we have, I think it's three pools that have now literally been written off as uneconomical to repair due to the damages the, um, vandalization that's been allowed to occur.

02:00:44And the fact is that the that the city has not secured its assets and has effectively lost those assets now.

02:00:52On the issue of, um,

02:00:57the rec centers, the same situation is happening in the rec centers. Then we're going to get to a point where rec centers, like a flagship rec center like Kibler Park, is going to land up uneconomical to repair eventually, if we don't start getting our act together.

02:01:13When it comes to the parks departments, there's serious signs of problems in the department, and I'm hoping that the parks department is actually going to come back to us now eventually and tell us what really is going on, because they've been ducking and diving the questions in the Section 79 for months.

02:01:30The...

02:01:32the shining star in the department is the Joburg Theatres. And I'd like to compliment them on every single quarter they are getting, um, they're achieving their targets and they're actually putting the rest of the department into shame, in shame compared to what, um, they are what are what are they achieving. If everybody achieved what they were achieving, we would be running as one of the best departments in the city. Thank you.

02:02:00Thank you, Councillor Smit. Councillor M. Cook from GOOD.

02:02:06Chairperson Cook.

02:02:10Thank you, Speaker. Uh Speaker, the Community Development Department's, uh, Quarter 4 report is both inspiring and sobering. Um, on the one hand, we see an impressive array of programs from aerobics in Diepsloot and yoga in Pimville, um, and even blind football in Paterson Park, and boccia tournaments for learners with disabilities. These initiatives show Johannesburg at its best. It's inclusive, it's creative, and it's alive with opportunity.claim

02:02:41But, Speaker, we must be honest about the cracks. We cannot ignore them. The cleanliness of our facilities is slipping because of vacancies and a lack of basic equipment. Our facilities are under siege from vandalism and threat and theft. Operational spending is lagging, and too often SMMEs face slow, uh, payments that undermine job creation and service delivery. Speaker, as councillors, our job is not just to celebrate success,

02:03:11but to ensure sustainability. We must demand a turnaround plan on maintenance, we must protect budgets for tools of trade, and we must strengthen partnerships to secure our facilities. Colleagues, community development is not an add-on to service delivery, it is the heartbeat of our city. If we invest wisely and we manage transparently and we defend our public goods, we can give every resident,

02:03:41every resident, young, old, rich, or poor, able-bodied or disabled, we can give them an opportunity to live a healthier and a more connected life in Johannesburg. That is the promise of this city, not just as a city, but it is a promise we must keep. I thank you.

02:04:02Thank you, Councillor Cook. Councillor F. Abdool from the UIM.

02:04:11Greetings, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, fellow councillors, guests in the gallery, members of the public watching on live stream. I rise on item 1. This is my personal favorite department and therefore I will always speak on it. I would like to thank the department for a comprehensive, detailed, honest report. It is said that the Community Development Department prioritizes customer services, as evidenced by the service charter displayed at

02:04:41all facilities, outlining the city's commitment to expected service delivery. However, noting that the cleanliness, and we did not exchange notes, standard was not met because of the inability to fill general worker vacancies, this is unacceptable. The unavailability of cleaning equipment like brooms, etc., etc., just reading all of this is an is an embarrassment because how can we say that we are a world-class

02:05:11city if we cannot even provide the basics to keep our facilities clean? The ongoing maintenance crisis, which is driven by the absence of departmental service providers panel for repairs, maintenance, etc., etc., the potential collusion, and poor workmanship, weak security, increased vandalism, this is concerning. The recommendations are not robust enough, I'm sorry, and will result in us having the similar

02:05:41report in a few months from now. We all know a clean environment impacts the state and morality of a community. Why has it been a challenge to open up swimming pools? We've known for nine months that spring is coming, and why don't we have our swimming pools? The excuses that were given are so flimsy, it's almost unreal. Let me just get to the my space here.

02:06:10AfrikaansEk wil nie nonsens praat nie.

02:06:18That being said, the UIM would like to commend the department of...

02:06:23No. We cannot continue to carry on like this and create a monster which will bite us...

02:06:31No, that's the wrong speech. Apologies. Apologies for that.

02:06:39AfrikaansJa, julle lag, julle word gedirect van daar bo af, so bly stil.

02:06:42You have 35 seconds, Councillor.

02:06:44Swimming pools was a great challenge to open, and it was embarrassing to see how lazy some of our workers are, yet officials receive their salaries promptly every month. To add on to the fact that we have minimum of one lifeguard per 120 bathers, that is of great concern. The UIM would like to assume that there are preventative measures like swimming lessons, etc., in our communities. The UIM notes this report with grave concern, and we believe that the appointment of a city manager will address most of the above challenges.

02:07:23Councillor...

Point on Rule 76 bowing and exemption

02:07:26Councillor Mofokeng.

02:07:31Uh, thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I want to draw your attention to Rule 76 of the council. It's very clear that if if the council is in motion, when people are leaving the chamber or entering the chamber, they must bow for for the Speaker. But everybody is doing as they wish. Please. I'm talking about the rules, Chair.

02:07:51I've been crying besides the bowing, I've been crying and I've been mourning that we as whips, we are not keeping our councillors in check. Everybody is just leaving. And that's why you are sitting in council on a Monday. Uh, whips and leaders of political parties are rather on their phones themselves outside. I don't know how do we lead people the way we are doing it today. But thank you, Councillor Mofokeng, for that.

02:08:22We are really not following the rules. Councillor Zigebe, let me not take your time.

02:08:36Just before you go, Councillor Zigebe, sorry. Councillor Amad.

02:08:40Uh, thank you, Speaker. Um, I would like to be exempted from bowing because of my religious principles. Thank you.

Items 1-4 debate: UDM, ActionSA, PA

02:08:56Let me just say we have a name for Councillor Amad, it's a Lawstro. Thank you, Councillor Amad. Councillor Zigebe, please, it's your turn. I haven't cut into your time, you still have your time.

02:09:11Um, Honorable Speaker and councillors and the people of Johannesburg. The United Democratic Movement rises to reflect on the fourth quarter performance report of the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for the 2025/2020 or 2024...

02:09:23Councillor Zigebe,

02:09:24Yes.

02:09:24uh, apologies. Can you just move your mic slightly so that you speak into it? You are very soft.

02:09:30Okay.claim

02:09:31Thank you. Yes, speak into it. Thanks.

02:09:36Uh, thank you, Speaker. We rise to reflect on the fourth quarter performance report of the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for the 2024/25 financial year. While there is progress to acknowledge, there are also shortcomings that demand attention. We note with appreciation that JCPZ achieved 94% of its corporate scorecard targets, proving that service delivery can succeed despite difficult circumstances. Through environmental education and awareness programs, over 48,000 beneficiaries were reached, surpassing the annual target.

02:10:06The al- The alternative burial campaign has gained momentum across the city, and patrols in our nature reserves have led to a notable reduction in wildlife poaching. We further commend initiatives such as the 1 Million Trees project, which bring hope for a greener and more sustainable Johannesburg. The international recognition award to the zoo through the Bernard Harrison & Friends Conservation Award is also an achievement that deserves celebration. At the same time, we must we must confront the challenges. Only 65%

02:10:36of the capital budget was spent against a 95% target, largely due to contractor underperformance, delays in procurement, and political bottlenecks. The under-expenditure has held back critical upgrades. The entity also closed the year with a deficit of 63 million, worsened by rising costs of security, electricity, and water, as well as delayed payments from the city. The risk register further shows vulnerabilities in safety at facilities, vandalism, and service delivery gaps

02:11:06that communities feel daily in poorly maintained parks, cemeteries, and playgrounds. Though progress has been made in addressing audit findings, Speaker, irregular expenditure and compliance issues remain a concern. The UDM believes in recognizing the dedication of officials and workers, but we also insist that celebrating achievements must go hand in hand with addressing failures. To this end, we call for the strengthened procurement systems with clear penalties for underperforming underperforming contractors, a strict deficit recovery recovery plan

02:11:36that protects frontline services, deep deeper partnerships with communities to maintain facilities and improve safety, and greater transparency so that residents themselves can monitor performance. Johannesburg deserves parks that are safe, cemeteries that restore dignity, and a zoo that inspires our children. The UDM therefore supports the adoption of this report with strong recommendations, but we stress that corrective action is urgent. Progress must not remain the exception, it must become

02:12:06the standard of how this city delivers to its people. I thank you.

02:12:11Thank you, Councillor Zigebe. You kept your time well. You had 1 second left.

02:12:19Councillor S. Zwane from ActionSA. Is he still in the house?

02:12:27Um, thank you, Speaker. Uh, greetings, Speaker.

02:12:33Just hold on, just hold on, Councillor Zwane. ActionSA, if you are not going to make the noise, others won't make a noise. So can we please keep the decorum of the house? Councillor Zwane, can you ask your colleagues so that you can speak in peace? Colleagues, colleagues on my right, please.

02:12:55Thank you, Speaker. Uh, greetings, Speaker, Mayor, Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, ActionSA Caucus Leader, and all councillors in the house. Uh, special greetings to the residents of the City of Johannesburg. I rise to speak on item 1, 2, 3, and 4. Acknowledging and recognizing where the legislature has met its mandate, uh, sorry, where the department has met its mandate, there are several, uh, key achievements worth noting. Uh, this report outlines the department progress in fulfilling its mandates, enrich

02:13:28enrich lives, foster social cohesion, and build the resilient communities across the City of Johannesburg. Let us acknowledge the department's success. This quarter, the department direct have directly engaged and benefited over 1.8 million residents through core services. Our library Library and Information Services reached 461,378 individuals, not only with books, but with criticalclaim

02:13:58digital literacy, coding, and e-learning programs, firmly supporting our smart city agenda. Sport Sport and Recreation energized 1.3 participants, promoting healthy lifestyle and uniting communities through everything from aerobics to competitive sporting codes. Arts, Culture, and Heritage engaged 57,734 residents with a powerful exhibition like Negotiatingclaim

02:14:29Democracy at Museum Africa and revitalization of Vilakazi Precinct, ensuring our shared history is preserved and celebrated. Furthermore, creating created 1,725 employment opportunities through the EPWP, supported by 57 SMMEs, and achieved an 88% success rate against our key performance target.

02:14:59Those are not just numbers, they present a real impact in our communities. However, an honest assessment is to is the foundation of improvement. While we celebrate those achievements, we must also confront the significant challenges that hinders our ability to deliver services at a standard our residents deserve. Let me outline three key challenges. The infrastructure maintenance crisis, the department manages a portfolio of approximately 700

02:15:30diverse facilities. Years of underinvestment and neglect have left many in the poor state, leading to health and safety risk. This is a compounded by vandalism, theft, and absence of dedicated department service provider panel, causing delay in essential repairs. The city needs to look at how best they can make sure those that those facilities are properly spread across the city. For example, communities of Doornkop, Green Village, Emdeni, Naledi, and Zola are expected to use a swimming pool uh in in Moletsane,

02:16:01and yet people of Moletsane, Tladi, they've got an option whether they want to go to Moletsane or Jabulani, which is they should have spread their facilities a little bit more so that it reaches more people in other areas. Chronic operational shortfall on operational budget expenditure targets for the department. Department achieved 77 against a target of 95. The primary reason were delay in invoice submission from the department partners, slow

02:16:30implementation of planned maintenance. Similarly, while the department capital expenditure was stronger at 87%, it still faces similar procedural hurdles. Compromised service standard. Compromised service delivery uh service standards. Despite the department's best efforts, the department did not met its cleanliness target, achieving 92.1 against a target of 95 target. This is a direct link to the department

02:17:00inability to fulfill general vacancies while we have a very high unemployment rate in South Africa and in the city. A chronic shortage of basic cleaning equipment, brooms, mops, and soap at the city store.

02:17:1340 seconds, Councillor.

02:17:14Furthermore... Furthermore, ongoing service interruptions like water and power outages, which forces uh uh facilities to close and program cancellation disruption, the very service we are mandated to provide. Those challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable. The department needs a clear and actionable plan to address those challenges. I thank you.

02:17:40Thank you, Councillor Zwane. Um, Councillor Simonse from the Patriotic Alliance.

02:17:49Good day, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor in absentia, Joburg 10 Caucus, colleagues, guests in the gallery, and most importantly, the City of Johannesburg's residents. Today I rise to speak on the performance assessment report of the Community Development portfolio for the fourth quarter from April to June 2025. We acknowledge the progress achieved during this quarter. The department has commendable commitments to deliver on this on this mandate.

02:18:19However, the reports also highlight areas where performance have fallen short. We therefore call upon the department to develop a clear and actionable accountability plan to address these shortcomings, and to ensure that these service delivery targets are consistently met. Turning to the report of City Parks and Zoo, the Patriotic Alliance welcomes the strides made in this perseverance and enhancing of our city of the City Parks facilities. These are vital community assets

02:18:49that contributes not only to the environmental sustainability, but also the health and well-being of our residents. We urge the entity to intensify its focus on safety in public spaces, biodiversity conservation, and strengthen community partnerships so that these facilities of the people can serve the people of Johannesburg more effectively. With respect to the Johannesburg City Theatres, we commend the efforts

02:19:19to promote arts, culture, and heritage through the diversity programs. These theatres remains a cornerstone of our cultural life. At the same time, we must be realistic about the ongoing challenges of financial sustainability and audience development. The entity is therefore encouraged to innovate, including marketing, greater using the digital platforms in order to expand and reach and secure its future.

02:19:49Madam Speaker, while these reports confirm the meaningful progress that has been made, they also reveal reoccurring challenges. These including financial mismanagement issues, service delivery gaps, and the need for more timely corrective actions. As the Patriotic Alliance, we recommend strong monitoring mechanisms to follow up with the engagements of all these entities and sharpen focus on implementing corrective measures without delay.

02:20:20We can do more. The Patriotic Alliance notes the report. Salute.

Items 1-4 debate: DA and EFF

02:20:25Thank you, Councillor Simonse. Councillor N. Sifumba from the DA.

02:20:35Thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings to the residents of Johannesburg, our mayoral candidate, Mme Helen Zille, our provincial leader, Ntate Tshepiso Solly Msimanga, our caucus leader, uh, the Executive Mayor in his absentia,

02:21:05fellow councillors. Speaker, the reports before us paint a picture that should worry every resident who still dares to hope for a better Johannesburg. They reveal a city government that celebrates small wins while ignoring glaring failures. Yes, the Community Development Department claims an 88% KPI achievement rate, but behind those glossy numbers lies the truth of collapsingclaim

02:21:35facilities, incompetent maintenance, and contractors who don't perform. Over 700 public facilities are crumbling, Speaker. They are plagued by vandalism, weak security, and poor workmanship. The city admits it cannot even keep its libraries, sports grounds, and recreation centers in safe and dignified condition. What kind of a government neglects the very spaces that shape the livesclaim

02:22:05of our youth and communities, Speaker? The reports also reveal that the department spent only 77% of its 1.7 billion operational budget. That's nearly 400 million in services not delivered because invoices were delayed, contractors failed, and planning collapsed. Residents are told to wait while bureaucrats shuffle papers. Even cleanliness, Speaker, the most basic of humanclaim

02:22:35functions, it fell short. Facilities reached only 92% compliance against a 95% target. Why, you may ask? Because there are no cleaning supplies in the storerooms, because vacancies for general workers remain unfilled. This is not just poor governance, Speaker, it is a betrayal of residents who deserve dignity in their daily lives. Speaker, when we turn to Johannesburgclaim

02:23:05City Parks and Zoo, the failures there are worse. The center is not holding at all. The AG's report flagged irregular expenditure within JCPZ in fleet contracts, bid pre-qualifications, and procurement. About 64 million in new irregular expenditure was incurred this year alone. The board wrote off 51.9claim

02:23:35million in October and January, and another 16.4 million in April. They are busy playing referee and player at the same time. Think about that, Speaker. Tens of millions simply written off while our parks are overgrown, while our cemeteries are neglected, and water features are dry. Residents are also confronted with a shortage of burial spaces. That is one disaster that is waiting to occur, Speaker.claim

02:24:05Inaccurate cemetery records is another disaster, and outdated systems leaving families distressed when trying to bury their loved ones. This is the ultimate failure of dignity and care in our city, Speaker. And let's talk about service delivery, Speaker, shall we? Out of 12 KPIs, only 10 were achieved in the last quarter, a year-end rate of just 88%. Compliance

02:24:35with legislation, one may ask? Mh-mh. Non-compliant. Suppliers were not paid within the 30 days, with only 84% compliance against a 94% target. How many small businesses were forced to close because the city could not pay them on time, Speaker? We are told of highlights like concerts, Easter egg hunts, all the nice-to-haves, but residents don't want pageantry. They want working

02:25:05cemeteries, they want safe parks, and functional recreational spaces. They want a city that doesn't drown in irregular expenditure while the neighborhoods drown in sewage. Speaker, the reports show us a government obsessed with spin, not service; with reports, not results; with excuses, and not execution. As DA, the official opposition in this house, we are clear, Speaker: Johannesburg cannot afford another five

02:25:35years of failure. We cannot afford another five years where 86 million in irregular expenditure piles up, where contractors are paid to fail, and where even soap and brooms cannot be procured for our facilities. The 2026 election is not just another contest, it is a turning point, colleagues. Either we continue with a city where money is wasted, services collapse, and residents lose hope, or we choose a new path,

02:26:05a path of clean governance, a path of accountability or accountable leadership, and service before self. Our vision is a Johannesburg where budgets are spent on time, on target, and most importantly, on residents. A Johannesburg where every park is a safe green space, every facility is maintained, every municipal swimming pool is operational and open during the swimming season, every library has books and internet,

02:26:35every worker is equipped to serve, and most of all, there is water supply in the facilities. The ANC, ActionSA, EFF, PAC, and PA coalition has shown us, Speaker, who they are: incapable, wasteful, and dishonest. We must show residents who we are as the DA: disciplined, accountable, and most of all, ready

02:27:05to govern. Speaker, Johannesburg is not poor. It is just poorly governed. The resources exist, the will, however, does not. That is why in 2026 we must rescue the city and restore hope, because we strongly believe in Johannesburg. We believe that Johannesburg will become a true world-class city, because

02:27:35Johannesburg, Speaker, deserves better. And together with you, Joburgers out there, we will deliver it. Thank you, Speaker.

02:27:47Councillor Raholane from the EFF. Thank you.

02:28:01Thank you, Speaker. EFF Caucus, EFF Caucus Leader, Commissar Tshwaku, EFF Caucus Whip, Councillor Mogapi, Honorable Speaker, fellow councillors, and the most importantly, residents of Johannesburg. We stand today to reflect on the fourth quarter performance of the Department of Community Development and its entities, Joburg

02:28:31City Theatres and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. It is important that we begin by acknowledging the positive work that has been done. Joburg City Theatres has achieved all its measured key performance indicators, delivering diverse and vibrant programming that not only entertained, but educated our people. Celebration of Africa Month and Youth Month saw packed houses with performances like Sarafinaclaim

02:29:01and Inala, alongside tributes to Mbongeni Ngema, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the Drakensberg Boys Choir. School setworks such as Romeo and Juliet and My Children! My Africa! reached young audiences. Sorry, Speaker. While Soweto and Roodepoort Theatres continue to serve as important community platforms.claim

02:29:35Councillor, can you please just move slightly away from the mic? We can't hear your words.claim

02:29:41I'm too short, it might be a problem.claim

02:29:47Uh, theatres continue to serve as important community platform. Similarly, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo hosted events such as Indigenous Tree Day. Internationally,claim

02:30:00Biodiversity Day, World Environment Day and uh the rehabilitation of 100 illegal dumping sites while also ensuring that service delivery standards in open spaces and cemeteries were met. The Department of Community Development itself reached nearly 1.8 million residents through its libraries, sports, reaction and arts programs.claim

02:30:24and created more than 1.7 expanded uh public works program opportunities, bringing tangible benefits to communities across our city. But honorable speaker, while we must acknowledge these achievements, we must also be ho- bold enough to confront the shortcomings. The Department of Community Development achieved only 88% of its targets,claim

02:30:51fa- falling short on both capital and operational expenditure. Instead of spending 95 of allocated budget, only 87%, only 87% of the capital budget and 77% of the operational budget were spent, with similar failures recorded in the maintenance of facilities. Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, though strong on service delivery, managedclaim

02:31:20only 65% expenditure of its capital budget due to contract terminations, procurement delays and poor planning. These failures repeated year after year mean that infrastructure projects are delayed, communities are deprived of promised facilities and the city risks losing fi- future budget allocations.

02:31:47Under-spending is not just an aesthetics issue, it is direct assault on the dignity of our people who continue to live without adequate parks, safe cemeteries and accessible reaction places. Malala. The Economic Freedom Fighters has been clear in our local government manifesto. The resources of projects must be managed with revolutionary discipline

02:32:16and service delivery must be driven by the needs of the community, not

02:32:20Your time is up Councillor.

02:32:21bureaucratic excuses. Thank you Speaker.

02:32:29Thank you Councillor from the EFF. Councillor Mashinini from the ANC.

Community Development report debate: Cllr Mashinini

02:32:44Uh greetings to the the Speaker, and the Mayor in absentia, and all MMCs in the house. And the greetings to the residents of Johannesburg. Um allow me to quote Ngũgĩ, "A people without memory are in danger of losing their souls." Close quote. I rise on item one. The department, the department's performing, performance of an 88% is

02:33:11reflects uh a working department. However, there are many challenges in that, cause the What you see uh Sorry. It reflects many challe- There are many challenges in the department as the safety require, the safety in our facilities are a challenge and the safety in our so facilities are a challenge and the people attending the libraries are also a challenge. So, we need to protect this infrastructure.

02:33:40However, Speaker, there's many There are many achievements that have happened also in this department, moving from the last report when we saw this time, this time last year, we were not at this point. The 88 is a 88% achievement is a really, it's a real reflection that we have officials who are committed, and we have people who are patriotic, if they are given the motivation, and if they are motivated enough, they will do the right thing.

02:34:09Despite challenges, the department continues to deliver quality services. Department uh Oh, sorry. Despite the challenges, the department continues to deliver the achieve the the quality improvements. However, we need to also look at uh look at protecting these facilities cause it's highly impo- Security cannot work in a facility where they don't have the tools of trade, where the facilities are not protected.

02:34:36Cause we keep continuing at the same rate. Every time we are fixing the very same thing. This time around the pres- We have the same challenges that either they lack the tools of trade or they don't have nothing, or they are the They don't arrive on time when it's time for work. We need to find a way of improving this way. Thank you.

MMC Nkokou responds to Community Development debate

02:34:53Thank you so much Councillor Mashinini. Uh MMC Nkokou platform is yours.

02:35:10SesothoEh e re ke go lebohe wena modulasetulo ke be ke dumedise bomma ditulo le borra ditulo go ya ka manane a teng mme haholo dumedise baahi ba ko mola ko toropong e na ya Gauteng. Ke be ke dumedise bohle ba leng teng. Eh Madam Speaker

02:35:40I just want to highlight this important issue that eh I am an Africanist, and I'm up for a challenge, and don't make no mistake. I do really appreciate the constructive criticism because that's what builds me to be who I am and to be who we are, managing to liberate this whole continent. You see this whole continent?emotive

02:36:11We liberated that based on constructive criticism. That's how we managed and we still going to continue, and I welcome the question asked by eh Shalom, Councillor Shalom Mkhonza. I think he was he was asking me whether he was asking whether do we need a land to maintain the swimming pools. I think he was just shaloming it. Let me shalom you back. Thank you Mkhonza. Ehemotive

02:36:37eh Councillor Smit, Councillor Cook, Councillor Abdool, Councillor Zigebe, Councillor Zwane, Councillor Simonse, Councillor Raholane, thank you very much. I've noted all your concerns. And also I'm just going to summarize everything. Also regarding the recommendations, the relevant department will indeed look into that and will get back to you in writing.

02:37:05We'll do that. And then we as I I'm going to focus on the positive things. Ah it's very important to be positive you know in this journey of liberating, the journey of getting the land. Must be positive. Don't ever allow yourself to be distracted by those evil people. You know mos them. Never. I will never allow myself to get to get into that. So if you have a problem, I'm sorry. It's your problem that you have allowed yourself to sell your soul. Soemotive

02:37:34you sold your soul to the devil, so go and dance with the devil. Madam Speaker, thank you very much, and greetings everyone. Hallelujah.emotive

Member in charge closes Community Development items; lunch adjournment

02:37:43Thank you Councillor ah MMC Nkokou. Um Member in charge, Councillor Mokome. Mokome.

02:37:54Uh thank you Madam Speaker, all protocols observed. Uh Madam Speaker, in terms of Councillor Mkhonza's concern,

02:38:13Colleagues, I need to listen to the member in charge.

02:38:21Thanks. Thank you Speaker. Yes, Councillor Mkhonza's concern, decline in ref- revenue, the cut and paste issue, that's very serious, but we appreciate the fact that there is acknowledgment where good work has been done. Councillor Smit,

02:38:49yes, the issue of swimming pools has been an ongoing concern, given the fact that there was that outstanding repairs and maintenance establishment. I Speaker.

02:39:1840 seconds left uh Chairperson.

02:39:21Uh

02:39:22Just hold on Chair. Councillor Christians.

02:39:34Thank you Speaker. Speaker, the member in charge has been asked to close the item, and because the the MMC did not respond, he's

02:39:49The member in charge is closing it. It doesn't matter in which way he's doing it. He's closing the item. Can I let him carry on? Member in charge, can you please carry on?

02:40:01Yeah. Thank you Madam Speaker. We acknowledge the fact that the repairs and maintenance issue has been quite outstanding and it is being attended to, and also issue of vandalism. We have recently completed the by-law renewal in terms of cemeteries, open spaces and city parks, and we'd be

02:40:30able to cha- uh to meet those challenges. In closing, Madam Speaker, I recommend that the reports be noted and approved. Thank you.

02:40:40Thank you Chair. Colleagues, the recommendations are on pages 1.32, 2.10, 3.20 and 4.11. Are these items agreed to? Thank you colleagues. Colleagues, we are going to break for lunch. It is 13:10. We'll be back at 14:10. Remember we have 66 items. Can we please be back at 14:10? I thank you.

Resumption after lunch and tabling of Development Planning reports

03:41:57Colleagues, before we go to the speakers list, I have a badge of someone called PM Mabidilala, Councillor, you've lost your badge. You can pick it up from us later. Apologies if I did wrong on the surname. Thank you so much.

03:42:28Member in charge for Development Planning Councillor Chairperson J Kaldine.

03:42:35Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I rise to table the performance oversight report of the Development Planning section 79 committee on the 2024/2025 first quarter performance reports of the Department of Development Planning and Johannesburg Development Agency, JDA. I thank you.claim

ActionSA on Development Planning and JDA

03:42:51Thank you, Councillor Kaldine. Councillor from ActionSA, Sehoai. Apologies, colleagues, if I have done anything to your surname. Is the Councillor still in the house?

03:43:14No, no, no, I asked because I didn't see him. Sorry, Councillor.

03:43:19Why? Why?

03:43:23I'm asking if he's here. Maybe he didn't come back from lunch and he's having a lunch break. Councillors, they don't understand me and you. Thank you, Councillor.

03:43:34Thank you, Speaker. You will get it right one day. Thank you, Madam Speaker, and greetings to fellow Councillors, especially our fabulous 44, soon to be fabulous 45. Colleagues, I rise to speak on both performance assessment reports of Development Planning and the Johannesburg Development Agency. Looking at these reports, I can only say both the department and the entity are trying under difficult circumstances.

03:44:11A lot of challenges contained in this report have been there for some time, with only a slow progress on nothing to resolve them. We welcome targets that were met, and we frown upon those which were not met. For example, after demolishing an illegal structure and evicting people, how do you rely on JOSHCO and Human Settlement to help you with alternative accommodation when we know the city has been grappling with the issue of land and space for some time now?

03:44:47Surely, you should know better about the constraints of moving people away from job opportunities and other amenities. I sincerely hope their next report will clarify this. Madam Speaker, although JDA is saying they have introduced a working capital to contractors as part of them getting jobs, and this will ensure they have enough working capital to fund projects, I'm afraid we still yet to see the impact of this on the ground.

03:45:19Projects are still stalling, poor workmanship is the order of the day, invoices are delayed, and workers are not paid on time. We can't be again talking about cash flow problems when the new business model was proposed some time ago. Without a doubt, yes, we welcome 544 EPWP jobs that were created against a target of 400.claim

03:45:46By the value of any labor, as we know, is to see projects completed on time so that our residents can enjoy the final product. Speaking of our residents, Madam Speaker, it would be remiss of me not to conclude on the plight of Westbury, Coronationville, and Newclare residents who don't have water.claim

03:46:10Aren't you sad like me, Madam Speaker? If they don't have water for such a long time, why are we here? We came here smelling nice and looking nice. It was hard for some of us to get outside of our mirrors this morning, and yet the residents we claim to represent don't have water. I ask again, why?emotive

03:46:40Madam Speaker, how I wish the Executive Mayor was joking when he said residents mustn't expect much from him in this term. He was not. Even the President Ramaphosa also once said he doesn't know why he was doing his job. Every day, the decay of Johannesburg reminds us of this unfortunate statements that were uttered.emotive

03:47:06How do you justify the diversion of 4 billion from Joburg Water which has a staggering 24 billion infrastructure backlog? I wish someone helped me as I'm short of description. In closing, Madam Speaker, allow me to say this to these poor residents of Coronationville, Newclare, and Westbury. This too shall pass.claim

03:47:30ActionSA government will be here sooner than later. A government that knows how to deliver water to the people in record time. A government that cares. A government where residents get the value of their tax. An ethical government. We are starting now with ward 29 on the 15th of October.claimemotive

03:48:00SesothoKe rayi ne pula ya Mashaba, ha e ne.claimemotive

03:48:04Thank you so much.

EFF, ACDP and IFP on Development Planning and JDA

03:48:10Can we have Councillor Mabidilala from the EFF?

03:48:25Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to the EFF leadership, our Caucus Leader, our Chief Whip, the EFF Councillors, not forgetting the people of City of Johannesburg. Speaker, the Department of Development Planning and its entity, JDE, JDA, are at the heart of the, are heart of the, the heart of what the residents see and experience daily in the city.

03:48:56Our buildings, our parks, our roads, our transport facilities. What is planned here shapes how communities live and whether Johannesburg become a city of dignity or a city of decay. However, Speaker, beneath this highlight are serious challenge that expose systematic weakness.

03:49:19Outreach to communities remain minimal. Only two city-wide engagement are reported during the review period, an insult in the city plagued by non-compliant buildings, collapsing infrastructure and informal settlement that remain excluded from planning. Department operates at 42% capacity, with less than half of the approved staff compliment filled.

03:49:50How can residents expect enforcement against illegal structures or efficient approval of the development when such sprawling vacancies remain unaddressed? Speaker, the EFF local manifesto is clear, development must be people-centered, inclusive, and radical in its transformation.

03:50:21The constitution force us to build a development state that prioritize basic service and economic justice. Yet here, we see the department delivering numbers on papers, but failing to transform the lived experience of ordinary people in Alexandra, Orange Farm and Zandspruit. Speaker, Johannesburg cannot be built on the statistics alone.

03:50:47Our residents see unsafe building, incomplete projects and empty promises. The EFF will not accept the glossy report while communities remain trapped in underdevelopment. We demand a department and agency that are full staffed, full funded and fully committed to delivering real people-centered transformation. As the EFF, we note this report.

03:51:15Thank you, Councillor. Councillor F Mkhonza from the ACDP.

03:51:30Yes. Shalom, shalom, Madam Speaker. I think before I start my speech, because it's a very short one, allow me to send my, as the caucus, our heartfelt condolences to Councillor Mabuke, the Chair of...

03:51:50Can you speak into the mic?

03:51:52Yes, allow us to send our heartfelt condolences to the Chair of Petitions, Councillor Mabuke and family, because we have seen an accident that happened in the Limpopo region, so we just thought as the caucus to send our heartfelt condolences to him and the family. That was a very badly accident in Limpopo. So, we just thought we should just speak to that first.claim

03:52:20And Chair, I rise to speak on item 6, performance assessment report for the JDA for the financial year 2024/2025, for the period ended April to June 2025. Madam Speaker, we as the ACDP caucus would like to register our disapproval of the low target set by JDA of 95% on the allocated capital budget.claim

03:52:55We say this because the target should be 100%, especially where you see that they have registered 80 million deficit due to interest on the overdraft. So, they cannot set a low target. So, they have achieved the target because it's very low. And when you also look at the operating budget management, you'll realize that the interest expense is at an alarming 1,249%.claim

03:53:28Underline that, Madam Speaker. They have achieved 19 KPIs out of the 21. We note the 1% improvement performance year on year. And as the ACDP caucus, we shall continue to closely monitor the disruption of several projects due to non-payments of community-based SMMEs. And we have also observed that additional budget was requested for underfunded project, and some were not granted. We will kindly ask...

03:54:0330 seconds left.

03:54:04Yeah, we will kindly ask the MMC to update us on that. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Shalom, shalom.

03:54:11Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. IFP, Councillor N Makhuba.

03:54:22Thank you, Speaker. The IFP notes the fourth quarter report of Development Planning and applauds the department on the achievements. That is all the 15 KPIs that were achieved, the 11 service standards that were achieved, the total expenditure of 87.4% and the overall collection rate of 91.4%.claim

03:54:52On the same note, we note the challenges faced by the department and the mitigation strategies that have been put in place, hoping that they will yield the desired results for the department to perform even better in the current financial year. I thank you.

DA (Cllr Schay) on JDA and Development Planning performance

03:55:13Thank you, Councillor Makhuba. The DA, Councillor Schay.

03:55:27Honourable Speaker, to my DA colleagues who fight every day to make Joburg shine again, to the Gauteng Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance, Solly Msimanga, to the residents of Johannesburg, and to the class of 2026, greetings. Welcome to the very first lecture of the Johannesburg School of Governance, proudly brought to you by the Democratic Alliance and approved by the President of South Africa.claim

03:55:53Yes, approved by the President because even the President now admits what we have always known, that ANC Councillors must learn from us. And if that is the case, then class is officially in session. We believe in Joburg. We believe the city can work. We believe that Johannesburg can be a place of order, of efficiency, and of delivery.

03:56:18But that belief starts with telling the truth about where we are now and how badly we are failing. Normally, I bring children's books to council, simple stories with simple lessons for those who refuse to learn the basics. But it seems that the executive has already chosen its new definitive guide on construction materials, The Three Little Pigs.

03:56:41Because on Lilian Ngoyi Street, a major road, they decided to build with bricks after years of delays, congratulating themselves on choosing the strongest material. It seems fairytale logic, not engineering, is now guiding the future of our city. So let's put the story books away and pick up something from the adult shelf instead.

03:57:05This is Project Management for Engineering and Construction by Garold D. Oberlender, a textbook used around the world to teach engineers and project managers how to deliver real-world infrastructure. And I want to read just a few sentences from it.

03:57:23A project consists of three components: scope, budget, and schedule. Scope represents the work to be accomplished. Schedule refers to logical sequencing and timing to be performed, and budget refers to the cost. Not only should the scope, budget, and schedule be well defined, but each must be linked together since one affects the other individually and collectively.claim

03:57:49This is not my definition. This is not the DA's definition. This is the definition. And yet, when we turn to the quarterly report of the JDA, the city's primary implementing agent, not a single KPI measures how many projects were delivered on time and within budget. Not one. How can you manage what you do not measure? How can you fix what you refuse to acknowledge?claim

03:58:16If we believe in Joburg, and we do, then we must start measuring not how many projects we launched, not how many notices we issued, not how many pages our reports contain, but how many projects we actually completed on time, within scope, and within budget. Because right now, colleagues, the picture is catastrophic.

03:58:37The JDA recorded a deficit of 80 million this quarter, not because of reckless spending, but because the City of Johannesburg failed to pay its own entity. That forced JDA into an overdrawn bank account and saddled it with 98.3 million in interest, 1,249% over budget. That is money that should have been used to build infrastructure, now wasted on interest payments.

03:59:01The result? JDA can't pay its suppliers. Only 19% of invoices were paid within 30 days. 19%. That's not a payment system. That's a financial chokehold on small business. And so, contractors have stopped working. The Chris Hani Sport Centre, suspended. The Mayibuye Drive upgrade, suspended. The Drieziek Recreational Park, suspended.

03:59:26That's not just bad governance. That is a direct assault on service delivery and on the small businesses that keep our communities working. Strategic delivery? Zero. The JDA set a target of two strategic projects in key economic nodes this quarter. It delivered none. Zero. Dololo.

03:59:47And while this collapse unfolds, the Development Planning Department stands before us and boasts that it achieved 100% of its KPIs. Except it only spent 87.4% of its operating budget. It failed to spend 10 million on GIS...

04:00:00software due to prolonged appointment processes. It collected only 91.4% of revenue and the UNFD grant, a dismal 64.2%. That's not 100% success. That's 100% spin. This is an illusion of performance. It is a government celebrating itself instead of turning up and delivering. And here is the deeper truth. DA governed Cape Town measures outcomes, Joburg measures outputs.

04:00:29DA governed Cape Town measures how long residents actually wait for building plans to be approved. We measure how many applications we process. DA governed Cape Town measures citizen satisfaction, how people actually feel about their city. We measure how many projects reach practical completion, regardless of whether they were late, over budget, or had their scope reduced to something meaningless. DA governed Cape Town measures impact, Joburg measures activity.

04:00:56And what does that mean for the residents of Johannesburg? It means that when the government measures the right things, you get the right results. When Cape Town measures how long you wait for building plan approvals, you wait less. When they measure citizen satisfaction, your complaints are answered. When they measure projects completed on time and within budget, your roads are fixed and your parks are built. That's not coincidence. That's cause and effect. Change what government measures and you change what government delivers.

04:01:25Keep measuring the wrong things and you get the wrong results. And nowhere is this clearer than how residents obtain their own building plans. Just a few weeks ago, I revealed that corrupt officials in the city are charging residents thousands of rands to retrieve their own approved plans from the city. Plans that are trapped inside the Metro Centre's filing rooms. It's an extortion dressed up as bureaucracy. It's what happens when a city refuses to modernize and it weaponizes inefficiency. Now, compare that to DA-run City of Cape Town.emotive

04:01:56Residents simply log on and download their own plans online. No bribes, no middlemen, no weeks of chasing officials down dim corridors, just service, fast, transparent, and honest service. This is the difference between a government that believes in power for itself and a government that believes in Joburg. That is the difference between a city that builds barriers and a city that removes them. We believe in Joburg. We believe the city deserves real governance, not fairy tales. We believe the city must measure results, not paperwork.emotive

04:02:26We believe in Joburg where public money builds roads, not pays interest. We believe in a Johannesburg where projects finish on time, not projects that never finish at all. Class of 2026, thank you for attending the first lecture by the Johannesburg School of Governance. But remember, this is the last term.emotive

04:02:4440 seconds left, Councillor.emotive

04:02:46There will be no extended learning program for slow learners. From next term onwards, there will be no more instruction. There will be demonstration only, because we don't just believe in talking, we don't just believe in teaching, we believe in Johannesburg. Thank you.emotive

ANC (Cllr Lefutso) on Development Planning; disorder and point of order

04:03:00Thank you, Councillor Schay. The ANC, Councillor Lefutso.

04:03:12Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon to the Mayor

04:03:20Just hold on.

04:03:21of the City of Johannesburg

04:03:22Just hold on, Councillor. Someone was screaming, Speaker. Can we raise our hands when we want to say something? Thank you, Councillor.

04:03:39Thank you, Speaker. Good afternoon to the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Ntate Sello Dada Morero, to all the MMCs, to the glorious movement, the African National Congress, and to the residents of Johannesburg.

04:04:05Madam Speaker, allow me to refresh our minds that in 1652 there were three ships, Reiger, Drommedaris, that brought the sailors

04:04:30to the Cape Town. Those three ships, Madam Speaker, they delivered what we are realizing today. And I think our President has been misquoted in that the reference made is misunderstood.

04:04:56And it must be put into perspective, Madam Speaker. It cannot be correct that Cape Town is said to be what is being said to be. Hence, there's Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Langa, that seems not to be belonging to Cape Town.

04:05:26And yet, we come into this platform and indicate how good we are being referred to. That simply means that the government of Cape Town is still racially, seriously divided. Because they can only manage what belongs to Stellenbosch, and forget

04:05:54what and forget iGugulethu, that there are human beings who live there.

04:06:00Councillor, can you take your seat. Councillor Mofokeng.

04:06:06Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, we ask the DA to be tolerant. Councillor Lefutso listened to them when they spoke. I think it's about time for them to respect him. Listen to Lucas, to Councillor Lucas attentively. Give him an opportunity to address this Council. Thank you very much.

04:06:28Can I ask, can I ask that we all respect a person that is speaking? I've been asking since morning. And thank you, Councillor Mofokeng, you're right. Can we allow people to speak and not get into their speeches? Your time was stopped, so you can carry on.

04:06:56Respect all of us.

04:06:58Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, also allow me to applaud a radio DJ, Anele Mdoda, by clearly allowing and rubbishing what was said to the so-called mayoral candidate.

04:07:20isiXhosaAkunamoya ozawuphatha apha, Madam Speaker.

04:07:24Councillor.

04:07:25This is Johannesburg, the City of Johannesburg.

04:07:28Councillor, can you switch off your mic and take your seat? Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku.

04:07:36Rule 72, Madam Speaker.

04:07:39Colleagues. Colleagues.

04:07:41Rule 72, Madam Speaker.

04:07:43Colleagues. Councillor Belinda's hand was up. I want to hear what her point of order is. Councillor Belinda.

04:07:53Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm rising on a point of order, Rule 72, that they must not mislead the house. A councillor on the floor must not mislead the house. We don't have so-called mayoral candidates. We have a DA mayoral candidate, and her name is Helen Zille.

04:08:11Councillor Belinda. Colleagues, colleagues.

04:08:16isiZuluWena uyisimaku sikamisisi wena, isimaku sikamisisi.

04:08:21Colleagues, I've just asked for respect to everybody. Councillor, can you proceed?

04:08:30Thank you, Madam Speaker. I see we are catching feelings, Madam Speaker. I'll revert back to my words. What I have said, Madam Speaker, was a mayoral, so-called mayoral candidate. I never mentioned any names. So, if you are catching feelings, please be able to deal with that.

04:08:52Councillor Belinda, he has just clarified. He didn't mention any political party. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Belinda. No. No. No, Councillor Belinda. He hasn't mentioned any political party. In the City of Johannesburg, four parties revealed their mayoral candidates. Councillor, can you carry on?

04:09:20Can you carry on, Councillor?

04:09:23Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your protection. I think, Madam Speaker, let me get into Item 5, 6, and 7, the performance assessment report for Development and Planning Department for the year 2024/2025 financial years. Madam Speaker, there are achievements that the department has received

04:09:54with the challenges and the mitigation thereof. So, we are concerned in noting that the KPIs, the three KPIs that have not been achieved. We are noting and we want the department to improve around that. In particular, when coming to the JDA, the performance of JDA

04:10:24clearly, staggeringly, it's growing. It's giving hope in that the NDP, the NDP Gauteng 2055, clearly, Madam Speaker, will be achieved. The 600 projects that are achieved since 2021, the revenue collection by June with a staggering 159 million.

04:10:53The BRT and the CBP participation processes. We acknowledge and note with a concern the EPWP jobs that have been created by the JDA. In particular, when coming to that, I would like to acknowledge that for some time, the project of Molapo Bridge,

04:11:25which has challenges, is finally finding an expression and in due course will be completed. Madam Speaker, I want to close on that note and say thank you very much, Speaker.

MMC Mgcina responds on Development Planning

04:11:45Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mgcina.

04:12:02TshivendaNdi mathabama.

04:12:08TshivendaOh, ndi masiari? Oh.

04:12:12isiZuluOkay. Sanibonani.

04:12:15SesothoDumelang.

04:12:17XitsongaAvuxeni.

04:12:19AfrikaansGoeiemiddag.

04:12:21Good afternoon. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Let me acknowledge the Chief Whip of Council, yourself, Chair of Chairs, all MMCs that are present, fellow councillors, most especially the residents at home who are watching us through the social streaming.

04:12:53Let me appreciate the councillors who have actually appreciated the performance of the department, especially Development Planning, for achieving 100% of their KPIs, which is something that has never happened in the department. Thank you, councillors, for acknowledging that because it's only through that that we are able to do our work even

04:13:23more. Councillor Mabidilala, I'm noting, and I did raise this even previously, in terms of the vacancy rate in the department, which also affects the work that we do in the department, especially around issues of enforcement as well as yes, on enforcement, I think in the main. We note that and we want to indicate in this house that we are committing ourselves to make sure that we do improve in that regard.

04:13:57Speaker, let me also indicate in this house that we will continue to launch projects, Councillor Schay, especially those projects that we have completed. And I think you have seen us, even the Executive Mayor, launching a number of them, and I thought you'd acknowledge that as well. Yes, we note that there are projects that are

04:14:28suspended because of budget issues and we will definitely attend to that as soon as there's budget available for those projects. We are committing ourselves to do our best in making sure that we improve on the projects that are or projects that have been there for quite some time. It is funny that you would compare us to Cape Town,

04:14:58which is miles away. I thought you would compare us to when you were ruling Johannesburg as the DA, because that would be a fair comparison to compare us from the years that you were running Johannesburg to where we are today. That would be a fair comparison. But unfortunately, because anything and everything that you when you open your mouth, you always speak about Cape Town.

04:15:30I don't know when are you going to speak about yourselves, because it's as if Cape Town is the only thing that had happened in the country, which is not the case. Councillor Lefutso just took you through in terms of other areas that are badly affected by issues of service delivery in the same municipality. I want to respond because this morning I was called to an interview

04:15:59by 702 radio station regarding I think even yesterday there was an article on officials that are corrupt on Sunday Times. I want to commit here, Madam Speaker, to this house that I think it is within the city's priority to make sure that corruption

04:16:30is if we have corrupt officials, we attend to those officials. But we can only do that if we are given evidence. And so far, we have not received any evidence towards the so-called corrupt officials. And I did indicate that once we get that evidence, we will be able to act. We have GFIS that will help us investigate. And as soon as a wrongdoing is identified, then we'll be able to actually act swiftly in terms of

04:17:03corrupt officials that are actually mentioned in the newspaper from yesterday. Even this morning, I committed myself to that in the show of Bongani Bingwa. So, we are continuing to commit that if there are any elements of corrupt officials in the city, we are open to actually attend to that. And there are many ways of reporting that. They can report to yourself,

04:17:35Speaker, they can report to the Executive Mayor, they can report to our offices as well. So, you are at liberty to do that, and that would be appreciated because it's one fight that we must all fight. We mustn't have corrupt officials. Corrupt officials are actually doing an injustice to the service delivery that we all want to see for all our residents. So, let's work together towards addressing such challenges

04:18:07that are facing our communities. Lastly, Madam Speaker, I just want to thank the committee as well for always raising points that assist us in making sure that we do our work even much better. There's still a lot that we need to fix. We have identified our challenges, but as well we have also put mitigation plans for us to address those challenges. Some of them are beyond the department,

04:18:38but we are still committing ourselves in making sure that there is improvement in the department. And thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Closing of Development Planning items; Executive Mayor arrives

04:18:45Thank you, MMC. I must say you were very bold in saying, "I can give my number if they want my number." But at least the guy stopped you from doing that. Thank you so much, MMC. Councillor Kaldine, member in charge.

04:19:07Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, the committee recommends that Council notes and approves the Section 79 Development Planning Committee oversight report and the fourth quarter performance reports of the Department of Development Planning and Johannesburg Development Agency. I thank you.

04:19:24Thank you so much. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 5.6, 6.5, and 7.12. Are the items agreed to? Before we go to the next item, welcome to the Executive Mayor and the MMC of Finance. They have arrived, but I also see that some of our councillors that were here this morning has left, and we have no apologies from those councillors.

04:19:56I thank you. STC.

Items 8-12: Economic Development reports read and tabled

04:20:02Councillors, we are now on Item 8, and that is the performance assessment report for the Economic Development Department for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, read with Item 9, and that is the performance assessment report for Johannesburg Tourism Company for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, read also with Item 10, which is a performance assessment report for the Johannesburg Property Company for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June

04:20:322025, also read with Item 11, and that's the performance assessment report for the Joburg Market for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, and the above items are read together with Item 12, which is an oversight report of the Economic Development Section 79 Committee on the 2024/25 fourth quarter performance reports of the Department of Economic Development, Johannesburg Property Company, Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, and Johannesburg Tourism Company for the period April to June 2025.

04:21:05Thank you, STC. Member in charge, Councillor T. Mhlongo.

04:21:14Good afternoon, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon to the Executive Mayor, Councillor Dada Morero, members of the Mayoral Committee, Chair of Chairs, Councillor Marema, Chief Whip of Council, Councillor Chauke, all Section 79 chairpersons, councillors in the house, together with members of the public in the gallery. Good afternoon to all of you. Madam Speaker, I'm rising

04:21:44to table Item 8, as read out by the Secretary to Council, read together with Item 9, Item 10, Item 11, together with Item 12, oversight report of the Economic Development Section 79 Committee on the 2024/2025 fourth quarter performance reports of the Department of Economic Development together with its entities, Joburg Property Company, Joburg Fresh Produce Market, and Joburg Tourism Company, to be

04:22:15considered and approved by this Council. Thank you so much.

FF+ (Cllr De Lange) on Economic Development and JPC

04:22:23Thank you, Councillor Mhlongo. Councillor De Lange from the Freedom Front Plus.

04:22:32Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. And here we are on paper, end of the financial year, the fourth quarter. And out of these quarters, obviously the Auditor-General will again have findings, new findings, and returned findings, and I'll prove it in my speech today. But let's not just be negative. At least we've attracted 26.8 billion rand, and the target was 19.5. It's a bit better than last year. And on EPWP target for 12,250,claim

04:23:05we overreached there at 15,584 opportunities. So, those are positive on the department side. Unfortunately, the old thorn in our side, the informal trading smart card system, 500 was the target for the year, 45 was done. Madam, which is a huge concern as we are in the fourth quarter, that only 71% of OPEX was spent against a target of 95%. 189 millionclaim

04:23:36was the CAPEX target, 135 million was spent. That means, as you know, use it or lose it, 54 million gone forever. Then only 75% of CAPEX was spent on a target of 95. Again, 28 million target, 7 million lost. Then, Madam Speaker, going on due to my time limit, our favorite naughty stepchild, JPC. Madam Speaker,claim

04:24:06it says here 100% of the implementation of the Metro Centre refurbishing plan was done. Let's skip a bit further down the line. The Metro Centre feedback, security was implemented, 70 armed guards was employed, perimeter secure wall, concrete wall was erected. Not all of it though. Madam Speaker, we should have been at the building stage by now because they keep on kicking the ball, two years, then another two years, and another two years. We should have started decanting this building,claim

04:24:39and nothing has been done yet. Madam Speaker, further to JPC, 120 million raised through leases and property sales on a portfolio of 10.5 billion. It's a crying shame. It's 1.2% yield on our property portfolio. Target of 97% on CAPEX, 45 was reached. So, that means 52 million is lost forever. JPC mustn't come and complain again that they don't have CAPEX to fix their property portfolio.claim

04:25:1123 seconds left, Councillor.claim

04:25:12Thank you, Madam Speaker. In conclusion here, what I cannot understand, JPC is not an emergency entity like Joburg Water or EISD or City Power, but still, irrecoverable written off, 153 million.claim

04:25:32One second.claim

04:25:32Irregular expenditure, 239.9 million rand. I rest my case. Thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

DA (Cllr Kgeletsane) on Economic Development

04:25:41Thank you, Councillor De Lange. DA, Councillor Kgeletsane.

04:25:54Thank you, Speaker. Good afternoon, councillors, residents of the City of Johannesburg, and our provincial leader, Solly Msimanga. Good afternoon. Speaker, today I rise deeply concerned about the performance of the Department of Economic Development. Our mandate is very clear, to enable inclusive growth, create jobs, and unlock the entrepreneurial potential of Johannesburg. Yet the facts before us paint a troubling picture.claim

04:26:25First, the department's flagship informal trading smart card permit program is in crisis. Out of an intended 5,000 permits, only 45 has been issued. This is not just an administrative delay, it is a failure to formalize and empower thousands of small traders who depend on a fair, predictable system to operate and grow. If we are serious about supporting township economies, the process must be digitized, simplified, and decentralized.claim

04:26:57Traders should be able to apply online, excuse me, or walk in one-stop centers to receive time-bound approvals, not to be stuck in endless queues and red tape. Secondly, Speaker, the department continues to underspend its own budget. Only 71% of operational funds and 75% of capital funds were utilized. Underspending while unemployment and poverty rise is indefensible.

04:27:31The city cannot afford paper budgets that never reach the people. We need rigorous project tracking, consequence management for non-delivery, and a public dashboard showing progress, spend against, and outcomes. Third, Speaker, while opportunity centers offer training, the real test is job placement. Right now, placements are low and there's little evidence that training matches the needs of our economy. We must shift from training for training's sake

04:28:03to demand-driven skills pipelines, partnering with industries, private sector employers, and large developments to place trainees in real jobs or support them to start viable businesses. Fourth, Speaker, we hear lofty promises about the green economy, yet tangible action remains scarce. The city has vast opportunities in renewable energy, recycling, and green manufacturing, but the department seems stuck in concept papers. We should be fast-tracking green SEZs,

04:28:35offering investment incentives, and leveraging city-owned properties for green hubs instead of letting assets sit idle. Fifth, Speaker, our investment climate remains hostile. Small businesses must navigate 148 regulations, face unreliable electricity, and suffer from poor urban management and political instability. If we want to attract and retain investors, we must cut red tape, guarantee faster property registration, speed up construction permits, and roll out special economic zones

04:29:07and public-private partnerships that actually work. Finally, Speaker, the Alexandra Automotive Hub continues to stand as a white elephant, an expensive, underutilized site that should have been buzzing with mechanics, apprenticeships, and manufacturing suppliers by now. We need to audit the barriers, bring in credible private partners, and repurpose the assets to serve its intended economic development function. Speaker, this is not about political point-scoring, it is about delivery.

04:29:39Johannesburg entrepreneurs, workers, and investors deserve more than delays, underspending, and half-built promises. As the Democratic Alliance, we demand clear timelines, measurable targets, and transparent reporting, because economic development must be felt on the ground, not just in annual reports.

04:29:5724 seconds left, Councillor.

04:30:00If this department is to succeed, it must become efficient, partnership-driven and results-focused. Johannesburg cannot grow on rhetoric. It needs action. Thank you, Speaker.

ANC (Cllr Bolani) on Economic Development and entities

04:30:15Thank you, Councillor. ANC Councillor M. Bolani.

04:30:46Can you try a mic next to you? If not, can we give a roving mic there, please? The Councillor that just spoke, is your mic off? Thank you.

04:31:21Councillor who?

04:31:26Oh, okay, okay. It's an ANC Councillor.

04:36:34in Region E. All these projects are in synergy with the statement that was made by the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, when he issued a very powerful and profound statement that the City of Johannesburg is a construction site and that is being proven on Friday when you attended the event in Jabulani for Mayibuye, which has proven beyond doubt that indeed the City of Johannesburg is a construction site.claim

04:37:06And we would also like to welcome the appointment of Mr. Sello Makhubela as the CEO of the Joburg Market. It is also of note that the market has also surpassed its target by achieving a total turnover of R11.7 billion. It is encouraging to see an entity scoring an 86% achievement ratio. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I'm persuading the Mayoral Committee that they should find a way to deal with the issue of Seda because Sedaemotive

04:37:49is like a hub that is used to destabilise the government of the City of Johannesburg by the opposition. Maybe we need a bold political decision because we cannot permit cheap politics while our clients are suffering as an entity. And I think I would like to persuade the Democratic Alliance that they should learn something from the ANC.emotive

04:38:21There are two types of players in football, as I have always indicated. A good player and a good dancer knows when to leave the stage, which I doubt that the Madam would do that.emotive

04:38:48Councillor Bolani, no, there's no hands, it's okay. I don't see hands. Thank you, Councillor Bolani. Carry on.emotive

04:39:05[inaudible] in Region A. You have forgotten how your junior was defeated while campaigning in Region A during the by-election in Region A. So if you are honest and if you have respect, follow what your former boss did in Tshwane and leave your record intact, not tattered.emotive

04:39:26isiZuluAsinamona, asinamagqubu, siyobe siyancenga ithi i-ANC.emotive

ActionSA (Cllr Xulu) on Economic Development entities

04:39:32Thank you, Councillor. Councillor P. Xulu from ActionSA.

04:39:58Madam Speaker, the Executive Mayor, Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, fellow Councillors, especially the Councillors of ActionSA under the leadership of Councillor Marcel Coutriers, the residents of the City of Johannesburg and visitors alike who are watching in the gallery, or rather listening to us in the gallery, and watching at home and in their spaces. Madam Speaker,

04:40:27today Council is confronted with the fourth quarterly performance report of the Department of Economic Development, Joburg Market, JPC, and Johannesburg Tourism Company. And all these entities and department were created to build jobs, welcome visitors, manage our public assets, et cetera. Madam Speaker, it is not always possible to be the best,

04:40:56but it is always possible to improve your own performance. That is what the flying Scot said before us, Jackie Stewart. Madam Speaker, ironically, many numbers look strong on paper. Things such as billions in investment signed, thousands of SMMEs supported, youth in skills programmes, and surpluses in accounts.

04:41:24But Madam Speaker, the residents are always asking us, when and where are they going to see the change that they can see and feel? Madam Speaker, in Ward 77 and in Ward 133 and in any other surrounding wards in Region A, we find that residents they still fetch water with buckets when their taps run dry.

04:41:53But then, once again, that is if the water tankers have been deployed in their wards. In informal settlements, Madam Speaker, we find over 400 families having to rely on less than 1,000 litres of water a week. And in Ward 93, residents complained of power cuts and unsafe taxi ranks to our officials.claim

04:42:20Madam Speaker, visitors who come to Vilakazi Street or Maboneng, they still face unsafe spaces, filth and poor lighting. Madam Speaker, and if you look to other metros, we see what happens when the basics collapse. In the DA-governed Cape Town, not so long ago, when the drought peaked,claim

04:42:49international tourist arrivals fell up to 12.6% month to month. Hotels lost 30% of visitor spend. And Madam Speaker, if Joburg cannot keep water flowing, we are going to face the same loss.

04:43:07Councillor Xulu, can you just move the mic slightly away from your mouth?

04:43:16Madam Speaker, I might not have energy,

04:43:19isiZulukodwa i-capacity yona ikhona.

04:43:26Madam Speaker, if Joburg does not keep its streets clean, its rivers clear, and its public spaces safe, our own tourism hubs will collapse in the same way. They'll start sinking. In Ekurhuleni, Madam Speaker, some residents went for more than 20 days without water and without electricity. Parents did shut schools because classrooms had no power.

04:43:56Food spoiled at home. Meanwhile, millions worth of equipment lay unused in warehouses. And if Joburg keeps mismanaging infrastructure, residents here will face the same. Lights off, schools closed, livelihoods destroyed. Madam Speaker, the numbers in these reports may shine,

04:44:24but they often hide the truth.

04:44:2740 seconds left.

04:44:28Joburg Tourism Company's surplus is not from the real visitor growth, but from underspending and loan interest. JPC shows high investment values, yet informal sellers in Faraday still work in unsafe conditions. We cannot celebrate surpluses when service providers go unpaid. Madam Speaker, we note these items, but we are saying that if this city continues to report on paper, but not deliver on the ground, Joburg will follow Durban's decay, Cape Town's drought, Ekurhuleni's blackout and Mangaung's waste of public funds. Safety, clean spaces, working taps, working lights...

PA and EFF on Economic Development

04:45:13Councillor Wilskut from the PA.

04:45:24Greetings, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, Joburg 10 Councillors, 11 is loading, under the capable leadership of Councillor Kenny Kunene, all Councillors, distinguished guests and fellow citizens. Speaker, I rise to speak on the performance assessment report for the Economic Development Department for 2024/2025 financial year for the period of April to June 2025.claim

04:45:53As we review the performance assessment report for the Economic Development Department, the Patriotic Alliance acknowledges the report's findings. However, we cannot ignore the stark reality of our city's state. Johannesburg faces numerous challenges from infrastructure decay to safety concerns, which hinder our economic growth and citizens' quality of life.

04:46:22The Economic Development Department report highlights a mix of successes and challenges. While some targets are met, others were not. We acknowledge the progress made and encourage the committee to focus on areas requiring improvement to drive meaningful economic growth and development. We emphasise prioritising South African citizens'

04:46:53welfare and interest in economic development initiatives. Our stance is clear: we will advocate for policies and programmes benefiting citizens, addressing challenges posed by illegal foreigners, and ensuring equal opportunities for all. It's imperative to prioritise citizens' needs and work towards a more prosperous future. We urge the department to focus on initiatives

04:47:23driving meaningful economic growth, job creation and service delivery. The Patriotic Alliance notes this report and we look forward to engaging with the department on matters of mutual interest and concerns. We put South Africans first. Salute.

04:47:43AfrikaansOns baiza nie.

04:47:45Thank you, Councillor Wilskut. Councillor Molala from the EFF.

04:48:04Councillor Wilskut, have you switched off your mic? Oh, there you go. Thank you.

04:48:12SepediKe a leboga,

04:48:13Speaker, and all protocol observed. The department achieved 16 out of 21 KPIs, including targets in investment attraction at R26.8 billion against a target of R19.5 billion, supporting over 14,000 SMMEs and enrolling nearly 500 young people in technical and artisan training. The public worksclaim

04:48:42opportunities exceeded expectations, creating more than 15,000 work opportunities across the city. These results speak to the potential of this sector to drive inclusive growth, empower communities and tackle unemployment when properly directed. The EFF is clear in its local government manifesto: economic transformationclaim

04:49:11must serve the working class and poor, not just provide glossy numbers. The department underperformed on five KPIs. Informal traders, who form the backbone of our township economy, remain neglected. Out of a target of 500 smart trading permits, only 45 were issued. Reform action plans to improve business

04:49:40standards were not implemented at all. The capital budget was underspent at 75% and operational budget at 71%, while unemployment, particularly among the youth, remains painfully high. Speaker, the residents of Johannesburg do not eat percentages, they live reality. A permit denied is a breadwinner

04:50:09excluded. A budget unspent is a community betrayal. A failed innovation is an opportunity stolen.

04:50:17SepediKe a leboga.

ACDP, UIM and UDM on Economic Development

04:50:20Thank you, Councillor Molala. Councillor Mkhonza from the ACDP.

04:50:37Yes. Shalom, shalom once again, Madam Speaker. Thank you very much for giving us this time. I rise to speak on Item 8, the performance assessment for the Economic Development Department for the year 2024/2025 for the period April to June.claim

04:51:06Madam Speaker, as the ACDP caucus, we commend the 100% achievement of the measured SDBIP, though we do not see the products of the investment realised within the city. And we further say that the 62.5% achievementclaim

04:51:35on the departmental scorecard is noted. And we would like to bring it to the MMC's attention that the departmental KPIs achieved are not 11, but it's 10. As a result, the overall percentage is distorted from 76%, it's supposed to be 71%.claim

04:52:06And we also have the following questions to the MMC. I see she is wearing nicely today. Maybe she will be able to answer these ones. What are the contributing factors, MMC, that led to the unacceptable 9% achievement on the number of informal trading smart card permits issued to the city informal traders? I'm asking this,claim

04:52:36I might have been answered by someone who was speaking here, but I just thought because I had prepared the speech, let me rather ask it so that you confirm what I heard was correct. And number two, I would like you to comment on the zero achievement on the number of reform action plans evaluated for the business standards. Reform action plans evaluated, so I should repeat that one. You might have missed that one, for business standards.

04:53:08And I think those are the two questions that I would like to ask, answered, Madam Speaker. Thank you very much and God bless you.

04:53:20Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. Councillor Abdool from UIM.

04:53:30Thank you, Speaker. I rise on Item 8. The first portion will be an extraction of the report that I read. The city's unemployment rate is 34.3%. It is below that of Gauteng, which is 34.7%, and above the national average, 32.9%. A sustained 2.3% annual increase in unemployment over the past 10 years raises concerns. Youth unemployment in particular is acute, reachingclaim

04:54:0060.3% in 2024, which is significantly exceeding the city-wide rate. This trend is often linked to a mismatch between the skills of the labour force and the demands of high-growth sectors, such as renewable energy and technology. The recommended intervention, including targeted skills development, tailored education programmes, et cetera, and structured mentorship is commendable. However, it is not enough.claim

04:54:31There are supposed to be 27 development skills centres in the City of Joburg. However, almost none of them are functional and operating. I am still confused as to why these centres have been allocated as a responsibility of the Department of Social Development, when it is a vehicle which is to capacitate and empower the community economically. The buildings have been vandalised, there's illegal occupation.claim

04:55:01We can't continue to carry on like this and create a monster which will bite us in the form of increased crime and moral and physical decay of the city, or we must address this, revamp and reuse these centres for the purpose they were built. That being said, the UIM would like to commend the Department of Economic Development for executing their mandate with the minimum financial support which they receive. That of itself is a scandal.emotive

04:55:30It is mind-boggling to observe the fact that the departments that are focused on humanity and humans are the departments that are lagging behind. Investing in the human capital of the city, which will ensure that everything else is taken care of. And now I end off with a lyric of a song that most of us would know: Happy couples make happy communities, happy communities make happy cities, and happy cities are supposed to make a happy country.emotive

04:56:02You and me, us all together, are able to build a happy country and a happy city. However, our political shenanigans prevent us from doing that because we have to promote our political parties and speak on behalf of our political parties instead of speaking on behalf of the community that has placed us here. The UIM notes and accepts this report. Thank you.emotive

04:56:32Thank you, Councillor Abdool. Councillor Zigebe from the UDM.

04:56:43Honourable Speaker, the United Democratic Movement rises to reflect on the performance of our economic development entities and the department itself. These reports tell us not only about targets and numbers, but about the lives and opportunities of our people. There are achievements worth recognising. The Department of Economic Development attracted R26.8 billion in investment against a target of R19.5 billion, showing that Johannesburg remains a city of opportunity. More than 15,000 Expanded Public Works jobs were created,claim

04:57:16bringing much-needed relief to struggling households. The Johannesburg Tourism Company achieved 100% of its KPIs, resolved all audit findings, and recorded a healthy surplus. The Joburg Market maintained its dominance, generating R11.7 billion in turnover and holding nearly half of South Africa's fresh produce market share. The Joburg Property Company also secured major investment agreements, including a R1 billion development deal, contributing to our growth in our city.claim

04:57:46But alongside these successes are challenges we must face with honesty. The department achieved only 76% of its targets, failing short in the rollout of informal trading smart cards, with just 45 issued against 500 promised. The Joburg Property Company reached only 74% of KPIs, still struggling with property releases and lease renewals. Capital expenditure across entities remains under pressure, with just 75% of budget spent, delaying critical infrastructure and development.claim

04:58:18Even where finances look sound, like the Joburg Market, staff morale is low, with employee satisfaction at just 59%, reminding us that no institution is stronger than its people. The UDM commends progress where it is made, but we cannot allow achievements to blind us to persistent failures. Our call is clear: procurement systems must be streamlined to close the gap in capital spending. The rollout of smart cards for informal traders must be accelerated to unlock township economies.

04:58:50Property management must be sharpened so assets drive inclusive development, and staff well-being must be prioritised so that workers remain motivated to serve our dignified economic actors, and where assets are used for the collective good. The UDM calls for accountability, collaboration, and urgency so that progress becomes the norm, not the exception. I thank you.

DA (Cllr Reddy) on Johannesburg Property Company

04:59:16Thank you so much. Councillor Reddy from the DA.

04:59:29Good afternoon, Madam Speaker, DA leadership, all protocols observed. I rise to speak on the fourth quarter report of Joburg Property Company. From the outset, I wish to state that JPC has met and in some ways exceeded all expectations of poor performance. The failure to meet key indicators is indicative of this. The KPI is the entity's performance scorecard, set by itself to measure its performance across the board. Failure to meet your own targets is akin to failing a self-assessment.

05:00:00exam. For 3 years since the decanting of Metro House, we find ourselves still re-housing departments with some leases still to be finalized. More importantly is the failure of JPC to finalize property leases that could bring much needed revenue to the city. We would be told that the process to get these leases approved are slow, but for a property company operating for decades, should they not be tending to leases before they come to end of term?claim

05:00:30In many cases, we extremely see extremely low-priced long-term leases that are coming up for renewal, many that have expired years ago. The only thing the fast track committee does is rush leases through to council by requesting special extraordinary sessions of section 79 sittings. JPC is nowhere close to starting to evaluate what form the PPP for Metro House would be taking.claim

05:00:57We have heard about JPC speak of the PPP for the last 2 years and about the appointment for of the treasury advisor who is to evaluate the project proposals. Now we are told that the appointment should only be in place by the end of September. This is literally now, as I'm giving you this address. Given all the delays, this begs the question. Will we get a finalized proposal within our term of office?claim

05:01:25Or will new incoming councillors be bewildered by a proposal they know little of? In April, we were told about a R26 million perimeter wall that was to be constructed around this building. It was awarded to JOSHCO. Uh we were told that it would be completed by the end of July 2025. If you look outside, you'll not see one panel up.claim

05:01:50If you look hard enough, you'll find some evidence of ground work for this fabled wall. The delays in this protective wall, which was initially touted as an emergency measure to protect Metro House from vandalism and theft, is fabled only to be now completed in December 2025, 12 months after the awarding of the contract. This begs the question. Does a company with seasoned management not stipulate performance clauses

05:02:20and award a contract where the supply of said panels are guaranteed to be available, instead of waiting for it to be delivered in December? Despite all the billion rand contracts signed by JPC, we have seen a massive decline in SMMEs supported to about 370. The city should really have protocols in place to ensure training, skills development, and long-term employment with flagship developments like these.

05:02:51These levels of inefficiencies at JPC have come through glaringly over the past 4 years, and despite the DA committee members' repeated calls for a business turnaround strategy, we have been largely ignored by JPC. This which also relies on a few performing revenues.

05:03:1120 seconds, Councillor.

05:03:18We at the DA believe in Johannesburg, and have faith that the city and its entities can be saved. I therefore call on JPC to pursue a turnaround strategy to streamline the business, making it more efficient so that its core contributors to its financial well-being

05:03:31Thank you, Councillor. Your time is up.

Speaking time dispute and MMC Mnisi's missing speech

05:03:38Councillor Lebea from the ANC.

05:03:49Oh, sorry, sorry. No, no, no. You donated your time. Apologies, there's no time for you. You donated your time to Councillor Bolani.

05:03:58Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mnisi.

05:04:02I've just seen that I saved my speech 42 over speech 43. So, I'm missing speech 43.claim

05:04:11Chair, Chairperson. Just hold on, MMC. Chair of Chairs.

05:04:22Switch your mic off.

05:04:24Try the next mic.

05:04:29Uh, thank you, Speaker. I was saying it's the other way around. Councillor Bolani donated his uh part of minutes to Councillor Lebea, uh not the one that you

05:04:41No, Chair of Chairs, don't mislead me. Councillor Bolani spoke for 10 minutes. He actually spoke for 9 minutes and 58 seconds. Thank you so much. MMC.

Economic Development reply and report noted

05:05:05Thank you very much, uh Madam Speaker, the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, the Chief Whip of Council, the Chair of Chairs, um councillors in the chamber, our esteemed guests in the gallery. Madam Speaker, allow me to acknowledge and appreciate

05:05:27[inaudible] You arrived late here, and you are making noise.

05:05:35Allow me, Madam Speaker, to acknowledge and appreciate the valuable inputs and comments that were made by the fellow councillors. While we may differ in perspective and uh emphasis, the contributions from across reflect the shared commitment to the progress of our city.

05:06:00Madam Speaker, yes, challenges remain, including underspending on both the operating and uh capital budgets, as well as the delayed implementation of the informal traders policy due to some frivolous litigations that we have experienced as a department. But I want to assure the council that, as and our residents as well, that the remedial actions are already in place,

05:06:30and we will defend our programs as the department that empower our residents against any attempt to derail them. Madam Speaker, the appointment has been made, and the letter of appointment has been issued by the National Treasury

05:06:56for the TA of the Metro Centre. There is a scheduled meeting between JPC and the Office of the COO together with the service provider so that um they get an outlined program plan for the project of Metro Centre, which will obviously be inclusive of timelines.

05:07:27To Councillor Kgele

05:07:31Kgeletsane. Okay. I'm sorry to butcher your surname. On the issue of the Alex Automotive Hub, the facility has been completed, Councillor, and uh JDA has issued a certificate of occupancy. The Department of Economic Development, working together with JPC, they are currently finalizing a process to operationalize the facility.

05:07:58Now, there is one anchor tenant which has uh shown interest into this facility. Uh the name of the the name of that uh anchor tenant is AIDC, uh which uh we are currently working in with. They have demonstrated uh appetite in investing about R6 million into this facility.

05:08:26I want to also assure the residents that there is security that is deployed there in the facility to minimize the risks of vandalism. And lastly, Madam Speaker, the Section 110 report is en route for approval. Councillor Bolani, on the issue of the asset register,

05:08:52we also have an appreciation as the department and entity that digitizing of the city's asset register is indeed long overdue, because the manual processes have exposed the city to inefficiencies and revenue leakages. By moving to the fully digitized and integrated asset register,

05:09:18we will strengthen accountability, improve lease management, and unlock some of the economic opportunities. Councillor Molala, through you, Madam Speaker, as long as we have not yet launched the informal trading policy system, there are no permits that will be issued, Councillors.

05:09:45As I would have indicated before that this is not because of our desire and making, it is due to the frivolous litigations that we are constantly experiencing as the department. When we issue the date that we want to launch the informal trading system, then the SERI uh litigate the process.

05:10:15Madam Speaker, I also want to put it on record that um it has become clear that some of these councillors in this chamber have made it their mission to be perpetual critics. They cling to negativity and choose to defend absurd and exploitative leasing that sold our city short in the past. This hypocrisy exposes their true agenda.

05:10:431 minute left, MMC.

05:10:45Let it be known we will not be distracted by those who trade in doom and obstruction, Madam Speaker. Our focus remains to bring dignity and deliver services to our residents. Thank you so much.

05:11:01Thank you, MMC. Member in charge, Councillor T. Mhlongo.

05:11:09Uh thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, let me just thank all the speakers that have spoken on these items. It shows that councillors read the reports, Madam Speaker. I really appreciate that. And I also want to extend my gratitude to the support staff who are supporting the committee, Madam Speaker. Uh on that note, Madam Speaker, I ask the council to note the report. Thank you so much.

05:11:38Thank you, member in charge. Colleagues, the

05:11:48Colleagues, the recommendations are on pages 8.4, 9.12, 10.24, 11.5, and 12.21 to 12.22. Are these items agreed to?

05:12:02Agreed.

05:12:04Thank you, colleagues.

Items 13-15: Health and Social Development performance, opening debate

05:12:08Councillors, we are now on item 13, and that is the performance assessment report uh for the Health Department for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, read with item 14. And that's the performance assessment report for the Social Development Department for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025. And both items read together with item 15, which is an oversight report of the Health and Social Development Section 79 Committee

05:12:38on the 2024/25 fourth quarter budget and performance assessment report of the Health Department and Social Development Department for the period April to June 2025.

05:12:48Thank you, STC. Member in charge, Councillor T. Amad.

05:12:55Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor, the Chief Whip of Council, and political leaders. Uh Speaker, I rise to table the performance assessment report of uh Health and Social Development, item number 13 and 14, read together with uh the oversight report, item 15, for the year 2024/25. Thank you.

05:13:26Thank you, member in charge. ActionSA, Councillor Moshapo Moshapo.

05:13:37Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh greetings to you, Madam Speaker, fellow councillors, esteemed residents of Johannesburg. I rise to speak on item 13. As ActionSA, we cannot ignore the failures in the Health Department's report because behind the numbers are real lives. Madam Speaker, firstly, fleet challenges across all regions have disrupted operations.

05:14:07Grounding of vehicles delayed uh service delayed the delivery of essential medicine, leading to drug stock-outs. This is not a minor issue. It is direct failure in service delivery that places an unfair burden on our clinics and residents. Secondly, as at 30 June 2025, contracted services expenditure stood at 82%, amounting to R17 million,claim

05:14:37yet invoices for fleet services and for MTN and Telkom cell phones accounts for May and June remain unprocessed. This delay is the main reason for the reported under-expenditure of 12%. These are not just financial figures. They reflect broken system and compromises services. Madam Speaker, ActionSA's values compels us to be honest about this shortcomings and to insist on urgent corrective actions.

05:15:08We therefore call for immediate interventions to resolve fleet constraints, stronger financial controls, timely processing of invoices, including MTN and Telkom accounts, to prevent further disruptions. Madam Speaker, residents of Johannesburg deserves reliable health care, not excuses, and ActionSA will continue to fight for ethical leadership, transparency, and community-focused governance.

05:15:37Honourable Speaker, this report is not progress. It is a wake-up call, and ActionSA will not remain silent. We note the report with concern. Thank you.

05:15:48Thank you, Councillor. Councillor B. Jacobs from the DA.

05:16:13Can we assist with the mic? Try the mic next to you. There it goes.

05:16:18Thank you, Chair, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, all protocol observed. I rise to speak on item 14, the fourth quarter performance report for the Social Development Department. It is a 178-page document filled with words that demand applause for KPIs achieved. Yet hidden in all the self-congratulation is one small line that tells the story, and I quote:claim

05:16:46"During the period under review, 84 homeless persons within the borders of the City of Johannesburg were assessed and placed into city-owned shelters." Madam Speaker, we have over 15,000 people sleeping on our streets, under bridges, on pavements, and in open spaces. 84 placements is not a success. It is failure.claim

05:17:12And this failure is not on the officials, but on the ANC, PA, EFF administration that has abandoned the most vulnerable in our city. In December 2023, our largest shelter, Kotze Street, was shut down and remains closed to this day. In the same month, however, ribbon cuttings were held for a shelter in Devland in Region G, a project riddled with mismanagement,claim

05:17:40no operational budget, and unpaid service providers. It was never about service delivery, this project. It was about scoring cheap political points to the detriment of the residents. Today, Social Development is filled with projects that will not be completed because the 2025/2026 budget is already depleted, and provincial government will definitely not save us, because they are drowning in scandals of their own.claim

05:18:10But Madam Speaker, I'm not sure if it's Madam Speaker anymore. Um do not despair. Help is on the way. She fought apartheid, not from the comfort of her office, but from the streets, questioning and unveiling the atrocities of apartheid. She sheltered comrades in her home, risking her life, Sir Speaker, including ANC comrades.claim

05:18:40She turned, Madam Speaker, she turned Cape Town around as Mayor from 2006 to 2009, and then as the Premier for Western Cape from 2009 to 2019, she made it the best-run province in South Africa. Now she's back to resuscitate Johannesburg, to restore governance,emotive

05:19:08and to bring the city back to life, to pursue the fight for freedom, fairness, and opportunity. Her name is Helen Zille, the DA's Executive Mayor candidate. Together with the DA caucus of Johannesburg, she stands ready to restore governance, to rebuild our city, and to bring back the hope our residents deserve. Madam Speaker, Sir Speaker,emotive

05:19:38I'd like to say now, ActionSA said they want to bring back ethical leadership. Look no further.

05:19:50It's a good thing to dream.

05:19:53Thank you. We now move to Councillor Ndou from the ANC. Oh, sorry, from the EFF.

05:20:09Greetings, Speaker, Executive Mayor, Chief Whip of Council, two capable MMCs of the EFF, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku and Councillor Ennie Makhafola, Chief Whip of Economic Freedom Fighters, Councillor Thabiso Thabisa Mogapi, 29 battalions of the EFF, guests in the gallery, most importantly, the residents of Johannesburg.

05:20:39At the department, there is distribution of resources to key priority programs set by council under the capable MMC, Councillor Ennie Makhafola. Two facilities have been identified for modification to provide maternity and 24-hours casualty services. These facilities will operate under a hybrid model collaboratively managed by both provincial and local government spheres.claim

05:21:10There is a continuous mobile service delivery in areas where there are no fixed facilities to ensure accessibility of basic service. Generators and solar in identified facilities, upgrading of Thuthukani Clinic and replacement of asbestos roof. Due to budget constraint, the Department of Health could not continue with EPWP recruitment,claim

05:21:40but managed to recruit to create 605 jobs through the Ijozi Ihlomile program funded. Social Development Department, most targets have been achieved. Some went above their quarterly targets. Small-scale farmers supported to promote urban agriculture within the city. Number of vulnerable individuals receiving economic skills training.

05:22:11Intervention benefiting children, senior citizens, as well as people living with disability. And initiatives implemented to combat substance abuse. Therefore, Speaker, as the EFF, we note the reports. Uh thank you.

Items 13-15: further party contributions

05:22:33Thank you so much, Councillor Ndou. Councillor Mkhonza from the ACDP.

05:22:56Councillor Ndou, can you switch off your mic? If not, IT, there you go. There you go.

05:23:03Yes. Yeah. Thank you very much, um Madam Speaker. Um shalom, shalom once again. Um allow me to first um quote from my guiding manual, the Holy Bible, from Proverbs 17:22 reads as follows: "A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Madam Speaker, the ACDP caucus would um like to acknowledge and commend the health awareness programs

05:23:33on teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, HIV and AIDS, as these programs aligns with the ACDP's policy documents, which asserts that the health of our nation, through health care and education, positively contributes to the economic development. The key statement here is prevention is better than cure. We, however, have a question, uh Madam Speaker.claim

05:24:03How effective is the programs, or rather let me put it this way, how is the effectiveness of these programs evaluated, looking at the commendable um 1,393 learners reached? I'm not sure if the MMC is around in here, but whoever will be able to answer this will assist us. Looking at the Safer City KPI,claim

05:24:35it reveals that 90.32% and 94% compliance on formal premises and public schools inspected, respectively. And it looks um it looks good on paper, but we do not see any compliant improvement plan and or consequence management on the 9.68% and the 6% on both the formal premises and public schools

05:25:05um that were not compliant. So, Madam Speaker, I think those two questions um will be the ACDP's questions um around the non-compliance of the formal premises in terms of the um food and the health at our schools. So, those are the two questions, Madam Speaker. Thank you very much.

05:25:35Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza from the ACDP. Councillor M. Smouse from the PA.

05:26:02Good day, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, fellow councillors, the Joburg team, PA councillors, and the residents of this great City of Johannesburg. I greet you all in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Today, I'm not just addressing council, I'm standing for the thousands of our people whose cries for help echoes the corridors of our healthcare system.

05:26:31Today, I rise to speak on a matter that affects every household, every family, and every life in our city. The complete failure of our healthcare system, this is no longer just a policy matter. Um it's a crisis, and it's costing people their lives. We should stop responding to matters as an ambulance service when the need arise, yet there, but delayed. Our healthcare infrastructure

05:27:00is collapsing. Clinics and hospitals across the city are plagued with non-functional lifts, poor sanitation, outdated equipment, and no maintenance on facilities then belongs to that belongs to local government. To add on an alarming staff shortage, facilities are operating with far too few doctors and nursesclaimemotive

05:27:31and specialists. This leads to a burnout, long queues, and dangerous delays in care. Honourable Speaker, it is clear our infrastructure is rotting, our staffers are breaking, our patients are dying. In the city, negligence and malpractice have become a norm. Let me remind this chamber of lives we've lost. Elderly patients and children receiving wrong medication,claimemotive

05:28:01the tragic death of Miriam Singh and her unborn baby at the Westbury Clinic. Jayden Katz, 13-year-old boy who was wrongly diagnosed at the Claremont Clinic. His mom still battles with his illness till date. Newborns dying daily at the Rahima Moosa Hospital as their lives don't matter. We understand it's provincial government. We plead with the MMC to keep provinceclaimemotive

05:28:31accountable. Um pregnant women being neglected and patients manhandled by security staff. And while South African citizens suffer, we see illegal foreigners accessing our healthcare systems freely, getting better treatment and priority, while our own people are told to wait, or worse, be turned away. This is not just mismanagement, this is a humanitarian crisis. In closing, as a disciplinedclaimemotive

05:29:00coalition partner, we as the Patriotic Alliance um notes the report before council, but let us not forget we are the voice to the people. It is time for bold and decisive action. We must do better. Salute.emotive

05:29:22Councillor M. Cook from GOOD.

05:29:32Councillor, can you switch off your mic? Thank you.

05:29:35Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh Madam Speaker, today we consider the performance of two departments that sit at the very heart of building a caring city, Health and Social Development. Both reports reflect teams working under immense pressure, yet still delivering services that change lives daily. In Health, we saw strong outcomes on immunization, HIV treatment,claim

05:30:00TB care with over 93% of children fully immunized and more than 96% of eligible patients initiated on treatment. Naledi clinic was opened, blitzes on spaza shops were conducted after the tragic poisoning of children in our communities, and awareness programs on TB, cancer, and HIV reached communities across all regions. These are achievements that do matter.claim

05:30:30But Speaker, the health department is carrying an impossible load. Salaries consume 80%, 87% of the operating budget while essential items like medicines, equipment, and maintenance are squeezed by relentless budget rebasing. The result, drug stock outs, broken infrastructure, and clinics left without water or generators. A department tasked with saving lives cannot be set up for failureclaim

05:31:00by austerity. Social Development meanwhile, has achieved 90% of its targets. Over 5,600 homeless residents were linked to services, nearly 300,000 vegetable packs were distributed, and over 35,000 people received social work interventions. There has been real progress in combating gender-based violence, supporting youth in the LGBTQIA+ community and extending substance abuse treatment.claim

05:31:30Yet again, we must acknowledge the fault lines. Only 83,000 indigent households accessed free basic services when 100,000 were promised, and less than 30,000 food parcels reached families against the target of 50,000. These aren't just numbers Speaker, there are households left without food and there are households left with a lack of dignity. The lesson from both departments is clear. Our frontline services are resilient,

05:32:00they are starved of predictable funding and undermined by disjointed policy. Speaker, if Johannesburg is to be a caring city, we must invest in people first. Let us match the dedication of our frontline workers with the budgets and the policies they need to succeed. I thank you.

05:32:19Thank you Councillor. Councillor Abdool, UIM.

05:32:27Thank you Speaker. I rise on item 13. The shortage of trained nurses and doctors within most of our clinics should not only be viewed as a concern, but as an absolute crisis. The UIM is well aware of the fact that it is the responsibility of both national and provincial government to provide municipalities with trained medical practitioners and therefore our plea is that this needs to be addressed on municipal level, provincial level as well as national level.

05:32:57Our clinics are overcrowded with not just foreign nationals, but also with citizens who are in dire need of medical attention. The fact that the city is unable to employ and retain professional nurses is due to the fact that the city is unable to comply to market related salaries, in other words, we are underpaying our professionals. I would like to understand why. Then this very sore and sensitive matter is very concerning, the sanitary pad distribution.claim

05:33:27The target set at operational clinics that distributes sanitary pads to females between 10 and 19 was at a 0%. That is gravely disappointing. And the reasons are as follows, finalizing service level agreements was not appointed. Reason for non achievement is also raising red flags and it includes the tender was evaluated and submittedclaim

05:33:58in December. It took longer than anticipated and delayed the whole train, therefore affecting their targets. While all the waiting occurred, girls between 10 and 19 had to miss between 36 and 84 days of school. This is utterly disappointing and a reflection once again of the fact that the residents of the city, specifically the female, the poor, are not prioritized.claim

05:34:27Medication shortage. Because of grounded fleet, medication is not collected on time as per the monthly clinic schedule, and there's a bottleneck that is created at the pharmacies. All of the above is unacceptable, and I would like to encourage the department to really pull up their socks and make means and address these shortages. The UIM notes the report.

05:34:52Thank you Councillor Abdool. Councillor Nkomo, IFP.

05:35:00Thank you Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor of Joburg, Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, all chairpersons of Section 79 committees. Special greetings to the IFP caucus. As the IFP, we note the report. Thank you Speaker.

05:35:31Thank you Councillor Nkomo. Councillor Zigebe, UDM.

05:35:37isiZulu[inaudible] sawubona uyazwakala kakhulu. Uzobingelela kakhulu uzothi uyanotha.

05:35:49Councillor Nkomo, can you please switch off your mic? Oh. Thank you so much.

05:35:58When a clinic in Diepkloof gets its long-awaited upgrade, or when a young man battling substance abuse in Alexandra finds help through Jozi Ihlomile, that is when governance becomes real. The reports before us are not just numbers on a page, they are stories of resilience, but also reminders of where our city still falls short. We must recognize progress though. The health department achieved 84% of its targets, ensuring that 93% of children under the age of one yearsclaim

05:36:30were immunized and that 96% of HIV-positive patients were initiated on treatment. These are milestones that save lives. Naledi clinic opened its doors, mobile clinics reached underserved areas, and awareness campaigns touched more than 30,000 learners on issues from teenage pregnancy to HIV prevention. The Social Development Department equally made strides. It reached 90% of its targets, linking over 5,600 people living on the streets to services,claim

05:37:01distributing nearly 300,000 food packs and supporting small-scale farmers and agro-processors. Programs for children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQI+ community were rolled out, showing that no community should be invisible in this city. Yet Speaker, we must confront uncomfortable truths. Only 83,325 indigent households accessed free basic services against a target of 100,000. That

05:37:30shortfall represents families still living without dignity. Many clinics remain unsafe with asbestos roofs, unreliable water, and limited space because urgent budget requests for upgrades were declined. And whilst 605 EPWP jobs were created through Jozi Ihlomile, the wider health EPWP could not continue due to funding constraints. These gaps cannot be ignored, they are the cracks through which our people fall. The UDM believes leadership is about

05:38:00balance, to celebrate progress where it exists, but to demand urgency where it is lacking. We must invest in clinic infrastructure, ensuring that no patient is treated in unsafe conditions. We must close the gap on free basic services so that the poorest are not left behind. We must expand community partnerships to fight substance abuse, hunger, and social decay, because government alone cannot win these battles. The UDM supports the adoption of these reports, but our support comes with a solemn call, let us match good

05:38:30statistics with bold action, and let us ensure that progress is not measured by numbers alone. Thank you.

Items 13-15: ANC and DA contributions

05:38:36Thank you Councillor, you had 20 seconds left. Councillor Mphaho from the ANC, I hope I'm saying it correct. You have five minutes, cause Councillor Hlatshwayo has given you five minutes.

05:39:04Thank you Speaker. Honorable Speaker, Honorable Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillors of the City of Johannesburg, I greet you all. I rise to address item 13, receiving the health department performance for April

05:39:36to June 2025. The African National Congress commends the department for its improvements from the previous quarter despite financial constraints. We applaud that commitment to upgrading clinics, enhancing efficiency, and patient satisfaction, and commend

05:40:07their dedication to key health programs, including immunization, HIV and AIDS, and TB initiative. However Speaker, we note with concern the delay in critical clinic project due to insufficient budget. The disparity in salaries

05:40:39between provincial and city nurses, and the fleet challenges that compromise healthcare delivery. The ANC note the report with reservations. Moving to item 14, I recommend Okay, thank you Councillor. Speaker, my apology.

05:41:12SepediRena re le ba mokgatlo o mogolo, mokgatlo wa go tšwalwa ke badimo le batho ba African National Congress.

05:41:23Speaker, we note the report. Thank you.

05:41:27Thank you Councillor. Councillor Horwitz from the DA. Councillor, can you please switch off your mic? Councillor Mphaho. Oh. Thank you.

05:41:52Thank you Speaker, all protocol observed. Colleagues, when I spoke at last month's council sitting, I warned that our health department lacked the funds, the staff, and the governance to be the National Health Insurance and the District Health Council model guinea pig. To illustrate this reality, let's consider what the fourth quarter oversight report before us today states, as it underlines what I was saying last month. Firstly,

05:42:22let's just look at the percentages of people that tested for TB or HIV and who tested positive and started treatment. These are confusingly quoted. The percentages achieved that are quoted are higher than the KPI, but the actual number of people those percentages equate to are lower. What can we make of this? Well for starters, a high percentage can hide the fact that it's because the denominator has changed, not because of an increase in the numbers of patients actually helped.

05:42:53This is another perfect example of how KPI percentages could create an impression of success that might not be there. Because what it doesn't measure is whether a mother in one of the many townships in Joburg gets her child's antibiotics, her own heart medication, or even her elderly mother's cough satisfactorily treated today. Until our performance system measures patient outcomes, waiting times, treatment completion, staff-to-patient ratios,

05:43:23quoting percentages will only continue to mask the actual conditions of work and care. So what then are our people actually experiencing? The Democratic Alliance has listened attentively. This is what is being said. There are constant shortages of staff, from doctors, professional nurses, and other skilled people in ward-based outreach teams. Staff is having to work extended service hours with no additional pay. There are frequent power outages and no backup power supply.

05:43:55There are also frequent water outages and no backup water supply there, or even a chemical toilet provided. There's a continuous shortage of medical equipment and tools of trade for staff, with clinics often having to share. Frequently, cleaning materials and stationery supplies at stores run out. There's an unstable or complete lack of network connectivity, often with a clinic manager having to pay for data out of their own pocket. There is totally inadequate filing systems in place and mountain upon mountain of paper records,

05:44:28which paper is actually often purchased by clinic managers again, with their own money. Almost all patients engaged with described long waiting times, with some even having to attend for days before being seen. And all that doesn't even begin to cover the stalled capital projects, delayed payment of invoices of service providers, and an exceptionally high vacancy rate, as my honorable colleagues have already mentioned that affect other portfolios. The department is chronically underfunded.

05:44:59Budget for services or projects is constantly diverted elsewhere and re-channeling of budget takes place every single time the budget is rebased. This repeated divestiture of funding for the Health and Social Department only sets us up for future failure. Providing a health service that sets the patient's experience at the very heart of performance indicators is what the Democratic Alliance strenuously advocates for. Because we know that

05:45:29nothing else will improve service delivery to our people. People are at the heart of the DA difference, and it is people who will vote the DA in at the very next opportunity, especially as we will have before us being led as the inimitable Helen Zille. The Democratic Alliance notes this report. I thank you.

05:45:49Thank you Councillor Horwitz. Councillor Hlatshwayo from the ANC, you have five minutes.

05:46:03Honorable Speaker, Honorable Executive Mayor Councillor Dada Morero, Chief Whip of the council Councillor Chauke, Chair of Chairs Councillor Marema, Councillors of the City of Johannesburg, and the beloved residents of the City of Joburg. I rise on item 14, which looks at the Department of Social Development

05:46:33for the period of April to June 2025. For the quarter under review, the department achieved an outstanding performance of 90%. The department remains steadfast in their efforts to bring about change in the lives of all residents of Johannesburg. The ANC especially commends on department effort in assisting the vulnerable group through ensuring that they have access to essential services,claim

05:47:04that contribute holistically to their well-being. The African National Congress note the report Speaker, we thank you. Speaker, I want to remind DA that they did have an opportunity to lead Johannesburg. So it cannot now want them to come to the City of Joburg, they're thinking that there's something that they can change. They failed themselves.claimemotive

05:47:34The residents of the City of Johannesburg, 2016 they gave them that opportunity. So they did fail themselves. They must fix Cape Town before they think about Johannesburg. I thank you.claimemotive

Items 13-15: MMC response and recommendations

05:47:47Thank you so much. MMC Mabaso. Councillor, can you switch off your mic please? Thank you.

05:48:06Morning Speaker, the Executive Mayor, all the MMCs and all the colleagues. Speaker, the comments have been well received and noted. We will submit to the MMC all the submissions that have been made by colleagues. So we request council to note the report. Thank you very much.

05:48:30Member in charge, Councillor Amad.

05:48:36Thank you Madam Speaker. The committee asks council to note the report, the contents of the report as per recommendation. Thank you.

05:48:50Thank you Councillor Amad. Councillors, the recommendations are on page 13.21, 14.4, 15.16, and 15.17. Are the items agreed to? Thank you.

Items 16-18: Human Settlements and JOSHCO, opening debate

05:49:13We now proceed with item 16, which is a performance assessment report for the Human Settlements Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025, read with item 17, and that's the performance assessment report for the Johannesburg Social Housing Company for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025, and both items read with item 18, that's your oversight report of the Human Settlements Section 79 Committee on the 2024/2025 third quarter performance assessment report of the Department of Human Settlements and the Johannesburg Social Housing Company for the period April to June 2025.

05:49:55Thank you STC. Member in charge, Councillor M. Mpolobosho.

05:50:05Thank you very much Madam Speaker. On behalf of Section 79 Human Settlement, I rise to table item 16 and item 17, read together with item 18. Thank you Madam Speaker.

05:50:20Thank you member in charge. Councillor R. Harris.

05:50:32Good day Madam Speaker. I rise to speak to items 16, 17, and 18. The ACDP commends the Human Settlements Department for resolving all the internal audit findings. However, seven of the 19 external audit findings were not resolved. Service delivery is hampered by persistent budgetary constraints. There is also no dedicated panel for repairs and maintenance, exacerbating the problem.claim

05:51:03JOSHCO spends millions on consultants yet there is no evidence of an acceptable return on investment. No reason is given for the removal of the 12 million rand provincial grant, which could have gone a long way to assisting the department. Well done on the issuing of title deeds. Regrettably, nothing is said about Claremont being declared a township so that the residents there can receive their title deeds so that the economy of the area can be stimulated as well.claim

05:51:33Targets to provide water and electricity to informal settlements were not achieved. This is due to the uncontrollable growth in informal settlements as quoted in the report. The unanswered question is when will the growth of the informal settlements be controlled and eradicated? Despite a CAPEX budget of 61 million rand, not a single serviced site was delivered for the year. Even under the upgrading of informal settlements program as defined in the National Treasury Circular 88,claim

05:52:05no serviced stands were made available. 2,010 mixed housing units were targeted for construction for this year. In this period, 264 units only were constructed. Only 66 million out of a quarterly budget of 176 million was spent. Out of the 3,962 repairs and maintenance issues attended to, only 18 were completed in Ward 82, the ward with the highest concentration of council-owned stock,claim

05:52:3750 years old and in various stages of decay. The lack of service delivery is hidden by a cloak of rudeness, arrogance, and obnoxiousness of untouchable officials, especially at Claremont, who lord it over the slums the city administers. 10 blocks of flats were scheduled for upgrades, not a single one was rehabilitated for the year. JOSHCO owes 2.7 billion rand. The city departments owes JOSHCO 1.3 billion rand.claim

05:53:08The department is hypnotized by a static business plan and sadly they are not doing what they are supposed to do. The ACDP notes these reports.claim

05:53:20Thank you Councillor Harris. Councillor N. Khanyile from the IFP.

05:53:31Now thanks very much Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, greetings to the Executive Mayor in absentia, MMCs present, Chief Whip. Let's greet to our caucus leader MMC Mabaso that you forget to acknowledge Madam Speaker when he just arrived. We welcome the last performance assessment report from the Department of Human Settlements.

05:54:01We also understand the challenges that the department is battling with, ranging from the mushrooming of the informal settlement, housing backlog, and the demand of the affordable housing. Madam Speaker, we appreciate the program that have been introduced to mitigate these challenges, and the MMC has been open and transparent to this council Madam Speaker about the council,

05:54:31with the challenges that the department is facing. Madam Speaker, we're also aware that the department was affected by the budget cut and the misalignment of the target with the allocation of the budget. Madam Speaker, we also encourage the department to fast-track the process of formalization of the informal settlement so that we're going to deal with the issue of the electrifying of the informal settlement,

05:55:03because we're still sitting far with the backlog of the formalization and electrifying of the informal settlement, of which that now these informal settlements in the City of Johannesburg, and most of the voters in the City of Johannesburg are sitting in the informal settlement, of which we are pleading that the city must take a responsibility and prioritize the informal settlement, because those people that are living there Madam Speaker, are the human being, and it shouldn't just only be prioritized

05:55:33when it's only to come to the election. Madam Speaker, we also welcome the prioritization of the informal settlement upgrading program, hostel redevelopment program, and the initiative to address this housing backlog, of which we are pleading that now the city have to fast-track also those processes. With that note Madam Speaker, we note this report. Thank you very much.

05:55:58Thank you Councillor Khanyile. And welcome to Partner Mabaso and welcome to MMC Sekwaila. Apologies that I did not recognize you when you came. Thank you Councillor Khanyile. Councillor Zigebe from the UDM, it's your turn.

05:56:25Housing is one of the deepest expressions of dignity Madam Speaker. It is also one of the most complex responsibilities of government, because every statistic hides the face of a family waiting for shelter, services, and safety. In this quarter, the Department of Human Settlements has delivered notable achievements that must be recognized. Over 1,881 title deeds were issued, exceeding the target of 1,500. This is not just a number, it is dignity restored. It is families now able to access credit, to build wealth,claim

05:56:58and to finally say this land is ours. The Southern Farms mega city project has broken ground, promising 43,000 housing units and economic opportunities for Johannesburg South. On basic services, 2,678 households in informal settlements received sanitation against a target of 2,000. Repairs and maintenance have also been accelerated with over 3,900 interventions on hostels, flats, and senior citizens rentals, far exceeding the annual target. JOSHCO too has recorded progress worth celebrating.claim

05:57:30It delivered 556 social housing units, achieved a 98% occupancy rate, supported 30 SMMEs, and created over 1,000 EPWP jobs, surpassing its target. For a city grappling with unemployment, this is impact felt directly in communities. Yet Speaker, we cannot ignore the challenges. Human Settlement only achieved nine of its 21 indicators this quarter. Electrification remains slow, only 180 households connected against a target of 2,000.claim

05:58:01No hostels or flats were rehabilitated due to budget shortfalls, leaving residents in unsafe conditions. On the JOSHCO side, financial stability is fragile. The current ratio of 0.41:1 and solvency ratio of 0.43:1 highlights risk, while rental collections remain below target at 77%. These issues need urgent turnaround. It is in this difficult environment that the work of the MMC for Human Settlements,claim

05:58:32Councillor Mlungisi Mabaso, must be acknowledged. Leading from the front in complex and often dangerous operations, from confronting illegally occupied lands and housing by foreign nationals to driving multi-agency interventions against unlawful activities, facing resistance that at times carries risk to his personal safety, yet he continues because lawlessness cannot be allowed to define our housing landscape. This is courage and it must be commendable. The UDM believes that where challenges exist,

05:59:02solutions must follow. We propose accelerated use of alternative energy solutions like modular microgrids for informal settlement electrification, ring-fencing budgets for hostels and flat rehabilitation so that critical housing stock is not left behind, and for JOSHCO, a revenue diversification strategy, including exploring public-private partnerships to strengthen financial resilience. Thank you Speaker.

Items 16-18: DA, PA and ActionSA contributions

05:59:32Thank you Councillor. Councillor Rambani from the DA.

05:59:42Thank you very much Speaker. Fellow councillors, good afternoon. The fourth quarter performance report for the Department of Human Settlements is frankly alarming. For the third consecutive quarter, this department has failed to meet more than half of its performanceclaim

06:00:00Quarters. In quarter four, less than 50 percent of the 21 KPIs were achieved. In quarter three, the achievement rate was just 44 percent. And in quarter two, the department failed to meet 61 percent of its targets. This is not a once-off slump, this is a pattern of persistent underperformance.claim

06:00:24Speaker, if a department consistently fails more than it succeeds, it's a sign not just of budget pressure, but of management failure, weak planning, and lack of accountability. Speaker, the department is trapped in a cycle of targets missed, excuses made, and no corrective actions.

06:00:51And no corrective actions, targets missed again. Speaker, where the DA governs, we do things differently. We prioritize data accuracy upfront. You can't deliver housing or services on outdated lists. We budget realistically and phase projects so that what is promised is actually delivered.

06:01:21We implement strict consequence management. Repeat KPI failure triggers real accountability, not polite apologies. We fix supply chain inefficiency to ensure invoices are paid on time and contractors remain engaged. We focus on transparent timelines

06:01:46and regular reporting to communities, not vague assurances. Speaker, the department is not just missing numbers on a spreadsheet. It is failing real people, families waiting for water, electricity, pensioners in neglected buildings, communities stuck in unsafe informal settlements. I therefore urge the MMC and administration to table a detailed turnaround plan within the next reporting cycle, with clear

06:02:16timelines, budget reallocation, and consequence management steps, not another list of excuses. Residents of Johannesburg deserve a housing department that delivers, not one that explains away failure quarter after quarter. I thank you.

06:02:37Thank you, Councillor Rambani. Councillor Mokoena from the Patriotic Alliance.

06:02:53Greetings, Madam Speaker, esteemed colleagues from the Joburg 10 under the capable leadership of Kenny Kunene. Fellow councillors and distinguished guests, all protocol observed. Madam Speaker, I rise on items 16, 17, and 18, the Performance Assessment Report for the Human Settlements Department for 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025.

06:03:24We acknowledge the successful completion of 556 housing units and the impressive 98 percent occupancy rate achieved. This is a positive development, and we commend JOSHCO on this achievement. Furthermore, we are encouraged by the ongoing construction of 43,000 housing unit Southern Farms Mega Project.claim

06:03:52This initiative is crucial in addressing the city's significant housing backlog. I have reviewed the recent report and noted the absence of rehabilitation efforts for flats and hostels due to budgetary constraints. I would like to bring to your specific attention the urgent need at Helen Joseph Hostel in Alexandra. We believe thisclaim

06:04:24facility requires immediate attention. As the Patriotic Alliance, we note the report. Ons baiza nie. Salute.claim

06:04:33Thank you, Councillor Mokoena. ActionSA, Councillor O. Matabane.

06:04:45Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to you once more, Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, guests in the gallery, fellow councillors, and most importantly, the residents of the City of Johannesburg. I rise to speak on items 16, 17, and 18. Speaker, the items and matters before us are of a serious concern because they include the health, dignity, and security of our people. Our words must describe and articulate the cries of our people.

06:05:14Our people are living in unlivable conditions. The state of informal settlements, flats, and hostels are really deteriorating with many structural risks, health risks, and security risks. And also, we are still using bucket systems in 2025 in an urban area like Joburg. It is indeed a concern. Speaker, we understand that Human Settlements have funding issues and that, obviously, the lack of funding affects their performance and the failure of the department to reach

06:05:44some of their KPIs. We are also aware that the department needs to prioritize what they deem as important, and they need to deal with day-to-day issues like water, electricity, and sewage. We do see the department has started with dealing with some of the issues. But Speaker, as ActionSA, we are still concerned with the lack of appetite from the department to hold residents who can afford to pay for services accountable. The department cannot cry about money when they don't even try to lift their finger

06:06:15to deal with some of the issues of payment of services. Again, Speaker, we commend the department for trying to issue out title deeds, but we also want to put forth the fact that tenant education is important. Our people cannot just be thrown with title deeds. We request that the department take this seriously, the issue of tenant education and engagement. Speaker, our concern with JOSHCO is the amount of money that is spent on security. Again, we ask

06:06:45the entity to look into other mechanisms to fast-track fixing of units that are vandalized so they can be occupied and less money will be spent on security. We also urge JOSHCO not to compromise when it comes to rent collection. Speaker, we are all gathered here with a purpose. The decisions taken in this house affect lives, homes, and futures. So, as ActionSA, we ask that the Department of Human Settlements

06:07:15to really look into doing better. With that being said, ActionSA notes the report. Thank you.

Items 16-18: EFF, DA and ANC contributions

06:07:22Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Nenemba from the Economic Freedom Fighters.

06:07:33Thank you very much, Speaker. Revolutionary greetings to you, Speaker, fellow councillors, and the people of Johannesburg. Speaker, the Economic Freedom Fighters rise to respond to the Fourth Quarter Performance Report of the Department of Human Settlements and JOSHCO, as well as the oversight findings of the Section 79 Committee. We do so

06:08:03not as the only representative of the working class and the poor, as the only representative of the working class and the poor who continue to live in informal settlements, overcrowded hostels, and dilapidated flats, despite endless promises of sustainable service delivery. Speaker,

06:08:34on the Department of Human Settlements, we note with concern that out of 21 key targets, only nine were achieved. These are not just numbers; it reflects continued failure to provide our people with the most basic human right, which is shelter. Speaker, it is not enough for the department to celebrate the issuing of over 2,000 title deeds, when at the same timeclaim

06:09:04the department admits it failed to electrify more than 1,800 target households, failed to provide water to hundreds of households, and failed completely to developing new sites. Yet, the operational expenditure ballooned to over 100 percent. On JOSHCO, we recognize the completion of 556 housing units and the creation of jobs under EPWP.claim

06:09:35But these achievements are overshadowed by the deficit of 525 million, reckless financial management, and a solvency of below half of the required standard. It is unacceptable for JOSHCO to pay only 51 percent of invoices within 30 days, while small Black-owned contractors and SMMEs wait endlessly to be paid, hence collapsing their businesses.claim

06:10:05This is not economic empowerment. Speaker, on oversight, we as the EFF strongly assert that hostels and flat rehabilitation must be prioritized because the working class cannot continue to live in conditions of indignity. JOSHCO must be restructured to focus on affordable rental. Youth employment through housing projects must be expanded beyond

06:10:36temporary EPWP to create permanent skills in construction, plumbing, and electrification. Financial management must result in accountability; officials who consistently fail must be removed, not recycled. But moreover,

06:10:5530 seconds left, Councillor.

06:10:57Speaker, but moreover, land expropriation without compensation must be fast-tracked in Johannesburg to unlock land for housing development and serviced sites. Thank you very much, Speaker.

06:11:09Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Brand from the DA.

06:11:24Is your mic off, Councillor Nenemba?

06:11:32Good afternoon, Speaker. I'd like to address you on item 17, the JOSHCO Fourth Quarter Report 2024/2025. Department officials are often accused of cut-and-paste when drafting reports. The JOSHCO reports are so similar quarter after quarter that one could be forgiven thinking that they had merely changed the dates. Rental collections are always behind their budget, and the 200 million in bad debts that have been handed over to collection attorneys

06:12:03are being collected constantly at 4 percent per annum, which in real terms means some of these, and the majority of these, will never be collected over this 25-year project. Development projects have stalled, and it has been years since JOSHCO has been able to pay their own way. While JOSHCO's expenses always exceed their income, and this quarter was no exception, with an annual total debt impairment of 137 million while they had a budget of only 26 million,claim

06:12:34and security, with a small budget of 2 million, they spent an actual spend of over 81 million. And so on, and so on. The list doesn't end. Despite JOSHCO's talk of revenue from student accommodation and acting as project managers for others, neither of these are sustainable, and their main function is to operate as a social housing institution. And that model should be simple: find land, develop, rent out,claim

06:13:04and manage. In doing so, JOSHCO receives a capital subsidy from the SHRA of somewhere between R425,000 and R480,000 per unit, but they're still unable to break even. This fourth quarter has now brought the year's total loss to 525 million, and their loan or overdraft, which is really a euphemism for spending other projects' moneys, will stand at 1.7 billion once all the money paid

06:13:35is paid to JOSHCO by the city that is owed to them. The overdraft at the moment sits at 3.4 billion. What this report does not show is that JOSHCO is about to appoint a new CEO, the 10th CEO in the last eight years. Also not recorded is the recent protest by EPW workers at the JOSHCO head office over accusations of political influence in awarding employment contracts.claim

06:14:09Also not mentioned is the residents' protest in Kliptown earlier this year, where JOSHCO has been battling to collect rent from an upset community. Initially, their rentals set at R1,200 a month included water and electricity. As tariffs spiked, JOSHCO decided to dig themselves out of the hole by merely putting in prepaid meters, adding some 35 percent to the rental of a poor community. How does JOSHCO get into this position, where they are not tradingclaim

06:14:40as a going concern, and the city as their shareholder seems to pay little or no attention to their plight and allows them to trade while they're insolvent? The answer is obvious: JOSHCO is a microcosm of the city, and the city is in the same position where they are both in a downward spiral heading towards collapse. The GLU was cobbled together as a survival mechanism for the ANC, and behind the bluster and empty promises, the GLU is sending a message to both the residents of Johannesburg

06:15:14and to taxpayers. And that message is quite simple: they do not care. Whatever they do is only about leverage, patronage, and survival. No matter how they package their plans and their statements, they have long abandoned any form of duty or responsibility. And for anyone who thinks

06:15:36Councillor, your time is up.

06:15:39Thank you for the warning, Speaker.

06:15:54Councillor Mngadi from the ANC.

06:16:06Greeting, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor in his absentia, all MMCs, Chair of Chairs, the son of the hunter, Chairpersons of Committees, fellow councillors,

06:16:36officials of the City of Johannesburg in their absentia—some of them are not here—residents of the City of Johannesburg in the gallery, I greet you all. Madam Speaker, I am tempted to read a quote

06:17:06ever made by one of those who never wanted transformation in South Africa, who are now portraying a good character, whereas we suffered the indignity of being the skunk of the world during their era.emotive

06:17:39Madam Speaker, the quote was made by an AWB leader, Eugène Terre'Blanche, who never wanted transformation in South Africa at all. The quote reads as follows, Madam Speaker. Open quote.

06:18:12Open quote: "Apartheid may be dead, but its worms will remain forever in the mentality of a Black man." Close quote. Madam Speaker, it is so sad that at this juncture,

06:18:42some of us are still trapped in the trenches of the apartheid era. Madam Speaker, I rise to address item number 16 and 17,

06:19:13concerning the performance report of Human Settlements Department and Johannesburg Social Housing Company for period April and June 2025. Fellow councillors, Madam Speaker, the financial challenges facing the City of Johannesburg

06:19:44are evident in the Human Settlements Department report, which shows less than 50 percent achievement of target due to budget constraints, resulting in project delay and discontinuation. However, Madam Speaker, the department has made notable

06:20:17strides with the launch of Southern Farms Mega City Project and the signing of Tanganani Development Zone Agreement, promising over 60,000 housing units in the coming years. These initiatives, Madam Speaker, are crucial in addressing housing needs for the residents of the City of Johannesburg.

06:20:52Madam Speaker, in contrast, JOSHCO has demonstrated significant progress, with a notable improvement of over 5 percent from previous quarter, particularly in maintaining and upholding

06:21:25existing infrastructure. Nevertheless, JOSHCO faces its challenges, being owed millions of rands by the entities, the tenants who have defaulted on payment. Madam Speaker, it is crucial that these outstanding debts are settled to enable JOSHCO

06:21:59to operate optimally to deliver quality service. The Government of Local Unity is working diligently to resolve financial issues affecting the Department of Human Settlements and to fill key senior positions, including

06:22:30Chief Financial Officer, to ensure leadership stability in JOSHCO. Madam Speaker, African National Congress acknowledges the effort of both Human Settlements Department and JOSHCO in providing affordable and dignified housing to the residents of the City of Johannesburg.

06:23:02Madam Speaker, as I'm sitting, the ANC notes this report. I thank you.

Items 16-18: MMC reply and recommendations

06:23:10Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mabaso.

06:23:32Thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings once again to yourself, the Executive Mayor, MMCs, the Whip of Council, the Chair of Chairs, and all the councillors and our colleagues at the gallery. Speaker, because I don't have much time, I will try to be brief. Councillor Harris, the grant that you are referring to,claim

06:24:05it was a grant which was provided to us by the province from the UISP to procure a land parcel that was identified to be a wetland. So, that's why we could not spend the money, because it had a condition for us to buy, but unfortunately, it was a wetland. Councillor Zigebe, Councillor Khanyile, and Councillor Mngadi, thank you very much for acknowledging the work that the department is doingclaim

06:24:37with the challenges that we have encountered, especially around the budget cuts in the department. Speaker, I think it's imperative also to acknowledge that, you see, in South Africa, there are two reports. There are reports that you will find in the media, which will provide a certain picture, and there are those that you find in meetings,claim

06:25:08which talks to the realities of what is happening on the ground. So, Speaker, I sit in the MINMEC, representing the City of Johannesburg as an MMC. So all the metros, they report directly to the Minister through the MINMEC. So Cape Town, as well, also sits in the MINMEC. So when it comes to Human Settlements, you can't really deceive me with what is being said in the media about how the DA is performingclaim

06:25:38on Human Settlements in Cape Town. So I'll just leave it there, Speaker, because Johannesburg has 352 informal settlements, and Cape Town has more than 800 informal settlements. I'll just leave it there. Speaker. Speaker, on... before the end of this week, Councillor Mokoena,claim

06:26:08I will be going to Helen Joseph to introduce a contractor that will deal with the issue of the sewer spillages and the issues of water. So Johannesburg Water has finalized its procurement processes, so the contractor is there. So I will be going there before the end of this week. Councillor Matabane, we share your sentiments. I think we do need to improve the living condition of our people.claim

06:26:39But what we have done as well, we have went into the market to identify an alternative sanitation so that we eradicate the chemical toilets in Johannesburg. So the report was prepared; it has been submitted to EAC. We are waiting for the approval so that we get something that is decent, something that will give dignity to our residents. So we are working towards moving away from the chemical toilets in Johannesburg, and the report has been submitted to EAC for approval.claim

06:27:12Councillor Nenemba, the target or the KPI on electrification: we have electrified more than... we have exceeded the target, actually. But we could not report, or we are prohibited to report on the electrification that we've done through Eskom because the evidence that is required by AGclaim

06:27:42is not in line with the evidence that is provided by Eskom to the City of Johannesburg. And Councillor Marumo and Councillor Maluleka will also attest to that, that the informal settlements in their wards that we have electrified in the current financial year, you will not find them in the report because we could not report on them because of the issues of accountability with the AG.claim

06:28:18Yeah, so I think... Yeah, the last one, Speaker, is that if you look into the report of JOSHCO from the first quarter to the last quarter, they have improved on their rental collection. They went from 56 percent; now they are above 70 percent. And they are improving, and it's because of the enforcement that they are putting, the engagements as well that we are conducting to our tenants.claim

06:28:49So there is an improvement in terms of the rental collection, and I've looked into their report. We are heading towards 80 percent rental collection, and that is the improvement that we should appreciate. So Speaker, I will ask the colleagues to note the report, but we welcome all the contributions that have been made by colleagues. We are working towards improving because we understand that each and every transaction that we make in the department must actually change someone's life. Thank you very much.claim

06:29:21Thank you so much, MMC Mabaso. Member in charge, Councillor Mpolobosho.

06:29:31Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I ask the Council to note items 16 and 17, read together with item 18. The recommendations are on page 16.3, 17.8, and item 18 is for information; recommendations are on 18.2. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

06:29:51Thank you, Councillor Mpolobosho. The recommendations are on pages 16.3, 17—

06:30:0018.8 and 18.6, are the items agreed to?

Condolences to Councillor Mabuke

06:30:08Uh before we go to the next item, STC, I just wanted to convey um condolences to Councillor Mabuke from all of us uh in the chamber. He has lost his sister he's lost his sister and a child in the accident. Condolences from all of us, Councillor Mabuke. We would not say we understand your pain,

06:30:33but we know that it's difficult and you are still sitting through the meeting. Thank you.

Items 19-20: City Manager's Office report introduced

06:30:46Uh Councillors, we are on item 19, and that is the performance assessment report for the Office of the City Manager for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025. Read with item 20, that's an oversight report of the governance section 79 committee on the fourth quarter performance assessment report of the office of the Chief Operations Officer, Office of the City Manager, Group Strategy, Policy Coordination and Relations,

06:31:15Group Governance, Citizen Relations and Urban Management, Group Communication and Marketing, Group Legal and Contracts, Group Risk and Assurance Services, and Group Forensic and Investigation Services for the period April to June 2025.

06:31:33Thank you, STC. Member in charge, Councillor L. Magwentshu.

06:31:39Greetings, Speaker. All protocols observed. Speaker, I rise to table item 19 read together with item 20. Madam Speaker, the committee is responsible for oversight on the Office of the City Manager. The irony is that the city does not have a City Manager. Not having a City Manager is not going to help the city achieve good and stable governance.

06:32:09Keeping this position on acting capacity is very regressive and will lead to loss of confidence in potential investors. The city should fast-track appointment of City Manager if it wants to demonstrate seriousness and commitment about good governance. We run a risk of being made a mockery of the world if we continue on this trajectory of actings. Speaker, the delay in appointing a City Manager is a spit on the face of service delivery.

06:32:37How do we delay a permanent appointment of a City Manager when the residents do not have water? Who accounts? We have repeat findings in the Auditor-General's report. Out of 13 entities, only two entities received a clean audit. Who ensures that there is consequence management? The Minister of Finance threatened to cut funding to the city. CoGTA has seconded a City Manager. The Presidential Task Team is in the city. Majority of our facilities do not even meet

06:33:07safety standards. Who accounts on these when we do not have an accounting officer? No self-loving city can allow the continuation of the state of affairs as currently taking place in the City of Johannesburg. We need to confidently portray ourselves as taking the public seriously. To avoid instability and reduce confidence, we need to appoint a City Manager as a matter of urgency. The public is watching us. The public is aware of the uncertainty that comes with acting arrangements. Let us be decisive

06:33:37and act with speed to allow the city to be back on a progressive and developmental path that will allow it to be the world-class African city that we all strive it to be. Service delivery requires confidence. It requires continuity and bold plans. We need a committed administration whose technocrats can be held to account. How do we hold to account a person whom we know is likely to be there tomorrow because he is likely not to be there tomorrow because he

06:34:07or she's acting? Speaker, the delay in appointing a City Manager is a Oh. Speaker, we cannot carry on on this trajectory. If our government is serious about turning things around, we need to really appoint a City Manager. I ask council to note this report, Speaker. Thank you.

Items 19-20: DA, ACDP, IFP, ANC and PA contributions

06:34:36Thank you, member in charge. Councillor R. Hooper from the DA.

06:34:43Uh good day, Speaker. I rise to speak on item 19 and 20, all protocol observed. Speaker, may I please donate one minute of my speaking time to Councillor Karl Jacobs? Thank you.

06:34:55Councillor who?claim

06:34:57Karl Jacobs. He's speaking later on these items as well.claim

06:35:03Okay, so you only have two minutes.claim

06:35:06Three minutes.claim

06:35:07Three minutes. Okay.claim

06:35:10Thanks, Speaker. Speaker, we do note that Group Strategy and Group Risk in the City Manager's office has flagged the worrying ongoing issue of many employees still not being on an integrated online performance management system. It is shameful that scorecards don't exist, much like many smaller parties in this council will cease to exist after 2027. When it comes to corporate governance of the city's service-facing entities, our mayoral candidate has made an interesting comparison. These municipalclaim

06:35:40entities struggle to provide services as they are mismanaged by crony board members, much like state-owned entities at the national level. Speaker, where the DA governs, an organizational culture is cultivated that prevents employee abuse, poor accountability, and unfair cronyism. This is why senior members of the EFF's Cape Town caucus recently left to the DA, along with the caucus leader of the ANC for Cape Town. Imagine being a caucus leader, a metro caucus leader,

06:36:10who publicly states that your former party is abusive and incompetent. Well, I'm sure one party in this council is familiar with that form of drama. When it comes to municipal governance, if you actively prevent mismanagement and corruption and foster a caring and innovative workplace, the residents get better service delivery and better facilities. This is exactly why over a hundred members of various parties recently joined the DA in Cape Town at an event recently.

06:36:40Speaker, there is hope for the city's workers and the residents they serve, but only if the people of Joburg believe in Joburg and vote DA. I thank you.

06:36:51Oh, you did well with your three minutes. Um Councillor Mkhonza, ACDP.

06:37:09Shalom, shalom once again, uh Madam Speaker. Thank you very much. I rise to speak on item 19, um Performance Assessment of the Office of the City Manager for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period um ended April to June 2025. Um Madam Speaker, theclaim

06:37:39ACDP caucus would like to um acknowledge and commend the the 2% um improvement in the overall performance and in the Office of the City Manager, especially the resolution tracking and the entity engagement, amongst the many which will enhance reporting consistency and doing away um with the cut and paste syndrome.claim

06:38:09We also note the challenges and the mitigation strategies, especially the committee meetings overload. We will um further keep an eye on the following departments: the office of the COO, we are somehow um pleased that the former JPC CEO is no longer in that office. Maybe she's still there, we don't know, but we we hope that she's not there because um the performance of this office

06:38:39was badly affected by her presence in that office. Because it is common knowledge that operational excellence was not in the DNA or is not in the DNA of JPC. Under Group and Legal Contracts, the electronic filing system, the litigation and management system, um we will keep a close eye on that. The department further speaks about additional

06:39:09funding for filing uh for filling of critical um vacancies for capacitation. And somehow in the uh strategy they say that the temporary office space remains a challenge um because we still have a metro building that um continue to give us excuses. Under the Group Forensic and Investigation, we will keep an eye on the

06:39:39property hijacking investigation and compliance team, as well as the configuration of the war room uh with the computer equipment. Then the question will arise to the MMC

06:39:5230 seconds left.

06:39:54Yeah, the question will be to the MMC: when is soon in terms of the implementation plan with the configuration of the war room? Because it just says the implementation will be soon, so we just uh would like to know the timelines. And um the ACDP caucus is interested in how does the staff rotation increase capacity without compromising integrity in the work of GFIS. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:40:22Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Makhuba from the IFP.

06:40:34Thank you, Speaker, Executive Mayor, members of the Mayoral Committee, Section 79 Chairpersons, Councillors, the leader of the IFP, MMC Mabaso, and the IFP caucus, uh ladies and gentlemen. I rise to speak on item 19 and 20, um which is the performance assessment report for the Office of the City Manager

06:41:05for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025. The City Manager is appointed by council as the head of the municipal administration, responsible for the formation and development of an economical, effective, efficient, and accountable administration. There are group functions

06:41:35that fall within this office. And for the whole of 2024/2025 financial year, these group functions have not achieved some of their targets. I will not go into the highlights. The challenges that are of concern to the members of the committee are the underspending in the office of the COO,

06:42:05underspending on contracted services and the overspending on employee-related costs. The same is happening in Group Governance, and the same is happening in CRUM. For Group Communications and Marketing and Group Legal and Contracts, they've underspent on employee-related costs. They've underspent on contract services, on operational costs, on depreciation, and on CapEx.

06:42:35GRAS and GFIS both underspent on employee-related costs, depreciation, inventory, and contracted services. We appreciate the fact that we were told in the committee that certain um mitigating uh measures have been put in place to deal with these challenges. But I want to emphasize on what the MMC

06:43:05said: without the City Manager, we don't see those improvements happening. But we hope that in the new in the current financial year, there will be some improvements happening in the Office of the City Manager. I thank you. The IFP notes the report.

06:43:27Thank you, Councillor Makhuba. Councillor Tabane from the ANC.

06:43:37Uh greetings to the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, uh Councillor Dada Morero. Uh greetings to you, uh Madam Speaker. Uh greetings to fellow councillors. Uh Madam Speaker, as the African National Congress, uh we note item 19 and reaffirms that the Office of the City Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that the City of Johannesburg functions effectively, uh with proper administration

06:44:07and operations taking place. We also wish to acknowledge the work being led by the Executive Mayor through the high-impact service delivery program. It is our hope that this council, together with the executive, will continue to support these efforts to strengthen service delivery across the city. We believe that this marks a positive step forward in ensuring that the people of Johannesburg receive the services they deserve.

06:44:37With that, Madam Speaker, as the ANC, we note uh item 19. Thank you very much, Speaker.

06:44:44Thank you, Councillor Tabane. The PA, Councillor Cherry.

06:44:53Thank you, Councillor. Greetings, Honourable Speaker, Patriotic Alliance Caucus Leader Kenny Kunene, the Joburg 10 caucus, fellow councillors, guests in the gallery,

06:45:05Councillor, can you please speak into the mic, please? Your voice is very soft.

06:45:11and the fellow citizens of Johannesburg. As the Patriotic Alliance, we note the report before us. While the results may look impressive on paper, they do not reflect the reality our people face daily. Numbers and graphs cannot hide the truth. Residents across Johannesburg still lack the most basic services: clean water, reliable sanitation, and stable electricity. The absence of proper electricity infrastructure forces

06:45:41communities into the dangerous practice of illegal connections. Every week, lives are lost and properties destroyed because people are left with no safe alternatives. Poor sanitation, on the other hand, creates unhygienic living conditions and exposes families, especially children, to waterborne diseases. This is not just a matter of statistics; it's a matter of life and dignity. As the Patriotic Alliance,

06:46:11we say: service delivery must not be a promise that exists only in reports. It must be a lived reality for every household. Our people deserve infrastructure that works, water that is safe, sanitation that preserves health, and electricity that is both legal and reliable. Let us not clap hands for figures that mask suffering. Let us roll up our sleeves and commit to delivery that changes lives, because only then will the words

06:46:41in these reports match the truth on the ground. Salute.

Items 19-20: DA, ActionSA and EFF contributions

06:46:46Thank you, Councillor Cherry. Councillor Jacobs from the DA, you have three minutes.

06:47:00Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today we debate the performance of the Office of the City Manager, the very nerve center of this municipality. What this report reveals is deeply concerning. The City of Johannesburg is effectively on autopilot. We do not have a permanent City Manager to drive accountability, and at the same time we sit with an absentee Executive Mayor who neither has the vision nor the capacity to turn this collapsing city around.

06:47:30Take Group Governance, for example. While it boasts of frameworks and mentorship programs, it has consistently failed to meet prescribed timeframes for key governance appointments, delaying recruitment of non-executive directors and audit committee members across municipal entities. This failure undermines compliance and oversight, leaving loopholes and enables mismanagement to persist unchecked. Group Risk and Assurance

06:48:00Services paints an equally bleak picture. Yes, it has procured systems and conducted probity reviews, but the real issue is the repetition of the same internal control failures year after year. Senior management are either absent or unresponsive, and audit findings are elevated quarter after quarter without resolution. The city has now racked up billions in irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure that continue to haunt us because there is no

06:48:30political or administrative will to enforce accountability. This is not simply a matter of underperformance; it is a systematic failure from the top, from the City Manager's office that is leaderless and from the mayor who is more concerned with political survival than governing Johannesburg. That is why service delivery continues to collapse around us. And yet, we know it doesn't have to be this way. Where the Democratic Alliance governs, things work,

06:49:00as said by President Ramaphosa. In Cape Town and other DA-led municipalities, we deliver clean audit outcomes and residents receive quality service delivery. The people of this city deserve a government that works, not one on autopilot.

06:49:1545 seconds left.

06:49:16Until there is a change in leadership, Johannesburg will continue to drift further into decline. The DA stands ready to rescue Johannesburg and turn this beautiful city around. I thank you.

06:49:30Your brothers are suffering in Cape Town.

06:49:32ActionSA, Councillor J. Aphane.

06:49:50Councillor, your time is moving.

06:49:52Um Honourable Speaker, thank you. Members of council, Fabulous 44, and most importantly, um the residents of Johannesburg. I rise to speak on item 19, Performance Assessment Report for the office of the item 19 and 20, Madam Speaker. Performance Assessment Report for the Office of the City Manager for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June

06:50:232025. Madam Speaker, while the other departments are performing well, others are not. The question is: why are others not performing good? What is it that can be done to improve their performance? Are managers of those departments receiving bonuses, or is there consequence management for underperformance? Madam Speaker, as a city, we have a problem.

06:50:53The city has been operating without a permanent City Manager for a long time. I'm echoing the sentiments of other councillors who have been saying this. The City Manager of the City of Johannesburg council plays a vital role in ensuring the effective administration and service delivery in the city. The City of Johannesburg has been without a permanent City Managerclaim

06:51:23since December 2024. In just a few days, it will be exactly 10 months since the position was left vacant. That is quite a long time, Madam Speaker. And the Executive Mayor must tell us why he has not ensured that this city has a permanent City Manager to this date. The residents want answers, Madam Speaker. Is the mayor sleeping on the job when thingsclaim

06:51:54are falling apart and residents are lacking basic services like water? It won't harm, Madam Speaker, for the Executive Mayor to copy next door there in Tshwane from Dr. Nasiphi Moya, or take notes from the former Executive Mayor, Mr. Herman Mashaba. Madam Speaker, it is absurd that Johannesburg Water has a staggering 27 billion backlog, yet the mayor feels at liberty to divert 4 billionclaim

06:52:24from the same entity to fund unrelated issues. This reckless decision-making reaffirms our conviction that the mayor is unfit to lead the City of Johannesburg. ActionSA prioritizes ethical leadership, focusing on integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance. ActionSA note this report. Thank you.claim

06:52:49Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Radebe from the EFF.

06:53:04Uh thank you, Speaker. Greetings to the committed EFF battalions, fellow councillors, officials, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg at large. Speaker, we are presented with a performance report of the Office of the City Manager and the departments reporting directly to it. It is critical that we interrogate these reports honestly. While there are some achievements worth noting, such as Group Strategy, Policy Coordination and Relations achieving all its KPIs and successfully steeringclaim

06:53:34the IDP and SDBIP processes; Group Governance meeting its targets while advancing mentorship programs for trainee accountants and preparing governance framework; Group Communication and Marketing delivering high-profile events including the State of the City Address, Youth Day commemorations; these successes are overshadowed by systemic weaknesses. The delayed appointment of the non-executive directors, independent audit committee members, and group advisory committee members is a recurringclaim

06:54:04concern. These delays weaken governance oversight and compliance. More concerning, however, is that the position of the City Manager itself has been left in an acting role for close to nine months. This vacuum in stable leadership has created uncertainty and undermined accountability at the very top of the administration. It is not acceptable that CoGTA had to intervene in what is the most critical post in the municipal administration. The process of recruitment is long overdue, and we need the report to come to thisclaim

06:54:35council. The EFF will not be part of the failures and delays of this process. Speaker, it is also becoming a worrying norm that many departments produce reports that appear to be mere box-ticking exercises. For instance, Group Risk and Assurance Services reported seven staff appointments, but the tables reflect no actual appointments. They also reported the regularization of 13 billion in unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, yet no clarity is providedclaim

06:55:06on how much of this will be recovered. Group Legal and Contracts reported 107 cases of absenteeism, a shocking figure that highlights internal inefficiencies and weak discipline. Group Governance overspent by 82 million on employee-related costs in the third quarter alone, while departments such as CRUM and COO's office also show overspending, even as others underspend in critical areas. This imbalance signals that the city has not learned from the Auditor-General'sclaim

06:55:36findings and its recommendations. Honourable Speaker, as the Economic Freedom Fighters, we emphasize that proportional representative councillors, like ward councillors, represent the voices of our voters. The people of Johannesburg entrusted us to speak the truth to power and to ensure that the government serves their needs, not bureaucratic self-preservation. The EFF therefore notes these reports with concern and demands strong accountability. We therefore recommend that: 1. The city must urgently finalize the permanent appointment of a City Manager

06:56:06to restore stability in the administration. 2. Overspending on salaries while underspending on services must stop. The people's money must serve the people, not inflate the payroll. 3. Consequence management must be enforced. Irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure cannot continue without recovery or accountability. 4. Governance structures, including boards and audit committees, must be fully capacitated and operational to ensure oversight is not compromised. Speaker, our people cannot continue to suffer

06:56:36service delivery backlogs while resources are mismanaged and reports are reduced to compliance exercises. The EFF insists that governance in Johannesburg must shift from box-ticking to meaningful delivery, from irregular spending to disciplined use of resources, and from acting leadership to accountable and permanent management.

06:56:5520 seconds left, Councillor.

06:56:57Sure. Only then we'll build a city administration that is responsive, ethical, and truly in service of its residents. I thank you, Speaker.

Item 19-20: DA speech on Group Communications and Marketing

06:57:07Thank you so much, Councillor Radebe. Councillor B. Campbell-Cloete from the DA, you have two minutes.

06:57:20Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Um afternoon residents and guests. I rise on the fourth quarter SDBIP report for Group Communications and Marketing for the office of the Group Head. Speaker, the fourth quarter SDBIP report shows ambition, structured into strategic communications, marketing, events and support, with a mandate to position Johannesburg positively. That is commendable.claim

06:57:50But Speaker, you cannot market a world-class African city while residents sit in the dark for a week and queue for water for months. The balance is wrong. Too much focus is on branding and photo opportunities, too little on the reality residents face daily. According to the report for the fourth quarter, under key service delivery performance, our flagship achievement was notclaim

06:58:20fixing outages or water leaks. It was a golf swing. Specifically, the opening shot of Speaker Arnolds at Joburg's Ladies Open Golf Tournament. That was our key service delivery performance highlight according to this report. At the same time, during 3 to 6 April, trending hashtags used by the community were #JoburgMustFallclaim

06:58:50and #DadaMoreroMustVoetsek. The public wants honesty, not spin.claim

Chamber disorder and break

06:58:55Councillor! Councillor! Councillor! Councillor! No, colleagues, colleagues, colleagues, colleagues. Councillor!

06:59:20isiZuluNgiyakujwayela wena!

06:59:24Councillors, councillors, can I take this?

06:59:27Who are you calling voetsek?

06:59:32Councillors, can I take this?

06:59:33isiZuluUjwayela kabi!

06:59:36Can I take this? Councillor.

06:59:39isiZuluYeyi akasakhulumi lomuntu! Makangasakhulumi lomuntu!

06:59:48Councillor Belinda, Councillor Belinda, Councillor Rahn, Councillor Avant-Smith, that can really not be tolerated.

07:00:00It cannot [inaudible]. No, it cannot. It cannot. It has been recorded. Councillor Kayser, it is not a joke. Councillor Kayser, it is not a joke. It's not a joke. It's honestly not a joke. Can you listen to me? Listen to me.

07:00:32Is he a dog?

07:00:34AfrikaansVoetsek!

07:00:35isiZuluUstrayela bani wena?

07:00:40isiZuluHeyi uyasdelela wena!

07:00:42Get out!

07:00:44isiZuluPhuma wena! Phuma! Akasakhulumi lo!

07:00:53You are barred from speaking in this chamber! We hey Speaker! This one must go! She must go! She must go! She must go! She must go! She must go! She must go! She must go! She must voetsek! She must go!

07:01:13isiZuluHayibo!

07:01:16Okay, thank you, thank you.

07:01:18isiZuluUyasdelela lo!

07:01:20Thank you, councillors. We've heard you.

07:01:22isiZuluWaze wasivusa kwabaphilayo!

07:01:24Councillors, we've heard you. We've heard you loud and clear and I agree that we cannot allow, it can't be, that can definitely not be. But I'm going to give Councillor Mofokeng, colleagues. Colleagues, I'm going to give Councillor Mofokeng, can we please, can we please? Councillor Mofokeng, can you take the podium?

07:02:06Executive Mayor, can I quickly see Councillor Mofokeng there? Or give him a mic.

07:02:17Uh-uh, uh-uh, she is.

07:02:23No, no, no, no, no, no, no. No. No. You not going to do that. You are not going to do that. Councillors, councillors, can I, can you please, can you please? Councillor Mofokeng wants to address. Councillor Mofokeng wants to address us.

07:02:47And Chief Whip is asking you to sit down. Councillor Mofokeng, the stage is yours.

07:03:49Colleagues. Colleagues. The councillors on my right, can we afford Councillor Mofokeng to finish what he has started? Councillor Belinda, can you not speak when Councillor Mofokeng is speaking? I've given him to speak. Councillor Mofokeng, can you speak?

07:04:46Thank you, councillor.

07:06:25Councillors. Councillors. Councillors. Councillors. MMC Nkokou. Councillors.

07:07:40Colleagues. Colleagues, am I allowed to speak, colleagues? Am I allowed to speak?

07:08:03Colleagues, wait. Colleagues, I've allowed Councillor

07:08:14Colleague, Councillor Belinda!

07:08:29Colleagues, I'm going to ask, colleagues, I'm asking for a 10-minute break and we'll be back. I'm asking for a 10-minute break and we will be back.

Resumption, whippery report, Ethics referral and adjournment

07:26:25And it's now closed, the drums are done. Can we make sure that we are all in the chamber, that we are sitting on our own seats?

07:26:41You see, this is what is happening. Every time, no, no, no, no.

07:27:00Can you use the drums to, colleagues, this is what causes the chaos and the anarchy. Every time that I try to speak, I find 10 people inside of my mouth. And you are all big. I can't spit you out just like that. There you doing it again. I don't know if it's fabulous 44 or fabulous 27 or fabulous what.

07:27:38AfrikaansHaai man, asseblief tog!

07:27:41Can you calm yourselves? Can you calm yourselves? ActionSA, the whole issue was these two sides. I'm not sure why those people are outside, we going to call them in. Can we do, can I do that? They not gone. They are not gone, their stuff is here.

07:28:09Can you please call those people in so they don't affect the quorum? No, no, no, no, no, no. We can't do this.

07:28:32Yes, councillor.

07:28:49Councillors, councillors on my right, can we, can we, can we calm down? Can we sit down? We had 10 minutes to go and breathe. We've counted to 10. Can we do that?

07:29:09AfrikaansMiskien moet ek in Afrikaans praat. Kan ons asseblief sit?

07:29:18There's a councillor that was, that sits over there. There's a councillor that sits over there that has been doing that the entire day. Councillor Radebe, you had your hand up, but I want to hear what the caucuses, the, the, the Whips had gathered outside and I want to hear what has come out of Whippery. Can I get, councillors, can we respect each other?

07:29:49AfrikaansKan ons asseblief mekaar respekteer?

07:29:53isiZuluNgiyacela sihloniphane.

07:30:02Whip, can I have a roving mic for the Whip? For the Chief Whip? And can we ensure that the mics are working?

07:30:14Never ever a Monday meeting ever again. Never. Over my dead body, never.

07:30:23AfrikaansAlmal is gebabbelaseer.

07:30:25Thank you, Whip.

07:30:54I don't, I disagree with the last part. But I will give my ruling. And I would ask, I would ask colleagues, I would ask colleagues that I'm allowed to say what I wanted to say when the

07:31:18Colleagues, I don't understand.

07:31:23Councillor Zigebe, Councillor Mpolobosho and Councillor Mhlongo were you not at the whippery?

07:31:33AfrikaansEk weet nie wat is die nie.

07:31:37Okay, colleagues, you heard what they said what happened at whippery. I'm not sure where they met because I'm not a whip. Never been.

07:31:48Colleagues, Councillor Zigebe, please don't look at me with those eyes. Colleagues, let me start off by saying when the councillor stood up and she made a speech, when she got to where she got before everybody's emotions ran, I was going to ask the councillor, I was going to tell the councillor that councillor, there is strong language.

07:32:17Which it is. It's unparliamentary, it's not supposed to be here. And I even saw Councillor Kyle smiling about it. And I said to him, you should not laugh about it. Right? And I do believe that that is a clear reason to take someone to Ethics. Whether it's a quote or it's not a quote, I would have put it in this way.

07:32:46Here's a quote from Margaret Arnolds, it says, "ta-da-da-da", and it also says something else. Then I don't want to use that word, I would say, "It says the person must go." And then we can all go and look up what the quote says, and we can then take it from there. So I'm going to take the councillor, and I'm not influenced by anybody. I'm going to take the councillor to Ethics.

07:33:16And she will go and defend herself at Ethics. So we take it from there. Councillors, we have wasted a half an hour, which would have taken us through two items. And we have not gone through those two items. We were going to stop and let council and adjourn council at 6:00. It's now 6:10. The item was not even finished.

07:33:45The item was finished. No, it wasn't, because we have Councillor Ngwenya of the ANC that's still had to present. And Councillor Masuku has asked to leave at 5:30. So she has gone. And can we proceed tomorrow with Councillor Ngwenya? And we close the item. And we are going to adjourn. Councillor Rahn, I stand on what I'm saying.

07:34:16We are going to adjourn. I'll hear you out, but it's going to make no difference to what I've said. Colleagues,

07:34:43Can we give Councillor Rahn a roving mic? And she's the last person to speak. And I really hope it's not.

07:35:18Well, I read the other rule that says if... Yeah, the rules do allow, but anyway, we are adjourning, colleagues. We'll come back tomorrow. I hope all your emotions has died down. Thank you.

07:35:38It's useless, we're going to close it off. It's useless.

07:35:45Colleagues. Councillor Marema, please come there.

07:36:00I was, you know what?