Transcript: 35th Ordinary Council Meeting

Opening tribute and quorum check

00:02:42I also want to say I hope we all have a good new year. As we open the first Council meeting of the calendar year, we do so with heavy hearts before we turn to the work ahead. We paused to acknowledge a profound loss that has touched not only one family,

00:03:04but our entire city. It did not wipe out only a member of the family, but it wiped out three generations. The tragic house collapse that claimed the lives of three members of the Xaba family reminds us that behind every headline are human lives, loved deeply and woven into the fabric of our communities. It calls on us

00:03:32as leaders and as council to reflect on our shared humanity, our collective responsibility, and the duty we carry to protect the most vulnerable among us. A grandmother carries the history of a family, offering wisdom shaped by experience and resilience. A mother carries the daily weight of care, protection, and hope.

00:04:01A child carries the future. Councillor Da Rocha and the councillors at the back who are standing, we are in session. The possibility of what lies ahead when all three are taken at once, we are reminded of how fragile life can be and how deeply interconnected our responsibilities are to one another.

00:04:31Councillors, colleagues, at this point, I will allow 10 minutes for the number of councillors present in the chamber to be counted and verification of the number of councillors who signed the register so as to confirm the quorum. I thank you. We'll be back at exactly

00:05:0010:15. And can all the Whips ensure that we are back at 10:15? You are not supposed to be going out. Why are we leaving the chamber? Why are we leaving the chamber? Why are we leaving the chamber? But we sign the register when we walk in.

00:05:37Councillor Avant-Smith, can we please ensure and talk to your caucus that when they come in, they sign the register. So when we count, people are seated, and we tally with the seated people as well as those on the register.

00:18:15is 196 that are signed. What we have seated currently, the heads that we have counted is 174. So we do quorate and we will carry on with the business of the day. Over to you, STC.

Applications for leave of absence

00:18:38Councillors, we're now on item two and that's applications for leave of absence.

00:18:44Before we take a leave of absence from the floor, we have received the following apologies. Councillor May, due to political party business. Councillor P. Mokwena, due to political party business. Councillor R. Harris, due to political party business.

00:19:14Councillor F. Mkhonza, due to political party business. Councillor D. Ponsonby, due to council business. Councillor B. Keizer Echeozonjoku, due to private business. Councillor L. Coogan,

00:19:44due to ill health. Councillor Z. Hughes, due to maternity leave. Councillor D. Landis, due to ill health. Councillor M. Crichton, to arrive late. I will now take any further apologies from the floor. And I will take it in this fashion.

00:20:13Councillor Avant-Smith, then Councillor Fathima Abdool, then Councillor De Lange, the councillor from Action, I can't see the name. Ntombela. Thank you, Councillor Ntombela. And then I will take Councillor Ndlela, and then it will be Councillor Mhlongo, and then Councillor

00:20:43Mogapi. And then, last, you are always last because your name starts with an L, Councillor Simonse. Thank you. In that fashion. Yes, you can start.

00:21:00Thank you, and good morning, colleagues. Good morning, Speaker. I just have one additional LOA, and that's for Councillor Moloisane due to private business. And Councillors Fourie-Shawe and Shawe are held up in their wards with some protest action, but they will be here a bit later. Thank you.

00:21:21That's three, not one. Next.

00:21:27Good morning, councillors. Good morning, Speaker. Kindly note my excuse around 3:00 if we are not done. Thank you.

00:21:35Thank you, Councillor Fathima.

00:21:40Good morning, Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Compliments of the season. I think you can still say it in January, but if you do it in February, it's a bit weird. LOA for Councillor

00:21:50Councillor De Lange, just hold on. Councillor Maila and MMC Tshwaku, please. Please, Councillor De Lange, no, Councillor Maila. Councillor De Lange, thank you.

00:22:06Thank you, Chairperson. Leave of absence for Councillor Righard Pelzer. If you can just note that due to private business. Thank you.

00:22:14Thank you, councillor. Next.

00:22:19Thank you, Speaker. Councillor Nkomo, sick leave; Councillor Durand, private business; Councillor Van Wyk, private business; Councillor Munyayi, study leave; Councillor Mkhonto, party business. Councillor Mabunda is requesting to leave at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon if we're not done with the business of the day. Thank you, Speaker.

00:22:43Thank you so much, Councillor Ntombela. Next councillor.

00:22:53Thank you, Madam Speaker. Councillor Nzondo, ill health; Councillor Maake, ill health; Councillor Supe, family bereavement; and MMC Masuku will join us in the next 10 minutes. Thank you.

00:23:06Thank you so much. On the apologies of Action SA, Councillor Ntombela, even if Councillor Van Wyk is as short as me, I can see him. Thank you.

00:23:23Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good morning and compliments of the new season to all councillors in the chamber and at the gallery. Madam Speaker, kindly note the late arrival of Councillor Magwentshu. He's running late. He'll join us late. Thank you so much.

00:23:37Thank you, Councillor Mhlongo. Who was next? Councillor Mogapi.

00:23:45Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to the leadership of the EFF, the Provincial Chairperson, Commissar Nkululeko Dunga, the Provincial Secretary, the GPS, Moshe Koma, and greetings to the residents of Johannesburg. From the EFF, apologies are Councillor Nkosi, ill health; Councillor Ngwenya, ill health; and Councillor Tshedo will join us after 10 minutes. Thank you.

00:24:09Thank you, Councillor Mogapi. Councillor Simonse.

00:24:14Good morning, Madam Speaker, and compliments to everybody in the chamber today. We have an early departure from MMC Kunene. He's got executive business just after lunch. Thank you.

00:24:25Thank you so much, Councillor Simonse. Councillor Ndlela.

00:24:31Chair, my apologies, Chair. Councillor Mofokeng is requesting to leave at 1:00 if we are not done. Thank you.

00:24:37Thank you so much, Councillor. Are all these apologies noted?

00:24:46Noted.

00:24:47Thank you so much.

Official notices

00:24:50We now proceed to official notices.

00:24:58Thank you, colleagues. Please join me in wishing well all councillors who are celebrating their birthdays during the month of January. Congratulations to all of you for growing a year older. You are such a long list that it was unable to read it out. It's half the chamber has celebrated their birthdays in January,

00:25:25but we say congratulations for you in becoming and growing one year older. We thank you.

Statement by the Executive Mayor

00:25:36We will now have a statement by the Executive Mayor.

00:25:40Executive Mayor, Councillor Dada Morero.

00:25:46Thank you, Madam Speaker, and greetings to the Chief Whip of Council, the Speaker of Council, Councillor Arnolds, members of the Mayoral Committee, honourable councillors, administration of the city, and fellow South Africans, ladies and gentlemen, comrades and compatriots.

00:26:16Madam Speaker, please allow me to once again greet the people of Johannesburg. Compliments and all the best for 2026. This is a special year. It is an election year, and we should not politicise service delivery. Furthermore,claim

00:26:50Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my fellow councillors and the people of Johannesburg for coming together and making G20 a success. History will show that Johannesburg was indeed the home of the African G20. We must also thank our president,claim

00:27:21His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, for giving us this opportunity to host this important event. His strategic insight and hands-on approach demonstrated South Africa's capacity to lead the world and show that it is possible to do the following: One, foster

00:27:52mutual support and ensure that no country is left behind. And we call this solidarity. Promote fair opportunities across gender, race, and geography alongside reforming international financial architecture and addressing debt distress. This we call it

00:28:24equality. Drive climate response, economic systems, renewable energy, and in particular, leveraging the energy transition for industrialisation in Africa. This we call sustainability. Thank you, Mr President, for trusting us with this important task.

00:28:55Fellow councillors, the people of Johannesburg have been telling us something is happening in Johannesburg. They are free to walk in the inner city with their cell phones. The Joburg crime,

00:29:24the Joburg crime is slowly disappearing, and there is law and order in the city. Through the mayoral high-impact service delivery programme, we are seeing change. We are seeing changeclaim

00:29:53in the city.claim

00:30:02We are proud to say the work of our bomb squad is being appreciated by society.

00:30:15The COJ city cleanup partnership attracted a lot of positive response. We even saw the district development model in action. National, led by the President, provincial, business, community and media, all came together to clean Johannesburg. This was first of its kind in Johannesburg.

00:30:46Councillor Marais, your complaint about halls that are rented out, that alcohol is being used excessively on the premises during week or weeknights when children are utilizing the halls. We responded and we are currently ensuring the enforcement of chapter three of the recreation and sport bylaws to ensure safe environment, particularly when children are present.

00:31:26Councillor Mazibuko from the Democratic Alliance, as you are aware that we have resolved the list of all verified works in Johannesburg's art gallery and ensured their safe relocation. Furthermore, the city entered into a collaboration agreement with Standard Bank South Africa, which enabled collaborations on exhibitions. Progress to date, there are nine artworks that were exhibited at the Standard Bank Art Laboratory, opened on the 14th October 2025.

00:32:13The MMC of Economic Development, Councillor Nomoya Mnisi, the MMC for Development Planning, Councillor Eunice Mgcina, you both worked as a team to ensure the protection of critical planning documents. Thank you for decanting of the Department of Development Planning and ensuring its relocation to the Newtown building.

00:32:53Thank you to Councillor Ennie Makhafola. Thank you for carrying out outreach programs focusing on vaccinating children who are having difficulty to reach facilities, including locating and contacting unvaccinated children in the community. You are saving lives and help us to deploy a healthy society.

00:33:25Fellow councillors, Joburg Water is hard at work and ensuring that we resolve all our water issues. Currently, the water supply challenges are resolved, with fewer that still requires attention.

00:33:46Johannesburg Water's multi-year capital program includes reticulation upgrades in the Soweto region, which encompasses the Zondi area. This upgrade falls under the city's broader water infrastructure renewal strategy aimed at replacing aging pipes, pipelines, improving pressure zones and strengthening supply to essential public facilities, including clinics.

00:34:19Fellow Joburgers, yesterday I read a letter addressed to Dr. Snuki Zikalala from Dr. Bheki Shongwe showing appreciation and continued partnership in advancing a clean and beautiful Johannesburg. In this letter, Dr. Shongwe states the following, I quote,

00:34:50On behalf of South Africa's Day, I hereby express sincere appreciation for the confidence you have shown in our work, particularly in recognizing the value of community-led cleaning and beautification initiatives.

00:35:11We're especially grateful for the time you dedicated to personally participate in the cleaning and beautification program of Sophiatown. Your presence and leadership underscored government's commitment to fostering clean, dignified and sustainable communities. We further extend our appreciation for your continued support for South Africa, South Africa Day's initiatives.

00:35:44Kindly also convey our gratitude to the Executive Mayor for the support constantly received from the City of Johannesburg towards our cleaning and beautification programs. Close quote.

00:36:05Recently, I also read an article where residents of Ward 120 in Lenasia South expressed their views by stating the following, I quote, We are now breathing a sigh of relief after a high-impact service delivery program was held in our area.

00:36:30The program, under the leadership of the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, aimed to address pressing infrastructure and maintenance challenges in the region. Close quote.

00:36:48isiZuluCouncillor Zungu, Nyamakayishi,

00:36:52you and the bomb squad are working.

00:37:02MMC of Public Safety, Councillor Tshwaku, bylaw enforcement has become the order of the day in the City of Johannesburg.

00:37:22Please keep up the good work. Your efforts are yielding results and for this we thank you. We'd also like to remind Councillor Zungu that your speaker and your mic will forever be acknowledged by the people of Johannesburg. Do not fold arms. Continue to implement.

00:37:56Let us focus and conclude the work of council. The people of Johannesburg depend on us. And once again, let us not politicize service delivery. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

00:38:37Thank you, Executive Mayor.

Confirmation of minutes of the 45th extraordinary meeting

00:38:43We now proceed with confirmation of minutes, and these are minutes of the 45th extraordinary meeting held on the 2nd and 3rd of December 2025.

00:38:57Thank you, colleagues. I, we believe that we've all had the minutes and that we've gone through the minutes. Um, we will now go straight to the speakers. Councillor C. Fourie-Shawe, I heard that she was, is there anybody else that's... Okay. Thank you.

00:39:20Thank you, Madam Speaker. There are no changes from the DA.

00:39:23Thank you so much. Councillor C. Rohlssen from the ACDP.

00:39:29Uh, thank you very much, uh, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Greetings to you, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, MMCs, councillors, distinguished guests and, uh, the residents of Johannesburg. Uh, Madam Speaker, just on the corrections, uh, page number 35, item 24. Councillor Boer is FF, uh, VF Plus, not ACDP.

00:40:02Although we would love to have him on board. So anytime you're ready, Councillor Boer, you're very welcome. And, uh, Madam Speaker, again, uh, page number 49, motion is not carried. It is captured as carried. This was the ACDP motion. I thank you, Madam Speaker. God bless you.

00:40:26Thank you, colleagues. Um, are the minutes confirmed as per the amendments mentioned by Councillor Rohlssen? There's someone on my left-hand side saying, Speaker. Do you want to add or subtract? Uh, okay, the minutes are agreed to. Thank you.

00:40:57We now proceed with item 5, and this is 5A, which is questions for oral reply of which notice has been given in terms of Rule 105, subsection 1 of the Standing Rules and Orders of Council.

Oral question on City Power solar farms

00:41:10Councillor T. Meyers.

00:41:15Thank you, Madam Speaker, and through you, Madam Speaker, to the MMC of Environment, Infrastructure and Services Department. In light of the statements made by the Executive Mayor at the City Power Energy Indaba held on the 28th of October 2025, where it was indicated that City Power operates five solar farms, can the MMC please clarify the following: What criteria was used by the city to determine the location of these solar farms? And two, to keep these farms up and running, there is a need for ongoing maintenance. How much is the maintenance plan and who is maintaining these farms? Thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

00:41:55Thank you, Councillor Meyers. MMC Sekwaila.

00:42:03Morning, uh, Madam Speaker, the Executive Mayor of City of Johannesburg, uh, colleagues and councillors. Let me extend my greetings to residents of Johannesburg. Let me appreciate and thank, uh, Councillor Meyers for the question raised. And I think, uh, if we speak of such, um, uh, solar farms that we are operating, you speak of Emarasheni in Alex and, uh, Slovo, eShalazile.

00:42:40You also speak of Vlakfontein and The View and Vukanini. So I think, uh, in order to come specific to your question, the microgrid that have been installed, uh, to provide services actually to informal settlement, I think that's a basic, uh, mechanism that we are using, uh, within City Power. Uh, and as a result, we are doing this particular exercise in consultation with the Department of Human Settlement, uh, so that then City Power becomes actually the implementer.

00:43:11And I must emphasize, uh, Councillor Meyers, that it is important that, in fact, in our view where we are, if you are to secure, uh, business and residents that are actually, uh, are in fact a resource to the City of Johannesburg, informal settlement, we need to provide alternative, whether in water, electricity, so that there's no interruption into those particular, uh, business, uh, areas and informal areas. So, in our view, this intervention will assist the city going forward.

00:43:41Let me actually indicate that the planned maintenance cost, uh, Councillor Meyers, uh, if we speak of a 1 kV, uh, 1 MV solar PV system is estimated at around R430,000 per quarter. Now, this is considered best practice to ensure the efficiency, reliability and the long-term performance of the, uh, plant itself, uh, while minimizing unplanned outages and equipment degradation and life, uh, you know, cycle of the very same plant itself. So maintenance is very much key, uh, in order for us to actually, uh, keep them running for a very, very long time and reliability and the security of energy is provided. Thanks a lot, uh, Councillor Meyers, uh, for that. Thanks. Thanks, Speaker.claim

Oral question on renaming the Caroline Street Retirement Village

00:44:29Thank you, MMC. Um, Councillor Meyers, we're fine? Thank you. Thank you so much. We're going to the next, uh, person, uh, Councillor M. Ncube from the DA.

00:44:55Um, greeting to the council, um, greeting to you, Speaker, and all protocol observed. Um, my question is, uh, very short to the MMC of Human Settlement, uh, uMabaso. Um,

00:45:14I mean, during the council meeting, um, held on the 27th of October 2019, a motion was passed to rename the Caroline Street Retirement Village after the late Councillor Suzanne Clarke. And as you are aware, um, this hasn't happened. Um, perhaps the MMC, uh, may clarify us in terms of why has the renaming been delayed and when will the renaming of the retirement village take place? Thank you.claim

00:45:50Thank you so much, Councillor. Um, MMC Mabaso, your response?

00:46:01Uh, thank you very much, uh, Speaker. Greetings to yourself, uh, the Executive Mayor, members of the Mayoral Committee, um, honorable councillors, uh, the City Manager and all the executives, uh, our guests at the gallery. Uh, Speaker, when we received the question, um, as the Department of Human Settlements, we wrote back, uh, advising that the question should be directed to Community Development.

00:46:31Um, so it's ComDev that must respond to the question because as much as it talks to an old-age facility, but, uh, the mandate to rename, uh, the public facilities remains with, uh, ComDev, not Human Settlements. Uh, so we will request, uh, the honorable councillor to write, uh, the question and direct it to ComDev and we will then provide responses.

00:47:01Thank you so much, MMC. Um, to Councillor Ncube, you've heard the response. Thank you.

Urgent question and urgent debate ruled non-compliant

00:47:25Colleagues, we also received an urgent question for oral reply, uh, from Councillor Horwitz. Councillor Horwitz, the question does not comply, so we are not going to table it. We will write to you as well that it does not comply. Thank you so much.

00:47:41Thank you, Speaker.

00:47:45Uh, the same applies to the debate. Um, Councillor Coutriers, the same applies to the debate. Um, it does not comply. Thank you so much.

Questions for written reply

00:48:03Uh, councillors, we're now on item 5B, which is questions for written reply of which notice has been given in terms of, uh, Rule 105, subsection 2 of the Standing Rules and Orders of Council.

00:48:16Can the Executive Mayor respond? Are these questions on the drive?

00:48:27Uh, thank you, Speaker. The questions, uh, have been submitted. Responses have been submitted, so they should be on the drive. Thank you.

00:48:37Councillor Christians?

00:48:46Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, uh, I'd like to note that the responses are there. However, if IT could check why we can't go beyond page one. It's showing an error that, uh, could not preview file. There are problems with loading more pages. Thank you.

00:49:04Okay, we note that, and we would ask IT to deal with the issue for us. Thank you. Um, that they cannot go beyond page one. They do see that it's loaded, but they are unable to go to other pages. And sometimes it's also the network that does that. So let's then just check all the time. Thank you so much, councillors.

Recommendations to council: items 1 and 2 (annual report and governance assessment)

00:49:29We now proceed with, uh, recommendations to council.

00:49:35Executive Mayor, can we get the recommendations?

00:49:39Uh, thank you, uh, Speaker. Would like to therefore table the recommendation, uh, to council for council consideration. Thank you.

00:49:51Thank you, Executive Mayor. Can the Chair of Chairs please give us recommendations for legislature?

00:50:01Thank you very much, uh, honorable Madam Speaker. I rise to table legislature reports for consideration. Thank you.

00:50:10Thank you so much, Chair of Chairs. STC?

00:50:16Uh, starting off on recommendations to council with item 1, which is the partial tabling of the City of Johannesburg draft Integrated Annual Report for the 2024/25 financial year to council, also read with item 2, which is the Group Governance Assessment Report of the Integrated Reports for MEs, uh, for the 2024/25 financial year.

00:50:40Thank you, colleagues. The items are for noting and to allow the oversight process to happen, and the debate on these reports together with the MPAC oversight report in this regard will happen at the March 2026 council sitting. The recommendations are on pages 1.6 and pages 2.5 to 2.6, and are these items noted? Thank you, colleagues. STC?

Item 3: Supply Chain Management acquisition status report (Q1 2025/26)

00:51:14Uh, moving to item 3, which is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Acquisition Status Report reflecting bids considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period of 1st July 2025 to the 30th of September 2025.

00:51:31Thank you, colleagues. The first speaker will be Councillor Boer from the Freedom Front Plus.

00:51:41AfrikaansGoeiemôre, mevrou die Speaker. Um, geseënde 2026 vir jou toegewens.

00:51:47All councillors present, Executive Mayor, um, welcome in the new year. I rise to debate item number 3, the Supply Chain Management Report. Um, Madam Speaker, um, what is strange in this report, and it seems to me we are getting fed with information that is not what we're supposed to get. Um, item 3, uh, handles about contracts awarded in a quarter, the first quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year.

00:52:20Um, the first contract awarded was for maintenance services, to appoint a panel of service providers to provide general maintenance. It is a contract of R93 million over three years. Um, and the reason for the award, it says the BEC took a decision to recommend the highest bidder based on points. But if you look through this report, from page 3.4 up until page 3.96, and I didn't even count them, there must have at least been about 270 companies to which this contract was awarded.claim

00:53:00It's only a R93 million contract, so if you divide it by 270 companies, uh, the average value per company is R345,000 over three years. Just does not seem right. Um, and the contract says it was awarded to the bidder, uh, the highest bidder based on points. Um, so this information, to me, it looks really vague and probably even misleading. I don't know. Um, how can 270 companies be awarded one contract for R93 million?claim

00:53:34Madam Speaker, there's also concerns about, um, contracts expiring. Um, we heard through the media, um, that the contract for our cameras has expired again on the 23rd of December last year. Um, and seemingly there's no new contract in place. And it seems to me it's a tendency in council, um, that contracts are allowed to expire and then they're either going to be extended or they just fall away and it takes a year for a new contract to be put in place. Madam Speaker, um,claim

00:54:11Afrikaans30 sekondes oor.

00:54:13eight contracts were approved in Quarter 1. Only eight contracts. Uh, but the duration from the point of advertising to awarding in this city is about 270 days. And it just doesn't make sense that it takes so long to award only eight contracts. Madam Speaker, this report is noted, but noted with concern. Thank you.

00:54:35AfrikaansBaie dankie, raadslid Boer.

00:54:39Councillor N. Pietersen from the DA.

00:54:40Point of order, Madam Speaker.

00:54:43Good morning, Speaker.

00:54:45Councillor N. Pietersen, can you just take your seat? Councillor Rohlssen, no one started speaking and you already have a point of order.

00:54:52Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh, just, uh, on the point of order that I did put my name forward, uh, for item 1 so that we'd speak on item 1, with your permission.

00:55:03Councillor Rohlssen, item 1 and item 2 is not being debated or spoken to, as I've read, that it will happen in the March 2026 council sitting. It is just for noting. We have noted it. We will have a debate and discussion in March council sitting.

00:55:27Thank you, Madam Speaker.

00:55:28Thank you so much.

00:55:29Thank you very much.

00:55:30Councillor Pietersen, apologies. Your time will start now.

00:55:36Good morning, Speaker, and thank you. Um, I rise, uh, to speak, uh, on the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Acquisition Status Report reflecting bids considered and approved by the Accounting Officer. Um, it is an honor to address this council today as we critically assess the compliance of the reports represented in item 3 with the revised Supply Chain Management Policy of 2023.

00:56:06This policy was designed to ensure that our procurement processes are fair, transparent, competitive and cost-effective, while addressing challenges such as compliance, risk management, fraud prevention and governance. In November 2023, during the review of the Supply Chain Management Policy, I highlighted several challenges that needed urgent attention. These included ensuring compliance with legislation, managing risks and corruption, building capacity amongst supply chain management officials, and achieving value for money and sustainability.

00:56:46Today I will evaluate the progress made in addressing these challenges and identify where further improvements is required. Speaker, I rise to table a concise summary of the preliminary supplier risk scan conducted by myself on the entities appointed under the referenced contracts. This review focused on open-source information only, and it is therefore essential that the administration completes a formal verification through the Central Supplier Database.

00:57:20The strength of this report, item number 3, is compliance with competitive bidding processes. The report confirmed that the bids were evaluated based on the criteria set out in the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, also known as the PPPFA, and the Preferential Procurement Regulations and the Construction Industry Development Board, the CIDB Act. This demonstrates adherence to the policy's principles of fairness and transparency, according to the report.

00:57:53Um, the report also states that there was a use of approved panels. The procurement of goods and services from approved panels of service providers aligns with the Supply Chain Policy's delegation framework and Practice Note number 004 of 2011, ensuring consistency in the application of competitive bidding processes. Across the suppliers screened, no major public scandals, corruption findings or blacklisted indicators are identified in open sources. Most entities present only standard business footprints with no adverse reporting.

00:58:29These include Batswadi, um, of our SAP fame, um, BC Engineering and Supply, Polokwane Projects, Bamogale Enterprises, Bhekane Abantu Security and Maintenance Services, Cognizant Security Solutions, Mudau Picture Framers, and the infamous Roadshow Marketing, Mvudi Deisy Trading Enterprises and Mace in Africa.

00:58:58So, the key takeaway here is that open source wasn't able to pick up any major issues with that. So, Speaker, I must emphasize that open-source screening is not a substitute for the statutory checks required under the MFMA and Supply Chain Regulations. This is evident by the fact that director of Roadshow Marketing, Arthur Mafokate, has slipped under the radar, um, by operating under a different company to the one that was found guilty after an investigation by the SIU for the misappropriation of funds.

00:59:29I therefore request that the administration completes and records the following CSD verifications for each supplier and to present this in future reports. That is the active CSD registration status, valid tax compliance, verified bank account, director and member checks including government employee flags, confirmation that no supplier appears on the restricted supplier list or tender defaulters database, commodity alignment to ensure that the supplier...

01:00:00is registered for the work they were appointed to perform. Um, for instance, the picture framer supplier, um comes to mind. Once these checks are completed, the results should be filed with the contract documentation, made available to the relevant oversight committees. Speaker, this is how we strengthen procurement integrity by combining open source vigilance with formal Treasury aligned verification. Thank you.

01:00:31Thank you so much, Councillor. Councillor T. Shai from ActionSA.

01:00:52Firstly, I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

01:00:56Councillor, please speak into the mic.

01:01:00Greetings, Madam Speaker, fellow councillors, members of the media, guests in the gallery, the fabulous 44, most importantly, the resilient residents of Johannesburg. I stand before you today representing ActionSA, a party whose mandate is etched in delivering ethical leadership. We don't just speak about it, but we demonstrate. Our mission is clear, is simple. We fix and we restore.claim

01:01:28Turning to item three under Public Safety, we see a staggering investment of over 400 million into private security services. This expenditure is a clear admission of lack of political will. It shows a government that refuses to insource. As ActionSA, we believe in insourcing, is the only way forward. By bringing the service into the city direct employment, we cut unnecessary middleman costs. And more importantly, provide a dignity and better livingclaim

01:02:00condition for those who protect our residents. Why we enrich the private firms while our city own capacity remain hollowed out? Under department of Group Finance, we have noted a recurring trend that demand immediate transparency. The Roadshow Marketing Company, a company that associates with Arthur Mafokate, continue to secure a short-term tenders. Specifically, we see more than 1 million allocated for a mere two-month period. We ask this house, what unique business offering does this companyclaim

01:02:34possess that justify such a high value tender for a short time frame? As ActionSA, we demand transparency and accountability. The public purse is not a private ATM for the well-connected. Under Community Development, over 93 million has been allocated on the service providers for general maintenance, repairs and minor upgrade. On paper, this look progressive. However, on the street, the reality differ. We see

01:03:06a city infrastructures being vandalized, crumbling facilities. If millions are being allocated to private companies for maintenance, why is the decay so visible? We will do more oversight. We cannot allow millions to disappear in the pocket of the private contractors while our parks, halls and centers remain disrepair. Johannesburg deserve better. Johannesburg deserve action. Look at the leadership of Nasiphi Moya, her commitment to clean government

01:03:37in Tshwane, and the work of Xolani Khumalo in Ekurhuleni, getting rid of the drugs and dealers. We really need the leaders of that caliber who are dedicated, resilient, and committed to the work. I note the report.

01:03:51Thank you, ActionSA.

01:04:00Can we have Councillor Nethamba from the EFF, please?

01:04:11Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to the caucus leader of the EFF, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, Chief Whip of the EFF, Thabiso Mogapi, 29 battalion of the EFF, and all councillors. And greetings also to the City Manager, and all guests in the gallery. Not forgetting our chairperson of the province, Nkululeko Dunga, and also the secretary of the province,

01:04:41Moshe Koma. Speaker, cardinal pillar number three of the EFF says, building a state and government capacity which will lead to the abolishment of tenders. Speaker, the tender thing is killing our city. Imagine if we had employed 10 experienced engineers and 1,000 internship students from FET colleges to come and maintain the Metro Centre. Would have done a very good job because they will do a job and get experience and also get paid. Rather than givingclaim

01:05:14one person a tender of 93,622,000 in three years in a Metro Centre. Will look better than what the tender guys are going to do. This student was going to do a better job and make sure that they will get experience. Because the tender guys, they are just a scam which is waiting to loot money from the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, as the EFF, we note this report with concern. And Speaker, I would like to take this time to thank the EFF National for the victory againstclaim

01:05:47a data expiring. The 9% is working for all South African. I thank you.claim

01:05:55Thank you, Councillor Nethamba. Can we have Councillor T. Radebe from the ANC? Thank you.

01:06:04Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, the Executive Mayor, the Mayoral Committee, Chairs of Committees, fellow councillors and residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I rise on item three, which is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Acquisition Status for the first quarter. The report provides council with an oversight on bids that were considered, approved by the Central and Executive Adjudication

01:06:35Committees that is in line with their delegated authority. It confirms that all procurement processes were conducted in accordance to MFMA, Supply Chain Management Regulations, and council approved policies. Importantly, the report confirms that all approved bids had confirmed budget provision, ensuring procurement decisions were aligned with the city's financial plan and affordability. Madam Speaker, this item is mainly for noting. As the African National Congress, we note the item and it forms part of the council's oversight responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability.

01:07:15Madam Speaker, it is only the African National Congress that will continuously make sure that the City of Johannesburg has governance that is transparent and accountable to its people. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:07:29Thank you so much, Councillor. Can we have MMC Masuku?

01:07:40Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and a good morning to you. A good morning to fellow councillors, MMCs and Executive Mayor. Speaker, this is a standard report submitted as per Councillor Radebe's input as well. And I think we do this because we're a transparent government. I do take note of the inputs from Councillor Pietersen on ensuring that we verify

01:08:09that there's strict alignment in the verification process. And I think it's something that we must ensure that we stick to and ensure that the officials, because this is a process by the administration. Our role is to just ensure that we receive and we do oversight, and there's no interference in the procurement process by councillors. And we bring these reports particularly because we are a transparent government of local unity. We want to ensure that we bring these reports as frequently as possible without any delay. And we ask council to note the report, and I thank you.

01:08:50Thank you so much, MMC. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 3.3. Is the item agreed to?

01:09:00Agreed.

01:09:01Thank you.

Item 4: Supply chain deviation and ratification reports

01:09:04Item four. These are Group Strategic Supply Chain Management deviation and ratification reports that were considered and approved by the Accounting Officer for the period July 2025 to September 2025.

01:09:20Thank you. Councillor N. Pietersen from the DA.

01:09:30Thank you, Speaker. Um I rise, this is going to be a short one, um to speak on item number four, uh the ratification of deviations from normal procurement processes. Item number four outlines deviations from the standard procurement processes approved by the Accounting Officer during the same period. Um the report states that no deviations occurred.claim

01:10:00The strengths of this is when you have zero deviations, the absence of deviations indicates a strong adherence to the policy's requirement to minimize deviations and ensure compliance with standard procurement processes. May this continue. The compliance, the other strength is compliance with reporting requirements. The report was prepared in

01:10:20Councillor Pietersen, can you just hold on? Councillor Christians, I know why you standing, but I would then rather ask that you be seated right at the back so that it doesn't give any disruption. If you can, then you can stand up against the wall over there. Okay. Colleagues, Councillor Christians is not well, and um I'm asking him to do that. And I would, the same would apply for

01:10:50Councillor Nkokou. Um if there's anything that distresses you, can you please then also sit in a position where you are able to leave the chamber when any of the pains or spasms come? I thank you. Councillor Pietersen, you can carry on.

01:11:08The other strength of the report is compliance with reporting requirements. It was prepared in compliance with Regulation 36(2) of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations, ensuring that deviations and ratifications are reported to this council and included in the annual financial statements. However, there are shortcomings, and this is preventative measures. While there is an absence of deviations, while the absence of deviations is commendable, the report does not provide information on the measures implemented to prevent future deviations or breaches of procurement processes.

01:11:44The transparency in contract amendments. The report mentions one contract amendment under Section 116 of the MFMA, but does not provide detailed information on the reasons for the amendment or the corrective measures taken, which could be seen as a lack of transparency. I also find it very confusing to see all these companies listed and zero value attached to it. So hopefully our MMC of Finance can just fill up.

01:12:10Councillor Shai, ActionSA.

01:12:17Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the item four, we don't see any major deviation and ratification. We are happy with the improvement that the city has stopped abusing the Regulation 36. We hope the GLU continue in that. So we note the report.

01:12:35Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Nethamba from the EFF.

01:12:42Thank you, Speaker. As the EFF, we note the report.

01:12:48Thank you so much, Councillor Nethamba. Councillor Radebe from the ANC.

01:12:54Thank you, Madam Speaker. As the African National Congress, we note the report. Thank you.

01:13:00Thank you so much. MMC Masuku.

01:13:03Thank you, Speaker, once again. Thank you, councillors, Councillor Shai as well as Councillor Radebe. Indeed, this deviation and ratification report for this quarter, it reflects a very compliant procurement environment within the City of Johannesburg, and I think that has been confirmed by Councillor Shai. And I think the absence of a high number of deviations and ratification

01:13:33demonstrates an improved planning and governance processes, while the approved contracts and amendments actually complied fully with the legislative requirements, and there were no adverse issues that were dealt with. It shows that the process that the City Manager as well as the Group CFO have been working on in terms of stabilizing the supply chain processes is yielding results, and we must commend them for that good work. And I ask council to note this report. Thank you, Speaker.

01:14:05Thank you so much, MMC. The recommendations are on page, is on page 4.3. Is the item agreed to?

01:14:15Agreed.

01:14:16Thank you so much, councillors.

Air-conditioning request

01:14:19Item five is a Group Strategic

01:14:21Can you just hold on, STC? Councillor Nkonyeni.

01:14:25No, thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I just have a request, please. Can we turn down or turn off this aircon, Speaker? Because we are not in apartheid. Thank you.

01:14:40I'm not sure whether you want hot or cold. Okay, I'll have to see if the yeses have it or the noes have it. Thank you, colleagues. STC.

Item 5: Supply Chain Management operational status report

01:14:58Councillors, we proceed with item five, which is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report for the period 1st July 2025 to the 30th of September 2025.

01:15:09Thank you, colleagues. Councillor Pietersen.

01:15:13I think you'll be relieved this is the last one for me. Um thank you. Honourable Speaker, members of the council, and esteemed guests, it is an honor to address this council today as we critically assess the compliance of the reports presented in item five with the revised Supply Chain Management Policy of 2023. This policy was designed to ensure our procurement processes are fair, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective, while addressing challenges such as compliance, risk management, fraud prevention, and governance.

01:15:44Item number five provides a detailed account of procurement activities and statistics for the period under review. It highlights the number of bids issued, closed, and cancelled, as well as the contracts due to expire within 12 months. The strengths of the report is: one, detailed reporting. The report provides comprehensive statistical data on procurement activities, including direct purchases, stock purchases, inventory management, and contract renewals. This aligns with the SCM Policy's requirements for detailed reporting and transparency.claim

01:16:16Number two, it has proactive contract renewal. The emphasis on timely renewal processes to avoid deviations, as proven in the previous item, demonstrates adherence to the policy's focus on demand management and planning. However, there are shortcomings, and that is non-compliance with CIDB requirements. The report notes that no construction bids, and this is a repetitive issue, were advertised on the CIDB website during the review period,claim

01:16:46which is unusual given that the City of Johannesburg is probably one of the largest construction sites on the continent, which is a mandatory requirement under the SCM Policy. This represents a significant gap in compliance. Obsolete stock management. While the report mentions the provisional write-off of stock items marked for deletion, it does not provide detailed information on the measures taken to address the issue of obsolete stock or prevent its recurrence. Item five, which covers the operational status of the Group Strategicclaim

01:17:17Supply Chain Management for the City of Johannesburg for the first quarter of 2025/2026, does not appear to adequately address the concerns raised in speeches delivered in this chamber. The speeches highlighted issues such as transparency, accountability, excessive spending, and questionable procurement practices, particularly at the Smit Street stores. However, the report in item five largely provides statistical data without addressing these concerns in detail.claim

01:17:47The key concerns I have raised in previous speeches were transparency and accountability. The speeches emphasized the lack of detailed explanations for stock adjustments and write-offs, such as the significant adjustment of 7.5 million at the Smit Street store. The speeches also questioned the ongoing procurement activities at the Smit Street store, including the procurement of first aid kits and ink cartridges, which were flagged as potentially excessive and unjustified.claim

01:18:16The speech also highlighted excessive spending. I raised concerns about the city spending R10 million on stationery every quarter, including R180 million annually, despite investments in paperless systems like Azure and SAP. The speeches highlighted the issue of holding large quantities of ink cartridges for printers that are no longer in use. In addition, I have highlighted the stock write-offs, which pointed out proposed write-offs of stock items at the Smit Street store valued at 26 million, and the lack of clarity regarding the justification for these stock write-offs.claim

01:18:54My findings on item five are: Stock write-offs. Item five mentions that no stock was written off during the first quarter of 25/26. However, it notes that items marked for deletion valued at 26 million have been referred to the Group Forensic Investigation Services for further investigation and possible write-off. This is consistent with previous reports indicating that the issue of stock write-offs at the Smit Street store is recurring and has not been resolved. Stock adjustments. The report does not provide detailed explanationsclaim

01:19:26for stock adjustments, which is a key concern raised in the speeches. For example, while the report mentions credit adjustments and debit adjustments, it does not clarify the reasons behind these adjustments or provide transparency on the processes involved. Procurement practices. The report provides statistical data on stock purchases and issued stocks, but does not address the concerns raised about excessive spending on stationery and ink cartridges. For instance, the Smit Street store continues to show a high level of stock purchasesclaim

01:19:57and issuance, with 121,000 items purchased at a value of R24 million, and 151,000 items issued at a value of R15 million during the first quarter. This trend aligns with the concerns raised in speeches about excessive procurement activity at this location. Response to financial pressures. The report does not address the broader financial pressures facing the city, or provide any indication that procurement priorities are being realigned to focus on essentialclaim

01:20:28infrastructure projects as called for in my speeches. The comment regarding the stock write-off at Smit Street valued at 26 million is a repeat from previous reports. This issue has been consistently flagged in multiple reports, including item 44 from April and to June 2025, and item five from July to September 2025. The lack of resolution and detailed explanations for these write-offs suggests that the concerns raised in speeches have not been adequately addressed.claim

01:21:00I conclude, item five does not provide a sufficient response to the concerns raised in previous speeches. The recurring issues of stock write-offs, lack of transparency, and excessive spending remain unresolved, and the report fails to provide the detailed explanations and justifications necessary to address these concerns. This lack of progress highlights the need for stronger oversight mechanisms and a commitment to transparency and accountability to the city's supply chain management process. I thank you.claim

01:21:31Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. Can we have Councillor Shai?

01:21:41Greetings, Madam Speaker, once again. I believe all protocol are observed. I rise again in representing ActionSA

01:21:51Councillor Shai, please don't be shy of the mic. Please speak into the mic, please, Councillor.

01:21:59No, I will try. I rise to represent ActionSA on item five, which is Group Strategic Supply Management report covering the operational financial status for July 2025 to September. Our focus regarding this report is on the state of our stores. While these stores procure various products, our oversight has revealed a disturbing reality.

01:22:29The stock is not being kept well, and old stock has been left to deteriorate. Despite this, procurement continue to increase. We are faced with total stock value of over 114 million. Out of that, we see 88 million worth of stock has been written off. Within that 88 million, there are 26 million in deletion currently awaiting for a Group Forensic Investigation Service report for a possible write-off. This is a clear indication of a corruption,claim

01:23:01fraud, and gross mismanagement of funds. We must urgently request a review of our disposal policy and procedures. As ActionSA, we demand this report to be shared with the public. We believe corruption is our number one enemy. Our identity is rooted in transparency and accountability. Under the leadership of Herman Mashaba in 2016 to 2019, billions of rands were recovered through corruption investigation.claim

01:23:32We know it can be done because we have done it before. Turning to a bid status report, we demand answers. Why were the procured bids cancelled? Furthermore, looking at the bid proposal status report, we see a list of contracts set to expire within the next 12 months, from October 2025 to September 2026. This brings us to a life or death issue. There is a company that supply medical oxygen andclaim

01:24:02medication set to expire in April. Is there any provision for Health Department services providers regarding the supply and delivery of medical oxygen and medication? We are all aware that the bid process can take up to six months. We cannot allow situation where the life of our people are compromised due to administrative delay. In conclusion, as ActionSA, we remain committed to protect the residents of Johannesburg and to ensure

01:24:32every cent of the public is spent on service delivery, not on lost mismanagement. I note the report. Thank you.

01:24:39Thank you, Councillor Shai. Councillor Nethamba from the EFF.

01:24:51Thank you, Speaker. I rise on item five. As the EFF, we note this report with concern. Total stock of 114,343,488.36 have expired in shelf. Provisional write-off to R88,127,377.00. No one will want to make a loss. If at home you have six milk and they are going to expire, you will tell the whole familyclaim

01:25:26to use that milk before it expires. But people with the city's money don't make a plan because they don't care. But if it was their money, the stock was going to be sold with a markdown of 50% so that they get some money out of that stock. But the problem is that we don't have consequence management in the city. Imagine how many clinics we could have built with this money. Imagine how many tar roads we could have built in Bram Fischer, Tshepisong, and Orange Farm.claim

01:25:57Imagine how many RDP houses we could have built with this money. Imagine how many internships and jobs we could have created for the people of Johannesburg. Imagine how many swimming pools we could have built in Bram Fischer, where we don't have a swimming pool. Imagine how many Wi-Fi rollouts we could have rolled out in Diepsloot, Bram Fischer, Ivory Park, and Orange Farm. It can't be business as usual to write off R88,127,377.03. The heads must roll.claimemotive

01:26:29It can't be business as usual. As the EFF, we note this report with concern. I thank you.emotive

01:26:36Thank you, Councillor Nethamba. Councillor Radebe from the ANC.

01:26:45Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on item five, which is the Operational Status Report. Madam Speaker, this report, it's during the first quarter. It gives us a clear indication. Just one moment. It's on the first quarter. Give us a clear indication of detailed overview on procurement activity and inventory management, the bidding process, and contract status across the city core departments.

01:27:19It enables us to exercise an oversight role over the implementation of the Supply Chain Management Policy. The report confirms that the procurement that has been conducted was within the budget, and the inventory was properly managed, and that measures are in place to ensure timeous contract renewals to avoid any unnecessary deviations. Madam Speaker, as the African National Congress, we note this report, and would like council to note it as well. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:27:52Thank you so much, Councillor Radebe. MMC Masuku.

01:27:58Thank you once again, Madam Speaker. I think all the councillors have utilized the words transparency and accountability, and that is precisely why we bring these reports. And this particular report does reflect a stable and a compliant procurement environment. We are addressing the risks related to these issues of the obsolete stock, as raised by both Councillor Shai from ActionSA

01:28:29and Councillor Pietersen, the bid cancellation and expiring contracts. We note the input that there's a request to ensure that we stipulate the reasons behind the adjustment, and I think I've taken note of that, and I will make sure I relay that. And the City Manager is here, he can also hear what the council is saying, because councillors are saying it's important to explain why there's the what is behind the adjustment and why when the excessive

01:29:03spending happens, what would have been the conditions that led to that particular. And I think for me, that is an important consideration because it's about the transparency that we are talking about, in line with good governance standards and practices. The comment, through you, Speaker, about the review of the disposal policy, we do continuously review our policies, and I think it's standard we bring them to council. And of course, because there must be EMT

01:29:34processes, technical processes, and then obviously finally mayoral, sub-mayoral, mayoral, then it comes to council. But that is something that we continuously do, and if there's any delay, I've taken note, and we will make sure we look into that. And then Councillor Nethamba from the EFF, where there is wrongdoing,

01:30:00where there is any malfeasance, the government of local unity is very clear, Speaker, in terms of dealing with financial misconduct and disciplinary matters. That is why you will see even today we've got an item on item 19 where we are bringing a request to seek council approval to refer alleged acts of financial misconduct to the disciplinary board. The work of the disciplinary board is very important.

01:30:31And I think we have been on the right track, and I'm sure councillors can confirm, every second council meeting there is a report from the executive to deal with matters of financial misconduct, because we are going to clean out any acts of misconduct and money that is supposed to be used for service delivery to improve the lives of our people. So any officials caught on the wrong will be brought to book, and council

01:30:59will take the right decisions for the good of the citizens of Johannesburg. I ask council to note the report. Thank you.

01:31:06Thank you so much, MMC. Councillors, the recommendations are on pages 5.4 to 5.5. Is the item agreed to? Councillors, is the item agreed to? Agreed. Thank you so much.

01:31:26We move to item six, which is the City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan.

Non-working plug points in the chamber

01:31:31Just hold on, STC. Councillor Nkonyeni.

01:31:35Thank you, Speaker. I'd just like to bring to your bring to your attention that the second row from the back, the plugs are not working, Speaker. Thank you.

01:31:52What plugs are not working?

01:31:57Thank you, thank you. Speaker, please protect me. Thank you.

01:32:02You are protected. Councillors, please, can I hear? Because we did not hear what he said.

01:32:11Thank you. Thank you, thank you, Speaker. The plugs, Speaker, where we you know, where you would plug in to charge the electricity, yeah, the electric outlet. The electric outlet. Thank you, Speaker.

01:32:27Councillor Nkonyeni, apologies, we did not give you guys a brief, but as you see, the screens are working, and some of those at the back row is not working, so we would love to see that we put councillors more forward, so that at the back they won't be sitting at the back. We are only 269 councillors here, and only 269 screens and plugs are working, so we will deal with it.

01:32:57Apologies. Let them move slightly closer to you. Thank you. Can we carry on with our agenda?

Item 6: City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan 1.0

01:33:07Item six, the City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan 1.0 for 2024/2025.

01:33:17First speaker is Councillor F. Abdool, UIM.

01:33:24Greetings, Speaker, fellow councillors, residents of the City of Johannesburg. I rise on behalf of the United Independent Movement as well as the Johannesburg Progressive Caucus. I rise on item six. Please note that most of what I'm saying is written in the report. I'm just mentioning it for the sake of the public to be informed. The three main infrastructure entities in the City of Joburg, in the City of Joburg, namely Johannesburg Roads, Joburg Water,

01:33:54and City Power are in a general poor state in terms of operations, finances, the state of their assets, and the state of the services they provide. I suggest

01:34:07Councillor Abdool, just hold on. Councillor Nkonyeni and all those councillors at the back, please, can we just ensure that we respect the person on the podium? Thank you. Councillor Abdool.claim

01:34:24Thank you, Speaker. I suggest we add JDA and JOSHCO to the list. This while Johannesburg Water has an infrastructure renewal backlog of 32.5 billion and 25% of its assets has remaining useful life of less than 10 years, and 22% of its assets are in poor or very poor condition. While for JRA, replacing roads for the full estimated amount is approximately 39.5claim

01:34:53billion, and 68 bridges also require urgent work costing an estimate of 14.1 billion. While the City Power, in the City Power, the asset renewal infrastructure backlog is 44.25 billion and an overdraft of 13.3 billion from historically positive balances. Power outages are frequent across the city and worsening over time.

01:35:23While all of the above is happening, City of Joburg is successful in one thing at least, and that is to punish the middle class who live in the suburbs with increasing utility bills to such an extent that they are forced to sell their property, and sometimes to illegal foreign nationals who then create more problems for the city. While there are some working class people living in informal settlements who pay absolutely nothing

01:35:54for services, no wonder the general satisfaction for service delivery across the city is in decline. Now, we are approaching the LGE

01:36:06Afrikaans35 sekondes.

01:36:09and I think the residents of the City of Joburg are going to punish some of these entities as well as some of the political parties in this building. The UIM notes the report with grave concern. Thank you.

01:36:22Thank you, Councillor Abdool. Councillor M. Cook from GOOD.

01:36:33Good morning, Madam Speaker. Before I get to the item on hand, Madam Speaker, I would like to start my speech by welcoming the announcement that you made yesterday that council will publish council and committee documents on the City of Johannesburg official website. As GOOD, we believe that this level of transparency should not be optional, and I commend the government of local unity for taking this step. It is a progressive step in the right direction to restoring transparencyclaim

01:37:03and building public trust in local government. Commend. Speaker, this infrastructure plan is also transparent and honest. It tells us something we already know, but have too often avoided saying plainly: Johannesburg's infrastructure has been failing, and it's failing unevenly. When water pipes collapse, when electricity outages become routine, and when roads crumble, Speaker, it's not abstract systems that suffer,claim

01:37:33it's the residents, it's the businesses, and it's the workers. These figures before us are staggering. Renewal backlogs of over 30 billion at Joburg Water, 44 billion at City Power, and a road network well past its design life. What this plan gets right is honesty. It admits that we cannot build our way out of this crisis with shiny new projects while neglecting what we already have. Renewal, maintenance, and data integrity must come first.claim

01:38:04But approval is only the beginning. Johannesburg has no shortages of strategies. It has a shortage sometimes of implementation discipline. Asset management plans, registers, and frameworks will mean nothing if they are not enforced, funded, and monitored by this council and now the rest of Johannesburg, as these documents will be released to them too. Infrastructure is not just about pipes and cables, it's about dignity, it's about safety,

01:38:34it's about economic opportunity, and it's about spatial justice. If we get this right, we will stabilize the city. If we fail, inequality deepens and confidence will collapse further. GOOD does support this plan because Johannesburg needs it, but we will insist on accountability, transparency, and measurable progress. Our residents cannot wait another decade for infrastructure that works. I thank you.

01:39:02Thank you, Councillor Cook. Councillor K. Wax from the DA.

01:39:14Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on item six on behalf of the Democratic Alliance. Madam Speaker, fellow councillors, guests, officials, and residents. This city is experiencing an infrastructure crisis. Pipes are bursting faster than we can repair them. Electricity outages are no longer exceptional, they are now routine. Roads are collapsing, bridges are failing,

01:39:44and stormwater systems buckle under the slightest pressure. Residents have lost confidence, not because they are impatient, but because the system is failing them in real time. The broken nature of our infrastructure is so perilous that we must be brutally honest today. This report does not meet the moment. I stand here, Madam Speaker, to advance the following reasons for its outright rejection.

01:40:14Firstly, while the report acknowledges the crisis, it refuses to act on it. The report is commendably frank about the scale of collapse. Joburg Water's renewal backlog is billions, running into the billions. City Power is financially distressed and technically fragile. JRA's roads and bridges are beyond their design life, as we heard.

01:40:43We have a crisis while the executive mayor and his MMC for roads and transport are having a public spat. Public satisfaction is falling sharply. The diagnosis is accurate, but a diagnosis without a treatment plan is not a solution. It is an obituary. This report offers no emergency interventions, no immediate turnaround strategy, no measurable commitments for the next 12 to 24 months,

01:41:13and no service delivery targets that residents can hold us to. Let us stay clear of any illusions. A city in crisis cannot be rescued by a document that promises improvement a few years down the line while people are suffering right now. Secondly, Madam Speaker, there is no financial plan. The report openly concedes that the city faces a massive infrastructure backlog. Yet it states astonishingly

01:41:44that there are, and I quote, "no immediate financial implications." How can a plan that claims to address a 100 billion plus crisis have no costed strategy? How can we adopt a plan that does not tell us what we will spend, where we will spend it, what we will cut, how we will fund the recovery, or how we will stabilize the entities that are already

01:42:14financially distressed? Speaker, approving a plan with no financial backbone is not responsible governance. It is wishful thinking dressed up as planning. Thirdly, Madam Speaker, the report is a long-term administrative framework, and it's not an infrastructure recovery plan. Consider the following. This document is heavy on frameworks, registers, methodologies, future compliance,

01:42:43milestones, and multi-year integration processes. Yet it is silent on immediate repairs, urgent stabilization, crisis response, operational turnaround, and short-term deliverables. Johannesburg does not need another administrative framework, it needs a recovery plan. And this report, unfortunately, is not that plan. Fourthly, Madam Speaker, the report lacks accountability mechanisms.

01:43:13The entities responsible for the deterioration are now being asked to produce new plans and registers with no performance compacts, no consequence management, no independent oversight, no penalties for non-delivery, and no transparency requirements. Without accountability, this report is not a progressive step forward. It is a recycling of the same system that brought us to this collapse. We cannot endorse a plan that asks residents

01:43:44to trust the very institutions that have repeatedly failed them without any new safeguards. Number five, Madam Speaker, critical issues relating to spatial justice and climate resilience are acknowledged, but treated in a scant fashion. Speaker, acknowledging inequality without committing to redress is not justice. And any plan that treats climate resilience as an afterthought, and the report states

01:44:13it's to be strengthened over time, this cannot be endorsed. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, why we must reject this report. Let me be clear. We are not rejecting the crisis, we are all living through it. We are not rejecting a response that would solve the problem, but we are rejecting a response that is wholly inadequate to the crisis. We are rejecting a plan that diagnoses

01:44:43collapse, but offers no rescue. A plan that acknowledges billions in backlogs, but provides no funding strategy. A plan that promises long-term integration without while ignoring short-term suffering. And a plan that demands trust without providing accountability. Johannesburg, Madam Speaker, deserves better than this document that describes the iceberg, but offers no plan to turn the ship.

01:45:11We cannot in good conscience endorse a plan that delays action, defers responsibility, and distracts from the urgency of the moment. This is tantamount to rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. For these reasons, and grounded in good governance, accountability, financial prudence, and the lived reality of our residents, we reject this report outright and urge this council to do the same.

01:45:40Johannesburg, Madam Speaker, deserves a plan that brings real relief, real accountability, and real action. The DA will continue to fight for a credible, costed, and urgent infrastructure stabilization plan that prioritizes basic services, protects residents, and restores dignity to every community. I thank you.

01:46:06Thank you, Councillor Wax. We now have Councillor [no speech] from ActionSA, Councillor Ngwetsheni. I hope I said it right.

01:46:25100%, 100%, thank you so much. Greetings, Speaker, fellow councillors, Fabulous 44, the guests in the gallery. I rise to speak on item six, the COJ Infrastructure Plan 1.0, on behalf of ActionSA. While we acknowledge the urgent necessity of a plan to address our city's profound infrastructure crisis, and thereby approving this report, we do so with grave and substantial concerns.

01:46:55It is public knowledge that the city's infrastructure is not merely strained, but it is crumbling. This decay is a direct result of years of poor maintenance, a chronic failure to enforce our own bylaws, and severe, unchecked overcrowding, particularly in the inner city. The lawlessness in hijacked buildings has led to a situation where systems designed, for instance, for 200 people are now catastrophically overloaded, servicing well over 300%

01:47:25of their intended capacity. This brings me to the core concern with this plan. The document before us meticulously outlines the financial and operational devastation across our three key entities. Johannesburg Water carries a 32.54 billion renewal backlog, with 47% of its assets either near the end of their lifespan or in poor condition, leading to worsening citywide water outages.claim

01:47:55The JRA requires an estimated 39.5 billion to replace expired roads and a further 14.15 billion for 68 critically compromised bridges, while our residents navigate a daily obstacle course of potholes. Lastly, City Power is saddled with 44.25 billion asset backlog and a 13.3 billion overdraft, a financial hole mirrored in the dark, frequent, and lengtheningclaim

01:48:24power outages our communities endure. These figures are a damning indictment of the past neglect. However, while this plan looks competent on paper in identifying these backlogs, it possesses a critical, potentially fatal flaw: it lacks a substantive strategy to address the unsustainable pressure placed on this renewal effort by rampant, unmanaged population growth driven significantly

01:48:53by illegal immigration. The plan's own population forecasts acknowledge this growth, yet the response is absent. We must be unequivocal: this infrastructure plan will be funded by the hard-earned money of South African taxpayers and ratepayers. It is an intolerable injustice to ask them to carry the immense burden of this 100 billion plus recovery, only to see its capacity immediately overwhelmed because the root cause of the strain is ignored.

01:49:23Therefore, our approval is conditional on this council recognizing that an infrastructure plan without a parallel, decisive plan to restore lawful order, enforce bylaws, and hold the national government to account for the burdens of illegal immigration, it is a plan built on sand. If this council continues to fail to have that honest conversation and take those necessary actions, the residents of Johannesburg will be left waiting for a future government of ActionSA

01:49:53that will provide the political will, a government that will deal decisively with illegal immigration to fix the City of Johannesburg finally and truly. The taxpayers of this city have carried this burden long enough. Enough is enough. ActionSA approves the report with these concerns noted. Thank you, Speaker.

01:50:13Thank you so much, Councillor. Can we have Councillor Ngwenya from the ANC?

01:50:30Honourable Speaker, Executive Mayor Councillor Dada Morero, Chief Whip Councillor Chauke, members of the Mayoral Committee, Chair of Chairs Councillor Marema, fellow councillors, senior officials present, and distinguished guests. Speaker, in Johannesburg, residents don't ask for perfection. They ask for reliability:

01:51:00water when they open their taps, electricity when they switch on their lights, and roads that don't punish them for going to work. Today we consider the City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan, a document that speaks directly to those basic expectations and to the responsibility we carry as this council. This plan matters because it brings order, discipline on how we plan, manage, and invest in infrastructure.

01:51:30It aligns planning with budgeting and implementation, ensuring that departments and municipal entities are no longer working in silos, but are working towards shared citywide priorities. Madam Speaker, earlier this year, during the January 8th Statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed that fixing local government, improving service delivery, and restoring the credibility of the state are among urgent tasks before us. He emphasizedclaim

01:51:59that communities must begin to feel the presence of government through reliable services, functioning infrastructure, and accountable leadership. Madam Speaker, the infrastructure plan before us today speaks directly to that national call. It gives us a practical tool to move from declarations to delivery, from plans on paper to service on the ground, and from crisis management to long-term stability.

01:52:29We too acknowledge that Johannesburg faces infrastructure challenges: aging assets, backlogs, and growing demand driven by urbanization. We accept these realities not to dwell on them, but to respond to them in a structured, responsible manner. This plan allows us to do exactly that, Madam Speaker. Mr. Mayor, this is a true and honest report. It does not hide our weaknesses and does not sugarcoat them.

01:52:59It gives us the reality on the ground, but importantly, it is not a report of despair. It is a credible, evidence-based plan that shows where we are and, more importantly, how we can succeed and change our infrastructure outcomes for the better. What is particularly encouraging about this document is that it shifts the city from short-term fixes to long-term solutions. It prioritizes maintaining and renewing what we already have,

01:53:29strengthens accountability across departments and entities, and assures that infrastructure decisions are informed by data, affordability, and sustainability. Importantly, Madam Speaker, this infrastructure plan supports the work of this council as led by the government of local unity. It provides a shared framework for rebuilding Johannesburg, one that is financially sustainable, fair in its investment choices, and focused on restoring

01:53:59confidence in service delivery. By approving this plan, council is making a clear statement that infrastructure will be planned before it is built, maintained before it collapses, and funded where it delivers the greatest benefit to our residents. I therefore urge this council to support and approve the City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan, so that together we move Johannesburg from frustration, function, and to promise to deliver services to our people. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:54:29Thank you so much, Councillor. MMC Masuku.

01:54:36Thank you very much to the councillors, Councillor Ngwenya, Councillor Cook, as well as Ngwetsheni. Madam Speaker, through you, I just think it's important that councillors, in particular the councillor who, once we approve the policy in council of aldermen, the alderman, Councillor Wax, through you, I think that when you come to council

01:55:06and there is a progressive proposal and a plan that seeks to take the city forward, where you see something that you think needs to be enhanced, the expectation is that you make those proposals. I mean, through you, Speaker, Councillor Pietersen made recommendations, Councillor Schay made comments earlier on the previous reports. We are governing. We are not going to fold our arms

01:55:36and not have a plan to deal with the infrastructure challenges. In our report, we are very clear, and we are transparent and honest about the challenges and the decay in the city. So we are not going to just sit and say, "No, because this is a long-standing problem, we are going to keep quiet." No. We have an executive mayor who has foresight to be able to say, "Mayoral Committee, let's work on a plan and take it to council so that we deal with

01:56:06the challenges that we all understand the City of Johannesburg is grappling with." I also want to remind councillors, Speaker, that this plan should be read and interpreted in the context of the proposals that were put in council: the COJ Infrastructure Asset Management Policy and the COJ Infrastructure Asset Management Improvement Plan that actually was welcomed by all councillors. So I don't see why

01:56:36this should now be as if we are not enhancing what we already said we will deal with. And this infrastructure plan acknowledges that there is a systematic decline due to decades of underinvestment, fragmented planning, and weak asset management plans. That's why we would have done that particular plan and approved it last year in August. And what council is approving now is a compliant framework that integrates

01:57:06the Strategic Infrastructure Asset Management Plan and the Capital Expenditure Framework, and it applies to all departments and entities. And of course, it will be updated as and when there is a need, and we expect all caucuses and councillors to contribute in that. And we are trying to shift the city from a reactive spending to a risk-based, evidence-led investment, and the priority is to renew and rehabilitate

01:57:36existing networks before expanding to the new ones. And we're focusing on spending where services and economic risk is the highest. Lastly, Speaker, financial sustainability of the city is dependent on effective, efficient, and resilient infrastructure. Therefore, this plan is an intention for us to make sure that when we stabilize infrastructure, we are able to also deal and invest and stabilize the city's finances.

01:58:06The plan reduces unplanned failures and improves value for money and strengthens the city's standing with National Treasury and lenders, because we need them to also believe and take into cognizance, yes, we've got challenges, but we've got a plan to deal with this. And of course, this begins and works with the issues of ensuring that power, Joburg Water, and it also expands to other departments. And there's a proposal that came from, to say, I think it was Councillor Abdool, if I'm not mistaken, who said, "Let's include JDA."

01:58:36That is a proposal that the councillor is making to say, "Let's be inclusive and not only look at these particular entities." Therefore, Speaker, through you, we request council to approve this plan and we make sure that we take Johannesburg forward and we deal with our infrastructure challenges to ensure that we provide services and we fix local government, as per the input by Councillor Ngwenya, as indicated by the president of the African National Congress, who is also the president of the Republic, that

01:59:06it is important for us to fix local government so that we provide services to our people. I thank you, Speaker.

01:59:15Thank you so much, MMC Masuku. Colleagues, the recommendations are on pages or is on page 6.14. Is the item agreed to? Agreed. Thank you. No! I the yeses had it. The noes came afterwards. I must I'm brutally honest. The yeses came first,

01:59:44Speaker! and then the noes came. No, I'm being brutally honest. The yeses came, and then the noes came afterwards. So I the yeses has it. Councillor Schay.

02:00:00Stand up.

02:00:04Oh Alex, sorry. It's fine, you can sit.

02:00:11Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, in terms of rule 84, can you please note the opposition of the Democratic Alliance to this item. We do not agree that the policy is far-reaching. Thank you.

02:00:23Thank you so much, Councillor Christians. It's noted.

Item 7: 2024/25 employment equity, gender and disability assessment – Cllr Boer

02:00:32We proceed with item 7, which is the City of Johannesburg 2024/25 close-up performance assessment on the employment equity, gender, and disability.

02:00:45AfrikaansRaadslid Boer van die Vryheidsfront Plus.

02:00:50Good morning again, Madam Speaker. On the previous item, Councillor Ngwenya said this was an honest report, and I tend to agree with him. Item number 6 was an honest report. Madam Speaker, you just now said you are brutally honest, and I agree. You are brutally honest. But unfortunately, item number 7, Madam Speaker, is brutally dishonest. It is an assessment report onclaim

02:01:18employment equity, gender, and disability. And the aim of this Act, the Employment Equity Act that was implemented in 1998, was to, and I read here from the definition, "It ensures equitable representation of designated groups, that is population group, example African, Coloured, Indian." They don't include whites there. And then also,claim

02:01:49women and persons with disability across all occupational categories and levels of employment. So this is what this Act tries to achieve. This report, Madam Speaker, only speaks about women and persons with disabilities, and it focuses on the ratio of male and female representation in the Johannesburg workforce, which in general is not too bad.

02:02:18Women represent 47.2% and male represents 52.8%. The report, however, chose to focus about women in top management. They only represent 18.8%, and yes, it's something that needs to be addressed. It also addresses the people with disability. The target has been increased from 2% to 3%, and yes, we have to accommodate people with disabilities. But, Madam Speaker, what this Act does

02:02:48not address, and this Act is unfortunately one of the racist laws the ANC had brought to us to cover their incapability to create jobs in the country.

02:03:00AfrikaansRaadslid Boer, hou net aan.

02:03:02There's someone with a camera up there. Can we stop that? Thank you.

02:03:11AfrikaansRaadslid Boer, u kan aangaan.

02:03:13Madam Speaker, if the ANC government policies were simulating job creation, there wouldn't even be a need for this Employment Equity Act because everybody would have had work. Because the problem in Johannesburg is, and this, there is no mentioning in this report about the designated groups. There is not even one single word, and that is why I'm saying it is a brutally dishonest report because we know from the entities that the representation of the

02:03:43various races in the city is so out of line. The white people in especially and coloured people are underrepresented in the city's workforce. And that is something that needs to be addressed in terms of the Employment Equity Act. That actually says when one race group is underrepresented, an employer cannot employ people from another race group until that disparity is resolved. And

02:04:13this is something that the City of Johannesburg needs to address, and they fail to mention this in this report. Because we need to address the

Dispute over request for Cllr Boer to withdraw remark

02:04:28Councillor Raphadu.

02:04:33Madam Speaker, thank you very much for affording me this opportunity. I thought I'd let this go, but my stomach is turning. I'm sure I heard Councillor Boer says the ANC is racist. And it can't be when we are trying to transform this country into an equal society because it does not afford him the opportunity to be part of the people that we are trying to change or the situation that we are trying to change, and then he labels the ANC racist. I think that is out of order, and he should

02:05:03sorry for that, withdraw that statement. I was going to let that go, but now my stomach is turning. That can't be. And it's going to record. Please can he withdraw that? Please, thank you.

02:05:11I've got your point.

02:05:24Councillor Boer, if you have said what the Councillor is saying, if you have said the ANC is racist, can you withdraw that statement?

02:05:41AfrikaansEn laat ons nie dit langdradig maak nie, trek dit net terug asseblief.

02:05:48Madam Speaker, for the records and you can listen back on my speech, I've never said that the ANC is racist. I said this is one of the ANC's racist laws, and any law that

02:05:59Okay, dankie. Councillor Boer,

02:06:01Afrikaanskan jy terugtrek dat dit een van die ANC se

02:06:04racist laws is? Can you withdraw, please?

02:06:07Madam Speaker, I won't withdraw it because that is the truth. This law is one of the ANC's racist laws.

02:06:18AfrikaansCouncillor Boer, ons sal luister na die recordings

02:06:21and we will deal with it accordingly. We will listen to the recording, Councillor Raphadu, and we will deal with it accordingly. No, Councillor Raphadu.

02:06:33Madam Speaker, please can you uphold your

02:06:34I've made a ruling, Councillor Raphadu.

02:06:36That he's defying your ruling to withdraw.

02:06:37I have made a ruling, Councillor Raphadu. I will deal with it accordingly.

02:06:41Please do, and can we send him to Ethics for that?

02:06:42We'll deal with it, and everybody will know. Councillor Raphadu, we will deal with it accordingly, and we will let everybody know how we have dealt with it.

02:06:56AfrikaansBaie dankie.

02:07:03Can you switch off your mic, please, Councillor Raphadu?

02:07:06It's

Item 7: DA and ActionSA contributions

02:07:09Can we have Councillor J. Pietersen from the DA?

02:07:17Greetings, Speaker, fellow Councillors, all protocol observed. I rise to speak on the assessment report for employment equity, gender, and disability for the 2024/2025 year. It's obviously hopelessly late as we are approaching the end of the 2025/2026 report. This report, that's being said, let's have a look at what the contents of this report have. Firstly, the target

02:07:47of employment of people with disabilities has been raised from 2% to 3%. While this is a bold step forward, I have to ask the question as to how this will be implemented. As far back as 2016, the target of 2% for PWDs was never reached, and the new target will surely be a huge challenge. The report states that all relevant stakeholders were consulted on this initiative. I need to ask who the relevant stakeholders are.claim

02:08:17I know previously I asked this question as to which stakeholders are being consulted. For example, are they consulting the Johannesburg Society for the Blind? Blind SA, located in Alrode in Alberton. SA Mobility for the Blind Trust, located in 3rd Avenue, Melville. For the hearing impaired, KZN Blind and Deaf Society in Durban Central can be contacted on 031-309-4991.claim

02:08:47DeafSA, that is housed at 20 De Korte Street in Braamfontein. If anyone could help placing people with disabilities, it would be these institutions for a start. Dr. Claudine Storbeck, Professor and Director for Deaf Studies at Wits University, will also prove to be a great help in understanding the challenges faced by the deaf community, especially in the workplace. The CoJ seems to comply with the new legislation, and I wantclaim

02:09:17to know how the set target of 3% will be achieved for employment equity. What are they doing different from what they did before, and how will they achieve this target, this new target for PWDs? This requirement, I feel, should be part of the KPIs for senior management. There are still several departments that have appointed very few PWDs. Even an entity like Pikitup or JCPZclaim

02:09:47could have PWDs doing admin duties in their offices. It seems though there is no political will to comply with the legislated requirements. May I remind you that there are penalties for not complying with this Act, ranging from 1.5 million or 2% of turnover to 2.7 million or 10% of turnover for repeat offenders, which in this case we are. More concerning would be

02:10:17the loss of the tender eligibility, which means the loss of the certificate of compliance, which means that entities cannot do business with the state or secure government contracts. I request that the employment equity plan be made available to the Section 79 committee so we can do proper oversight regarding the compliance for the EE Act. We as the DA want to see the streamlining of offices, work personnel, while addressing the requirements of employment

02:10:47equity. It would appear that JPC is the only entity that gave any feedback, any development and guidance about what they would do. What have the rest of the entities done so far? This does not bode well for progress with EE compliance. Joburg Tourism and JDA both say guidance were given for the development of the plan for EE. Have they complied? Have they done this? What is happening to the other

02:11:17entities? Are there deadlines, sorry, the DA believes that the PWDs operate in an inclusive society through legislative reform, improved access, and economic empowerment. We believe PWDs are differently-abled people, and that the stigmatization and the terminology should restore dignity of differently-abled people. The challenges for differently-abled people does not

02:11:47start when they seek employment. It starts with their education and their development from the onset. Our approach is designed to shift from a system that often marginalizes individuals to one that provides enabling and proactive support, aiming for full integration of differently-abled people into society. The report refers briefly to the growing disparity between male and female appointees, especially at the top

02:12:17senior management level. This is a concerning trend moving in the wrong direction. This is something all entities have direct control over. Once more, there is a lack of political will to comply with this aspect of EE. What is more noticeable is the omission of race requirements from this report. Why was this left out? It's a question we need to ask. We hope that the business plans for the different entities will address our non-compliance

02:12:47with the EE Act and put in place credible practical ways to address our lack of progress in this requirement. Ultimately, we should observe the values of the DA that speaks to fairness in the workplace and opportunity to engage in the workspace for differently-abled people in our beautiful city. Love Joburg, take action that leads to a better city for all who live in it. Just a reminder, Helen Zille will be the Mayor of Joburg

02:13:17after the elections in November 2026. With her experience as the Mayor of Cape Town, the Premier of Western Cape, and the World Mayor Award winner, she is the person capable of doing the job that is required in Joburg. I thank you.

02:13:34Thank you, Councillor.

02:13:35Helen Zille has expired.

02:13:38Councillors, there's a Nissan X-Trail, I'm not sure if it is X-Trail, X3, X what. It's X-Trail that is blocking other people from coming out at Traduna House, and JMPD has sent the following message: They are going to tow your car. It is JP 57 WV GP.

02:14:09Can the owner of this car please go, because they are going to tow your car. Thank you so much. Let's go to the next speaker. Speaker from ActionSA, Councillor J. Aphane.

02:14:28Honourable Speaker, members of council, Fabulous 44, and most importantly, fellow residents of the City of Johannesburg. I rise on item 7, City of Johannesburg 2024/25 close-up performance assessment

02:14:46Councillor, speak into the mic, please.

02:14:48on employment equity, gender, and disability. The purpose of this report is to provide an assessment of the city group performance on the implementation of employment equity, gender, and disability for the period 01 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. While the report encourages to improve the employment of people with disabilities as per the new 3% disability quota set by the Department of Employment

02:15:20and Labour, which is now calculated per occupational level, the big question is: Are our places of work ready to accommodate people with disabilities? Madam Speaker, I used to sit next to my colleague who was on the wheelchair, pushing him to lunch, smoke break, to his car, and even to the bathroom. He used to complain about the bathroom upstairs meant for the disabled

02:15:52that is not user-friendly. He told me that he wrote so many emails complaining about the state of the bathroom, but he got no response, and the bathroom was never attended to. Now imagine if you are the one approving these laws, and in future they don't work for you. So we should, as the city, ensure that our buildings are user-friendly to people with disabilities, as the Department of Labour gazetted for a 3%

02:16:22disability. For the more you get people with disability, and that the buildings are not friendly to them, then we have a challenge, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, while we welcome the appointments of young people in the senior management level and executive positions to those who are competent and deserving, they should be properly inducted that corruption is not the way to go. Yes, I concede that corruption is not only limited to young people. Even parties that claim to be clean are also

02:16:53corrupt. Imagine being a CEO at 27 and being corrupt. Then when you are twice your age at 54, how many entities that you preside over shall have collapsed for self-enrichment and for those that are owed favors? We have seen our SOEs, Madam Speaker. They are nowhere to be seen because of corruption. Yes, we see female being well represented, Madam Speaker, both in senior

02:17:23management positions and executive positions, which is commendable, but more is yet to be done. Madam Speaker, while policies and reports indicate a framework exists, there is a concern that the actual progress towards equitable representation, especially at senior management or in lived workplace experiences, is slower than desired. ActionSA views current employment equity targets as potentially bureaucratic and counter-productive

02:17:56if they become mere box-ticking exercises rather than genuine avenues of opportunity. ActionSA therefore notes this report. I thank you.

Item 7: UDM contribution and donated speaking time

02:18:06Thank you, Councillor. UDM, Councillor Chair Zigebe.

02:18:24Thank you, Speaker. I have a donation of 6 minutes from ATM and Al Jama-ah.

02:18:31Just hold on, Councillor. You are hardly on your feet and there's a point of order right at the back. Councillor Gwamanda, the floor is yours.

02:18:43Good afternoon, Speaker. Compliments of the new season. I just wanted to donate my 3 minutes to the Chairperson of GiRD, Councillor Zigebe. Thank you very much.

02:18:56Thank you so much. Sorry, I thought it was a point of order. Councillor Zigebe.

02:19:03And also ATM's 3 minutes.

02:19:07Hey, you are good at that, neh?

02:19:10I'm collecting.

02:19:11Hey, I can see. Thank you, Councillor. So you have 9 minutes.

02:19:16It's a new year indeed.

02:19:18Yoh, okay. Carry on.

02:19:21Thank you, Madam Speaker. When you said there's a point of order, I was like, "Hey, am I a troublemaker that much in this council?"

02:19:27No, no, no. That's what I thought, are you a troublemaker? Let's not have a dialogue, but I thought you are the troublemaker. Thank you, Councillor.

02:19:35Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker, the Executive Mayor, members of the Mayoral Committee, fellow Chairpersons, Councillors, guests in the gallery, I greet you. Madam Speaker, the report before us speaks directly to the quality of our governance as a city, whether we are complying with the law, whether our systems are inclusive, and whether transformation is being implemented evenly across the institution. Let me start by acknowledging

02:20:06that the report does reflect progress at a group level. There are departments that have demonstrated that employment equity consultation, disability inclusion, and compliance are achievable when leadership intent, systems, and accountability are aligned. That must be recognized. But council would fail in its oversight duty if we allowed group level averages to obscure persistent and serious weaknesses at departmental level. The Employment Equity Act

02:20:3955 of 1998 is explicit. Designated employers must eliminate unfair discrimination, implement affirmative action, and ensure equitable representation of designated groups, including persons with disabilities. Importantly, Section 16 requires regular and meaningful consultation with employees and organized labor. These consultations are not symbolic engagements. They are a legal and governance requirement intended to build

02:21:10transparency, legitimacy, and shared ownership of transformation. Yet, the figures in this report show uneven institutional discipline. Group Finance, with a workforce of 1,697 employees, recorded zero employment equity consultative meetings during the reporting period. The Office of the Speaker, with 245 employees, also recorded zero meetings. Even the City Manager's office recorded only three meetings, placing it in the fair

02:21:41rather than good or excellent compliance category. At the same time, departments such as Community Development, which convened 10 meetings, and Development Planning, which convened 12, demonstrate clearly that compliance is not a capacity issue, but a leadership and prioritization issue. The disability representation figures require equally frank reflection. For the 2024/25 period, the city's disability target was 2%, and several core departments remain

02:22:12significantly below this threshold. In the City Manager's office, 99 employees are recorded with zero persons with disabilities, translating to 0.00%. Group Forensic and Investigation Services reflects the same outcome with 62 employees and zero persons with disabilities. Public Safety employs 9,665 people, but has only 34 persons with disabilities recorded, standing at 0.35%. Health employs

02:22:432,540 people with 20 persons with disabilities, at 0.79%. Group Finance records 16 persons with disabilities out of 1,697 employees, at 0.94%. At the same time, the report shows that stronger outcomes are possible. Group Corporate and Shared Services exceeds 3%, Economic Development is close to 4%, and Group Communications and Marketing exceeds 10%.

02:23:16This confirms that disability inclusion is achievable when recruitment practices, reasonable accommodation, and accountability mechanisms are deliberately designed. Madam Speaker, council must also take seriously the changing regulatory context. As of April 2025, the employment equity regulations increased the disability target from 2% to 3%, and this target must now be applied per occupational level. This raises the bar significantly and requires

02:23:47focused attention on senior and top management levels. As government, we must approach this report responsibly. It is not about sensationalism.

02:24:03isiZuluHeyi, isilungu, isikhuwa bafowethu sika-14 asizange sizalwe naso.

02:24:06Or blame-shifting. But it is also not about sanitizing uncomfortable facts. Best practice in public institutions shows that stronger outcomes are achieved when consultation calendars are standardized, performance agreements include transformation indicators, reasonable accommodation is budgeted for, and recruitment pipelines are deliberately built. Council should therefore insist on clear corrective action, measurable timelines, occupational level monitoring, and consequence management

02:24:37where repeated non-compliance persists. Compliance with the law is not optional. It is a core management responsibility. Johannesburg has the capacity to lead in governance quality and institutional integrity. That leadership will be measured not by intention, but by outcomes. I thank you.

Item 7: EFF and ANC contributions

02:24:59Thank you so much, Councillor Zigebe. Chair, time flies, hey? Councillor Nhlapo from the EFF.

02:25:15Greetings to the Speaker, the EFF Caucus Leader, the EFF Chief Whip, the EFF Provincial Chair, and EFF Provincial Secretary, and all Councillors in the chamber. I rise on item 7. The City of Johannesburg remains one of the most unequal cities in the world. Despite progressive legislation and policy frameworks, the lived realities of many residents, particularly women, young people, and people living with disabilities,

02:25:45continue to reflect deep structural exclusion from meaningful economic participation. As the EFF, we remain unapologetic in our call for radical economic transformation and inclusive development that places our people at the center. This performance assessment is not merely a compliance exercise. It is a critical tool to measure whether the city is truly advancing employment equity or merely reproducing inequality through cosmetic reporting.

02:26:16Employment equity must translate into real job opportunities, fair representation, and dignified working conditions, especially for historically marginalized groups. As the EFF, we are deeply concerned that unemployment in Johannesburg continues to disproportionately affect women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The city must move beyond commitments on paper and ensure that its recruitment, promotion, training, and procurement processes actively support employment equity targets.

02:26:47Job creation strategies must be intentional, inclusive, and aligned with the local government development initiatives that empower communities at ward level. Furthermore, gender equality cannot be achieved without addressing systemic barriers in the workplace. Women remain underrepresented in senior management and technical positions within the municipality. Similarly, persons living with disabilities continue to face physical, institutional, and

02:27:23attitudinal barriers, sorry, that limit their full participation in the workplace. This assessment must be honestly interrogated, these failures, and propose corrective action. Importantly, Honourable Speaker, employment equity cannot be achieved by merely reshuffling or rotating the same group of already employed individuals, particularly women, from one position to another. While internal progression is important, it must

02:27:56not replace the urgent need to recruit externally from designated groups who remain excluded from the labor market. The city must deliberately open its doors to unemployed women, youth, and persons living with disabilities through targeted recruitment drives, inclusive hiring practices, and accessible application processes. In conclusion, the EFF reaffirms its commitment to the City of Johannesburg that works for all its people. Employment equity must be implemented with urgency,

02:28:28integrity, and political will. Our people demand jobs, dignity, justice, and this council has a responsibility to deliver. As the EFF, we note, sorry, the report.

02:28:39Thank you so much, Councillor Nhlapo. The ANC, Councillor A. Shange.

02:28:53isiZuluMangithathe lelithuba ngibonge ehh Speaker, ithuba engilinikezwayo. Okhulumayo uKhansela uPhindile Shange obuya e-ward 129. Speaker ngibingelele bonke abahlali baseGoli, ngibingelele u-Executive Mayor, ngibingelele wonke ama-MMCs akhona, ngibese ngibingelela bonke oSihlalo bama-committee la ngaphakathi, ngibingelele izihambeli zethu ezikhona kulendawo. Ngibingelele wonke amakhansela e-African National Congress izingane zikaMdala uTambo, bese ngithi kubona

02:29:25isiZuluibambeni kanjalo ningayiyeki mayiqabana, ukuze sikwazi ukuqhubekela phambili singabavumeli ukuthi bagiye ngathi ngoba ibheshu lenye indoda abalazi ukuthi libuya kuphi, balithathe emsamo baligqoka. Speaker akengithathe lelithuba ngithi

02:29:42as the ANC, we are noting the report with these concerns, Speaker.

02:29:48isiZuluUseshilo lapha uKhansela uNgwenya wathi,

02:29:51the President of the ANC and the President of the country said we are fixing the local government, and this policy is one of the policies

02:30:00policy that as City of Johannesburg we must fix it in order we fix this country. I can hear Speaker people are saying the ANC is still continuing with apartheid.

02:30:13But I want to raise a concern Speaker and say to councillors in this council we are all members of the Section 79 committees. It is our responsibility that if something is going wrong collectively so in Section 79 we raise these issues so that we are able to move forward. But you don't come to the council and try and grand stand unnecessary Speaker.

02:30:38But Speaker I want to say as the African National Congress we are saying from our side Speaker as much as we note this report we want to say to the City of Johannesburg officials number one, they must make sure that this policy it works for everybody. And we are saying Speaker the policy needs to be changed, to be reviewed and we make sure that we move forward because from our side as the African National Congress

02:31:04we believe that there are KPIs and we want to request in particular to the city manager of this municipality to make sure that he holds senior management accountable in ensuring that the policies in the entities, the entire city are there. Because there are much gaps Speaker in terms of this policy and these gaps must be closed properly.

02:31:31And we are saying Speaker we need to review these work so that we are able to cover our people. And Speaker some people are saying we are talking about blacks in the employment equity and they are misleading this country. We are talking of an African people. So when we talk about African, it's number of race that are inside there. Let us all make sure that we speak a proper language in this council.

02:31:57And we are saying Madam Speaker from our side as this organisation we want to encourage all institution to make sure that they comply, they make sure that they do things correctly. Let us all make sure that these gaps that are within are closed. And the stakeholder Madam Speaker is clear. We said in the committee as we sit as Section 79 we are identifying Vets

02:32:23as one of our stakeholder that must assist us in dealing with the PWC, the PW's in making sure that really we are covering that. But also Madam Speaker we are saying yes people are saying women are covered and I become worried Madam Speaker when male councillors speaks a lot to say women are covered. How do they say that? Because for quite a long time

02:32:48a women was not covered anywhere. And therefore we still have gaps Madam Speaker and we want that to happen so that we are able to move forward. Madam Speaker policies of the city are very important and critical. And we are saying to all departments that are not complying as Section 79, we want to make sure that we do oversight and hold them accountable in making sure that there is compliance.

02:33:12In so doing Madam Speaker we believe that all managers, even the trade unions that are within the City of Johannesburg, they must make sure Madam Speaker in their LLFs that they sit and discuss issues of policies in order for us to make sure that we achieve this goal of making sure that workers within the workplace are covered in terms of these policies.

Item 7: Employment equity, gender and disability report

02:33:34And they must make sure Madam Speaker that everything in the City of Johannesburg as we are monitoring them, they make sure that things goes well. And we are saying the gaps that are within the City of Johannesburg in terms of the employment equity, it is our responsibility collectively so whether we are sitting that side and other one is sitting this side, but collectively as councillors of the City of Johannesburg

02:34:01we have a responsibility to make sure that our workers are treated equally, including their salaries are being treated equally so that we are able to move forward Madam Speaker. And we are saying Madam Speaker as the organisation we request that all parties in Section 79 they must do oversight on issues of women, issues of disability and all the issues so that we are able to close this gap that we have within the City of Johannesburg.

02:34:28It does not assist us Madam Speaker to come here in council as councillors that are sitting in the Section 79 and present views, leave the Section 79 where we must make recommendations and make sure that we come here, we implement and we move forward. The City of Johannesburg needs to make sure that there's compliance in terms of the EE, also in terms of the PW's so that we are able to move forward.

02:34:54And we are saying to the managers of the city, in particular I want to say to the city manager, please make sure that you hold your managers accountable in making sure that all entities do have these policies and they are in favour of our people. Workers must not suffer. Madam Speaker it is not about people only, even salaries are not equitable within the City of Johannesburg

02:35:19and that needs to be looked at and that needs to be fixed. And we are saying collectively Madam Speaker as the African National Congress we note the report and we hope that there will be an improvement and the Section 79 councillors that are sitting to this committee they are going to assist the MMC and make sure that the City of Johannesburg does achieve what is expected to be achieved without blaming anyone.

02:35:43isiZuluUkuze sikwazi ukuqhubekela phambili makhansela asibambisaneni sipolitike ngaphandle kwale nkundla esihleli kuyo ukuze sikwazi ukuthi abasebenzi esinabo baqhubekele phambili. Ngiyabonga Madam Speaker.

02:35:54Thank you Councillor Shange. Can we now get, can we now get the MMC, MMC N Zungu to respond?

02:36:11isiZuluEh asibingelele kuwe eh Somlomo. Ngiphinde ngibingelele umphathi dolobha in his absentia. Ngibingelele usotswebhu wekhansela. Ngibingelele wonke amakhansela akhona ngaphakathi nezivakashi zethu.

02:36:38Eh Speaker I have noted all the comments and I must say that we are noting and we are going to work in improving where we are required to do so. And, but Speaker please note that Item 7 is a close-up report

02:37:03on the 2024/25 performance employment equity, gender and disability. We have the utmost consideration on the importance of implementing the city's employment equity, gender and disability priorities and plans. Please note the progress made thus far by the department and remedial action to be implemented

02:37:29during the current financial year. So Speaker I therefore ask council to note the report. Thank you.

02:37:36Thank you MMC. Um councillors the recommendations are on page 7.30 to 7.31. Is the item agreed to? Thank you.

02:37:51We move to Item 9.

02:37:53Just hold on STC. Councillor De Lange.

02:37:57Thank you Madam Speaker. Due to lack of transparency, for the record the Freedom Front do not support this item. Thank you.

02:38:03Noted Councillor De Lange.

Item 8: Open space standards recalibration - DA and GOOD views

02:38:09Uh councillors Item 8 is a recalibration of the open space uh standards and related policy reforms to enable inner city rejuvenation.

02:38:20Thank you STC. Uh the DA Councillor Koekemoer.

02:38:33Thank you Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, it's nice to see you again and all of our colleagues in the house and the guests in the gallery. Um I rise to speak on Item 8 which is the recalibration of open space standards and related policy reforms to enable inner city rejuvenation.

02:38:53Madam Speaker the Democratic Alliance supports inner city regeneration, transit-orientated development and affordable housing. We agree that the current open space standards are outdated and impractical in a dense inner city. But the DA's position is clear Madam Speaker, reform must raise the quality of the city, not quietly lower the standards that protect our residents.

02:39:18Public open space is not a nice-to-have. It is an essential urban infrastructure. It cools the city, manages stormwater, improves safety through active use and supports health and dignity. Rooftop and podium spaces can play a role, but they are not an automatic substitute for accessible ground-level public parks.

02:39:39Too often they become semi-private spaces that exclude the very communities this policy aims to help. Speaker there are real environmental risks here. Reducing open space in already dense areas intensify urban heat island effects, increases flooding and stormwater runoff, and undermines Johannesburg's climate resilience.

02:40:02Green roofs only deliver benefits if they are properly designed, maintained, and enforced. Without clear performance standards Madam Speaker, they risk becoming cosmetic compliance, green on paper, but meaningless in reality. This proposal also, also front-loads incentives and back-loads accountability.

02:40:26Developers receive exemptions up front while the city carries long-term risk. Johannesburg's track record on post-approval monitoring is weak at best Madam Speaker, and without regular audits, access rules, and penalties, council will only discover failures years too late.

02:40:45There's genuine financial risk as well. We are giving up open space contributions now on the assumptions that growth will recover revenue later. That is not guaranteed. If we develop, if development uptake falls short, the city could be left with less revenue and less public space.

02:41:06So Speaker the DA is not opposing reform, we are simply saying fix it properly. That means enforceable public access and safety standards, measurable environmental performance criteria for green roofs, mandatory long-term maintenance and compliance audits, and safeguards to ensure affordability does not mean overcrowding or poor living conditions.

02:41:30If council adopts these safeguards, the DA will support this reform. If it does not, we risk repeating the same mistakes, densifying the inner city while stripping away the very things that make it livable. Madam Speaker in closing, density without dignity is not development.

02:41:49Regeneration that makes the city denser, but hotter, poorer in public space, and weaker in accountability, it is not progress. It is failure by design. Thank you Madam Speaker.

02:42:02Thank you Councillor. Can we have um GOOD party Councillor M Cook.

02:42:12Thank you Madam Speaker. Um as GOOD we're very pleased with this report as it confronts a planning contradiction that Johannesburg has faced for far too long. We say we want inner city regeneration, we say we want affordable housing and transit-orientated development, yet we continue to apply open space standards designed for low-density suburbs to the densest parts of our city.

02:42:38The result has been predictable: stalled developments, unaffordable housing, persistent non-compliance, and decay. The current system does not protect the residents. It protects outdated assumptions, it drives up the costs, it discourages rehabilitations of bad buildings, and it makes affordable housing financially unviable in exactly the areas where people need to live, close to work

02:43:06and close to public transport. This proposal does not abandon open space, it actually modernises it. Vertical greening, rooftop spaces, and podium-level amenities are not shortcuts, uh are not shortcuts. These are globally recognised urban solutions applied effectively all over the world.

02:43:28Importantly Speaker, these exemptions are actually targeted in this report. They favour small units, they favour social housing, and accredited delivery agents. They introduce monitoring mechanisms to ensure affordability commitments and are real and they are enforceable. Johannesburg cannot regulate its way into decline and then be surprised by the outcome.

02:43:52If we want a safer, denser, more inclusive inner city, we must align our rules with the reality. GOOD supports this reform because planning must enable dignity, not obstruct it. I thank you.

Item 8: DA Cllr Schay on parallel structures and rooftop gardens

02:44:07Thank you so much Councillor Cook. Councillor D Schay from the Democratic Alliance.

02:44:21Good morning Speaker, fellow councillors, and the residents of Johannesburg. Welcome to another lecture in the Johannesburg School of Governance, proudly presented by the Democratic Alliance and approved by the President of South Africa. Today's lesson is a simple one. Good governance means learning from past experiences and integrating those into how you go going forward.

02:44:46In principle, the Democratic Alliance supports the intention behind this item. We understand the need to unlock development and revitalization in the inner city. But we've seen this movie before. Time and time again, policies are brought to this council, often on the eve of elections, that prioritize new structures, new capacity, and new discretion, instead of strengthening institutions that already exist.

02:45:13We saw this clearly in 2021 with the AIFS teams. Hundreds of people were appointed just before the end of a term, and then it took the city three years to fully capacitate them with the necessary equipment and systems, and they are still underperforming today. That is not delivery. That is political optics masquerading as governance. And that is precisely our concern here.claim

02:45:37This policy insists on additional inspectors, additional monitoring teams, and additional so-called short-term support in a city with a stretched balance sheet, and in a city that already employs professionals whose legal mandate is to do exactly this work. We do not need parallel structures. We need to respect and utilize the expertise we already have.

02:46:00Why is this administration hiring manual data capturers to walk around with clipboards when green coverage can be audited automatically using satellite imagery? The technology exists. What is missing is the political will to stop creating jobs for pals schemes dressed up as policy. Which brings me to the core lesson of today's School of Governance: institutions fail when expert warnings are dismissed instead of interrogated.claim

02:46:27Two years ago, the Democratic Alliance raised serious concerns about the process that led to the appointment of the JDA CEO. We questioned the reduction of baseline requirements. We formally requested the minutes of the board meeting where those requirements were altered. Those concerns were not answered on their merits. They were dismissed and in some cases smeared. This week, there are serious and troubling reports in the public domain relating to that very appointment.

02:46:53This is not our "I told you so" moment. It is a reminder that when warnings are ignored, consequences follow. And we are seeing the same governance pattern again in this policy. This item conflates two things that do not need to be conflated: the creation of green space in the inner city and the creation of discretionary temporary capacity. That is a governance error.

02:47:15We are deeply concerned by the reliance on rooftop gardens as an alternative to open space contributions. The vast majority of inner city buildings were designed for minimum viable economic use, not for future rooftop amenities. They were never designed to carry those loads. To present rooftop gardens as a universal solution is quite frankly a red herring. By demanding heavy accessible rooftop parks on structurally weak aging buildings,

02:47:41this policy effectively taxes the rehabilitation of so-called bad buildings out of existence, disqualifying the very structures it wants to save. Additionally, to call, the call to create extra capacity to ensure compliance of rooftop gardens, which will apply to a minuscule number of properties, is both nonsensical and wasteful. Our recommendation is to withdraw this item, remove those clauses, and bring it back so we can approve it the right way.

02:48:08Because good governance is not about assuming things will work, it is about designing systems that will endure long after the cameras are gone. Thank you for attending another lecture in the Johannesburg School of Governance. Please note there will be no extended learning program for slow learners. Next

Item 8: ActionSA and EFF contributions

02:48:30Councillor Sehoai from the ActionSA.

02:48:43Greetings Madam Speaker,

02:48:46Just hold on Councillor. Councillor Schay, can you please switch off your mic? Thank you Councillor.

02:48:56Greetings Madam Speaker, fellow councillors, and most importantly our fabulous 44. How can I forget our guests in the gallery and our residents watching from various platforms. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on Item 8 which is the recalibration of open space standards and related policy reforms to enable inner city rejuvenation.

02:49:25Madam Speaker, inner city rejuvenation remains an ActionSA policy and a motion that was passed sometime last year in council, lest we forget. It is only through the proper implementation of this motion that Johannesburg can be restored to its former glory, and who's better to do that than ActionSA?

02:49:54Somewhere in the body of the report there's a line that says Johannesburg inner city has shifted from an economic powerhouse to an area of decline marked by unsafe bad buildings and inadequate open space. Together with various stakeholders, the report says messaging should highlight the city's proactive stance in addressing housing shortage, improving safety through active urban space, and promoting environmental sustainability

02:50:25through rooftop and podium green spaces. Various incentives are also being proposed that are expected to unlock private investment in stalled or marginally viable development, catalyze inner city regeneration, and simulate job creation in construction and allied industries. In short Madam Speaker, this report reaffirms ActionSA's long-held view

02:50:52of what the city should be like when there is a clear political directive: a livable city, massive job creation, and a city where people can call it home. In 2016, in 2016 Madam Speaker, our former Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said, "Let's reclaim hijacked buildings, partner with private developers, and address the acute housing backlog in the city."

02:51:25Sadly, sadly today we are still talking the same language. Why? Because we never had a mayor since Herman Mashaba. Madam Speaker, let's rather have him back so that he can finish what he has started in the city.

02:51:44SesothoKe a leboga.

02:51:53Thank you Councillor. Um Councillor Mosehla from the EFF.

02:52:04Thank you Speaker. Expropriation of bad buildings in the inner city was brought into this council by the EFF. Stop those things. Stop those things. Greetings Speaker.

02:52:26Councillor Mosehla stick to your speech please.

02:52:28But this is my speech.

02:52:30Thank you Councillor.

02:52:33And you are eating on my time.

02:52:35Councillors on the other side, can you stop disturbing the councillor? Because when your councillor spoke, everybody was quiet. Thank you Councillor Mosehla, I didn't eat your time.

02:52:49Greetings Speaker of council, honorable city manager Dr. Brink, um red battalions of the EFF led by our provincial chairperson Commissar Dunga and Commissar Moshe Koma, as well as our party leader Dr. Tshwaku and chief whip Thabiso Mogapi.

02:53:15The inner city has shifted from being an economic powerhouse to an area characterized by hijacked buildings, unsafe living conditions, and severe shortages of affordable housing. The current requirement of 18 to 24 square meter of open space per resident may be appropriate in low-density suburbs, but it is impractical in the inner city and TOD corridors

02:53:43where land is scarce and property values are high. As a result, open space contributions have become the highest component of development costs, discouraging investment and stalling residential and mixed-use developments. Honorable Speaker, this policy environment makes no distinction between a small affordable unit and a luxury penthouse.

02:54:11It offers no incentive for inclusionary housing and no recognition of innovative forms of open space provision. Madam Speaker, the proposal before council here today um wants uh is proposing reducing open spacing standards from 18 square meters to 10 square meters per unit within the inner city and council-designated TODs.

02:54:43This approach embraces vertical open spaces provision, including rooftop gardens and podium spaces, while ensuring safety, environmental performance, and compliance with relevant standards. It aligns with the city's SDF 2040, TOD strategies, area frameworks, and nodal review policy. Importantly, this is not a deregulation exercise.

02:55:12The proposal includes monitoring and accountability measures. While there may be short-term reductions in open space contribution revenue, the medium- to long-term benefits are clear. Honorable Speaker, the Economic Freedom Fighters support this report because it confronts exclusionary planning practices, supports inner city regeneration,

02:55:42and prioritizes people over rigid compliance. It recognizes that dense cities require innovative solutions and that affordable housing must be enabled and not obstructed. We therefore support the recommendation thereof. Thank you.

Item 8: ANC Cllr Mmbengwa on inner city rejuvenation

02:56:01Thank you Councillor Mosehla. ANC, Councillor Mmbengwa.

02:56:13Okay, eh good morning and greetings in the new year. Yes, it's a good morning. Whether it's 10:00 in the evening, it's still good morning because in 2026 a new dawn led by the African National Congress is going to happen.claim

02:56:36Now Madam Speaker, before I do the pleasantries of greetings and everything, I wanted to do it simple so that I can touch these things because

02:56:47Tshivendamafhungo a

02:56:49inner city rejuvenation touches me personally because I am a councillor and a resident in the inner city. There is a Tsonga word that said

02:56:58Xitsongamintirho ya vulavula.

02:57:01Eh people are talking riddles, they quote 2016, they quote certain people from Cape Town. Here, who is the current mayor, Mayor Cyril Dada Morero, has showed us what must be done. The rejuvenation we are talking about, the walkabout where he was displaying in the inner city what must be done, it's a clear translation

02:57:29of what the inner city, a rejuvenated inner city should look like, should be. It means that we should have a space to walk, we should have an open pavement that we walk on. Meaning that the ANC is clearly, is displaying what must be done, not

02:57:51Xitsongantsheketo.

02:57:53The ANC is leading. It's leading what must be done. So, but we have got dreams. But before I go on, there is a word that we learn in the university, it's called what? Plagiarism. Eh you know in simple words it means theft, where people go and copy things. So some few weeks ago we saw a certain old woman there

02:58:20you know in Randburg, trying to mimic what the mayor of the ANC Dada Morero is doing in showing how our rejuvenated inner city and all the surrounding cities that we have, your Randburg, your Sandtons, what must look like. And we can't go there without starting here in the inner city, rejuvenating it. Now as I go on Madam Speaker,

02:58:46a rejuvenated inner city, I don't want to be black like me because there will be a problem if I start quoting that man. It means the following: that our parks are safe and the recreational spaces are safe, that our kids can play there safely and not fed with drugs, that the spaces can be a facility used for that purposes. Meaning that

02:59:14the ANC saw it. Sometimes I aspired to be a teacher, and we need to teach the people because they follow behind us. And the mayor was teaching us on what must be done. Now it means that when we are implementing the rejuvenation, when we are redesigning, rejuvenating this inner city and all these public spaces that we are earmarking,

02:59:41we have to ensure that we are implementing the simple, the bylaw. Meaning that that journey that the mayor and all the MMC that they were doing is a simple arithmetic action that must be done.

03:00:00And this is what we are looking forward to it as the ANC because it is going to help. But we are cautioning on the following.

03:00:09That the ANC is also cautioning that as we implement this we must move away from the concrete jungle. We must go to green. When we are doing all these things we must look at the greening. Meaning for those that did not do biology at school or those that uh know how to play a disc and jockeys in some

03:00:32FMs should learn that. It means that we'll have more spaces of oxygen.

03:00:40So, the ANC says this rejuvenation when it comes, it must also curb the capitalistic uh gangsterism. We're cautioning it, Madam Speaker. What is capitalist gangsterism? As much as this whole environmental friendly and everything should be done, it should be inclusive. It must not be driven by those who will come

03:01:05and group themselves the same way that some big companies did in the World Cup of 2010. We'd not want that. We want also the our own people, our African people, to be participating in those uh uh rejuvenation. In essence, we are saying as we are going to have this rejuvenation, it must be inclusive. We can't have J. Poma running amok as if they master the inner city. In our city there is us who are Africans, and we want to be part and parcel of that development.

03:01:38And this we note that it will change the face of inner city. The open space currently as we speak, it is occupied by the homeless people. It's occupied

03:01:51isiZulungalabantu bohambo.emotive

03:01:53And it's something that we don't want. But with the exemplary that the mayor was driving, we are seeing a better inner city. And we are saying

03:02:05isiZuluMayor, lento obuyenza buyi-part

03:02:08you were on the right track that Oliver Tambo has instructed that we must liberate our people. And the reduction there uh in terms of the square meters from 18 uh square meter to 10, we find is very relevant. It gives the property owners uh extension of where you can also add greening. And we welcome this proposal. As the ANC we are saying that uh the inner city rejuvenation and the people base Ward 59, Ward 60, Ward 123, Ward 63, Ward 64

03:02:43welcome this rejuvenation, the entire inner city. And we are looking forward for that to be implemented because there is no other people that will liberate the black people of South Africa except the African National Congress.

03:02:59isiZuluMara gogo awuhambe uyodlala nezingane.

03:03:06isiZuluYintanga zakho vele.

Item 8: MMC Mgcina response and vote

03:03:10Thank you, Councillor Mmbengwa. Can we have MMC Mgcina?

03:03:21Good afternoon, uh Madam Speaker. Greetings and compliments uh to yourself, uh the Executive Mayor, fellow MMCs, councillors in the chamber, Chief Whip of Council,

03:03:43XitsongaXinyori,

03:03:45um and the residents of our city, our guests that are here as well, we greet them. Um Madam Speaker, let me thank uh Councillor Koekemoer for supporting this report. And of course, noting the concerns that she has raised. Let me just assure her that once the report is approved, we can always uh work together in improving where uh improvement is needed. And also thank Councillor Cook uh for supporting the report as well,

03:04:22and putting an emphasis on the importance of this particular report. We really appreciate uh that, councillor. Um Councillor Schay, thanks as well because you did support the report. Uh even though in your lecture, later on, you confused your students uh by suggesting that the report must be withdrawn. So, um but the most important part of your uh lecture, it's actually on the supporting of this report.

03:04:53So, we appreciate that. The other part, uh I don't think it's part of the report. I don't think it's necessary for me to respond to. Um

03:05:06Councillor Sehoai, the report seeks uh of course to address your concerns, exactly. So, I take it that you are also um uh supporting the report in your input. Um and also, I think you have just confirmed to us the candidacy of uh Mr Mashaba, even though he said he will tell us around February as to who will become the candidate. But

03:05:35Sesothowena o e confirmile.

03:05:37So, it means he's coming, and we are ready for him. Look,

03:05:42Sepediga re mo tshabe.

03:05:44Um

03:05:46Councillor Mosehla, uh Mokone, I think you have actually um done a good job in terms of this report. It shows that you understand the intention of this report. I think

03:05:59Sepedika Sepedi sa ga leboa, uh Rre Mokone, o e tsupulotse ka tshwanelo report e.

03:06:08So, thank you very much for supporting this report. And again, Councillor Mmbengwa, I think your passion um towards the rejuvenation of our inner city, it is acknowledged, my brother. And we really appreciate, and we appreciate as well that you're also supporting the work that our Executive Mayor is doing in the inner city. Councillors, um Madam Speaker, this report um it's a proposal that also supports the city's adopted policies and programs, which includes the IDP, the SDF 2040,

03:06:50the inner city rejuvenation program, uh as alluded by Councillor um Mmbengwa, the TOD strategic area framework, the nodal uh policy, and the inclusionary housing policy as well. I must also indicate, Madam Speaker, that it advances the impact of uh of urban forms, spatial justice, economic growth, and safer and safer, more active urban environments as well, as alluded by, I think, fellow Councillor Mosehla earlier on.

03:07:31Madam Speaker, we are requesting council to approve this report of uh recalibration of open space standards and contribution exemption, as set out in the report, and to mandate the necessary bylaw and policy adjustments uh to give effect to this um uh incentives. So, we request that council approves this report, Madam Speaker, as it is looking forward to unlocking the development in the inner city of our city in Joburg. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

03:08:15Thank you, um MMC Mgcina. The recommendations on page 8.9, is the item agreed to?

03:08:32It's agreed to. The yeses have it.

03:08:38Councillor Alex, you don't have to stand.

03:08:43Much obliged. Thank you very much, Speaker. In terms of rule 84, the Democratic Alliance wishes to record its opposition to this item. Uh thank you.

03:08:52Thank you so much, councillor.

Procedure for combined debate on Items 9 and 10

03:08:56Colleagues, we are going to item 10 and after item No, item 9. And after item 9 we'll go for lunch. Okay? I'm not sure who that is because I can see you are eating, the one that said we don't want lunch. And it is not supposed to be in the chamber. Thank you, councillors. We are going to do item 10, and then we go for lunch. Item 9, apologies.

03:09:33Uh councillors, item 9 is the development, uh sale, and or long-term lease of Portion 159 of the farm Diepkloof 319-IQ, that's in Soweto Gateway, for compliance with section 33 of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

03:09:50Thank you. Uh we have Councillor F. De Lange from Freedom Front Plus.

03:09:56Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. Just stop my time there. There was a request by one of the officials that we combine item 9 and 10, and she spoke to all the speakers. I don't know if that has been done. Please don't use my time for that. There was a request. She came to my table. Was there a request like that?

03:10:25Just hold on. We're stopping your time.

03:10:26Just stop my time. Thank you. Every second counts.

03:10:34Okay, but we don't have much common speakers here, but it's okay cuz I see there's Councillor Bolani, that's the only one that's outside from everybody else. So, and Councillor Moepi has been taken out by the EFF, and they have put in Councillor Mkasi. So, Councillor Mkasi, you'll speak on both the items, am I right?

03:11:04Yes, Councillor Mogapi?

03:11:08Thank you, Speaker. No, Councillor Mkasi will speak on item 9, then Moepi will speak on item 10. Thank you.

03:11:15Okay, so they'll have their time, but they will speak in the same Yeah, okay. Okay, so we'll join them, and we will then carry on. Councillor De Lange, but I don't see you on item 10.

03:11:28AfrikaansJou tyd bly net soos dit is, want jy is nie op 10 nie. Okay?

03:11:32AfrikaansOkay, begin die klok nou.

03:11:33AfrikaansDankie, daar begin die klok nou.

03:11:35AfrikaansDankie, Voorsitter.

03:11:36All protocol observed. Finally,

03:11:39Okay, we need to table item 10.

03:11:43AfrikaansDis die hongerte wat so maak.

03:11:46Item 10 is amendment of the development lease agreement in respect of Portion 420, it's a portion of Portion 281, of the farm Syferfontein 51-IR in terms of section 116(3) of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Item 9: Freedom Front Plus on Soweto Gateway PPP

03:12:04Okay, thank you. Councillor De Lange,

03:12:07Afrikaanskan ons gaan?

03:12:08Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. Finally, or maybe not so fast, or maybe third time lucky. Madam Speaker, for many years the economic development section 79 visited the Atlehang Opportunity Center. And even the piece of land, we were over that, and for many years we were wondering what's going to happen to this. Now, if uh my memory serves me correctly, this is the third time that we're trying this with a PPP partnership. The first one failed miserably. We didn't receive uh proper bids. Then the second one, there was a bidder that was approved, but they pulled out at the last minute. Now we're bringing this again to the value of 2.7 billion rand, but it looks like PPP is not the way to go.

03:12:58Now, for our other colleagues, this used to also be known as the Soweto Empowerment Zone. Unfortunately, very little empowerment happened there over the last 31 years. So, maybe that's why they changed the name to the Soweto Gateway. Now, Madam Speaker, maybe we must relook at this whole erf or this 34 ha to get national, provincial, and local. The competency, maybe um Minister Gayton McKenzie can come and assist us to build a proper funded, multi-purpose sports center for the community of Soweto. Further to this, the competency of province is actually to build hospitals, schools, and the rest. Well, we've got hospitals and clinics already there,

03:13:45but maybe, for the first time ever in 31 years, government must actually build a new primary school, early um development school, and a proper high school with proper facilities. And then maybe we, which is also um a provincial competency, not a municipal competency, then looked at a mixed use for um proper housing or low-cost housing in that precinct. But this PPP partnership thing, 2.7 billion, it looks like nobody's got the appetite for this in the private sector. As far as I remember, I stand corrected, this is our third time. Then, just down the road, we've got Bara taxi rank, we've got a Bara Mall, we've got all those infrastructure. We even got the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic, listen to this name, Academic Hospital.

03:14:35In closing, Madam Speaker, this hospital used to be one of the leading academic hospitals in the whole world. So, it's actually a shame. Today it's just a shadow of what it used to be. And I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Items 9 and 10: ActionSA on long-term disposal of municipal land

03:14:52Thank you, Councillor De Lange. Councillor Moatshe from ActionSA, you have 10 minutes cuz you are going to speak on both the items.

03:15:09Thank you, Speaker. Um indeed, Speaker, I have clubbed both items 9 and 10. Uh greetings to you once more, to the Executive Mayor, ActionSA caucus leader, ActionSA councillors, guests in the gallery, special greetings goes to the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, as already outlined, I rise to speak on item 9, the development, sale, or long-term lease of Portion 159 of the farm Diepkloof 319-IQ, Soweto Gateway, in compliance with section 33 of the Municipal Finance Management Act,claim

03:15:54read together with item 10. Speaker, today council is asked to deliberate while a scandal hides in plain sight, the systematic, unreasonable, and reckless disposal of municipal assets, land included. I refer specifically to the growing practice of leasing or disposing of strategic municipal assets for periods of up to 50 years at values that do not reflect the true market worth of that land. Let us be clear, a 50-year lease is not a rental agreement. It is a de facto alienation of public property.

03:16:30These decisions bind not only this council, but the next three generations of leadership. They strip future residents of the right to determine how land should be used to meet their needs, whether for schools, clinics, parks, affordable housing, or inclusive economic development. We are told these deals stimulate development. But Speaker, development that undervalues public assets is not a development, it is dispossession in disguise.

03:17:01When municipal land is leased for pennies on the rand, the city forfeits revenue needed to fix potholes, repair sewer systems, and restore basic services. Residents end up subsidizing private profit, while infrastructure continues to collapse. And Speaker, we must ask, who benefits? Too often these long-term agreements are negotiated behind closed doors with a limited transparency and weak public participation. Communities only discover the consequences once contracts are signed and the land is effectively lost. The proposed amendments are a pure tone of unjustified extensions of lease periods, lack of transparent justification, or circumvention of competitive bidding, which may undermine municipal financial accountability at the end.

03:17:50Land is not a renewable resource. Once it is tied up for 50 years, it is gone for a lifetime. Under ActionSA-led government, this culture ends. An ActionSA government guided by the accountability championed by Herman Mashaba, the constitutional vigilance exemplified by Nasiphi Moya, and the ethical people-centered governance modeled by Xolani Khumalo would do governance differently. It would mean no long-term disposal of municipal land without genuine public consultation and full council oversight, not a box-ticking exercise. It would mean there will be market-related valuations and as a non-negotiable minimum, not an afterthought. Transparent processes where communities know before decisions are taken,

03:18:35not after, and land use that prioritizes public benefit, economic inclusion, and intergenerational justice, not elite enrichment. ActionSA believes that municipal land must be leveraged strategically, not surrendered recklessly. Speaker, municipal land is not for sale. It is the people's heritage held in trust by the council, and it must be protected for the benefit of future generations. For these reasons, Speaker, ActionSA notes this report with serious concerns. Thank you.

Speaker's caution on photography in the gallery

03:19:12Thank you, councillor. Um we'd like to caution the people in the public gallery. If you were not given accreditation as a media house to be here and to take pictures and videos, please don't do that. Cuz it's stipulated in our rules how you dress and how you act when you are here. So, we are getting videos that are coming from the top. We cannot allow that. There's a rule in our book that says rule 30(5)

03:20:01that says you must not use photographic equipment, recording devices, and other multimedia devices in the gallery. So, can we please stop doing what we are doing if you are not an accredited media house? I thank you. Can we go to the next speaker? Uh the next speaker is Councillor Mkasi from the EFF. You have 5 minutes.

Item 9: EFF Cllr Mkasi rejects sale of municipal land

03:20:38Yeah. Thank you very much, uh Speaker. Let me first acknowledge the presence of the ground forces of the EFF

03:20:47Just hold on, councillor. Councillor Moepi, the councillor that has just spoken from ActionSA, can you switch off your mic, please? Thank you. Thank you, sir. Councillor, you can continue.

03:21:03Uh before I proceed, Speaker, can you please clarify if uh Councillor Moepi, you allocated him also 5 minutes?

03:21:16I think they printed wrong on the list. You both have 4 minutes, 4 minutes.

03:21:22Thank you, Speaker.

03:21:22Apologies. It's those that printed. Thank you so much.

03:21:28Um let me firstly acknowledge the presence of the EFF ground forces here in the gallery led by our provincial chair, Commissar Nkululeko Dunga, and also the secretary of the province, Commissar Moshe Koma, our caucus leader, Dr Mgcini, our Chief Whip, Councillor Thabiso Mogapi, um residents of City of Johannesburg, fellow councillors, receive the revolutionary greetings from the EFF. Speaker, we'd like to congratulate the EFF for a disciplined, militant, peaceful demonstration held on the 23rd January 2026 outside the East London uh court in defense of our president and the commander-in-chief, Julius Malema,

03:22:16who is being deliberately targeted as a victim of political persecution. The mobilization exposes how racist organizations like AfriForum seeks to make example of the president in an attempt to intimidate black leadership and suppress radical resistance to white privilege. The EFF has once again demonstrated that intimidation will not succeed. The movement will defend its leaders openly, peacefully, fearlessly until racism, political persecution, and land injustice is completely defeated. Let us be very clear from the beginning. This council is not just approving a contract today. We are deciding whether we are custodian of the people's land or collaborators in the permanent dispossession. Municipal land belongs

03:23:08to the people. It belongs to the Africans and black majority of this city who remain landless, property poor, and deliberately excluded from real economic power. Any attempt to sell this land is not neutral. It is politically, ideologically, and anti-black. That is why we state without fear or apology, we support a long-term lease. We reject, resist, and oppose the sale of municipal land. Selling municipal land is an act of surrender. It is the final handover of public power to private capital. Once land is sold, it is removed from democratic control forever. Once land is sold, access is no longer based on need, it is based on profit. Selling land is irreversible. Leasing land is revolutionary.

03:23:57When land is under the custodianship of the state, it can be planned, regulated, and allocated in public interest. It can be made accessible to the landless, affordable to the poor, and available for housing, school, clinics, and economic activities that serves communities. But when land is privately owned, it becomes the weapon against the people. Private owners stall land, speculate on it, inflate prices, delay development, and block projects that do not maximize profit. Private ownership often produces counter-development, development that exclude Africans and deepens exploitation.

03:24:34For landless uh black people, state custodianship means access without exploitation. It means development without displacement. It means land use to restore dignity, not to extract rent. A long-term lease keeps land in the public hands while forcing capital to operate under public uh conditions. It ensure development without dispossession, revenue without surrender, and accountability to the people, not to some uh shareholders. Africans didn't lose land through boardroom deals. Land was stolen through colonial violence and apartheid laws.

03:25:1314 seconds, councillor.

03:25:15The theft has been reserved and this council must not normalize it through sales uh disguised in progress. Speaker, because I'm left with 14 second and I have to make this point.

03:25:31Your seconds are now one.

03:25:34As the EFF, we reject item 9. I thank you.

Item 10: EFF Cllr Moepi on Wanderers lease

03:25:44Councillor Zigebe, you have 3 minutes. Chair Zigebe, you have 3 minutes. Councillor Mogapi, before you go, Councillor Zigebe.

03:26:00Oh, thank you, Speaker. I think you combined item 9 and 10. So, can we allow Councillor Telekoa

03:26:07We're coming to the councillor. No, we did. We're coming to the councillor. We are coming to the councillor. We're doing it in the order that it is here. Councillor Zigebe, it's yours.

03:26:22Um apologies, uh Speaker, I'm not speaking on both items. There must be a

03:26:27Yeah, you only have 3 minutes cuz you're speaking on one item.

03:26:30No, no, on both. On 9 and 10 I'm not speaking.

03:26:35Oh, someone gave your name to us.

03:26:38Oh, no, they love me. I like that.

03:26:39Thank you. Thank you, councillor. Um can we then have Can we then have Councillor Are we done? Can we then have Councillor Moepi?

03:27:09Uh thank you very much, uh Speaker. Greetings to yourself, greetings to the leadership of the EFF led by the chairperson, Commissar Nkululeko Dunga, and uh Commissar Moshe Koma. Greetings also to the 29 battalions of the EFF led by caucus leader, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, and the residents of Johannesburg. I rise on item 10. Speaker, the EFF approaches this item with a serious concern because it speaks directly to how the city manage long-term public assets in some of the most economically valuable space in Johannesburg. When council is asked to amend a lease

03:28:00that already stretches across generations, we must pause and ask whether we are protecting the interest of the people or entrenching historic privileges through administrative convenience. This item proposes amending an existing development lease at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium to allow an early exercise of a renewal option, expand permissible land use, and permit subletting to third parties. While this is uh presented as a necessary step to unlock development and investment, the EFF is concerned that council is being asked to make far-reaching decisions without first resolving the deep structural imbalances embedded in the original lease agreement.

03:28:54For decades, this prime land has uh has effectively been leased at a nominal rate in one of the most uh affluent and strategically located part of the city. The proposal now suggests that this arrangement should not only be extended far in advance of its expiry, but also broadened to allow commercial hotels, luxury apartments, and business facilities. This raises a fundamental questions. Why is the city willing to accelerate and expand private control over public land without first resetting the terms to reflect present-day economic realities and public needs? While the report speaks of uh of job creation, investment attraction,

03:29:45and SMME participation, these projections remain aspirational unless anchored in enforceable obligation. The EFF has repeatedly warned against development narratives that promise

03:30:00transformation while locking the city into agreements that limit future policy flexibility. Long-term leases once renewed are extremely difficult to reverse, especially when third-party subletting rights are introduced. The proposal to renegotiate rentals, rental terms is welcome in principle,

03:30:24but it is concerning that council is being asked to approve the amendment before the final rental framework is clearly defined and tested against a fair market value.

03:30:36Public land is, Madam Speaker, public land is in the economic core of Johannesburg cannot continue to be treated as a historical favor to elite institutions. It must generate real measurable benefit for the broader public, including increased revenue, access, and social return. The issue of governance is equally important. Allowing subletting and expanded

03:31:02land use significantly alters the nature of the original agreement. These are not minor

03:31:09Seconds, Councillor.

03:31:12In conclusion, Speaker, the EFF agrees that the existing lease agreement is outdated and that the city must correct the historical undervaluation of this property. We also agree that the city should not continue to receive negligible

Item 9: ANC Cllr Mabuza on the Soweto Gateway process

03:31:38Your time was up, Councillor. Councillor Mabuza from the ANC, you're speaking on Item 9 and you have 10 minutes.

03:31:59Greetings, Madam Speaker, the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Dada Morero, our Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, Son of the Hunter, members of the Mayoral Committee, all councillors present here today, residents of the City of Johannesburg, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.

03:32:23Madam Speaker, I rise on Item 9, development sale and/or long-term lease of Portion 159

03:32:30Speak into the mic, please, Councillor.claim

03:32:32of the farm Diepkloof Soweto Gate. This process started on the 31st October 2018. Portion 159 of the farm Diepkloof is measuring approximately 30.5 hectares in extent.claim

03:32:48The City Manager appointed the bid specification committee members on the 5th of May 2023. Invitation for the request for proposals advert was published on the 2nd of June 2023 in the Star newspaper, JPC website, notice boards, and the e-tenders website.claim

03:33:09The bids closed on the 7th of July 2023 at 10:30, and as part of promoting transparency, the bids were opened in the presence of the relevant officials from the JPC, GFIS, GRAS, and members of the public on the third floor in Braampark Office Park.claim

03:33:32On tender closing date, six bids were recorded on the tender closing register for the RFP A33/2023, and the bidders were read out at the opening of the bid and were recorded in the bid closing register.claim

03:33:51The tender validity period for the RFP was 120 days to enable the CoJ/JPC to complete the tender process. The bid process described in this report have complied with the supply chain management policy of the CoJ.claim

03:34:12No objections were received from the National and Provincial Treasury and from the public at large. Provincial Treasury acknowledged receipt of the notice received from JPC. Their observations were that due processes was followed in terms of a public notice issued. They indicated that the municipality ensure appropriateclaim

03:34:39contract management and that the developer be monitored and reviewed on a biannual basis against the plans and agreement to ensure that milestones are met. Total development cost is approximately 2.7 billion.claim

03:34:59JPC will be receiving a development facilitation fee of 39 million, to be paid in four equal payments and the developer breaks ground for the four phases of the project.claim

03:35:15The developer will also be paying a once-off payment price for the sale of the site, as well as pay facilitation fee of 1.5% of the total development cost to JPC and administrative costs.

03:35:31The property is made up of 14 portions of land, of which seven portions will be sold to the developer. The purchase price for the seven portions is four and a half million. The remaining six portions will be leased to the developer for 55,

03:35:5155,000 a month. The lease agreement for the 50 years, after which the improvement made through the sale will be reverted back to the city at no cost to the city.

03:36:06The total financial offer to the city is 44 million, which includes the purchase price, rental, facilitation fee.

03:36:18The cost of the development will be borne by the appointed developer. For the low-cost housing aspect, the developer and JPC will work with the Department of Human Settlements for grant funding in the form of Urban Settlements and Human Settlements Development Grants.

03:36:39The agreement will not impose financial implications on the CoJ, but will generate revenue for the city.

03:36:49In addition, the development will contribute towards social upliftment of the surrounding community by providing support to the youth and grow talent, create jobs, provide housing to alleviate the burden that we are experiencing when it comes to the housing backlog.

03:37:12Speaker, as the African National Congress, we would like to request Council to note the report, especially taking into consideration that the process followed complied with the requirement of Section 33 of the MFMA number 56 of 2003, as outlined in the body of the report,

03:37:37that the CoJ may now proceed to enter into a development sale and lease agreement with the successful bidders as per the award by the Executive Adjudication Committee of the CoJ.

03:37:54But the most important, the CEO of JPC be authorized to sign all the necessary documentation to give effect to these transactions in terms of any applicable legislation, and that it shall be subject to further conditions as the CEO of JPC to protect the Council's interest.

03:38:20As the African National Congress, we note the report in the best interest of the residents of the City of Johannesburg. I thank you.

Item 10: ANC Cllr Bolani on the Wanderers lease amendment

03:38:31Thank you, Councillor Mabuza. We now call on Councillor Bolani to speak on Item 10, and you have 10 minutes. Is Councillor Bolani around?

03:38:46Greetings, Madam Speaker, Mme Margaret Arnolds. Greetings to the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Dada Morero, a.k.a. Shotgun. Greetings to the Whip of Council, Tata Nshinyuri. Greetings to the Chair of Chairs, Son of the Hunter. Greetings to the members of the Mayoral Committee, and greetings to all councillors and the residents of the City of Johannesburg.

03:39:12Madam Speaker, I rise on Item 10, amendment of the development lease agreement in respect of Portion 420, a portion of Portion 281 of the farm Syferfontein 51 IR, in terms of Section 116(3) of the MFMA Act of 2003.

03:39:30The purpose of this report is to obtain council approval for the proposed amendment of the development lease agreement on Portion 420 Syferfontein 51 IR, known as Wanderers Cricket Stadium, in terms of Section 116(3) of the Municipal Finance Management Act number 56 of 2003.

03:39:49This property is between Sandton, Melrose Arch, and Rosebank. It sits firmly in the center of South Africa's golden triangle of retail. On the 4th July 1991, the erstwhile City Council of Johannesburg and the Transvaal Cricket Board, the lessee, concluded a lease agreement over the property for a period of 50 years, with an option to renew for a further 49 years.

03:40:13The first term of the lease will continue until 31 March 2040. The second part of the lease, the extension, will result in the lease terminating on 31 March 2089.claim

03:40:25The rental payable was R49 per annum for both terms. This is from 1991 to 2089. The parties agreed that the property will be used primarily for cricket matches, and secondary uses included other sports, recreation, entertainment, and other social activities.claim

03:40:47The lease commenced in 1990 and it will expire in 2040, with an option to renew the lease at the same rental amount of R49 per annum for a further 49 years, terminating on 31 March 2089. Madam Speaker, 2024 was a turning point to this lease. In and around 2024, the lessee communicated its plans to redevelop the property to its highest development potential to create opportunities in the following areas:

03:41:18sport and business hotel. The central parkade will consist of 850 to 1,400 parking bays, valued between 125 million and 220 million, within the space running along Corlett Drive and incorporated into the current office, conferencing, sports medicine facilities of the Unity Stand, which will be called the Johannesburg Sports Institution, Institute, facing into Corlett Drive.

03:41:45Short and long-stay luxury apartments: 40 to 60 furnished and serviced long-stay executive suite apartments, valued at 90 million and measuring approximately 1,060 square meters, will be constructed with safe and secure access to the apartments through the hotel, and a number of possible shared facilities between apartments and hotel tenants.emotive

03:42:06The development, once completed, will provide the following transformation benefits: an estimated 1,464 jobs to be created during construction; an estimated value of work to SMMEs is 846,400 million; an estimated number of SMMEs to be supported is 73; 92 new permanent jobs.emotive

03:42:28The proposed redevelopment of property will create an injection of 500 million, create 1,500 jobs, empower plus-minus 70 SMMEs, and increase the city rates and taxes base. The city will also share in profits that the lessee will realize from the additional developments on the property, instead of the R49 per annum that is currently payable to the city.emotive

03:42:50The lessee has, on its own cost, already submitted township establishment application to the city to solicit development rights. It is therefore requested that the council consider the lessee's request to implement option to renew the lease for a further 49 years and not wait until 2040 to grant permission to sublet to third parties. The lease should also be amended to reflect the additional uses supplementing the current cricket use.emotive

03:43:15Instead of the R49 per annum rental to the city, JPC will negotiate a rental of not less than 30% of net premises rental in respect of the property, currently estimated at 2.1 million per annum by the lessee.emotive

03:43:31Therefore, Madam Speaker, consider that 2027 World Cup Cricket will be taking place at Wanderers Cricket Stadium, we request that the council approves the amendment of the development lease agreement on Portion 420 Syferfontein 51 IR, known as Wanderers Cricket Stadium, in terms of Section 116(3) of the Municipal Finance Management Act number 56 of 2003, allowing the lessee to bring forward the date to exercise the option to renew in terms of Clause 2emotive

03:43:59of the lease agreement, and to therefore reflect the additional uses supplementing the current cricket uses, changing, renegotiate for a new rental amount, and also to grant the lessee the right to sublet to third parties. That the JPC be authorized to give the local community reasonable notice of the intention to amend the contract or the agreement.emotive

03:44:18That the local community be invited to make representations in any of the city or JPC on the intended amendment to the contract or agreement in terms of Section 116(3) of the Municipal Finance Management Act of 2003.emotive

03:44:32That the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Johannesburg Property Company be authorized to sign all documentation to give effect to this transaction in terms of the supply chain management policy for land of the city and any other applicable legislation, and that it shall be subject to such further conditions as the Chief Executive of the Joburg Property Company considers necessary to protect the council's interests.emotive

03:44:56Madam Speaker, I want to raise this categorically: we are not going to be bullied by scandalous and unprincipled counter-revolutionaries without a mandate of people of Johannesburg. What baffles me, Madam Speaker, where does this confidence and ambiguity come from in individuals without constituency, without anything? They are only just one-seat individuals sitting here just for lunch and everything else. But as ANC, we are saying the Mayor of Johannesburg is going nowhere. Thank you.emotive

Items 9 and 10: MMC Mnisi response

03:45:25Thank you, Councillor. We are now going to call on the MMC of Economic Development, MMC Mnisi. You have 10 minutes because you are responding to Item 9 and Item 10. Before you start, MMC, just take your seat. Colleagues, one of the councillors has lost his iPhone. It's an iPhone 13. If you picked up the phone, can you please bring it to the desk in the front here. Councillor Rohlssen, no one has spoken. What point of order?

03:46:08Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just regarding the cooling unit, if you can please take the temperature down, we'd appreciate it. It's boiling in here. Thank you.

03:46:18Thank you, Councillor. MMC Mnisi, you have 10 minutes.

03:46:26Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon to the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero. Good afternoon to the Chief Whip of Council, Ngwanamani, the councillors in the chamber, our guests in the gallery, you are all acknowledged. Madam Speaker, I want to put it categorically to Councillor Tilane, unfortunately

03:46:54he stepped out, and it's not for the first time that he raised issues and he leaves the chamber. Madam Speaker, it is for the first time that this item finds its way here, Item 9. This item seeks council approval purely in terms of Section 33 of the MFMA. It does not introduce

03:47:20a new land disposal decision, but ensures that the long-term agreement flowing from a process which was approved by this council in 2018 is fully compliant with the law and transparent. This report, Madam Speaker, is about legal compliance and nothing else. The city, through JPC, is complying with Section 33 of MFMA,

03:47:46which is required when the municipality enters into a long-term contract that has financial implications which are beyond one year, financial year.

03:48:01Madam Speaker, in short, I just want to put this across the council and the residents of the City of Johannesburg, that the council is confirming that the city followed the law. It has done the consultation process with the public, we have obtained the Treasury and COGTA's inputs, and is now regularizing the agreement as required by the MFMA.claim

03:48:29Now, on the comments of Councillor Moatshe, we have done the market evaluation, and that's why we are asking for the amendments on agreements which were signed during the apartheid regime.claim

03:48:49We want to make sure that the market-related rentals are aligned to the current market-related rentals. Currently, the rental, you would know, Councillor, as you sit in the Section 79, the rental there per annum is R49, which is not market-related.

03:49:15And as the host of Cricket World Cup, we need to expedite the process and ensure that we approve this report and we have no delays.

03:49:29Through you, Madam Speaker, on Councillor Mkasi, the city is not disposing any land, Madam Speaker. The city will retain the ownership of the land in question. Any development sale elements relate to development rights. No transfer of municipal ownership

03:49:55will be done on Item 9, Madam Speaker. We want to put this across so that councillors are at ease. You see, it's disappointing because the leadership of the EFF is here from the province. And now when they were presented with this report, they were never given the gist and they were never given a proper clarity on

03:50:21this particular item, which is Item 9, on the definition of the sale/the lease. So

03:50:30isiZuluHayi bo.

03:50:32Madam Speaker, I'm not sure whether there's another MMC somewhere here who is also responding to

03:50:35Councillor Zitha, please. Please, Councillor Zitha.

03:50:42So in conclusion, Madam Speaker, I want to say this land will remain the asset of the City of Johannesburg. There is no transfer currently that is going to take place to the developer, Madam Speaker. We are therefore requesting that the council notes and approve the reports as presented. Thank you.

Item 9: Contested vote and division of the house

03:51:06Thank you, MMC. Colleagues, the recommendations for Item 9 is on pages 9.8 to 9.9. Do we agree to the item?

03:51:21No!

03:51:33Can I place the question again? Pardon? Colleagues, recommendations for Item 9 is on pages 9.8 to 9.9. Is the item agreed to?

03:52:01No! No! Big no! Big no!

03:52:19N-O!

03:52:21Colleagues, unfortunately, I have heard, and I think the table has also heard, so we'll tell you now who has it.

03:52:34Yes have it!

03:52:37Divide the house!

03:52:43Colleagues, we are going to have the division of the house on this one. Hayi, don't clap for a fish to swim. We are going to ring the bell. We are going to ring the bell, we are going to close the doors, and we are then going to count.

03:53:10Can we ring the bell? Can we close the doors? Can we close the doors, protocol?

03:54:13If you are out, you are out. The bell is going to stop. We're closing the doors. We are closing the doors.

03:54:44I also want to be very clear: we are going to count, because nobody asked for a caucus. So please close the doors, Frans. We cannot flout our own things.

03:55:32Counting is beginning. We are starting to count. Can you close the doors there, Frans? If they're out, they're out. We are going to be disciplined.

03:56:29Chief Whip, there's no political party that has asked for a caucus. But we are finding that people are outside caucusing whilst we are supposed to be counting. No one has asked for a caucus. So we are going to count without people, and we will not have fingers pointed to the desk in the front.

03:57:56Can we have those that are supporting the item? Can we have those that are supporting the item lift your hands? We are counting. There was

03:58:31I hope that we are realizing a lot of our national and provincial leadership is in the house. I also hope that we are realizing there's a lot of people from the communities that's up there that's looking at us. I'm just saying it by the way.

03:58:58Out, GNU is voting.

03:59:09We are voting. We have said

03:59:17Colleagues, can we carry on? They are counting us, Mosehla.

03:59:28GNU is voting.

03:59:30Sepedi[inaudible] Re kopa le nke register batho.

03:59:35What's this thing?

03:59:37That thing?

03:59:39Which one?

03:59:40Just QR code.

03:59:42SepediKe yona molomo wa lona?

03:59:43Ayeye, re saene.

03:59:45Steven! QR code. QR code.

03:59:58SepediLe nna ne ke tlo mema batho ba ka.

04:00:18Hey, hey, don't include us in your shenanigans with white people. Don't include us, please.

04:00:25isiZuluHhayi, thula mani. Thula!

04:00:31It's a cable.

04:00:32The councillors on my right hand side, you can lower your hands. Councillors on my right, you can lower your hands.

04:00:45Councillors on my right, lower your hands.

04:01:08isiZuluAsenza.

04:01:10Councillors on the left, you can lower your hands. Those that says no.

04:03:11You can lower your hands. Those that abstain.

04:03:30Can you count those that abstain?

04:04:58Thank you so much, councillors. You may drop your hands.

04:05:27Colleagues, the the the the results is as follows. Those that abstained are 23. Those that said no is 39. And those that said yes is 170. So, the item is carried.

Item 10: Vote and lunch adjournment

04:05:44So, now we're on to item 10. Item 10, the recommendations are on 10.7. Is the item agreed to?

04:05:54Agreed!

04:05:57Thank you, the agreeds have it. The item is carried. Thank you so much. We will now go for lunch. It is 14:10 according to my watch. We'll be back at 15:10. We are almost finished. So, we should be done early.

Item withdrawn

05:22:41the item. Thank you.

05:22:46Thank you, colleagues. The item has been withdrawn.

Item 14: Ruling of the Presiding Officer (2 September 2025)

05:22:50Let's go to

05:22:51Item 14, item 14. It's a ruling of the Presiding Officer for a council meeting held on the 2nd of September 2025.

05:23:02Thank you. Member in charge?

05:23:05Speaker, it's me again. I stand to present a report on the ruling of the Speaker that was referred on the 2nd of September, and I ask council to note the report. Thank you.

05:23:20Thank you, councillor. That is item number 14. Recommendations on page 14.4. Is the item agreed to?

Item 15: Ruling referred by Councillor Christians (2 September 2025)

05:23:30Item 15, the ruling of the Presiding Officer for a meeting held on the 2nd of September 2025.

05:23:40Member in charge?

05:23:41Thank you again, Speaker. I stand again to present a report from the rules committee on the referral from Councillor Christians on the 2nd of September again and I ask the council to note the report. Thank you.

05:23:59Thank you, councillors. The recommendations are on page 15.4. Is the item agreed to?

05:24:17Councilllors, the yeses have it. Councillor Christians? Councillors, can I hear this side? Councillor Christians?

05:24:28Thank you, Madam Speaker. We didn't hear

05:24:31You should remain seated.

05:24:32Oh, thank you, Madam

05:24:33I'm not going to go to jail if anything happens. You should remain seated. Thank you.

05:24:38Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we didn't hear anybody say yes, so we thought the noes had it there. But in terms of your ruling, in terms of Rule 84, we'd like the opposition of the DA to this item be recorded. Thank you.

05:24:51Thank you so much, Councillor Christians.

Item 16: Ruling of the Presiding Officer (29 September 2025) and minority report

05:24:56Item 16 is a ruling of the Presiding Officer for a council meeting held on the 29th of September 2025.

05:25:06Member in charge, you should be standing continuously and not sit down.

05:25:12Thank you, Speaker. Councillor Nkubungu again. I have 4 minutes, Speaker. So on this one I will use my 4 minutes.

05:25:21Okay.

05:25:21Let me greet you, Speaker, the Executive Mayor, the Mayoral Committee, councillors of the African National Congress and all councillors in the gallery, the Chair of Chairs, the Whip of Council, and also state because maybe I will be the first one to state it

05:25:44isiZuluukuthi

05:25:46we are a movement of peace and we love peace. And this report is a report that was referred to us because there were issues that were destabilising the peace that we want to enjoy in this council. As I present this report, Speaker, I also want to say we are from a movement, you know Joburg is a highly contested terrain,

05:26:16but we are the only movement that has a very peaceful regional conference, and currently we are united going forward as the African National Congress. However, I stand here to present this report to council for noting. Thank you.

05:26:35Thank you. Thank you, member in charge. There is a speaker on this one, Councillor Christians, you may be seated as you speak.

05:26:46Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, when I was 10 years old, I was part of a movement called the UDF, and what we fought for was freedom of South Africans, we fought for freedom of speech, and some of those who say we across from me clearly do not understand what the UDF is. Speaker, today it seems we are fighting for our freedom of speech again,claim

05:27:19because earlier on the Mayor was not ruled out of order when he was quoting from various newspaper articles and authors. Yet when Councillor Campbell-Cloete quoted what people who voted us in were saying, she was ruled out of order, and that is why this came to us.

05:27:46Speaker, if you look at the minority report, it's very clear that the verbatim notes given where she says the hashtag used by the community were hashtag this and hashtag that. It was not her words. She was as a principled and an upstanding councillor in the City of Johannesburg, she was quoting what the people are saying. Yet she was ruled out of order, Speaker.

05:28:16Speaker, that is why the minority report raised issues where the Speaker failed to protect the councillor's freedom of speech. And if you look at section 18(4) of the Standing Rules of Order of council, it is very clear there that the Speaker's Yes, Speaker, you can open it up, 18.4, that the Speaker is there to safeguard the freedom of speech of this house,

05:28:44but unfortunately, it was not done. Why? Because councillors on the other side decided that leadership is more important than the voice of the people. If they do not respect the Standing Rules of Order of this council, which we have, then maybe they should respect the Constitution that many of us fought hard for and some even died for, where the freedom of speech is clear there

05:29:14that when we speak, we should speak in a manner that is such that the voice of the people is heard, and it's not stopped, it's not muffled, and it allows for us to clearly indicate our grievance against a society that is failing. And the society is failing because the leadership of this house is failing them.

05:29:38So they have no other option, but to come to the councillors in the opposition and say please stand up for us. That is why we cannot accept that Councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete was wrong in what she said. All she did was she voted, she spoke as the residents of Johannesburg said.

05:30:00So if this house believes she is out of order, that means all those in the GLU also believe that the residents of Johannesburg are out of order. With that, Madam Speaker, I move that the minority report be accepted, and it does not confirm the ruling of the Speaker of this council because the freedom of speech of this councillor was not protected. I thank you.

05:30:29Member in charge.

05:30:34Thank you, Speaker. Eh, Speaker,

05:30:39standing here on behalf of the Section 79 Committee, having looked at these reports and having interrogated these reports, one can firmly say eh, Councillor Margaret Arnolds, you are doing a very good job. By far, in making sure that you sustain Rule 72A and make sure that you protect the decorum of the house, whilst making sure that your

05:31:08rulings are final. Whilst those rulings are final, we must protect the decorum of the house. And anything that attempts to interrupt the smooth running of this house, you have to take action. And in this case, you had to refer the ruling, you had to give the ruling that you gave. And the Rules Committee has agreed that by this kind of speech, being part of the councillor's speech, it becomes her own. She owns it when it comes to council.

05:31:37However, because this is a democratic house, it means that going to the Ethics Committee, she will get a chance to express herself, and the Ethics Committee will judge accordingly. So, it was not final judgment on her. It was not you saying she was wrong or right, but it was you referring it to the Ethics Committee, and the Ethics Committee will deal with it and bring the report to this house. So, Speaker, I ask the council to note the report and say, Councillor Margaret, you are still doing a good job. Thank you.

05:32:13Thank you, colleagues. Thank you um to the member in charge. Councillors, we have a report that needs to be um adopted or agreed to, and we also have a minority report. So, if you agree to the report as per put out by the committee, it means that we also agree to the minority report. And the minority report,

05:32:44if you agree to the minority report, it also means that you agree to the report that the Section 79 has given us. So, colleagues, the the the recommendations are on page 17.4. Is the item agreed to?

05:33:12Councillor Christians.

05:33:18Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the councillors around me have asked me to ask you to please repeat what you said because both versions sound the same. Are we Are we agreeing to the the report without the minority report, or are we agreeing with the report with the minority report in it? Thank you.

05:33:41I've I've I've said exactly what you said the last. We agree with the report together.

05:33:49AfrikaansHulle gaan saam.

05:33:51Concurrently. I cannot speak other languages. Uh thank you so much. Also, we are agreeing to it going concurrently.

05:34:05AfrikaansDit gaan saam.

05:34:06It goes together. Thank you so much. The report is agreed to. Thank you, colleagues.

Order of business: item 20 before in-committee items

05:34:22We are now going in committee on on on items 17, 18, and item 19. But we also have an option. We can go in committee um and if we go, or we can deal with item 20 first, that's straightforward, and then get into the in-committee.

05:34:52Um I can be guided by the house. Uh, Chief Whip,

05:34:5620 first.

05:34:58Can we can can You want to have few minutes with two minutes with your um with your whips so that we agree, or can we hear the whips of political parties? I don't want to do your work, Chief Whip.

05:35:1320 first.

05:35:14Eh, Speaker, uh maybe we can take the whips outside to talk about it, but for me, I was thinking that we can just agree.

05:35:29Colleagues, do we agree? Agreed! So, we go to item 20 and then we do in-committee. Thank you so much. Nkonyeni, Councillor Nkonyeni.

05:35:53Councillor Nkonyeni, I've given you the space to speak.

05:35:57Okay. No, it's fine, Speaker. Thanks.

05:35:59Are you good? Okay. We're going to item 20. STC will read it in into record.

Item 20: Establishment of an Executive Deputy Mayor – introduction and smaller parties

05:36:09Eh

05:36:14Executive Deputy Mayor.

05:36:15No, I don't have that. Uh, councillors, we're on item 20. It's a report on the establishment of an Executive Deputy Mayor in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.

05:36:51Uh councillors, just uh to recall on item 20, where's uh we have a report on the establishment of the Deputy Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.

05:37:05Thank you, um STC. Can we have the Freedom Front Plus, Councillor F. De Lange.

05:37:18Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, for this, I don't even need a written speech. In 1999, on provincial level, there was negotiations to look at a a metro status for certain areas of Midrand, Sandton, Roodepoort, the South of Johannesburg, the CBD, Soweto, and then a few other informal settlements. Then in the year 2000, I think for a while, it was known as Egoli,claim

05:37:48Igoli, and then the metro was formed. So, now we are 26 years down the line, Madam Speaker. And never we had a need for a Deputy Mayor position. If this came at the beginning of this term, obviously, there is more pressure on the mayoral office. The city has grown, the population has grown, and also, unfortunately, the problems has also grown.claim

05:38:17But really, Madam Speaker, please don't insult our intelligence. 11 months before this term ends, it's extremely suspect, and my heart really goes out to the GLU. If you can't keep your house in order, don't force something like this and at an extra cost to the ratepayers of Johannesburg. I thank you.

05:38:41Thank you, Councillor De Lange. Uh the next councillor would be Councillor J. Mokome from the from COPE.

05:38:56Thank you, Madam Speaker, and good afternoon. Madam Speaker, let me uphold the protocols that have been established by all the previous speakers. Madam Speaker, the Executive Deputy Mayor exercises the powers and performs the duties of the Executive Mayor if

05:39:26the Executive Mayor is absent or not available as reflected in Section 151(2) of the Municipal Structures Act, close quote. Madam Speaker, with all things being equal, the principle of mutatis mutandis applies in the event that a fully

05:39:57functional Executive Mayor's Office is operational, as this creates synergy between the two offices. Madam Speaker, our practical example experience in the City of Joburg has been the fact that the Executive Mayor was able to delegate members of the

05:40:27Mayoral Committee as Acting Executive Mayors from time to time, given his powers in that regard.

05:40:43Madam Speaker, this appointment of the Executive Deputy Mayor will enhance continuity of leadership. It will also improve executive capacity and lastly, good governance. Madam Speaker,

05:41:10due diligence has been done in relations to consultations with the Group Legal and Contracts, Group Corporate and Shared Services, including correspondence from the MMC of COGTA. Madam Speaker, therefore, we support the establishment of the position of the Executive Deputy Mayor. Thank you.

05:41:44Thank you so much, Councillor. Um can we get GOOD, Councillor M. Cook.

05:41:57Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh Madam Speaker, I think we must be clear from the outset uh that this debate is not about whether the law allows for an Executive Deputy Mayor, because the law most certainly does. The question which GOOD has had to ask itself is whether this is necessary, whether it's appropriate, and whether it's responsible for now. And that question has unfortunately left GOOD not yet persuaded.

05:42:27Johannesburg is less than a year away from local government elections. We are operating in a period of political transition, fiscal strain, and declining public trust. GOOD believes that at such a moment, council should be exercising restraint and not expansion. The city's challenges are not rooted in a lack of executive titles. They lie in weaknesses and the cracks that run throughout our administration buildings, the instability and the poor coordination sometimes.

05:42:58GOOD knows that creating a new political office is not a silver bullet, and on its own, unfortunately, a new position will not resolve any of these problems. We are being asked to approve a full-time executive position, but we don't know exactly what the enforceable performance outcomes for that position will be. Furthermore, there's also no evidence that the existing executive structures have been exhausted or properly evaluated.

05:43:28We have been very supportive of the GLU and the executive and the Executive Mayor over what they're achieving currently, and therefore, we don't believe that an additional position at this stage is necessary. We do believe that continuity of leadership is important, but continuity should be institutional, not dependent on adding another political office. We know that the absence of the Executive Mayor creates governance risks, but then the issue lies in delegation frameworks,

05:43:59administrative resilience, and succession planning, not in a title. We must also be honest about the political context. Establishing a new executive post so close to an election risks creating a perception, and we've learned that what is perception becomes reality.

05:44:1740 seconds.

05:44:18Fair or not, this council will be seen to be prioritizing political accommodation over service delivery. And at a time when residents are struggling with outages, infrastructure failures, and unsafe neighborhoods, GOOD believes this is not the signal we should be sending to the residents of Johannesburg. Unfortunately, it is our belief as GOOD that we are not rejecting this idea outright. We are just saying not at this stage.

05:44:4710 seconds.

05:44:48Let the next council with a fresh mandate from voters assess this situation. Thank you, Speaker.

05:44:55Thank you, Councillor. Um Councillor Zigebe, uh from UDM.

05:45:03Um thank you, Speaker. The UDM withdraws from this debate. Thank you.

05:45:09Thank you. Uh ATM, Councillor Magwentshu.

05:45:14Eh thank you, Speaker. Eh we note the report. Thank you.

05:45:19Uh Councillor Gwamanda, Al Jama-ah. I don't see him in the house.

Item 20: DA opposes the Deputy Mayor position

05:45:30Uh Councillor Christians, DA.

05:45:38Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, when you look at this report, you got to consider what it's about. And the debate that we have to have is about is whether it's about position or it's about the people. The people out there are crying. We've heard earlier on today in this house that infrastructure is failing. We do not have sufficient funds to deal with it.

05:46:10As far back as 2016, we heard that in order to fix the infrastructure in the City of Johannesburg, it will take almost 100 years, because of one thing that some councillors who spoke before me forgot to mention. They did not consult with finance. And if you consult with finance, you would realize what the people are saying is that we need services. We do not need positions.claim

05:46:39This position, just to set it up, and this exercise was done by the DA in 2016 when it when we came in, today would cost about R10 million just to set up this office. Now, are we willing to set up an office of a Deputy Mayor for R10 million when we do not have the money for infrastructure? The people of Jan Hofmeyr are crying. The people of Brixton are crying.claim

05:47:09The people of Mayfair are crying because we do not have money to pay the service provider building the the new tower there. Yet, we want to spend 10 million to set up an office by approving this. If the MEC, the proposal from the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Infrastructure wants us to elect an Executive Deputy Mayor in the City of Johannesburg, why have they not followed the funds with the form? It's all about positions. It's not about the people.claim

05:47:41The people of the South, where Councillor Chame, Councillor Landis, Councillor Crichton, Councillor Meyers have to regularly cry to officials to come and do maintenance because electricity is down, water is down, because there is no money. Just recently, Randburg had a catastrophe, or is still in a catastrophe, because Pikitup was on strike because there was no money to pay people.claim

05:48:13Yet, we are all more concerned about the position rather than the people. It's the people that provide us with the money. And it's the people that should have the say, not the politicians who now want to make sure that the GLU is sticking. Because this position, whilst we have it in DA municipalities, is because we can afford it. But in the City of Johannesburg in 2016, when we took over, we found that we could not afford it in the City of Johannesburg.

05:48:42That's why we did not consider it then. We're not opposed to the position, but what we are opposed to is putting a position above the people. So, I urge you, if you want to approve this, let's go to the MEC and tell him, provide the funds for a Deputy Mayor. Don't just tell us that you can elect to it, and I'll agree to it. Agreeing does not provide the funds. It only provides the position. The establishment of this position

05:49:12is there already. And I say it is there already because whenever the Mayor is not here, he has nine other MMCs to stand in for him. And that's what this position does. It's a stand-in position. It's not going to create anything better in the City of Johannesburg. So, when we consider that, that's what we need to look at. It is legal, it is lawful, but it's not what the people want. Madam Speaker, I urge you

05:49:43to get the councillors in this house to think about it. We speak about good governance, but is it good governance when we do not have the funds? Madam Speaker, I meant through you, not for you to do the urging yourself. But through you, Madam Speaker, I urge all the councillors sitting across from me to consider it. We talk about good governance. Is this good fiscal governance? No, it's not.

05:50:12That's about pandering to people who want power at the expense of the people. There is hope for Johannesburg, but that hope is within us doing what we can to make Johannesburg better, and not just holding positions. Councillors on that side, I urge you, elections are around the corner. If you want to come back, vote against this item,

05:50:41because the people will decide that you chose a position over the people. I thank you.

Item 20: ActionSA conditional support

05:50:48Councillor Christians, thank you so much. Um ActionSA, Councillor Coutriers.

05:50:59Councillor Christians, shoo, shoo, shoo.

05:51:03Madam Speaker, good afternoon, um and good afternoon to our fellow councillors, and most importantly, to the residents of Johannesburg, and of course, the the fabulous 44.

05:51:13AfrikaansJulle lyk mooi vandag.

05:51:18Madam Speaker, ActionSA approaches the proposal to establish the Deputy Executive Mayor position with a clear and principled lens. And when we look at this lens, we we have to ask ourselves the question, what strengthens governance, what improves service delivery, and respects the hard-earned money of Johannesburg's residents? Madam Speaker, let me state upfront, ActionSA is not opposed to the concept of a Deputy Mayor.

05:51:48In a metro as complex and expansive and demanding as Johannesburg, there is merit in strengthening executive capacity. The scale of our challenges, from collapsing infrastructure and service backlogs to financial recovery and inner-city revitalization, requires leadership that is focused, coordinated, and accountable. However, Speaker, Madam Speaker, support for a principle does not mean a blank check. Johannesburg is not in a financial position to expand political office without restraint.

05:52:22Our residents are already under severe pressure, rising electricity tariffs, water challenges, fuel costs, and a cost-of-living crisis that makes every cent matter. Any decision taken in this chamber must therefore pass a simple test: Does it add value without adding unnecessary cost? Madam Speaker, a standalone Deputy Mayor will earn, give or take uh half a Woolworths bag, R1.2 million per annum,

05:52:53almost as much as what was found recently, allegedly, in somebody's car. We will be adding to an already bloated staff complement of 35,000 people and now will add to a wage bill when the city's city constantly fails to reach watered-down revenue collection targets. It is for this reason that ActionSA proposes a practical, responsible compromise. Look at the model that Tshwane has. Let's look at it. Not saying it's the right model, but let's look at it.

05:53:26We support the establishment of a Deputy Mayor on the condition that the role is paired with an existing Mayoral Committee portfolio. In other words, a Deputy Mayor who also serves as an MMC. The approach achieves three critical object uh objectives. Firstly, it strengthens executive leadership without increasing the burden on the ratepayer. Secondly, it ensures that the Deputy Mayor has real operational responsibility. And thirdly, it sends a powerful signal to our residents

05:53:57that this council understands their financial pain and is prepared to lead by example. Madam Speaker, ActionSA is deeply concerned that without these safeguards, the creation of a Deputy Mayor position risks being perceived, fairly or unfairly, as political accommodation rather than governance reform. At a time when trust in government is fragile, perception matters. We must be honest. Johannesburg does not suffer from a shortage of titles. It suffers from a shortage of service delivery.

05:54:28Residents do not ask how many politicians sit in executive office. They ask, why are the lights still out? Why are water interruptions still taking place? Why do roads collapse months after being repaired? Why does corruption continue to drain resources meant for communities? Any restructuring of executive authority must be laser-focused on solving these problems, not creating new layers of cost. We therefore call on the executive to formalize

05:54:59a model where the Deputy Mayor role is cost-neutral, tied to measurable performance indicators, and reviewed regularly to ensure it delivers tangible benefits to residents. Speak to the City of Tshwane. It can work. With keeping our residents always at the forefront of our decision, it can happen easily.

05:55:19AfrikaansMevrou die Speaker, ons is gereed om hervormings te ondersteun wat regering versterk.

05:55:26We are ready to support leadership that works.

05:55:28Afrikaans39 sekondes.

05:55:29But we will not support decisions that ask our struggling residents to pay more for politics instead of progress. Johannesburg deserves ethical leadership, disciplined spending, and accountable governance. And it is possible to achieve all three if we choose responsibility over convenience. ActionSA stands ready to work constructively toward that goal. I thank you.

05:55:55AfrikaansBaie dankie, Raadslid.

Item 20: EFF rejects the proposal

05:55:59Councillor Mogapi, EFF.

05:56:05Thank you, Speaker. Greeting to the Sub-Region F Chairperson, Aviwe Mtaniso, and the Secretary, eh Sambo, and greetings to the councillors. On the proposal concerning the Deputy Mayor, the EFF cannot support this item. Our position has always been consistent. Executive authority in local government must be eh justified by clear governance needs, defined responsibilities, and demonstrable value

05:56:35to residents, not by political expediency. The proposal before council failed to meet this standard and therefore does not warrant approval. In terms of the Constitution, municipalities are required to structure their administration and the political leadership in a manner that prioritize efficient and effective and accountable governance, as well as the progressive realization of basic services. Similarly, the Municipal Systems Act is clear that political structure must be designed to enable service delivery,

05:57:08accountability, and the community participation. This proposal does not adequately explain how the role of the Deputy Mayor, as currently presented, will advance this constitutional and legislative obligations. The EFF has repeatedly warned against the expansions or reconfiguration of executive position without a clear service delivery rationale. Johannesburg is facing a profound crisis:

05:57:39collapsing infrastructure, persistent water and electricity disruptions, a deteriorating roads, and widespread unemployment. In this context, council cannot justify additional executive arrangement that are not directly linked to resolving these material condition. The absence of defined performance indicators, oversight mechanism, and consequences for non-performance raises a serious concern about compliance with the principle of accountability

05:58:10and envisaged in the Municipal Finance Management Act. Furthermore, the proposal does not demonstrate how this appointment will strengthen collective executive responsibility or improve coordination across departments. Instead, it risks reinforcing a culture where executive position exist without measurable outcomes, while communities continue to suffer. The EFF has consistently opposed such governance models

05:58:40because they divert attention from structural reforms and blur lines and responsibilities. For this reason, we reject this proposal. Our rejection is grounded in law, in principle, and in our unwavering commitment to the developmental local state that serves the working class and the poor. Until proposals brought before the council clearly demonstrate how they enhance accountability, improve service delivery, and comply with the legislative framework governing municipalities,

05:59:15the EFF will not support this item. Thank you.

Item 20: Chair of Chairs motivates for the ANC

05:59:18Thank you, Councillor Mogapi. Um Chair of Chairs, Councillor Marema.

05:59:30Thank you very much, honorable Speaker, eh Councillor Margaret Arnolds, Whip of Council, eh Councillor Kasamula Chauke, Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, members of the Mayoral Committee respectively, Chairpersons of Section 79 respectively, councillors of the City of Johannesburg.

06:00:00Johannesburg. And I also want to greet the newly elected Regional Executive Committee of the ANC as led by MMC Councillor Masuku. And to you, to you I quote a Latin word, "Per aspera ad astra", Dadoo. Which means through hardship and adversity to the star. Residents of the City of Johannesburg,claim

06:00:31council will recall that following 2021 local government elections, the city elected an executive mayor, but did not exercise its discretion to elect an executive deputy mayor as permitted by Section 55.1A of the Municipal Structures Act. In 2023, the member of the executive council for cooperative governance and traditional affairs formally proposed that the cityclaim

06:01:02reconsiders this position in light of growing governance and service delivery demands. The report before council clearly outlines the strategic value of establishing an executive deputy mayor. It speaks directly to continuity of leadership, improved executive capacity, and strengthened political oversight. The tabling of this report does not predetermine council's decision. Rather, it enables council to exercise its discretionclaim

06:01:34as envisaged in the law. The report confirms that the proposal is lawful, financially accommodated within the approved budget, and aligned with the principles of cooperative governance. It is therefore both appropriate and necessary that this matter be placed before council to allow for informed deliberation and decision making in the best interest of the City of Johannesburg and its res- residents.

06:02:02And Speaker, and without wanting to get into a a notion of wanting to answer to those that debated before me, but as some of my fellow councillors, through you Speaker, as we're debating I then perused the report. And I was looking for the 10 million that was spoken about by Councillor Christians. I couldn't find it. I couldn't find that 10 million.

06:02:30Which then suggests that that is the there's a narrative that someone who wants to be sworn in, er in this council next week or in the next month wants to drive in the City of Johannesburg. That there is no 10 million as suggested by that fellow councillor. However, I want to agree and perhaps it's something that we need to really zoom into. But before I go to Councillor Coutriers, perhaps Councillor Christians will share his email address so that we can share that report. Because clearly he did not read it.

06:03:05Yes, Councillor Coutriers, this position of the executive deputy mayor, it is not a new position. It is not something that is created from the sky.

06:03:18Chair of chairs, can you just hold on? I'm not sure why someone

06:03:23I hope he's sharing his email address.

06:03:25Just hold on. I'm not sure why you screaming, Councillor? Yeah, someone did tell me Christians' hand was up. Councillor Christians.

06:03:40Madam Speaker, I rise, that's seated as per you in terms of Rule 71.2. May I continue?

06:03:56Councillor Christians, can you please carry on?

06:03:59Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, um my speech has been misinterpreted. If if the chair of chairs was listening, I said research was done in 2016 for the cost of a deputy mayor. It's not in this report. If the research was done in 2016. Thank you.claim

06:04:19Chair of chairs, can you please continue? Continue, chair of chairs.

06:04:25I thought that was a point point of order, Speaker.

06:04:32Colleagues. Colleagues, can we not do what we are doing?

06:04:38AfrikaansOns het nou nie eers verstaan wat sê jy nie,

06:04:40Councillor Da Gama. Please, can we please just not do that when someone else is on the podium. Thanks, chair of chairs.

06:04:48Speaker, Speaker, I will conclude by saying that the African National Congress ask or request that this council consider and approves this this report. Thank you.

Item 20: Division of the house and result

06:05:00Thank you, Councillor. Colleagues, the recommendations of the item is on page, just hold on, I just need to get the page. It's on page 20.5. Is the item agreed to?

06:05:19No!

06:05:42It sounded like a no here. Um can we have a division of the house?

06:05:50The no's have it.

06:05:52Can we have a division of the house? Can we divide the house? Can we ring the bell?

06:06:01Ring the bell, Speaker.

06:09:26Are we certain that all our members are in the house so that we can start?

06:10:05Thank you, councillors. Can we start, councillors?

06:10:33Can we get to our seats, please? Because we want to start. We still have about 10 items to go.

06:10:51Councillor Marcel Coutriers. Colleagues, can we start with those that abstain? Those that abstain, can you lift your hands?

06:11:18Councillor Smit, can you please control at the back there?

06:12:22You can lower your hands. Can we go to those that say no? Those that abstained earlier on, can you can you lower your hands? Those that abstained before. You can't vote twice, Councillor Ntombela.

06:16:12You can lower your hands.

06:16:30Can we have the yeses? Put up your hands.

06:19:10You may lower your hands, councillors.

06:19:20Uh Madam Speaker.

06:19:27Yes, Councillor Rohlssen.

06:19:30Uh thank you very much, Madam Speaker. If you could please note the ACDP is abstaining from this vote. Thank you.

06:19:39Councillor Rohlssen. Wait, councillors. Councillors, wait, wait, wait. Councillor Rohlssen, we called for those that abstain first. We then went to those that said no second. We are now at the ones that said yes. I'm not sure where you were. If you were outside, they will not be counting you.

06:20:10Unfortunately.

06:20:14Madam Speaker, may I respond?

06:20:16Pardon?

06:20:17May I respond to your your point, Madam Speaker?

06:20:19No, no, no. I've ruled. You were not here when we counted, so we can't count you. You were not seated.

06:20:26Madam Speaker, I was

06:20:27And we asked every Councillor Rohlssen, we agreed that if you are not inside, you don't vote. You were in the house, but we called for those that abstain. No, Councillor, sorry. Voting is closed. Voting is closed.

06:20:58Councillors, the results are as follows. And Councillor Rohlssen, we need to be disciplined when we do things. Those that abstain, 37. Those that said no, 87. And those that said yes is 107. The item is carried.

06:21:33Councillors, can you Councillor Christians, your hand is up. Just hold on, Councillor Christians. Councillor Christians.

06:21:48Thank you, Madam Speaker. In terms of Rule 84, please note the opposition of the DA in in on this item. Thank you.

Council goes into committee

06:21:56It is recorded as such, you were those that said no. It is recorded as such, Councillor. Thank you so much. We are now going to the in-committee items. Colleagues, can I can I carry on? Am I allowed to carry on, colleagues?

06:22:29All of us on both sides, am I allowed to carry on? Thank you. We are now going to do the in-committee items. So, we are going to ask for screens to go off. We are going to ask everybody in the gallery, you switch off your cameras, you move out. Everybody in the gallery, can you move out?

06:23:00Can you switch off your cameras? The gallery should be clear. No human body up there and switch off your cameras. Protocol, check if all the cameras that are upstairs are off.

In-committee: reading of recommendations on JMPD financial misconduct investigations

07:54:53Yeah, we are live now.

07:54:58Pardon? I can't hear you.

07:55:04So and secondly that council notes that it is a requirement in terms of the MFMA regulations on financial misconduct procedures and criminal proceedings that each preliminary and or full investigation of an allegation of financial misconduct by the disciplinary board requires council approval. Number three, that the council approves that the alleged acts of financial misconduct be referred to the disciplinary board for preliminary investigation in accordance with the disciplinary boards approved terms of reference and the MFMA regulations on financial misconduct, procedures, and criminal proceedings. And going to recommendation 3.1. It's council approves that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct where the department incurred expenditure by ordering the vehicles that were not on the specification and or the rate card that was not approved that was approved, sorry, by the EAC and the city manager in the financial year 2023-24 resulting in the irregular expenditure of approximately 17,412,103 and 90 cents.

07:56:213.2, that council approves the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct where Afrirent had allegedly claimed for about 61 vehicles that were not on the JMPD's asset register between November 2019 to June 2024, resulting in the irregular payment and possible fruitless and wasteful expenditure of approximately 42,082,580.89. 3.3, Council approves that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with non-compliance with SCM policies and/or HR recruitment policy during policies during the appointment of an independent contractor in financial year 2020/21, resulting in an irregular expenditure of approximately 206,505.

07:57:25And 3.4, that council approves that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged invoices that were processed even though they were either inflated or duplicated in the financial year 2020-21, resulting in a fruitless and wasteful expenditure of approximately 2,365,328.90.

07:57:52At 3.5 that council approves the sorry, council approves that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged payment of a salary to JMPD safety officer official, sorry while he was AWOL in financial year 2021-22 resulting in a fruitless and wasteful expenditure of approximately 251,228.80. 3.6 is council approves the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with allegations that officials did not properly conduct outdoor advertising physical physical audit resulting in no value for money being received in the financial year 2023-24 causing incurrence of fruitless and wasteful expenditure of approximately 1,474,617.13.

07:58:583.7 Council approves that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with SCM policies and MFMA regulations during the appointment of a service provider in the financial year 2018-19, resulting in irregular expenditure of approximately 3,851,115. And then 3.8 Council approves the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with allegations that the department continued to incur expenditure in the contracted services line item without the required budget approval and or while the budget was depleted in the financial year 2024-25, resulting in unauthorized expenditure of approximately 861,574,155.88. 3.9 Council approves that the disciplinary

08:00:00disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with supply chain management policy and regulation 36 in the appointment of a service provider in the financial year 2019/10 to 2016/17 resulting in an irregular expenditure for approximately 925 million 566 thousand 691 hundred and 17 cents.

08:00:293.10 council approves the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with supply chain management policy and regulation 36 in the appointment of a service provider in the financial years 2010/11 to 2018/19 resulting in an irregular expenditure for approximately 557 million 668 thousand 521 hundred and 2 cents.

08:01:01Also 3.11 council approved the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into acts into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with supply chain management policies policy in the appointment of a service provider in the financial year 2017/18 resulting in an irregular expenditure of approximately 7 million 270 thousand 593 and 5 cents.

08:01:36And 3.12 that council approves the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct related to non-implementation of the court order which resulted in contempt order judgement issued against the city and the settlement of 146 million.

08:01:55This contributed to the department incurring unauthorized expenditure when the payment of the first installment was paid during 2024/25 financial year.

08:02:04Recommendation 3.13 that council approves that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with SCM policies and MFMA regulation 36 in the appointment of a service provider during the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22 resulting in an irregular expenditure of approximately 233 million 834 thousand 480 hundred and 14 cents.

08:02:37And 3.14 council approves the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with MFMA regulation 32 and/or MFMA circular 96 in the appointment of a service provider during the financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20 resulting in an irregular expenditure for approximately 336 million 904 thousand 584 and 57 cents.

08:03:11Recommendation 3.15 council approved the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation to possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with SCM policy and MFMA regulations in the appointment of a panel of attorneys for revenue collection during the financial years 2018/19 to 2021/22 resulting in an irregular expenditure of approximately 1 billion 208 million 192 thousand 986 hundred and 9 cents.

08:03:49Recommendation 3.16 requires council to approve that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation to possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged non-compliance with supply chain policy and MFMA section related to contract management in the appointment of a service provider during the financial year 2019/20 resulting in an irregular expenditure of approximately 4 million 848 thousand 900 and 92 cents.

08:04:21Recommendation 3.17 requires council to approve that the disciplinary board conducts a preliminary investigation into possible acts of financial misconduct associated with alleged irregular procurement of human resource system at the Johannesburg metropolitan bus services through MFMA SCM regulation 32 during the financial year 2023/24 and 2024/25 resulting in an irregular expenditure of possible fruitless and wasteful expenditure of approximately 10 million and 45 thousand 943 and 7 cents.

08:05:01The gentleman on my right hand side on the top that just went to sit down now, we asked earlier on that you do not take pictures and videos if you are not an accredited from an accredited media house. We will then send someone to remove you, sir.

08:05:28Protocol, can you just go and find out if it's someone from the media? If it's not, we remove the person, please, this side. Thank you.

08:05:47And then lastly it's item 4 on recommendation and that it's recommended council that it be noted that the disciplinary board is required to comply with the approved terms of reference in the carrying out of its duties and shall therefore report to council on the outcomes of the preliminary investigations through the city's reporting protocols. Thanks.

Close of in-committee items

08:06:12Thank you so much STC. Okay, we've now read into record the recommendations and we are done with the in-committee's items and we'll now go to the next item.

Motions deferred pending secret ballot advice

08:06:39We now proceed with motions.

08:06:44Yes, Councillor Smit.

08:06:47Speaker, the DA requests a 30-minute caucus break prior to the motions, please.

08:06:56Can we, yes Chair of Chairs? We want to read the motions in first.

08:07:05No, thank you very much honourable Speaker of the Council of the City of Johannesburg. I wanted to remind you, perhaps you can grant them that 30 minutes, but it's up to you, I do not want to preempt,

08:07:20but I wanted to remind you I was speaking to the proposers of the motions. So I don't want you to go further and read them into records when the proposers have engaged me and yourself in terms of the request that they have made in as far as voting through a secret ballot is concerned.

08:07:40So that matter has not been exhausted as yet in as far as legal opinion is concerned, so those motions, all of them, we ask that they get deferred until we exhaust that process. But of course through you, once you defer them, you can grant them the 30 minutes. Thank you.

08:07:59Okay, colleagues, as you've heard from the Chair of Chairs, there was a request for a secret ballot and I have not exhausted asking for advice. So these items are, all the motions are deferred until further notice, so that's where we end on that. I'm not sure if you still want the 30 minutes.

08:08:29Colleagues.

08:08:30No, thank you, in the light of current information, no thank you Speaker, we don't need it.

Announcements and closure

08:08:35Okay, can we just go to the information on the agenda? STC.

08:08:43We're now on announcements. Thank you.

08:08:46There are no announcements except that we have deferred the motions. We are now on closure. Thank you so much for your attendance. You've had a very good attendance and you were very good today in behavior. Thank you so much. Enjoy your day.