Thursday, 12 March 2026 · 4 h 35 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
46th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting
AI draft.Written by AI from the livestream and not yet checked by a person. Use the timestamps to check anything before you quote it.
- Governance and appointments
- Budget and finances
- Services, housing and development
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (6)
- ◯Quorum count (1)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (4)
Chapters, decisions and procedure are AI drafts from the livestream; topic tags are AI judgments (a chapter with several shows its strongest). Services, housing and development covers water, electricity, roads, housing, waste, safety, health, planning and community facilities.
At the 46th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting, the operating adjustment budget for 2025/2026 was not carried: 117 voted yes, 67 no and 58 abstained, short of the 136 required. 04:14:39 Deputy Executive Mayor Masuku then withdrew items 2, 3 and 4 on behalf of the executive, saying SAMWU must be told the EFF, DA and ActionSA rejected the wage implementation. 04:29:44
In debate, ActionSA, the DA and the FF+ said they would not support the adjustment budget, while the ANC, UDM, ACDP and AIC backed it. 02:55:25 02:57:35 03:01:16 03:04:34 03:09:15 03:21:32 03:24:46 Cllr Cook (GOOD) said the Section 79 Finance Committee he chairs never received the report; Cllr Masuku replied that a Section 79 committee cannot approve budgets. 02:48:32 03:34:43
Voting was halted when a councillor collapsed and paramedics were called; the councillor was taken out on a stretcher before the house was divided. 03:50:31 04:04:26 04:14:39 The DA's Cllr Echeozonjoku complained about EMS response time, and the Speaker promised to address concerns that EMS staff wait outside in an ambulance during sittings. 04:00:06
Before the vote, the DA objected to the Speaker ringing the bell and waiting for councillors outside, and she refused break requests from Al Jama-ah and Cllr Magwentshu. 03:42:14 03:47:12 04:04:26
Earlier, caucus breaks and a 30-minute adjournment for the Speaker to consult legal staff delayed business, and the meeting ended amid shouting about SAMWU, with the next meeting on the 24th and 25th. 00:28:35 01:50:29 02:47:40 04:29:44
AI draft from the record of this sitting (Claude Opus 5.5), checked against the chapters; every sentence links to the moment. Report an error
This week in council: Operating adjustment budget not carried: 117 for, 67 against, short of 136 needed
In brief
- 6 decisions: 2 noted or other, 2 approved, 1 rejected, 1 deferred or withdrawn.
- 3 promises on record, including: The Speaker said council would resume after the caucus breaks at 11:20.
- 1 quorum count.
- 36 apologies read out. Sound or equipment problem: 1; Warned or stopped by the chair: 5; Not present when called: 1.
Chapters
29What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:03:55
Sound checks before the sitting
The recording opens with repeated microphone and sound tests before the chamber settles. No business is conducted.
Report an error - 00:08:59
Opening, moment of silence and notice of meeting
The Speaker enters, councillors stand for a moment of silence or meditation, and she notes the 46th extraordinary council meeting of the City of Johannesburg. Opening is declared as the first agenda item.
Report an error - 00:10:40
Welcome address and Ward 102 by-election congratulations
The Speaker welcomes the mayor and chief whip (both noted as absent), the Deputy Executive Mayor, the City Manager, the Secretary to Council and others. She congratulates the DA on winning the Ward 102 by-election and welcomes the new ward councillor, Cllr Obakeng Kamela. She then clarifies the welcome after some reaction in the chamber.
Report an error - 00:12:42
Quorum count and register
The Speaker allows 10 minutes for councillors to be counted and the register verified to confirm a quorum. She warns that councillors outside the chamber will not be counted or allowed to vote. A DA councillor asks whether the new electronic system can be used to log in as a register; the Speaker says not yet, because caucus chairpersons and whips have not said when they are available to meet. After the count, 156 councillors have signed the register but only 147 are in the chamber, and the whips are asked to get everyone inside.
ArnoldsAICEcheozonjokuDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:21:22
Applications for leave of absence
The Speaker reads out the leave applications received (private business, late arrivals and early departures), and caucus representatives then add further apologies. These cover party business, ill health, late arrival because of roadblocks and protests, and early departures. The ANC, ActionSA, DA, EFF, PA, IFP, ACDP and minority-party representatives each add names, and the apologies are noted.
ArnoldsAICMogapiEFFSimonsePAManganyiIFPNairANCHarrisACDP1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:28:09
Recommendations to council introduced
The Speaker moves to the third agenda item, recommendations to council, and calls on the Executive Mayor. The Executive Mayor says he presents the recommendations for council's consideration and approval. No debate on the content follows before caucus breaks are requested.
Report an error - 00:28:35
Caucus break requests and adjournment
ActionSA asks for a 30-minute caucus break, the DA also asks for 30 minutes, and the EFF asks for 1 hour 30 minutes. The Speaker grants 30 minutes to ActionSA and the DA and one hour to the EFF, with council to resume at 11:20. She also warns that no lunch has been catered, only tea and sandwiches, so councillors would need to arrange their own lunch if the day runs long.
NtombelaActionSAAvant-SmithDAMogapiEFFArnoldsAIC
Report an error - 01:39:56
Caucuses report back
After the break the Speaker asks the parties that requested caucuses to report back. ActionSA and the DA say they are ready to proceed, and the EFF's Cllr Mogapi is not in the chamber when called.
ArnoldsAICNtombelaActionSA1 unidentified
Report an error - 01:41:05
Speaker pauses proceedings to consult legal
The Speaker tells councillors that something important has cropped up and asks them to stay seated while she consults the legal team. The delay runs for several minutes, and she asks everyone who sits at the table to return to their places.
Report an error - 01:50:29
30-minute adjournment for legal issue and heckling over food
The Speaker says the issue cannot be resolved in five minutes and adjourns for 30 minutes to deal with it with legal advice, with council to return at 12:10. She asks Cllr Avant-Smith to see her. Councillors heckle about the earlier remarks on lunch, and a request is made that she report back.
ArnoldsAICAvant-SmithDA1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:47:40
Speaker resumes the sitting after the bell
The Speaker apologises for being slightly late after the bell stopped ringing and says the issue has been solved. She continues the council meeting.
Report an error - 02:48:32
Item 3 (Item 1): Operating adjustment budget 2025/26 – Cllr Cook (GOOD)
The Speaker introduces the operating adjustment budget for 2025/26. Cllr Cook says the Section 79 Finance Committee, which he chairs, never received the report, though it had gone to the mayoral committee. He objects that employee costs rise by R1.35 billion while contracted services fall by over R1 billion. He also raises the R1.1 billion rise in debt impairment, the falling surplus and the unaccounted R979 million equitable share cut.
Also discussed: Item 3: 2026/27 budget – Cllr Santana (DA) (28 May 2026) · Debate on item 55: 2024/25 adjustment budget (55A, 55B, 55C) (13 March 2025)
Report an error - 02:52:04
Debate: PA (Cllr Steenkamp) on service delivery and the budget
The PA councillor speaks about unfulfilled promises in Soweto and nearby communities, and says the budget belongs to all councillors and not the mayor. He is warned about his time and wraps up asking that money reach communities and not be diverted for grandstanding.
Report an error - 02:55:25
Debate: ACDP (Cllr Harris) on the PFA and affordability
Cllr Harris cites the 2024 analysis of the Politically Facilitated Agreement and questions whether the R1.354 billion rise in employee costs is affordable. He asks about water revenue and spending on infrastructure. He says the ACDP notes and supports the item.
Also discussed: Item 1 debate: DA opposes the adjustment budget (20 March 2026)
Report an error - 02:57:35
Debate: FF+ (Cllr Boer) on unauthorised expenditure
Cllr Boer explains the MFMA purpose of an adjustment budget and the rules on unauthorised expenditure. He says the city overspent in six months on salaries, bulk electricity, water inventory and interest, and that the adjustment does not address most of this. He says the Freedom Front will not support it, and the Speaker cuts his time.
Also discussed: Items 18 and 19: In-year financial reports (June and July 2026), first speakers (30 September 2026) · Item 1 debate: Freedom Front Plus (3 July 2025) · Item 1 debate: DA opposes the adjustment budget (20 March 2026)
Report an error - 03:01:16
Debate: AIC supports the adjustment budget
A councillor introduced as being from the AIC supports the report. The speaker says adjustment budgets let the city realign resources and keep services running. The speaker calls for efficient, transparent spending and financial discipline.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 03:04:34
Debate: Al Jama-ah absent; ActionSA (Cllr Nkonyeni) rejects the budget
Al Jama-ah's Cllr Gwamanda is not present and is passed over. Cllr Nkonyeni of ActionSA restates the party's priorities: inner city rejuvenation, scrapping the surcharge, insourcing, better revenue collection, institutional review of municipal entities and less reliance on loans. He says ActionSA rejected the mid-term budget and will not support the adjustment.
Also discussed: Item 1 debate: ActionSA rejects the budget (20 March 2026)
Report an error - 03:09:15
Debate: DA (Cllr Santana) rejects the adjustment budget
Cllr Santana says the surplus is only about 3.2 billion (3.8% of revenue) and that the PFA is driving up the wage bill without a funding plan or feasibility studies. He cites higher debt impairment, under-collection at City Power, Joburg Water and Pikitup, and growing liabilities. He says the DA rejects the budget and reserves its rights.
Also discussed: Adjustment budget debate: ANC rejects (Councillor Mahlangu) (27 March 2025) · Adjustment budget debate: ANC rejects (Councillor Matabane) (27 March 2025) · Item 1 debate: ActionSA rejects the budget (20 March 2026)
Report an error - 03:17:11
Debate: EFF (Cllr Zitha) on spending outpacing income
Cllr Zitha greets the EFF leadership and the newly sworn-in councillors. She notes that expenditure rises by about R982 million while revenue rises by R28 million, that the surplus drops from 4.2 to 3.2 billion, and that debt impairment and employee costs rise. Her speech is cut off at the time limit.
Also discussed: EFF's Cllr Khonkhobe on the budget (28 May 2026) · Budget debate: GOOD (Cook) criticises the budget (29 May 2025) · Later recording segment: finance debate remarks (17 January 2025)
Report an error - 03:21:32
Debate: UDM (Cllr Zigebe) supports the adjustment budget
Cllr Zigebe reviews the figures: the surplus falls from 4.15 to 3.19 billion, employee costs rise by 1.35 billion, and capital spending and borrowing are revised down. He says the numbers demand seriousness but not panic, and supports the adjustment budget.
Report an error - 03:24:46
Debate: ANC (Cllr Radebe) supports an "honest budget"
Cllr Radebe says the ANC supports the budget as an honest, pressured one. He names three drivers: debt impairment, the collective-bargaining wage increase, and bulk purchases from Eskom and Rand Water. He calls for better revenue collection and warns that failing to adopt it risks administration.
Report an error - 03:34:43
Reply by Deputy Executive Mayor / MMC Finance Masuku
Cllr Masuku asks that MMCs get more time for budget debates, and the Speaker says this is being looked into. She responds to councillors' points. She says a Section 79 committee cannot approve budgets, and that the R979 million is awaited from National Treasury. She says salary overspending is provided for in the report and defends the PFA as correcting historic disparities. She asks council to approve the budget.
Report an error - 03:42:14
Procedure dispute: bell and getting councillors into the chamber
The Speaker asks all councillors to be in the chamber before the vote and says she will ring the bell. Cllr Christians objects that bells are only rung for a roll call. A voice vote of yes and no is inconclusive and the Speaker decides the bell must be rung and doors closed.
Report an error - 03:47:12
Procedure dispute: councillors outside, DA objection, Al Jama-ah break request
The Speaker waits for councillors outside to come in. Cllr Echeozonjoku accuses her of bending the rules and reserves DA rights on process. Al Jama-ah asks for a 15-minute break, which the Speaker refuses. Cllr Seerane urges that the vote proceed.
ArnoldsAICEcheozonjokuDAAmadAl Jama-ahSeeraneEFF
Report an error - 03:50:31
Voting begins and is halted by a councillor's medical emergency
As voting starts, a councillor collapses and paramedics are called. Councillors crowd around and the Speaker orders them away and back to their seats. A councillor suggests phones be put in a basket, and the Speaker rejects that as insensitive.
ArnoldsAIC1 unidentified
Report an error - 04:00:06
Resumption: Deputy Mayor update and complaints about EMS response and process
Deputy Mayor Masuku reports the councillor is on oxygen and asks members to return to their seats. Cllr Echeozonjoku complains about EMS response time and puts on record that the process was chaotic. Cllr Rohlssen says EMS was waiting outside in an ambulance. The Speaker says the matter will be addressed.
Loyiso MasukuANCEcheozonjokuDARohlssenACDPArnoldsAIC
Report an error - 04:04:26
Stretcher delay; request for 20-minute break refused
The Speaker starts to vote but accepts that the vote should wait until the unwell councillor is removed. Officials are told to fetch the stretcher. Cllr Magwentshu asks for 20 minutes and the Speaker refuses. The councillor is taken out on a stretcher at about 04:14.
Report an error - 04:14:39
Division and outcome on the operating adjustment budget
The Speaker puts the item again, and voice votes are mixed. She divides the house and counts abstentions, noes and ayes by show of hands. Singing and slogans from the floor disrupt proceedings. The result is 58 abstentions, 67 against and 117 in favour, short of the 136 required, so the item is not carried.
Report an error - 04:29:44
Withdrawal of items 2, 3 and 4 and adjournment
Deputy Executive Mayor Masuku withdraws items 2, 3 and 4 on behalf of the executive. She says SAMWU must be told that the EFF, DA and ActionSA rejected the wage implementation. The chamber erupts in shouting about SAMWU, and Cllr Echeozonjoku puts the DA's rejection of the PFA on record. The Speaker adjourns the meeting, with the next meeting on the 24th and 25th.
Loyiso MasukuANCEcheozonjokuDAArnoldsAIC
Report an error
Promises
3Commitments with a date, an amount or a 'we will'.
On 5 November 2026 (when this page was built): 0 overdue, 0 due in the next 30 days, 1 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
Due the same or next dayMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
The Speaker said council would resume after the caucus breaks at 11:20.
00:30:34· by 11:20 on the day· Report an error
Not raised again in 18 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“We coming back at 11:20. It's at least it's 19 minutes past 11 sharp.”
Due the same or next dayMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
The Speaker said council would resume at 12:10 after a 30-minute break to deal with a legal issue.
01:50:56· by 12:10 on the day· Report an error
Not raised again in 18 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“We'll come back at 13:10. Thank you. Oh, 12:10. Sorry. Sorry. 12:10.”
No dateMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
Not raised again in 18 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“We will address it.”
Decisions
6What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:28:04
Applications for leave of absencenoted
Apologies, late arrivals and early departures from all caucuses were noted by the Speaker.
- 00:30:00
Caucus break requests (ActionSA, DA, EFF)approved
The Speaker granted 30-minute breaks to ActionSA and the DA and one hour to the EFF, with council to resume at 11:20.
- 01:50:56
Speaker's request for a break to consult legalapproved
A 30-minute adjournment was taken to deal with a legal issue, with council to resume at 12:10.
- 04:28:22
Item 3 (Item 1): Operating adjustment budget for the 2025/2026 financial yearrejected
After a division, 117 voted yes, 67 no and 58 abstained, short of the 136 required, so the Speaker declared the item not carried.
- 04:30:38
Items 2, 3 and 4 on the agendadeferred
Deputy Executive Mayor Masuku withdrew the three items on behalf of the executive for this council meeting.
- 04:32:41
Adjournmentadjourned
The Speaker adjourned the meeting and said the next meeting is on the 24th and 25th.
Attendance and conduct
43Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 36
- Private business (3)
- J. Rahn, G. Ramaru, F. De Lange
- Arriving late (12)
- S. Rambani, Moatshe, Zigebe, Simelane*, Nhlapo, Mzolo, Khomongoe, Nkubungu, Madiba, Tambani, Unidentified councillor*, Magwentshu
- Leaving early (8)
- N. Mohamed, Z. Shawe, A. Christians, F. Chame, R. Landis, Marema, Nair, Harris
- Official duty (1)
- Kunene
- Family responsibility (1)
- Gwamanda
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Sound or equipment problem 1
- 00:03:55
Repeated sound checks ran before the sitting began.
Warned or stopped by the chair 5
- 00:28:59
Coutriers: The chair interrupted Coutriers and asked him to speak to his councillors instead.
- 03:01:00
Boer: Chair told the Freedom Front Plus speaker his time had expired; the 20 extra seconds he asked for were refused.
- 03:42:59
Christians: Chair told Cllr Christians to sit down while she was calling for councillors to be in the chamber for the vote.
- 03:55:39
Pietersen*: Chair rebuked Cllr Pietersen's phones-in-a-basket suggestion during the medical emergency and told members not to be insensitive.
- 04:15:00
Zitha: Chair reprimanded Cllr Zitha for disruptive conduct as the house settled to resume the vote.
Not present when called 1
Transcript
377Every line, linked to the video.
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