Transcript: 48th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting, Day 2

Opening, quorum count and attendance

00:04:42Councillors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen in the gallery, may we rise for the Speaker of Council, Councillor Margaret Arnolds.

00:05:04Good morning, councillors. Can we remain standing and silent for a moment of silence and meditation.

00:05:22You may be seated. Thank you.

00:05:45Good morning, councillors. It is hereby notified that the continuation of the 48th extraordinary Council meeting of the City of Johannesburg municipality will be held on Tuesday the 31st of March, 2026 at 10:00 AM, at the Constance Connie Bapela Council Chamber in Braamfontein, and the first agenda on the item is opening.

00:06:15Sorry, the first item on the agenda is opening.

00:06:19I was hoping that we had all recovered from yesterday, but it seems like the STC is going to be the problem today. Good morning once again, councillors, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg in absentia, Councillor Sello Morero, Deputy Executive Mayor, Councillor Loyiso Masuku in absentia, Whip of Council present, Councillor Kazamula Chauke, Chair of Chairs, Councillor Vuhani Marema is present.

00:06:51All political party leaders and whips, members of the mayoral committee, chairpersons of Section 79 present, fellow councillors, the City Manager Dr. Floyd Brink, Secretary to Council Mr. Andile Gobinca, officials of the City of Johannesburg, residents of the City of Johannesburg, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen in the gallery. I welcome you all to the continuation of the 48th

00:07:24Extraordinary Council Meeting of the City of Johannesburg municipality. Colleagues, it's 10:00 right now. 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 have signed the register so as to confirm our quorum. I'm pleading that those of us that are in the chamber, let's remain seated

00:07:55so that we can be counted, so that we don't have a problem with our numbers. Please, councillors, can we be seated whilst we are counted. Thank you. Legal.

00:16:12Can we be seated? Colleagues, our time of counting is up. Can we be seated?

00:16:28Okay, let me announce. We have 123 councillors that has signed the register. We have 119 warm bodies inside. We are going to take the 20 minutes so that we are able to deal with the quorum. Are we fine? Councillor Christians, welcome back, Councillor Christians.

00:16:54AfrikaansDis mooi om te sien jy is terug.

00:16:56Thank you, Madam Speaker.

00:16:57AfrikaansKan jy nog nie staan nie?

00:16:59No, no, no, if you can't, it's fine.

00:17:02Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we do agree with the 20 minutes as per the rules. Thank you.

00:17:10AfrikaansJy wil net hê ek moet jou stem hoor,

00:17:12that's all. You only wanted me to hear your voice. Thank you, colleagues. We're going to take the 20 minutes. We're coming back at 10:33. We are back at 10:33. Thank you so much.

00:17:33I didn't hear, I can't hear you. Come to me. Or you can say it over there.

00:17:43I can't.

00:17:48I never spoil it, you guys spoil it. You say I'm biased, they say I'm biased, they say I'm biased, they say I'm biased. So, I'm four biased. And please control your councillor at the back, the short one. Chris, please control him. You know who I'm talking about. Please.

00:20:55Yo!

00:39:05Good morning once again colleagues. Um We are now restarting where we left off our 20 minutes. It's just over 1 minute. So we are going to check now if we can be seated. Can we please be seated?

00:39:30where we belong so that we can go for a count and and and see how many we are here whether we make a quorum.

00:39:50Can we start counting? Can we be seated?

00:39:57We are counting.

00:40:08And just a hint, council started at 10:00. The notice said 10:00.

00:40:42Councillor Maila, is your hand up or is it are you talking to the chair on the other side? I'm not sure if your hand is up.

00:40:53Okay, thank you.

00:43:33isiZuluLaba bathi bafuna uku chrsa isitayim angithi hulumeni. Bathi bafuna ukuchrasa isistimu kusasa.

00:43:39Is it?

00:43:40isiZuluBayayichrasa kanjani? Ngamamenbashiphi. Woo! Ayi sizobuya. [inaudible]

00:43:49Still she's got a very strong following neh.

00:43:52isiZuluUbani? [inaudible]

00:43:59Colleagues we are 190 seated. We do corate 190, Councillor Sifumba.

00:44:12Afrikaanseen nege nul

00:44:15And we do corate. So we will update you on the outside numbers. They are just busy dealing with the outside number, but we are corating. I thank you. STC, can we be seated now?

00:44:32Councillor Mposula, switch off your mic.

Applications for leave of absence

00:44:40We now proceed to applications for leave of absence.

00:44:46Councillors, MMC

00:44:53Councillor D. Ponsonby uh bereavement, Councillor J. Sekwaila ill health, Councillor M. Mpolobosho private business, Councillor M. Mokwena private business.

00:45:12Colleagues, we are still having a lot of noise. Councillor H. Masera private business, Councillor F. Roberts private business, Councillor M. Chabalala private business, Councillor Abdool running late. Is there any other um apologies from the floor? Can I see hands? Uh MMC Tshwaku, uh Councillor De Lange, Councillor Munyayi, Councillor

00:45:46Simonse, Councillor Ndlela, Councillor Mhlongo, uh Councillor

00:45:58I can't see your name. Oh, Cou- Councillor Dausy. Um who else? I saw a hand at the back. I'm not sure. Can we then proceed in that order? You know after who you are. Thank you.

00:46:14No, thank you very much, Speaker. I've got the following apologies. Uh Councillor Mogapi late arrival, Councillor Molefe ill health, Councillor Ngwenya ill health, Councillor Moepi family responsibility, Councillor Molala family responsibility and uh the special request from Councillor uh MMC Makhafola requesting to leave at 1:00 for party business, and I'll also request to

00:46:43just be excused from 1:00 till 3:00 just to do party business and be back again to the council. Thank you very much, Speaker.

00:46:49Thank you, MMC. Next.

00:46:54Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Madam Speaker, I will be leaving at uh 3:30. I truly hope we'll be done by then for religious observance. Thank you.

00:47:05Thank you, Councillor. Next.

00:47:09Uh greetings, Madam Speaker. Uh from Action SA, ill health uh Councillor Nkomo, uh private business Councillor Mabelebele, party business Councillor Tsoadi. Uh late arrival is Councillor Zwane. Uh the following councillors, they are requesting to leave at 1:00 for party business.

00:47:32Councillor, can you keep the mic slightly away from your mouth?

00:47:35Okay, thanks. Uh the following councillors from Action SA are requesting to leave at 1:00 for party business. We have Councillor Mkhonto, Councillor Shumba, Councillor Themba Mabunda, and also Councillor Mokoka. Thank you.

00:47:52Thank you, Councillor. Next Councillor.

00:47:56Good morning, Madam Speaker. Um LOA for MMC Kunene private business and then early departure Councillor P. Mokoena at 3:00. Thank you.

00:48:07Thank you, Councillor.

00:48:11Uh thank you, Madam Speaker, and good morning to councillors. Uh leave of absence for ANC caucus, uh Executive Mayor is attending the South African Investment Conference. He will be arriving late. Uh Councillor Nzimande and Councillor Ramafikeng uh are running late. Councillor Simelane is running late. Uh Councillor Hlatshwayo is out of the province. MM- MMC Masuku is requesting to leave at 17:00

00:48:40if we will not be done by that time, and Councillor Mabuke and Councillor Maake to leave at 13:00 if we're not uh they have a political business. Uh Councillor Tshehlo to leave at 13:00 also. Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

00:48:57Councillor Mavhona, switch off your mic.

00:49:05Next councillor.

00:49:07Thank you very much. Good morning, Madam Speaker. May I be excused if you are not done at 3:00? Thank you. Due to family responsibility. Thank you.

00:49:18Thank you, Councillor. Any other councillor? We have all the hands. I'm not sure the hand Oh. No, no, no, Councillor. We recognized you at the back. It's fine. We've recognized you. We have a councillor on the podium. Thank you, Councillor Dausy.

00:49:34Ndiyabulela, Somlomo, from the IFP, um we have MMC Mabaso council business, Councillor Makhuba private business, Councillor Khanyile private business, and Councillor Mkhize private business. Thank you.

00:49:47Thank you, Councillor. The councillor right at the back.

00:49:53SetswanaEe re tle go leboge modulasetilo wa kgotla. Ke ne ke kopa gore ka ura ya boraro ga e tsena re ise re fetsa ke boele gae. Ke a leboga.

00:50:06Thank you, Councillor.

00:50:12Are all these apologies noted? Thank you, councillors. STC.

Urgent debate request and annexure to item 49

00:50:21Uh councillors, we continue with item 46 and that is the request for approval for the naming of streets in Orange Farm. That's for Ward 2 and Ward 5 and Region G.

00:50:36Apologies, councillors. Um recommendations to council were tabled yesterday and we will continue where we left off. Um as you've heard that the STC has just um called out the the the items, but I also want to address uh we have received a memorandum from Councillor Belinda Echeozonjoku to have a

00:51:05debate on a matter of urgent public importance in terms of rule 98 of the standing rules and orders of council. Uh the debate does not comply with rule 98(3) c of the standing rules and orders of council on the basis that the issue raised are before the court of law. Therefore, it's still sub judice. It was it was struck off the roll because of the urgency and uh that's the reason why we cannot continue with the debate. I thank you.

00:51:37STC, you you can Yes, um MMC uh Deputy Mayor.

00:51:48Good morning, Madam Speaker. As you indicated that recommendations were tabled yesterday from the side of the executive, we'd just like to indicate that we have included an annexure on um item uh 49, the City of Joburg Remuneration Policy for the valuation appeal board members. We've included an annexure that was previously not part of the pack and the annexure is from National Treasury

00:52:16to indicate the regulations that are used to remunerate the panel members. It was a request from the different caucuses, so I thought for the record to indicate because it was not in the link earlier on. Thank you.

00:52:28Thank you so much, um Deputy Mayor, MMC of Finance. We will now continue as the uh STC as Re- Okay, he's going to reread re-read it into record. Apologies for that.

Item 46: Naming of streets in Orange Farm (Wards 2 and 5, Region G)

00:52:48Thanks, Ma'am. Uh councillors, once again, we are on item 46 and that's the request for approval for the naming of streets in Orange Farm for Ward 2 and Ward 5 in Region G.

00:52:59Thank you so much, councillors. We have Action SA Councillor J. Ntombela.

00:53:20Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to fellow councillors, members of media, and the residents of Johannesburg, especially those in Ward 40 in Ward 2, Orange Farm, Ward 2 and 5. All protocol observed. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 46. Request for approval for naming of streets in Orange Farm, Ward 2,

00:53:48and Ward 5 in Region G on behalf of Action SA to address a long overdue item regarding the naming of streets in Orange Farm, Ward 2 and 5. This is not just technicality. It is an issue of basic human right dignity and effective service delivery. Action SA wholeheartedly supports this item. Orange Farm was formalized in 1988,claim

00:54:1840 years ago. For decades, these streets have lived in nameless streets. These residents have lived in nameless streets. We are restoring we are restoring dignity to our people and giving residents of Ward 2 and Ward 5 a sense of belonging in in our city. However, Speaker, we must ask why has it taken so long. The absence of street names is not a minor inconvenience.claim

00:54:48It's it is a safety hazard. Emergency services, when an ambulance or fire truck cannot find a house because of the street has no name, lives are put at risk. Crime prevention, JMPD and police patrols are hindered when they cannot accurately report their location or respond to distress of calls. Billing and post,claim

00:55:18residents struggles with postal deliveries and accurate municipal bill without a formal address. The delay has effectively blindfolded our service delivery team in Orange Farm for far too long. Madam Speaker, we sit here to to to to finally deliberate on this item. We cannot ignore the administrative paralysis that has failed this community sinceclaim

00:55:471988. It is an indictment of the city's leadership that a township established nearly 40 years ago has been left in a state of geographic invisibility. For almost four decades, the Orange Farm the residents of Orange Farm have been treated as secondhand class, forced to live without basic dignity of an address. This is not just a delay, it is a gross administrative

00:56:17negligence. By failing the name street By failing to name the streets, the city has effectively blocked ambulances, fire trucks, police from reaching those in crisis. We are not just approving names today. We are correcting a four de- a four decade long violation of service delivery. The departments responsible must explain why the generation of Orange Farm residentsclaim

00:56:49has lived and died in nameless streets while other areas receive immediate attention. The era of ignoring Orange Farm must end today. Madam Speaker, as Action SA moves to support the item, we must also ensure that you replace 38 years of neglect and administrative sloppiness. I must draw the the council's attention to annexure B, which contains the the uh proposed name streets.

00:57:19Two glaring errors must be corrected before this resolution is signed and approved. Item number 17, the name is currently listed as Indhuna. This is i- i- this is linguistically incorrect.

00:57:3340 seconds left.

00:57:35Indhuna with an H, the pro- the proper isiZulu spelling of in- of for a headman, induna, it's without an H. We cannot allow a our culture heritage to be misplayed to be misspelled on our city signage. Item number 66, the document lists names a street Bizana something, something. I can't even pronounce this uh Speaker. It's just gibberish. This is a bizarre and disrespectful misspelling of Bizana, a well-known

00:58:05town in the Eastern Cape. As Action SA demands that the correct these corrections be made immediately, we will support we will we will not support a half-baked naming process that forces residents to live on street names that make no sense.

00:58:27Thank you, Councillor Ntombela. EFF Councillor D. Dladla.

00:58:38isiZuluEh Speaker ngikubingelele, ngibingelele i-caucus leader ye-EFF

00:58:44here in council, MMC Tshwaku, also the Chief Whip of the EFF in absentia, Councillor Mogapi, uh the councillors of the EFF here in council and also councillors at large. I rise on item 46, the request for the approval for the naming of the streets in Orange Farm in Ward 2 and Ward 5 in Region G.

00:59:09This process, Speaker, is long overdue. This should have happened a very long time ago. This is the experience of most of us from Orange Farm. Mina, coming from Ward 1, when giving a direction even today, Speaker, I still say

00:59:26isiZulungakwaNenemba

00:59:28because there are no erected names in my streets. Our mails, municipal services, emergency services, etc. are still getting lost even today because in my case, the ugly names that were given to us, but they are still not erected. In fact, it should follow that once a township is established, that the process of naming streets should follow. And when it happens, we must en-

01:00:00sure that strict we strictly follow and adhere to the provided processes in the policy, in particular section s- section six of the Policy on Naming and Renaming of Street Names and Public Spaces, as it says, "The process of naming and renaming must be undertaken in consultation or in a consultative manner, and this must be clearly demonstrated before a final decision can be taken."

01:00:30That names should promote a sense of ownership and the character of an area. That name should be in keeping with the theme of the area, such that they have that local r- relevance with preference given to the unofficial names used by the local community. Uh Speaker, I know that there is a a motion on this on the agenda today

01:00:59that speaks to the naming renaming of a street. But the policy also tells us that uh that the naming of the street after a living people should be avoided. That is the policy, not me. That naming a street after a living person should be avoided because the community attitude and opinions can change over time. Without proper consultation, Speaker, and with with the community,

01:01:28you will end up having useless names and meaningless names, like I was saying in my blocks, those ugly names. The proposed names in where where I stay, for instance, Speaker, they are totally against the policy. We have names that promote no sense of ownership, that does not keep with the theme of the area, and has no local relevance. But, Speaker, I am not surprised.

01:01:5546 seconds left.

01:01:57When the department is engaging this process or in my case, they engaged in this process, they had to cut many corners. The uh the excuse that they gave at the time was that it was because of COVID. They gave us names, though they are not erected, they gave us names like Larissa, Sao, and all having no relevance whatsoever in the community that we're living in. And I believe that process working with the ward ward councillor, that process should be restarted.

01:02:29The community of Orange Farm need these uh street names,

01:02:3211 seconds left.

01:02:33but the community must be made part of the process, and the process must be an honest process, meaningful process. We

01:02:44Thank you, Councillor Dladla. ANC, Councillor S. Mashinini.

01:02:52Uh greetings to the Mayor in absentia and the Deputy Mayor and all councillors in the house and uh guests. Uh Ward 2 has Yes, Orange Farm was formed in 1988, uh with our having no streets for 4 decades, but uh we currently had uh public consultation where the public wasclaim

01:03:20The public was given an opportunity for to rename the streets, but the public it was the process started in 2017 where it was approved, but the challenge is why that the community asked for tarred roads and uh storm drains for in order for the roads to be for the for the names to have meaning because it's pointless having road names when you don't even have the basic of having a storm drain in the place. Um This thing this this process would assist the community of of Ward 2 and Ward 5claim

01:03:47very much because they have 150 streets without street names in the in that's Ward 5, and the others has uh 190 it's uh 100 and 109 streets without um names, which becomes a problem for emergency services. We are well well aware of that, Speaker, and I think we are within our The public consultation has happened. This thing is not coming here for the first time. It came here again last year when we were asked toclaim

01:04:17do a to advertise again, and we advertised. I think those who sit in ComDev know that, that there were challenges of the streets that um we had a problem of the streets having uh spelling errors. Yes, yes, as uh the previous councillor's spoken, there were names that the challenges of human error. We know that there was human error because the names were not properly written, and some were the context of the names was very wrong because sometimes speaking the the dialectic that we speak, you might write something and think that it's correct,claim

01:04:46but when you are reading it out, it sounds very wrong from what it was, and we we spoken to the officials to correct that, and I think that they approve that, Speaker. I think uh the councillor who's uh Councillor Ramafikeng also had public engagement meeting of the people, and they spoke they repeated what they repeated before, that they are asking that the can the can the roads be surfaced and can the storm drains be put on place because when it rains, it becomes a problem in that area.

01:05:15So, I think we we we are asking for council to approve this, Speaker. Thanks.

01:05:21Thank you, Councillor Mashinini. MMC Amad.

01:05:28Thank you, Speaker. Um good morning to the Executive Mayor in his absentia, the Deputy Executive Mayor, all the MMCs, the Chief Whip, uh the Chair of Chairs, councillors, the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Uh Speaker, good morning to you, as well. So, you'd know that uh good governance is one of the strategic priorities of

01:05:57the GLU. And we have noted uh the inputs by the councillors. And for us, the street naming is not just a cosmetic, but it is an exercise of a fundamental step forward that uh dignifies our communities, and it ensures that it fo- it fosters safety and uh effective governance. So, Speaker, you'd know that uh MMC Mgcina

01:06:28went a step ahead in Ward 8. She piloted a project with uh Planact uh that doesn't only speak of uh street renaming, but it's a it's a GIS system where in an informal settlement, when there are issues raised by councillors, issues of safety, or maybe if it's an issue of GBV, you'll just press a button. It's linked to the Google. It will take you to the EMS services or the police services. So, this government um

01:06:58it has the best interest of the society. So, Speaker, you know that uh through stakeholders also, we we we we we foster we foster relationships and good governance. So, uh I would request council to approve this uh request. Thank you.

01:07:20Thank you, MMC Amad. Colleagues, the recommendations is on page 46.3. Is the item agreed to? Thank you so much. STC.

Item 47: Biogas Pilot report withdrawn

01:07:34We're now on item 47, and that is the Process Update Report for the City of Johannesburg Biogas Pilot

01:07:40Sorry, STC. Councillor Av- Smith.

01:07:47Avant-Smith. Thank you, Speaker. Uh Speaker, I'd just like to inform the house that uh our Regional Chairperson is in the gallery, newly elected, um Luyolo Mphithi. Thank you.

01:08:07Welcome uh to your Regional Chair. Uh he was a very good colleague in Public Safety years ago. Welcome. MMC.

01:08:19Madam Speaker, on behalf of the executive, we'd like to withdraw item 47, please.

01:08:24Thank you so much, MMC. So, item 47 has been withdrawn. STC.

Item 48: Environmental and Social Management System manual

01:08:33Item 48 is City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Environmental and Social Management System Manual and Reporting Requirements.

01:08:43Thank you, STC. Councillor N. Mkhonza.

01:08:58Shalom, shalom, Madam Speaker. Um greetings to the executive and all the MMCs, all the councillors, and all our guests. Um we greet you all in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Madam Speaker, I rise to address item 48, the COJ Metropolitan Municipality Environmental and Social Management System Manual and the Reporting Requirement.

01:09:27The ACDP welcomes the primary objective of this management system and reporting requirement in accordance with um international best practices, um which seeks to strengthen internal controls, leveraging on the institutional knowledge. Additionally, we acknowledge that transparency and protection of communities, the environment, and the city's assets will be enhanced by the ESMS manual and the and the reporting requirements.

01:09:58God bless South Africa, especially the families of the approximately 70 people who are murdered daily in South Africa, and protect Africa, especially the people of Sudan and Tanzania, where Tundu Lissu, who is the opposition leader in Tanzania, is kept in custody for over 2 years without trial um by the now President Madamclaim

01:10:28President Suluhu Samia Hassan. We call on all defenders of justice, democracy, and human dignity across Africa and the world at large to rise with urgency and speak with one voice against these injustices in the Republic of Tanzania.claimemotive

01:10:54Two seconds left.claim

01:10:59ActionSA, Councillor Maduka- Madukanene. Oh, Modukanene. Apologies, Councillor.

01:11:13Thank you, Speaker. Madam Speaker, the fabulous 44, fellow councillors, guests in the gallery, residents of our beloved city,

01:11:22Setswanadumelang.

01:11:24I rise today firmly grounded in the values of ActionSA: integrity, accountability, and always, always putting our residents first. These are values this administration's love to speak about, but consistently fails to live by. This item is presented as a governance milestone, the development of an Environmental and Social Management System. Speaker,

01:11:55uh let's be fair, there are elements in this report that we welcome. The move towards aligning with international environmental and social standards is necessary. The acknowledgment of internal weakness, fragmentation, capacity gaps, weak coordination is important. And yes, the development of a structured system, at least on paper, is a step in the right direction. But Speaker, that is where the positive ends.

01:12:25Because when we interrogate this report and the underlying manual, a very different picture emerges. This is not a story of strong governance. This is a story of a city that had to be pushed into compliance by its lenders. The city secured billions in loan funding for infrastructure, but as part of that agreement, it was required to implement an Environmental and Social Management System. And what happened?

01:12:55The city was flagged for non-compliance. Only then, after being given more time, did the city act. That is not proactive governance. That is governance under pressure. But Speaker, it gets worse. The ESMS manual confirms that the city already has environmental and social policies in place, but they were fragmented, inconsistent, and not understood across departments and entities.

01:13:24In a metro managing billions, we have policies that exist, but do not function. Speaker, the manual itself tells us there are vacancies in key environmental roles, there is no standardized approach across entities, there are weak reporting lines, and critical, no formal ESMS governance structure exists. Speaker, this is not just a gap, this is a governance failure. Because what does it mean in practice? It means projects can proceed without proper environmental screening,

01:13:57communities can be exposed to risks without proper safeguards, contractors can operate without consistent oversight, and compliance becomes a tick-box exercise. This is not just an environmental issue, but a financial governance issue, as well. If we fail to comply, we risk losing funding, we risk delaying infrastructure, we risk damaging credibility, and we risk shutting ourselves out of future financing.

01:14:26Speaker, ActionSA supports sustainable development, responsible infrastructure, and proper environmental safeguards, but we do not support a system where the city fails first, responds later, and then ask council to not note the problem. In this If this city wants to borrow billions, it must also build the capacity to manage those billions responsibly. Because right now, we have a system on paper, but not yet a system in practice. Speaker,

01:14:56this is why ActionSA is clear. When we assume responsibility after the next local government elections, we will not inherit dysfunction, we will fix it. We will enforce real accountability with clear lines of responsibility, build real capacity where it matters most, link compliance to consequences, restore credibility

01:15:1815 seconds left.

01:15:19with lenders and investors. Because under the leadership of Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba as Mayor, the city will return to a culture of discipline, delivery, and decisive leadership. Uh Speaker, ActionSA notes this report, and I thank you.

01:15:39Thank you, Councillor. Councillor D. Moepi from the EFF.

01:15:48Uh thank you very much, uh Speaker. I will be speaking on behalf of uh Councillor Moepi. Um greetings to our caucus leader, Dr. Mgcini.

01:16:00Hold on, Councillor. Councillors on my left-hand side at the back, please. Thank you.

01:16:15Uh thank you. Our City of Johannesburg residents, fellow councillors, receive our revolutionary greetings. Today, we are not just uh presented with a technical report. We are confronted with a document that exposes both the weakness and the pressure of global capital in our city. Because let us be honest from the beginning, this report exists not because the city suddenly woke up to care about the environment or our people. It exists because the city was forced by lenders.

01:16:47The report itself confirms that the City of Johannesburg failed to comply with loan conditions from the International Finance Corporation and had to be given more time to fix its failures. That is the first scandal. This means service delivery in Johannesburg is no longer driven by the needs of our people. It is driven by condition imposed by international financial institutions. We are told this Environmental and Social Management System is about governance, sustainability, and compliance.

01:17:17But we must ask, compliance to who? Not to the resident of Alexandra, not to the people of Zandspruit, not to the forgotten communities of Orange Farm. It complies with lenders. Because if we fail, uh the report is clear: funding will be withdrawn, project will collapse, and the city will be punished. So, this is not just a management system. It is a financial leash placed placed around the neck of the city. Let us uh go deeper. The report admit that the city already had system, policies, and uh knowledge,

01:17:48but they were fragmented, poorly coordinated, and not understood across department. In simple terms, there has been governance failure. For years, department has been operating in silos, project uh have been implemented without proper environmental and social safeguards, and now when funders demand accountability, suddenly we rush to fix the system. This is reactive governance, this is crisis management, this is not leadership. There is another layer of concern. This entire system is heavily shaped by external

01:18:18consultant, international standard, and donor funding processes. We are told that the firms were hired to analyze gaps, design actions, and even guide implementation. The question we must ask is, where is the internal uh capacity of the city? Why must Johannesburg, metro giant, depend on external consultant to tell it how to protect its own communities? This opened uh the door to outsourcing accountability, inflated uh consultancy cost,

01:18:49and policy captured by private interest. But we are not here only to oppose. We are here to represent the people. Because hidden inside this report are real benefits, and we must claim them for our communities. If properly implemented, this system can uh force every infrastructure project to consider environmental and social impact before implementation, introduce community consultation and grievance mechanism, giving residents

01:19:1650 seconds left, Councillor.

01:19:17a voice, improve transparency and monitoring, reduce corruption in project, protect vulnerable communities from harmful development, ensure that infrastructure investment is not just fast, but just and sustainable. For ordinary people in For ordinary people, this means less pollution, less displacement without uh consultation, more accountability, and chance to be heard before decision are imposed. These benefit will not come automatically because system do not fail on paper.

01:19:47They fail in implementation. And the same city that failed to comply with loan condition is now expected to implement a complex city-wide system

01:19:5615 seconds.

01:19:57without political will, without consequence management, without ending corruption. Speaker, we therefore say we support anything that protect our people, our environment, and our future, but we reject governance driven by

01:20:11approve the report.

01:20:13Thank you, Councillor Moepi. ANC, Councillor T. Madiba.

01:20:26I receive, Speaker. You just called me MMC, so I receive. I'm hoping that my leadership is listening.

01:20:38Councillor T. Madiba.

01:20:40Greetings to you, Speaker. Uh greetings to the Executive Mayor in his absentia. Greetings to the Deputy Mayor. Greetings to all MMCs, the Chief Whip of Council, the Chair of Chairs, and all councillors and residents of uh greater Johannesburg. The African National Congress rises in full support of item 48, the adoption and implementation of the Environmental and Social Management System, the ESMS.

01:21:12Uh Speaker, this is not just a technical report. It is a governance intervention. It is about whether this city is serious about accountability, sustainability, and responsible development. As clearly outlined in the report before council, the City of Johannesburg has entered into agreement with development financial institutions, including the IFC and AFD, to fund critical uh infrastructure.

01:21:42But this agreement come with conditions, and one of those conditions is the implementation of a credible developmental and social management system. Let us be honest. The report itself acknowledges that the city was previously found non-compliant with these requirements. That is not a small matter. That is a risk to service delivery, a risk to infrastructure development, and a risk to our credibility as a city.

01:22:11The ANC says we cannot afford a city that borrows billions, but fails to meet basic governance standards. This ESMS introduces something critical: a structured system to manage environmental and social risks across all capital projects. It ensures proper screening of uh projects before implementation, protection of communities and the environment, transparency and accountability in reporting,

01:22:41compliance with both national laws and international standards. And importantly, it aligns with the Municipal System Act and strengthens governance across departments. Uh Madam Speaker, this is what the ANC has always stood for: development with uh responsibility, infrastructure with uh accountability, growth with dignity.

01:23:03isiZuluVele, vumani.

01:23:06But let us not uh romanticize these processes. The report makes it clear our system have been fragmented, poorly coordinated, and not fully understood across departments. That is not just That is not just a technical weakness. That is a political failure of governance. The ANC therefore says this ESMS must not be another document that gathers dust. It must be implemented with discipline. It must be enforced across all departments and entities.

01:23:39Because failure to comply will have serious consequences, including loss of funding, delays in infrastructure uh projects, legal and reputational damage of the city. The ANC support this item because it protects the city's ability to access funding, it strengthens governance and oversight, it ensures sustainable and inclusive development, it restores credibility in how this city manages uh projects.

01:24:11But our support is not blind. We demand clear accountability from the Environment and Infrastructure Service Department, regular reporting to council, not just to external funders, capital building across departments to implement this system properly, consequences for non-compliance. Madam Speaker, the ESMS is not uh optional. It is a requirement. It is a safeguard. It is a test of whether this council

01:24:41is serious about governing. The ANC will support this item, but we will also monitor its implementation closely because our responsibility is not just to pass reports. Our responsibility is to ensure that people of Johannesburg receive sustainable, accountable, and quality service delivery. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:25:04Thank you, Councillor Madiba. MMC Mgcina.

01:25:12Thank you very much, uh Speaker. Good morning to yourself, to the Executive Mayor and the Deputy Mayor in absentia, MMCs, Chair of Chairs, Chief Whip of Council, uh councillors, our guests, and um the residents at home or wherever they are watching us from. Um I stand to represent the the the MMC for EISD

01:25:43on this ESMS report as provided. Um Councillor Mkhonza, sometimes,

01:25:51isiZuluyazi ngiyahluleka uku-understander amapolitiki akho. Ayangi-confuser kwesinye isikhathi, because uvele ukhulume nje into engekho nje, uh generally,

01:26:03but I think we can discuss that

01:26:05isiZulumasihlangana.

01:26:08Um sometimes I get confused, honestly. Um but I'm happy that you are welcoming this report because you understand the intention of the report. But also, Councillor Modukanene, I think uh we appreciate how you are unpacking the importance of this particular report, as well, and you are also supporting. Um I think it also helps to understand the benefits of this particular uh system, as it will definitely have benefits to the city.

01:26:40Um it does help us to prevent negative uh impacts, but also improves uh our reputation and increases access to issues of funding. It is also important that um our our top management, uh our senior officials, as well, that they commit to this particular system so that it can be effective. Councillor Madiba, thank you very much, uh my dear brother, as well. I think you have unpacked

01:27:10very well the the the importance of this particular um uh report, as well, and and you have made emphasis on its benefits, as well. Um I understand, uh Councillor Mkasi, your frustrations and where you come from, uh as well, but I also understand the fact that you understand perfectly how the system will assist the city and and how it will benefit the residents of our city. With that, Madam Speaker, I will request that we

01:27:44approve this report, welcome and approve this report uh wholeheartedly. Thank you.

01:27:51Thank you so much, MMC Mgcina. Um colleagues, the recommendations are on page 48.6. Is the item noted? Thank you so much, colleagues. STC.

EFF caucus break and delayed return

01:28:12Councillor Zitha. Are you dissenting?

01:28:18No, Speaker. Um the progressive EFF caucus is asking for a 10-minute caucus break before the next item.

01:28:28Can we just read the item in and then we give you your 10 minutes?

01:28:35No problem, Speaker. Thank you.

01:28:36Thank you.

01:28:39Item 49 is the City of Johannesburg Remuneration Policy for the Valuation Appeal Boards uh members.

01:28:48Thank you so much. 10 minutes granted. 11:35, you are back. It's 11:25 now.

01:42:17Come on, come on, come on, come on.

01:44:56Colleagues, can we be seated? We are over five minutes over to the time that we've given. Can we get back to our seats?

01:45:24Is Councillor Zitha in the house? Councillor Johannes Mosehla. Can you move to your seat? Can we please be seated? Councillor Zitha. You asked for a caucus?

01:45:48No, thank you very much Speaker, yes we asked for the caucus and we are happy and ready for the business of the day, especially the next item. Thank you so much.

Item 49: Remuneration Policy for Valuation Appeal Board members

01:46:00Thank you Councillor Zitha, thank you so much. Okay, the item has been read into record. We are starting off with Councillor M Cook from GOOD. But I'm worried before Councillor Cook starts, I'm worried we still have a lot of people outside. It's like we are not disciplined. Councillor Cook, can you carry on?

01:46:28Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today on item 49. Firstly Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the MMC of Finance who very quickly addressed concerns raised by the Finance Committee on this item and uploaded an addendum this morning. So just a thank you to the MMC for her speedy assistance.

01:46:57Speaker, the Valuation Appeal Board plays a vital role in the city. They safeguard fairness in property valuations, ensure that the residents are not overcharged, and importantly, it protects the credibility of the city's revenue base. GOOD believes that if the valuation system is not trusted, the city's ability to collect revenue will collapse. We must therefore support a functioning, credible, and an independent board.

01:47:23However Speaker, this report does expose a small governance gap. We are told that some members are submitting excessive claims for preparation and research, and that there is no consistency across members. This is a problem. Speaker, while independence must be protected, public money cannot be treated as open-ended. That is exactly how leakage happens in municipalities. Not always through outright corruption,

01:47:52but through weak controls, ambiguous policies, and a culture where accountability is not enforced. This policy review is necessary and GOOD supports the move to introduce clear limitations and cost containment measures. However, we must ensure that the cost containment does not undermine the functionality of the appeal board itself. If members of the appeal board are undersupported, appeals are going to slow down, and that creates a bigger potential

01:48:21risk. It could lead to potential backlogs, frustrated residents, and even delayed revenue collection. In closing Speaker, this policy is a step in the right direction, but its real value will depend on how rigorously it is going to be implemented, how consistently it will be enforced, and whether it restores discipline without compromising institutional effectiveness. Thank you, Speaker.

01:48:47Thank you Councillor Cook. The next councillor. Councillor Mkhonza from the ACDP. Before you start, Councillor. Colleagues. And Councillor Mosehla you've moved seats from EFF to ActionSA, I don't know whether your party should be worried.

01:49:14Colleagues, can we be seated? Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza.

01:49:24All right, Shalom, Shalom once again, Madam Speaker. Thank you very much for this time. I see MMC Mgcina is not around. I'll unconfuse her on my next speech. Madam Speaker, I rise to address item 49, the City of Joburg Remuneration Policy for the Valuation Appeal Board. The ACDP welcomes the primary objective of this policy, which seeks to address and mitigate inconsistencies,

01:49:54lack of uniformity, and potential unfairness in the remuneration of board members. A clear standardized framework for compensation is essential in promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness within the governance structures. The Valuation Appeal Board plays a critical role in adjudicating disputes relating to property valuations, and it is therefore imperative that its members are remunerated

01:50:24in a manner that is both equitable and aligned with regulatory standards, ensuring the integrity and independence of the board. Furthermore Madam Speaker, the ACDP notes that the establishment and functioning of the Valuation Appeal Board is guided by the Municipal Property Rates Act as amended, which provides the legislative basis for its appointment and operations. In this regard, the ACDP supports the policy

01:50:54as aligned with National Treasury guidelines, particularly the 2022 regulation specific 20.2.2 relating to the remuneration of non-official members serving in commissions, committees of inquiry, and audit committees. This alignment ensures that the city adheres to best practice and national standards. Importantly, the implementation of this policy will contribute to preventing irregular and wasteful expenditure, strengthening financial governance, and enhancing

01:51:2950 seconds left.

01:51:30Thank you very much, and enhancing cost containment measures. Ultimately, this will support the city's broader objective of achieving long-term financial sustainability, while maintaining credible and effective oversight structures. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:51:48Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. Councillor Santana from the Democratic Alliance.

01:51:55Morning Speaker. I rise to speak on item 49, the City of Johannesburg Remuneration Policy for the Valuation Appeals Board members. Madam Speaker, as this item really doesn't fall within local government, it actually falls within national and CoGTA, we just obviously have to say that we do have a policy, and it's a recurring item every time we have a valuation roll. We support the documents, but just note in future, please, when we have these reports for

01:52:25compliance and for to give council information, please provide what those tariffs are and what we can expect. I have reached out again to the MMC, through you Speaker, thank you MMC for doing the one part. That just gives us the remuneration. I've asked for an update on another part, which is the determination of the reimbursement fuel cost, whether it's based on the SARS rates or whether it's based on the AA rates, just so that we can have an understanding of what we actually in for as a city, and it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

01:52:55Thank you, Councillor Santana. Councillor N Edward from ActionSA.

01:53:03Greetings Speaker, Fabulous 44, residents of Johannesburg. Thank you Speaker for the added annexure to this policy. The Valuation Appeals Board plays a critical role in ensuring fairness in property valuations. It is in many ways one that must operate with independence, professionalism, and integrity. But let us be honest, without proper controls even the most important institutions

01:53:32can become vulnerable to inefficiencies and exploitation. This policy standardizes and it becomes a framework therefore for the VAB members. Madam Speaker, the policy introduces exactly what has been missing: clear alignment with National Treasury guidelines, a strict eight-hour cap on daily remuneration, controlled and verifiable claims for travel,claim

01:54:02preparation, and data, monthly submission requirements with supporting evidence, and a 30-day payment system that promotes efficiency, but more importantly, it introduces accountability. So, no documentation, no payment. No unjustified work, no payment. This is the kind of firm governance our residents expect and deserve. We also welcome the limits placed on preparation hours, the regulation of written

01:54:31judgments, and the cap on cancelled sittings. Colleagues, this policy is not about limiting professionalism or professionals. It is about protecting the public purse. It ensures that VAB members are fairly compensated, but never excessively so. It ensures transparency in every claim, and it ensures that the city moves closer to financial sustainability.

01:55:01For ActionSA, this is what good governance look like. It looks like this is a policy that reflect discipline, it reflects transparency, accountability. Speaker, we cannot build a capable and ethical city while we are allowing financial leakages to continue unchecked. This policy is a step in the right direction, a step towards restoring trust, improving efficiency,

01:55:29and ensuring that the City of Johannesburg works for its people. ActionSA supports this policy with its annexure. I thank you.

01:55:39Thank you, Councillor Edward. EFF, Councillor S Zitha.

01:55:50Thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings to you, greetings to the EFF leadership in this council. Speaker, what this report is initially saying is that there has been a problem with how VAB members are claiming money. Now, council is being asked to approve a stricter policy to control payment, limit abuse, and improve financial management, but without any accountability for what has already happened. This is a fundamental flaw

01:56:20of this report. It is forward-looking, but completely silent on the past. Speaker, in terms of the MFMA, financial governance is not only about preventing future losses, it is also about detecting, investigating, and correcting past irregularities. But what this report does not tell us: who made the excessive claims, how much money were potentially lost, whether any investigation has been conducted,

01:56:51whether there will be consequence management. These are deeply concerning, Speaker. Secondly, the policy is clearly reactive rather than proactive. It is being introduced only after the system has already been abused. That means internal controls were either weak or non-existent. A well-governed municipality does not wait for abuse to occur before acting. It anticipates risk and prevents it.

01:57:20Thirdly, it is clear misalignment and ambiguity in how payments were handled. While National Treasury guidelines distinguish between sitting fees and additional costs, the city allowed loosely defined claims for preparation and research. This created a space of exploitation and inconsistency amongst members. This report itself confirms that members claimed excessively, while others claimed nothing at all. That is not just inconsistency,

01:57:50it's a breakdown in administrative discipline. Fourthly Speaker, we must remember that Valuation Appeal Board operate within the framework of the Municipal Property Rates Act. This structure is central to property valuation, which direct affect to the city's revenue. If this system is weak, then the city's ability to generate revenue is undermined, and that has direct consequences for service delivery to our people.

01:58:21Speaker, this report offers no economic or developmental value, no job creation, no skills development, no contribution to economic growth. So we are being asked to approve a policy that merely tries to correct internal inefficiencies without advancing the development mandate of this municipality. So lastly Speaker, the report reflect a broader governance failure by the officials.

01:58:50It demonstrates a weaker oversight, poor financial discipline, and failure to enforce accountability. So Speaker, we as EFF, we are approving

01:59:0050 seconds.

01:59:01this report with the following request: that the forensic report be provided at the next council meeting of all the board members who have been abusing those claims. Thank you so much, Speaker.

01:59:15Thank you, Councillor Zitha. African National Congress, Councillor N Nofemela.

01:59:26Madam Speaker, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Deputy Executive Mayor, the Whip of Council, ANC caucus, the members in the gallery, residents of the City of Johannesburg, and fellow councillors, I greet you. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 49.

01:59:56Madam Speaker, this item speaks directly to one of the most important

02:00:00important principles in governance and that is accountability. As custodians of public resources, we have a responsibility to ensure that each and every rand is used in a transparent, responsible manner which is in the best interest of our residents. The issues identified in relation to Valuation Appeal Board remuneration highlight weaknesses in control and oversight.

02:00:28These weaknesses must be corrected. Public confidence in the city depends not only on service delivery, but also on how we manage resources. This policy introduces necessary reforms to ensure that remuneration is fair, consistent and properly controlled. Madam Speaker, as the GLU, we are clear that this is not just about compliance only,

02:00:57but also about restoring the trust and confidence of our residents. We are strengthening monitoring systems, ensuring that internal audit processes are robust, ensuring that we prevent any form of abuse of public funds. As the African National Congress, we are committed in practicing good and clean governance, accountability and ethical leadership.

02:01:23As much as my colleague says that the rates are outlined by National Treasury, they are still guiding us as the municipality. We therefore support this item as we believe that it will strengthen the integrity of our institution. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:01:40Thank you, Councillor Nofemela. MMC, Deputy Mayor Masuku.

02:01:47Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think all councillors have articulated the purpose of this particular policy and what is its intention. On the specific question on the issue of the fuel costs, the ones that are used are the ones determined by the National Department of Transport

02:02:10and which rarely get to be implemented because most of the members actually work online. So there's actually very minimal claims, but the one used is from the National Department of Transport. We ask council to please approve the policy, Speaker.

02:02:31Thank you so much, Councillor. Colleagues, recommendations is on page 49.4. Is the item agreed to? Thank you so much. STC.

Item 50: Valuation date and municipal valuer for the 2027 general valuation roll

02:02:46Item 50 is determination of the valuation date and the designation of the municipal valuer for the general valuation roll for 2027.

02:02:58AfrikaansVryheidsfront Plus, Raadslid Boer.

02:03:02AfrikaansGoeiemôre, Mevrou die Speaker.

02:03:06Fellow councillors, all protocol observed. I rise to speak on item number 50, the appointment of a Director for Valuations for the upcoming valuation roll, which is going to be on the 1st of July 2027. That is absolutely right, so our previous valuation was on the 1st of July 2023. We have to do this every four years, and this is also a proactive report.claim

02:03:36We all know that Mr. Eloff was our valuer for a very, very long time, and he is retired now, and Mr. Fiaz Shaik took his position as the Deputy Director, and it is a logical appointment to make him the new chief valuer for the city. So we welcome this report, and the implementation date for the valuation roll being the 1st of July 2026. I think also that is proactive.claim

02:04:05Give us enough time to do a proper valuation so that we can limit the objections and appeals against the valuation and do it as accurately as possible. The Freedom Front support this item. Thank you very much.claim

02:04:17AfrikaansBaie dankie, Raadslid.

02:04:19Councillor C. Santana from the Democratic Alliance.

02:04:25Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on item 50, the determination of the valuation date and the designation of the municipal valuer and general valuation roll for 2027. Madam Speaker, it's actually quite interesting to see that in all the years I've been a councillor, that the City of Johannesburg has always done its valuation over a five-year period where other municipalities have done it over four.claim

02:04:51So it's a bit of a welcome relief that we actually aligning ourselves with all other municipalities to do it within the respective time frame of within four years. So we have no issue with that. We also have no issue with the determination of the municipal valuer. The Democratic Alliance supports this report. The only thing I will request is that we actually value our properties according to people's needs and properly, and that we do due diligence not to do desktop valuation.

02:05:19And if there are issues, please deal with them timeously. Don't give the normal status quo that if it's up by 10% and below 10% that it automatically goes for review. I think if in the city we do our job upfront properly, we won't have many issues and people will be more willing then to obviously accept the process is fair. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

02:05:39Thank you, Councillor Santana. ActionSA, Councillor N. Edward.

02:05:46Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on item 50. Today I rise to present a matter that sits at the heart of our city's governance, our financial sustainability and service delivery: the implementation of the Municipal Property Rates Act in determining our valuation rolls. At its core, this report

02:06:14assesses whether the City of Johannesburg is complying with the legal framework that governs how we evaluate properties and ultimately how we generate revenue to serve our communities. The law is clear: every four years the city must prepare a general valuation roll. This roll must be based on a fixed valuation date, which is the 1st of July, ensuring consistency, fairness and transparency across all properties.claim

02:06:44Furthermore, the process must be overseen and be certified by a municipal valuer who carries the ultimate responsibility for its accuracy and legality. Honourable Speaker, I'm pleased to know that the city is indeed compliant with these legislative requirements. The valuation rolls are being implemented in line with the Municipal Property Rates Act and the necessary structures are being put in place.

02:07:14However, compliance alone is not enough, Madam Speaker. The report highlights a critical challenge, one that we must not ignore. The city faces significant internal capacity constraints. We simply do not have enough skilled valuers within our administration to carry out this complex and large-scale task efficiently.

02:07:40As a result, Madam Speaker, the city has had to rely on external professional valuers to support this process. While this approach ensures that we meet our legal obligations, it also raises important questions about sustainability, about cost, about the long-term institutional strength of our city. Let us be clear: outsourcing can be a failure in this instance.

02:08:06It is not necessary response to a capacity gap, but it cannot become a permanent substitute for building internal capacity. Honourable Speaker, the implications of this process go far beyond compliance. Property valuations directly affect the rates of our residents and businesses that pay rates. They shape our revenue base, they influence our budgeting decisions, and ultimately determine our ability to deliver basic services

02:08:37to the residents of Johannesburg, from water, electricity, sewer and waste management. Our delays, inaccuracies or inefficiencies in this process risk undermining public trust and weakening our financial position. We must therefore ask ourselves: are we building a system that is resilient, efficient or sustainable for the future? This report suggests that while we are meeting the letter of the law, there is room and indeed a need

02:09:09to strengthen our internal systems. We must invest in skills development, improve our internal processes, and reduce our over-reliance on external service providers. Honourable Speaker, this is not a technical issue. It is a governance issue. It is about accountability. It is about ensuring that every property is valued fairly, every resident is treated equitably, and every rand due to the city is collected responsibly.

02:09:40In closing, let us take this report not only as a confirmation of compliance, but as a call to action, a call to build capacity, to improve efficiency and to ensure financial future of this city. Because at the end of the day, Madam Speaker, a well-managed valuation system is not just about numbers. It is about delivering the dignity and the services to our people in the City of Johannesburg. It is also about the opportunity that our people would have created

02:10:10in reducing the rates that we are charging them. The incoming mayor, Herman Mashaba, will ensure that the incapacity in this context of valuations is groomed, valuers is groomed and is developed. And we support the appointment of Mr. Shaik, Madam Speaker. And as ActionSA, we say let's start to build internal capacity,

02:10:36but if we wait, in 2026, at the end of 2026, Mr. Herman Mashaba will build it. I thank you.

02:10:45Thank you, Councillor. Colleagues, the next speaker is Councillor Zitha from the EFF.

02:11:02Thank you again, Speaker. Greetings to you, honourable councillors. Speaker, this report before us is presented as a routine compliance matter, but it tells us deeper and more troubling story about the state of governance in this City of Johannesburg. Yes, we are asked to approve a valuation date of the 1st July 2026,claim

02:11:29and to designate Mr. Fiaz Shaik as the municipal valuer for the general valuation roll of 2027. Those are the legal requirements in terms of the Municipal Property Rates Act, and no one disputes that the city must comply. But compliance alone is not leadership, and today we are confronted with a clear absence of leadership in this municipality.claim

02:11:58Firstly, Speaker, this report exposes a serious failure in planning. The city knew that the previous municipal valuer will retire in March 2025. This was not sudden. This was not unexpected. Yet more than a year later, we are still dealing with acting arrangements because the administration failed to appoint a permanent Director of Valuations.

02:12:27This is not just an administrative delay, it is negligence. A city of Johannesburg's size cannot be run on a temporary solution and last-minute decision. Secondly, Speaker, the report lacks transparency and honesty about its impact. It claims that there's no policy implications and no communication implications. This is simply not true. Property valuation directly affects how much residents pay in rates and taxes.

02:12:57They determine whether a pensioner can afford to stay in their home or pushed further in financial distress. They influence the city's ability to collect revenue and deliver services. To suggest that this process has no need for communication is deliberately excluding the people of Johannesburg from decisions that affect them daily. Thirdly, Speaker, this report reflects broader financial crisis in this city.

02:13:25We are sitting with declining revenue collection, growing debt and lack of confidence in the billing system. Residents are already frustrated by incorrect billing and unfair charges, yet this report does not tell us how the valuation roll will fix those problems. Where is the plan to improve accuracy? Where is the strategy to ensure fairness between communities? Where is the commitment to protect the poor while ensuring those who can afford

02:13:57to pay? Fourthly, Speaker, we must address the culture of acting positions. The report confirms that the proposed municipal valuer will serve in the acting capacity and receive an acting allowance. This has become a norm in this city. Acting directors, acting managers, it's Hollywood here. So Speaker, the EFF wants a professional and stable administration, not one built in a temporary appointment.

02:14:27So as the EFF, we approve.

02:14:30Thank you, Councillor Zitha. Councillor P. Sindani from the African National Congress.

02:14:41Thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor in absentia. Greetings to the Deputy Mayor, the Chief Whip of Council, the Chair of Chairs. Greetings to everybody who is here. Speaker, I rise on item 50. Speaker, let me first wish Mr. Eloff, who served for 30 years in this particular portfolio. I hope he's going to enjoy

02:15:10his retirement. Unfortunately, the petrol goes up, but at least the money that he has amassed for the past 30 years will sustain him. Speaker, I wouldn't like to take much of my time because I know the Deputy Mayor will respond adequately on whatever that has been said in terms of us ticking the box. Therefore, let me not take time and make sure that I give enough time to our Deputy Mayor, who's going to respond in a very professional manner

02:15:40and highlight and punch holes in what has been said. As the ANC, we note and support. Thank you very much.

02:15:48Thank you so much, Councillor Sindani. Deputy Mayor, MMC of Finance, Councillor Masuku.

02:15:56Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Once again, thank you to the councillors for their comments. Indeed, it is correct that we are being proactive, and we are being proactive precisely because we do want to give sufficient time for the valuer and property owners where they have objections to raise them with the city, as well as

02:16:26to be able to be assisted and give timeous feedback to everyone who does have an objection. The comments are appreciated from both Councillor Zitha, as well as Councillor Santana and Councillor Edward, and Councillor Sindani and Councillor Boer for supporting the report. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. We ask council to approve.

02:16:55Thank you, Deputy Executive Mayor. Colleagues, the recommendations are on pages 50.5. Is the item agreed to? Before, thank you. Before the STC reads the next item, I would just want to welcome Tshegofatso Malisa, Cecilia Mthembu, Nomfundo Nkosi, Olwethu Shabalala and Katlego Moseleng.

02:17:25These are also students from UJ, and they felt that they have to come today again, as they say that the other students has told them how good it was to be here yesterday, and they wanted to come and see for themselves. So you are welcome in our presence. Thank you.

Item 51: Mkhonza's speech and procedural dispute

02:17:52Councillors, we're on item 51, and that's the report on status of agreed management corrective action as at 31st December 2025.

02:18:04Thank you, colleagues. Can we go on to Councillor Mkhonza from the ACDP.

02:18:14Yeah, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Greetings to the students from UJ. You are more than welcome here. Madam Speaker, I'm not going to speak much on this item because my understanding, I might be wrong, that I would have expected an update that would be between the February and now.

02:18:44Because this report was signed in 8 January. So I wouldn't dwell much into it because I tried to check the management's response and somehow I couldn't get it properly. However, I will use this time to try and unconfuse MMC Mgcina. One, so if she's confused about the murder rate in South Africa,

02:19:13that affects our investor confidence because Joburg contributes a lot. Hence, I'm speaking about the unacceptable murder rate in South Africa and the families that are left behind suffering because of the people who are murdered daily in South Africa as if there is a war. There's no war in South Africa, but people daily are murdered. And the families remaining behind, they have to suffer the consequences of the effect of a violent South Africa

02:19:45and a South Africa that does not attract investment because of the murder rate. Number two, if you are confused about the Sudan issue that I consistently speak in here, the Red Berets will brief you on that because I have seen that they have responded to that call. Their national leader has put a motion nationally about Sudan.

02:20:17If you are confused about Tanzania, the

02:20:26Thank you, Councillor Mgcina.

02:20:30isiZuluUyabona manje uyangi-confuse-a

02:20:32even more now, because we are on an item that speaks about something else and you are speaking about something else.

02:20:38isiZuluUngi-confuse-a more, Mfundisi. Awu-focus-e, Mfundisi, hlala endabeni.

02:20:44Please. Thank you, Speaker.

02:20:47Yeah, but you see, listening is a skill. Listening is a skill. I said

02:20:51No, no, no, Councillor, there was a point of order on you, and you can't do that. In actual fact, Councillor Mgcina, I was asking for advice here and saying, "But can we truly, honestly allow such things when we are having an item that needs to be discussed here?"

02:21:10isiZuluMfundisi wamanga.

02:21:11Seriously, we can't. We really can't. I see two hands, so who's going to be speaking? Councillor Christians, honestly, to be real to this house, I've been asking and they were telling me what we need to do. Councillor Christians.

02:21:27isiZulu[inaudible] amanga.

02:21:30I really, hey.

02:21:34Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I rise in terms of Rule 72. Speaker, there is a procedural fault that just happened now. You allowed the MMC to talk back to a member who had the floor without rising on a point of order. She stood up and she just started speaking. She did not state the point of order.

02:22:00And in terms of that, Speaker, I will be referring that to the Rules Committee. And furthermore, you have contradicted yourself where previously you said people are allowed freedom of speech, it's their time. Now you are saying something different. Thank you.

02:22:18No, but Councillor Christians, let's be real. Now, colleagues, let's be real that we cannot have three minutes of what the councillor has just done. Yes, on a topic, on the item, we are fine on the item, but that was really not, that was more of a lecture to the MMC. No. Colleagues, that's why I'm saying I was consulting.

02:22:48No, colleagues, I'm not going to take another point of order. I will get him to finish his speech, but colleagues, let us be realistic, please. To be honest, let us be realistic. It can't be. Thank you. I'm not taking any point of order. Councillor Christians, I've recognized you, that's it. Councillor Mkhonza, you have 40 seconds left and you can speak on your 40 seconds.

02:23:23Councillor Belinda, I've closed the item. You were the one complaining. No, Councillor, I have closed. I asked him to carry on with his speech as per the item. No, you can't also do that to me. No, you can't! You can't! You can't! No, you can't! I have ruled and I've said he must carry on with his speech

02:23:54as per the item. As per the item. I have ruled! No, colleagues, no, you can't. Councillor Belinda, you can't. I hope that, thank you, Councillor. Can you continue with your speech as per the item. Thank you.

02:24:16Yeah, thank you very much. Yeah, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Like I said, Madam Speaker, I am going to use my time to unconfuse the MMC. I did not deceive you by saying I'm just speaking on the item. I said on this item, I'm not going to debate on it.

02:24:4515 seconds left.

02:24:46Fine, it's fine. It's fine because I know that, Madam Speaker, you always want to cut me, but it's okay. God bless you.

02:24:55isiZulu[inaudible] amanga.

02:24:59isiZuluYazi nalona ukhuluma kakhulu maan.

Item 51: Status of agreed management corrective actions (31 Dec 2025)

02:25:01I think we must be honest, and when at times we feel people must stick to the item, we complain if they go out of line, and now we are saying carry on with what you are saying. Councillors, I don't think we are doing justice in this house. And now people are also watching us. Can we go to Councillor K. Jacobs. Councillor Kyle Jacobs.

02:25:36Thank you, Speaker. Madam Speaker, this report asks council to simply note progress. But when we look beyond the surface, it raises significant concerns about governance and accountability. Firstly, while we are told that 62% of internal audit findings have been resolved, this still leaves over 300 findings outstanding.claim

02:26:05Secondly, the disparities between departments are deeply concerning. In Health and ComDev, we see 0% resolution rates. In entities like Metrobus and Joburg Development Agency, resolution rates remain low. When financial controls fail, residents are directly impacted.claim

02:26:32Thirdly, the report highlights a R15.9 billion in unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure balance. It reflects systemic weaknesses in supply chain management, financial oversight, as well as consequence management. And yet, despite this, the reportclaim

02:26:55Councillor Kyle, can you just hold on? There's councillors behind you that we can actually hear their conversation. Can we please stop that? But there's it going on. It's this side, it's not there. It's somewhere here. It's right here. Uh-uh, it's here. Can we please stop it? Councillor, can you carry on?

02:27:25Thank you, Speaker. And yet, despite this, the report explicitly states that there are no financial implications. Speaker, this is simply not possible. Billions are lost in irregular and wasteful expenditure are financial implications. These are resources that are being diverted away from residents. Fourthly, the delay in finalizing the Auditor-General's audit findings due to the disputes and incomplete consolidation

02:27:58is deeply concerning. It suggests that there's a lack of alignment and urgency in resolving audit issues. Without finalizing findings, we cannot have full transparency and accountability within our city. I thank you, Speaker.

02:28:15Thank you, Councillor Kyle. ActionSA, Councillor Ngwetsheni.

02:28:25Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to you, Speaker, Fabulous 44, fellow councillors, guests in the gallery and the residents of Joburg. I rise to speak on item 51, titled the report on status of agreed management corrective action as at 31st December. This report seeks to outline the progress made in capturing and consolidating findings from the Auditor-General's regularity audit for the 2024/2025 financial year,claim

02:28:56as well as internal audit findings for 2025 and 2026 financial year to date. As ActionSA, our commitment is clear: to deliver ethical leadership, fix government, in particular fix Joburg, and restore service delivery through clean governance and community-centered solutions. And as we have always maintained in this house

02:29:20isiXhosaukuba sizakuncoma apho kufuneka sincome khona, xa kufuneka sigxekile sizakugxeka.

02:29:25So in this case, we want to welcome the establishment of the Operation Clean Audit Steering Committee and its accompanying strategy. We hope that these interventions will strengthen accountability mechanisms and assist the city in achieving clean audit outcomes going forward. However, Speaker, a matter of serious concern remains: the continued prevalence of UIFWEs within the city. This represents the money collected from ratepayers, residents who are already burdened by the rising cost of

02:30:00living, yet it is mismanaged or lost through inefficiencies and non-compliance. As ActionSA, or ActionSA views this as one of the highest forms of injustice against the residents of Joburg. And to confront this, our policy framework is firmly anchored on the following pillars: economic prosperity, anti-corruption, and good governance, social justice, as well as community empowerment. These principles guide our approach

02:30:30to ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly and residents receive the quality services they rightfully deserve. ActionSA notes the report. I thank you.

02:30:39Thank you, Councillor. Councillor N. Radebe from the EFF.

02:30:53Thank you very much, Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. Let me greet the leader of the EFF in the council, Councillor Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, Caucus Whip Councillor Thabiso Mogapi, MMC of Health and Social Development Councillor Makhafola, Chairman Raseruthe, most importantly the residents of Johannesburg. Speaker, the report is one of the most important before council.

02:31:18Can you just hold on, Councillor? The Councillor that just spoke, can you switch off your mic? Please switch off your mic. Thank you. Councillor, you may continue.

02:31:34Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, this report is one of the most important before council because it speaks directly to whether the city is fixing its problem or simply documenting them. At the centre of this report are the findings of the Auditor-General and internal audits, and more importantly, whether management is actually implementing the corrective actions that were agreed upon. Good governance is not about identifying problems; it is about fixing them.

02:32:04The report shows that there's been some progress, but the progress is not enough. A significant portion of audit findings remain unresolved, and in some departments, the level of progress is extremely poor. In certain areas, there's little to no movement at all. This tells us that while issues are being identified, the implementation of solution is either slow or not happening at all. This is not just a technical issue; it is a serious governance concern. Even more worrying

02:32:36is the continued presence of unauthorized, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure. The city is still sitting with billions of rands under investigation. This is public money that should have been used to improve services, fix infrastructure and uplift communities. Instead, it is tied up in audit findings and unresolved cases. This reflects a system that is not yet fully under control. This is why the implementation of agreed corrective action between management and the Auditor-General

02:33:09is absolutely critical. If this action is not implemented fully and urgently, the same findings will continue to repeat year after year. The city will remain trapped in a cycle of poor audit outcomes and governance will continue to deteriorate. Speaker, we must also raise a serious concern about process. A report of this nature dealing with audit findings and corrective action should have first been

02:33:39rigorously scrutinized at a Section 79 Committee level, particularly Governance and MPAC, before being brought to council. These committees exist to provide detailed and technical oversight. When that process is bypassed or weakened, council is deprived of the depth of scrutiny required to properly interrogate such serious matters. The EFF has always maintained that accountability must be real and not cosmetic. We cannot accept a situation where findings are identified every year,

02:34:11corrective actions are agreed, but implementation remains weak. This is how

02:34:1750 seconds, Councillor.

02:34:19dysfunction becomes normalized in government. Therefore, Speaker, the EFF notes the progress report, but we are concerned about the slow pace of resolving audit findings and the continued risk facing the city. We recommend that all outstanding issues be addressed urgently, that clear timelines and consequences be put in place for non-implementation, and that future reports of this nature

02:34:4920 seconds.

02:34:50be properly processed through Section 79 committees before coming to council. Speaker, the residents of Johannesburg are not interested in reports; they are interested in accountability, clean governance and service that works. Until corrective actions are fully implemented, we are not solving the problem, we are simply

02:35:12Thank you so much, Councillor. ANC Councillor Mokwena.

02:35:24Thanks, Honourable Speaker. Let me pass my greetings to EM in his absentia, DM, Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, members of

02:35:37Councillor Mokwena, just hold on. There's a disturbance around you. Colleagues,

02:35:42Afrikaansasseblief tog.

02:35:44Thank you, Councillor Mokwena.

02:35:46Thanks, Speaker. Members of Mayoral Committee, guests in the gallery, councillors and particularly the residents of City of Joburg. Let me not forget the City Manager and the entire administration. Speaker, on the report, on the report status of

02:36:16agreed corrective actions as at the 31st December 2025. As African National Congress, we note the report before the council and the status of agreed management corrective actions as at the 31st 2025 as presented by the GRAS. I surely want to indicate to say facts placed before us are deeply concerning, Speaker.claim

02:36:46The city recorded the total of 838 internal audit findings. Of these, only 62% have been resolved. This leaves the unacceptable 38% of outstanding, representing significant weakness in our internal controls.claim

02:37:16While we acknowledge the commendable performance of Governance Cluster, which has resolved 83% of the findings, this cannot mask a serious failure elsewhere in the organization. Speaker, on Human and Social Development Cluster, has resolved only 33% of its audit findings. Even more alarming is that some of the departments

02:37:46and entities resolved none at all. These include, to name the few, Health, Community Development, Johannesburg Development Agency and Economic Development, all of which record 0% resolution rate. Speaker, this raises a fundamental question:

02:38:16How can the departments entrusted with improving the life of our residents failing to address the most basic internal weaknesses? The failure to reflect a lack of urgency, accountability, consequence management in the critical areas of service delivery. Equally concerning is that the status of Auditor-General findings. The delay in finalizing

02:38:46Auditor-General's report resulting from the dispute process has effectively stalled the ability to fully consolidate and track the response critical audit issues. This delay undermines the oversight, weakens corrective actions. Let us be clear: the audit findings are not optional recommendations. They are binding indicators where systems are failing and where public resources are at risk.

02:39:16Honourable Speaker, the issue of unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure remains a matter of grave concern. At the end of 2024/2025 financial year, the UIFW stood at 15.9 billion. Despite

02:39:46subsequent regularization, this figure remains at 11.7 billion, with nearly 7 billion still under investigation as at the 31st December 2025. These are not abstract figures. This is a money that should have built houses, repaired roads, provided water, sanitation,

02:40:16improved service in our communities. Instead, it remains tied up in weak controls, irregular processes, and in some cases outright failure to comply with the law. Speaker, let it be noted that the African National Congress will continuously support the implementation of Operation Clean Audit program.

02:40:46Officials who are repeatedly failing to implement the corrective actions must be held accountable, and departments that are consistently appear in audit findings must be subjected to enhanced oversight. Leadership must take responsibility where failure persists. The residents of City of Joburg deserve better. But Speaker, let me conclude on one thing,

02:41:16and let me remind those that are saying, I don't know, they are saying somebody in the name of Herman Mashaba. Let me remind them to say they should remind Herman Mashaba about people of Naledi, people of Protea Glen, where RDPs were supposed to have been tarred, and money was removed from the city by then, and still those residents are still suffering with untarred roads, just cause of all what they know is to stand here in front of us, grandstanding.

02:41:57SesothoGo botlhoko bjanong.

02:42:02Councillor, can you conclude your speech?

02:42:05No, they're making noise.

02:42:06Colleagues. Colleagues. Colleagues. Can you conclude your speech?

02:42:15You see, Speaker...

02:42:18You have 10 seconds left.

02:42:22No, thanks, Speaker.

02:42:23Can you conclude?

02:42:25Speaker, let me humble myself and conclude, but reprimand that other side.

02:42:38MMC. MMC, Deputy Mayor.

02:42:46Thank you, Speaker. Just to clarify that the Government of Local Unity, under the administration of the City Manager, Floyd Brink, and the CFO as well as Group Risk, took a decision to bring this report to council. This report hasclaim

02:43:05MMC, just hold on. Councillor Mokwena, switch off your mic. Thank you.

02:43:11This kind of report is a report for transparency in line with our principles of good governance. There is no legislative requirement for this particular report. It is a report that we took a decision to bring to council so that we keep the institution, especially councillors, updated in terms of where we are with corrective measures which arise from the Auditor-General,claim

02:43:41as well as the ones that are actually from the internal audit findings, and it was our decision. So yes, you will see a signature of January, because we took a decision to bring this report quarterly to council after it leaves Mayoral. So it comes four times a year so that you keep track as councillors in terms of what are we doing in terms of the corrective action plans as it relates to audit findings. We ask council to note. It's for information, Madam Speaker. Thanks.claim

02:44:11Thank you, MMC, Deputy Mayor. The report is for noting. The recommendations is on page 51.9. Is the item noted?

02:44:21Noted!

02:44:23Thank you. STC.

Item 52: MFMA Circular 106 infrastructure delivery framework – opening speeches

02:44:27We move to Item 52, and that is the adoption and institutionalization of National Treasury MFMA Circular 106: the Local Government Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management in the City of Johannesburg.

02:44:43Thank you so much, STC.

02:44:45AfrikaansRaadslid Boer.

02:44:49Madam Speaker, I'm withdrawing my speech on this item.

02:44:53AfrikaansDankie.

02:44:55Councillor Cook, GOOD.

02:45:03Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we need to ask ourselves whether the City of Johannesburg delivers infrastructure on time, on budget and to the standard our residents deserve. Right now, the answer probably is not consistently. We sit with a city where projects are delayed or abandoned, costs escalate far beyond original budgets, contractors underperform with little consequence, and communities are left waiting for basic services.

02:45:33With this in mind, the intention behind adopting this framework is correct. We need a standardized, disciplined approach to how infrastructure is planned, procured and delivered. But we must be careful not to confuse adoption with implementation. The city is not short of frameworks, policies or systems. What it is short of is execution, accountability and consequence management. Because when you strip this report down, Speaker, it is not introducing entirely new concepts.

02:46:04Stage gates, project planning, procurement controls, oversight structures—these already exist in different forms within the city. The problem has never been the absence of a process. The problem has been that the process

02:46:17Councillor GOOD, just hold on. Councillor Coogan and Councillor next to you and Councillor... what's his name? Councillor Reddy. We can practically hear your conversations, and I can tell you what it is. Councillor GOOD, can you carry on?

02:46:47Thank you, Speaker. As I was saying, the problem has never been the absence of process. The problem has been that the process is not enforced properly. If implemented properly, this framework can begin to rebuild confidence in the city's ability to deliver infrastructure, which is critical not only for service delivery, but for economic growth and investment. That confidence, however, will not come from diagrams, phases or guidelines; it will come from visible delivery on the ground. GOOD supports the adoption of this framework because the status quo

02:47:20is not acceptable. But let us be clear: this is not the solution, it is just a tool. And like every other tool in the City of Johannesburg, its value will only be determined whether it's actually used properly, consistently and with accountability. If we get that right, this can be a turning point. If we don't, it'll just be another document on a piece of paper that promises reform, but delivers very little. Thank you, Speaker.

02:47:49Thank you so much, Councillor Matthew. Councillor D. Manganyi from the IFP.

02:48:00TshivendaNdi matsheloni, Madam Speaker na vhashumisani.

02:48:05I rise to speak on behalf of the IFP on Item 52: Adoption and implementation of the National Treasury framework. Madam Speaker, as political parties, we may differ on many issues, but I believe that no one in this council can oppose to better planning, better procurement, and stronger oversight. The truth is, Madam Speaker, the City of Johannesburg has struggled with infrastructure delivery, and the adoption of this framework is therefore necessary.

02:48:35We've seen projects that are poorly planned, budgets that escalate, contractors appointed without proper oversight, and communities left waiting while projects stall. Madam Speaker, a structured framework with seven project stages, eight procurement stages and independent gateway reviews is a step in the right direction. However, Madam Speaker, the real question is whether this administration will implement it properly, or whether it will just be another compliance exercise.

02:49:05Because we already have frameworks, we already have policies, we already have systems, and yet service delivery challenges persist. With that being said, Madam Speaker, as the IFP and as part of this government, we support the adoption of this framework, and we are committed to ensuring that it is implemented effectively, consistently and with impact. And for this framework to succeed, we must collectively focus on three critical areas.

02:49:35Firstly, on capacity. We must ensure that the city has necessary skills and technical expertise across all departments and entities to implement this framework effectively. Secondly, on accountability. Where there are failures, whether in project planning, procurement or gateway reviews, there must be clear responsibility and consequence management. This is how we build a culture of performance. Thirdly, on coordination. This framework requires a strong alignment across departments and entities

02:50:08such as Human Settlements, Transport, City Power and Joburg Water. And as government, we must ensure that this coordination is strengthened and sustained. Madam Speaker, we must also guard against a situation where reports are produced and systems are introduced, but communities see no real improvement. Our residents are not asking for frameworks; they are asking for delivery, dignity and results. And as the IFP, we are committed to ensuring that this framework translates into visible,

02:50:3920 seconds.

02:50:40measurable improvements in infrastructure delivery across the city. In closing, Madam Speaker, this framework provides a solid foundation, and as part of this government, we are committed to ensuring that it is not just adopted, but fully realized in practice. The IFP moves for the adoption of this report. I thank you, Speaker.

02:50:59Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Kgeletsane from the Democratic Alliance.

02:51:20Thank you, Speaker. Good morning, councillors. All protocol observed. Speaker, I don't know if Councillor Cook read my speech or I read his speech. But nevertheless, what I'll do is I'll take a different approach to this item. Speaker, let's start with the strategic priorities

02:51:50this project has. And as some of the councillors have said earlier, some of these items, they fly from the executive into council, and they get approved in council without seeing a day in a Section 79 Committee. That, Speaker, on its own is unfortunate, but this is the reality that we live in today in the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, let me look into the three strategic priorities of this project.

02:52:20Priority number three, it says sustainable service delivery. Priority number five is good governance. Priority number six is infrastructure development. Now, this project has three priorities starting from priority number three, five and six. And I want to speak to the officials of the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, I'm not sure if the department has three or six priorities.

02:52:51However, I will assist the department in completing their priorities. Now, and I want city officials to listen to these priorities. Priority number one. And I'm just helping the officials of City of Joburg with their priorities. Priority number one: increase corruption, increase maladministration, increase UIFWE,

02:53:21promote poor performance, and misuse of residents of City of Joburg hard-earned tax money. That's priority number one of this project. Priority number two: increase corruption, increase maladministration, increase UIFWE, promote poor performance, and misuse of residents of City of Joburg hard-earned money. Priority number three:

02:53:51sustainable service delivery. Priority number four: increase corruption, increase maladministration, increase UIFWE, promote poor performance...

Points of order over DA speech and speaking time

02:54:05Can you please take your seat, Councillor? Councillor Raphadu.

02:54:10Madam Speaker, we know that the city is facing many challenges, but we must not mock employees of the city and make a mockery of the city. If the councillor has any comments or wants to share his views, let him share it in a proper and constructive manner, not this way, because now he's mocking and also indirectly saying that officials are corrupt and whatever that he's saying. I don't want to repeat it because it's nonsensical. Please can he withdraw that and get to his speech? Thank you very much.

02:54:40SetswanaKe a leboga.

02:54:44Councillor Raphadu. Councillor Raphadu. That's why when I rule, then you ask for a second time, "What is your ruling?" That's the reason why, because we all scream at each other. Councillor Raphadu, it's part of his speech. We are going to allow him, and we know that whoever is going to respond will respond accordingly. Let's allow him. Thank you. No, you can't follow up now. No. No, no, no. No. No, okay, Chairperson Raphadu. Sharp. Let's let him speak. You have five minutes left. Yeah.

02:55:41Speaker, it cannot be five minutes. Councillor Raphadu has taken two minutes of my time, so it cannot be five minutes.

02:55:47No, no, no. In actual fact, the machine has stopped. You had five minutes to speak, so your time is less. Can you deal with that thing, please? It's been giving a problem the entire day.

02:55:58Speaker, Councillor Raphadu interrupted me. I cannot be left with five minutes.

02:56:03No, Councillor, no. Don't even try. Don't even try, Councillor. I was wrong in saying you have five minutes left. That machine is starting to stop. You don't have five minutes left; you have three minutes left. Can you continue? Can you continue, Councillor?

02:56:21SesothoRaphadu, wa bona? Wa bona, Raphadu? Wa bona?

02:56:23Speaker, I don't have three minutes.

02:56:25You are wasting more time. Your time is rolling.

02:56:27Speaker, I had 10 minutes. I had 10 minutes, Speaker. And this is my intro, I had 10 minutes.

02:56:34You have eight minutes. If you read, you have eight minutes. Your time is rolling. Now you're allowing me to waste your time.

02:56:44Speaker, I'll just run through my speech. Councillor Raphadu, you really have instructed me to really run through my speech. Speaker, let me put it back. We have employed people in our departments, and we have employed officials that are employed apparently on merit, and they have degrees and whatsoever to do the work. And unfortunately, Speaker, if you look at this report, it says it was last seen and implemented in 2015.

02:57:17So in 2015 somebody thought about this, and nothing was done about it. In 2020 somebody mentioned it in some meeting, nothing was done about it. Speaker, we are very much aware of reports that are riddled with corruption, cut and paste, some over 10 years old. You can tell by engaging a report that this author has lost words and hope to write a report. Speaker, residents of City of Joburg will have to deeply decide at the ballot box if they want to be led by a government of good singers, good dancers, dressed up in expensive clothes,

02:57:48driving expensive cars, drinking expensive alcohol, taking expensive holidays at the expense of hard-earned taxpayers' money. Speaker, I want to assure the residents of City of Johannesburg that help is on the way. The DA is coming to rescue South Africa. We will severely deal with corruption, and I want you to hear this, Speaker, because you're also going to be moving out of the chair by the end of the year.

02:58:23Listen to this, Speaker: the DA will deal severely with corruption, maladministration, ghost employees, extortion and many other service delivery crimes committed against the residents of City of Johannesburg. Speaker, as I conclude...

02:58:41Can you hold on with your two seconds? Councillor Cook.

02:58:47Sorry, Speaker, on a point of order. The councillor started his speech saying that maybe we had seen each other's speeches, but I didn't have any nonsense like this, Speaker. I ask him to withdraw.

02:58:58Thank you, Councillor Cook. Thank you, Councillor Cook. Your two seconds.

02:59:05Thank you, Speaker. No, Councillor Cook, I had to run through it because Councillor Raphadu disrupted...

02:59:18I indicated you had two seconds left. I indicated you had two seconds left, and I cut it when it was two seconds. Councillor A. Chuma from ActionSA.

ActionSA Councillor Chuma's speech and contested points of order

02:59:47Greetings, Speaker, fellow councillors across political parties, guests in the gallery, residents of City of Johannesburg, and of course, the fabulous 44 councillors of ActionSA under our caucus leader. Speaker, let...

03:00:00Let me not waste time and address the elephant in the room. The last time this City of Johannesburg had a mayor it was President Herman Mashaba.

03:00:12He was not just a mayor, he was competent, pragmatic in addressing service delivery issues, decisive in firing official, corrupt officials in the city, and lastly gave dignity to our fathers and mothers by insourcing securities and cleaners.

03:00:30He wants to do it again. As ActionSA, we urge the residents of City of Johannesburg to register to vote and vote for President Herman Mashaba as a mayor to implement operation fix Johannesburg.

03:00:45Without sounding, without sounding ageist, you must reject a gogo who parachuted herself out of Cape Town thinking she is a messiah. I won't say a racist messiah, I will say a messiah who hate black people, who said our competent mayor must not give service.emotive

03:01:02Councillor Chuma, can you take your seat? Councillor Chuma, can you take your seat?emotive

03:01:12Councillor Belinda, ActionSA, please.

03:01:20Thank you, Madam Speaker.emotive

03:01:22Councillors, can we allow Councillor Belinda?

03:01:26I'd like to call a point of order. Yesterday we dealt with the issue of race and bringing race in our, into our speech, disrespect with regards to race in our speeches. That's the first issue I want to raise a point of order on this councillor. Secondly, whether he likes it or not, Helen Zille will be the mayor of the City of Joburg.

03:01:57Councillor Chuma, can you, aah.

03:02:08Uhm, uhm, uhm, councillors, no, Chairperson Raphadu, can you take your seat, please? Councillor Chuma, can you continue with your speech?

03:02:29I won't say a racist messiah, I will say a messiah who hate black people, who said our competent mayor President Herman Mashaba must not give service to black.

03:02:41Councillor Chuma, can you be seated?

03:02:47Councillor Christians, you are allowed to be seated, it's fine.

03:02:56Thank you, Speaker. I have to use this one as you directed me previously. Speaker, while I may not have been in council yesterday, I rise on a point of order, while I may not have been in council yesterday, Speaker you asked for this house not to denigrate based on racism. This councillor now, in terms of the rule, is in contempt of the council decision taken yesterday, where you clearly said we need to act in a professional manner rather than denigrate this house. Can we please have this councillor sent to the ethics committee in terms of 149, where he's in contempt of the council in conduct which potentially or actually interferes improperly with the ability of this council. Thank you.

03:03:40Councillor, Councillor Christians, I'll get back to you. We are just talking on it here. But Councillor Chuma, can you continue with your speech? You have three minutes left. Your time is running.

03:03:56A messiah who hate black people, who said our competent mayor must not give services to black people, but prioritize cutting grass in Sandton, while our people in areas such as Alexandra and many more need service delivery. The liberation corrupt movement is dying a painful death. Continue not voting for them. No wonder they are gaslighting workers and politicizing the PFA for political game. As ActionSA, we will be on the side of workers at all material times. This report seeks to adopt an institutionalization of the local government framework for infrastructure delivery.

03:04:33Councillor Chuma, Councillor

03:04:41Councillor Raphadu, Councillor Raphadu, and come up with a point of order. A point of order, please. Because I think everybody is standing up, I've seen your hand, Councillor Belinda, I think everybody is standing up with no rule, with no rule, and we are just standing up just because. I'm going to deal with Councillor Raphadu and then Councillor Belinda and then you carry on with your speech. In the meantime, you are allowing your time to run with all these things. Councillor Raphadu.

03:05:25Madam Speaker, Madam Speaker, I think you are letting this house degenerate. Deal with the issues that has been raised, because if you allow Councillor Chuma to continue in his spirited outburst, then we are going to have a problem. Please just deal before because

03:05:45Can you stand on a point of order?

03:05:47I'm not done.

03:05:57Councillor Belinda, please.

03:06:01Madam Speaker, I'm rising in terms of rule 72, and it's 72 1 that says I can rise a point of order if the council is out of order. I just want to remind, on this point of order, Councillor Chuma that it is under that Herman Mashaba's tenure that we are having to account. They are still have to go to the Madlanga Commission and account.

03:06:35Councillor Chuma,

03:06:37He stole 11 million.

03:06:39Councillor Chuma, Councillor Chuma, can you take your seat? I will keep your minutes.

03:06:51SesothoKe yena tsotsi e kgolo.

03:07:02A mayor who steals a lot of money.

03:07:04Councillors, I Councillor Belinda, I asked that I please get advice and then speak. So I did get advice. Councillor Chuma, the advice that I got is that one, you have not mentioned anybody's name. You have not ActionSA, listening is a skill.

03:07:32So you have not mentioned anybody's name. So you are to continue with your speech, but also every councillor that stood up stood up with no real point of order. So can we continue with Councillor Chuma so that he does his speech? We continue. You have two minutes left and we continue. I thank you.

03:08:13isiZuluKhuluma wena.

03:08:14Yeah. Uh this report seeks the adoption and institutionalization of the local government framework for infrastructure delivery and procurement management as presented by the National Treasury through MFMA Circular 106. As ActionSA, uh while this progress is commendable, the critical challenge that remains which shows the incompetence of this GNU is the issue of incomplete, in, incomplete compliance with the Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts, mSCOA, which is one of the system that must be in place for the successful implementation of this report. As ActionSA, we wish to state categorically that mSCOA compliance is not an optional. It is a legislative requirement that underpins the financial transparency, credible reporting, and effective oversight. Without full compliance, our ability to track infrastructure spending is weakened.

03:09:0555 seconds left.

03:09:07XitsongaNdzi khense Xipikara na yotini.

03:09:16He stole 11 million.

Item 52: EFF speech

03:09:18Have you finished? Thank you. Councillor Zitha.

03:09:26Thank you very much, Speaker, and just to advise you that I'm also timing myself this side. I was not happy with my last item. I think you took 72 seconds. Uhm Speaker, we are going to recognize or greet the MMCs deployed by the EFF because it's us saying that we see their work. So we are not going to be bullied to greet other MMCs if we don't see them. Speaker, this report speaks about sustainable service delivery and good governance, but the lived reality in the city tells completely different story. Our people are dealing with incomplete projects, collapsing of infrastructure. Uh perfect example, Speaker, shout out to uh Ward 111 resident, Latoya Malatji, who actually took upon herself to go to uh TikTok and expose the sewage uh spillage at uh the last house in Ebony Park. That was actually reported for the past two years. Uh even today, it has not been fixed, and this is next to Kaalfontein Primary School. It has been happening for two years and Chairperson Ngoepe, I think she knows about it. Uhm now, you come here with this report full of diagrams, uh stages and frameworks, as if the problem in the City of, in the city is a lack of paperwork.claim

03:11:01The problem is not about the absence of a framework. The problem is the absence of political will and accountability. Speaker, this report is a process heavy, but outcome empty. We are told about seven stages of infrastructure delivery, eight stages of uh procurement, gateway reviews. Uh, but nowhere, nowhere, Speaker, does this report answer a simple question. Why are the infrastructure projects failing in Johannesburg today? Because if we cannot diagnose the problem, you are not solving it, you are simply decorating it. Uh, I don't know if the, the students from uh UJ are here today, but then I think they must come and help us uh about project management. So Speaker, the answer of everything that I've just mentioned is no. The city has mastered the art of creating structure that does not produce consequences, and the EFF will not support a system where failure has no name and no face. It claims that the city's current systems are already aligned with National Treasury framework, yet we are being asked to adopt a new framework. If the systems are working, why do we need this? If we are not working, why there's no admission, why there's uh no admission failure? You cannot ask a council to approve something when you are not honest about the state of uhm dysfunctioning.

03:12:3455 seconds.claim

03:12:39So all of this cost money, Speaker. Uhm this city is facing a serious, a serious financial pressure, and we cannot mislead the council. However, the EFF approve the report. Thank you.

03:12:56You had 32 seconds left. Thank you.

Item 52: ANC speech and chamber conduct

03:13:03Councillor S. Ngema from the ANC.

03:13:10Councillor Belinda, just hold on, Councillor Ngema. Councillor Belinda.

03:13:14Thanks so much, Madam Speaker. It's not a point of order. It's just something I'd like to bring to your attention. Please, the rules that apply to councillors of not moving in front of the Speaker, can it apply to the officials as well, please? Thanks.

03:13:34Okay, I've got that. Thank you. Councillor Ngema.

03:13:44Uh good afternoon uh Madam Speaker. Uhm I would like to take this uh opportunity to uhm convey my special greetings to the Executive Mayor, uh Councillor Dada Morero in his absentia, uh Deputy Executive Mayor, Councillor Loyiso Masuku, our Chief of Council, uhm Chair of Chairs. Uh, but also, Madam Speaker, allow me to convey my special greetings to the guests in our gallery, especially the students from UJ. Uh it so happened yesterday that I was uh listening to one of the uh radio stations where they were interviewing our Executive Mayor. And uh a gentleman who was with the students from UJ also happened to make a call. He sounded more excited to be joining us. I wonder if his students are also excited to be here in the council. But I also want to take this opportunity as the African National Congress to welcome you, uh the students from UJ, and to also wish you all the best in your studies. Uh Madam Speaker, I arise uh on item 52. It states that 2025/2026 uhm adoption and institutionalization of National Treasury MFMA uh Circular 106, the local government framework for infrastructure delivery and uh procurement management in the City of Johannesburg.

03:15:51Uh Madam Speaker, uh this report seeks council endorsement to adopt the local government framework uh for infrastructure delivery and procurement uh management as required by the National Treasury's MFMA Circular 106. The framework standardizes how the city uhm uh manages infrastructure

03:16:28Councillor Ngema, can you just give me a second?

03:16:30Okay.

03:16:31Councillor Masao, there is a councillor behind you from ActionSA that has been walking in the entire council. We've been watching him now for eight minutes. He's been up and down and he's gone to every councillor. He's wearing a striped T-shirt. He's gone to every councillor in the caucus, and it's disrupting.

03:16:58AfrikaansHy's net agter jou. Skuins oorkant jou.

03:17:02Thank you so much. Councillor Ngema.

03:17:05Now I will start afresh, Madam.

03:17:09No, no, no. Just carry on where you stopped.

03:17:11Okay. This report seeks uh council endorsement uh to adopt the local government framework uh for infrastructure delivery and procurement management uhm as required by the National Treasury's MFMA Circular 106. Uh the framework standardizes how the city uhm manages infrastructure projects and related uh procurement through a structured seven-stage project delivery process and eight-stage procurement process with independent gateway reviews uhm at key decision points uhm to ensure accountability, affordability, and value for money. The city has already conducted a review, developed a guideline, and engaged stakeholders across departments and entities. The office of the Chief uhm Operating Officer uh will lead a city-wide change management process to institutionalize the framework. Uh the report, Madam Speaker, uh confirms alignment with existing city policies and notes that uhm uh legal adoption requires council approval. As the African National Congress, Madam Speaker, we note

03:19:06Councillor, just hold on, just hold on. MMC Amad, can you switch off your mic, please, Councillor? Thank you. Councillor Ngema. Councillor Wissler, can you switch off your mic?

03:19:22No, it's sorted. Thank you, Speaker. I rise on uh

03:19:28No, Councillor Amad, just hold on. Councillors, on this screen, we can see whose mic is on. And there was a mic for Councillor Wissler that was on. Councillor Amad, you are on now.

03:19:45Rule 70, I rise on rule 72, Speaker, on a point of clarification. Uh the councillor there, I forgot his name, is it uh within the council rules to show your belly in council?emotive

03:19:59Aai, Councillor. It's not within the council rules, but councillors are also coming to council sleeveless, which is not in the rules. It's not in the code of conduct. Thank you. They are not supposed to be dressing sleeveless. Councillor Ngema, you can finish.

03:20:17Okay. I don't know how many minutes are left, Ma'am. How many minutes? Okay. Uhm uh as I was saying, Madam Speaker, uh the African National Congress notes the report. But in conclusion, Madam Speaker, we, as the African National Congress, we would like to convey uh a message to our community, our, our residents in the city.emotive

03:20:43Colleagues, I can't hear the councillor.emotive

03:20:47AfrikaansAsseblief.emotive

03:20:48Yes, Ma'am. So uh as the African National Congress, we want to convey our messages to the residents uhm in the City of Johannesburg uh to say we need to all go out in numbers, uh those that have not registered to vote, to use the opportunity and the date that has been set aside for the community to go and register to vote. Uhm we want all the residents in the City of Johannesburg to continue to support the African National Congress when we go and vote on the day that will be announced by the President. This is the only organization that cares for the residents of the City of Johannesburg, and this is the organization that will change the life, that will continue to change their lives for the residents of the City of Johannesburg. I thank you, Madam Speaker.emotive

03:21:42Thank you, Councillor.

03:21:45One loaf, one family.

DA caucus break request refused and MMC's closing remarks on item 52

03:21:49Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC of Finance. Councillor Da Rocha, just hold on, Madam Deputy Mayor. Uh please, a point of order.

03:22:02Uh Madam Speaker, I just wanted to say that the colleague is quite correct. Come election day, they are all going to go out in numbers.

03:22:09Aai, Councillor. It's not a point of order,

03:22:13Afrikaansasseblief tog.

03:22:14MMC, you are eating into the MMC's time. Councillor Smit.

03:22:25Uh thank you, Speaker. Could the Democratic Alliance request a five-minute caucus break with the CMT uhm before we go to the vote on this item, please, based on new information we've received? Thank you.

03:22:41Just hold on, let me consult quickly. Repeat yourself. Colleagues, can I hear what he's saying? Because we can't have a caucus inside this item. We have done the item. The MMC needs to respond. She's closing it.

03:23:05Before we go to the vote on this item, we would like a caucus break, please.

03:23:11Just hold on.

03:23:12There has, there is precedence. You have had precedence on this before, Madam Speaker.

03:23:16No, no, just hold on, just hold on. Colleagues, just hold on, please, all of you. We'll talk now. Colleagues, can I just consult here?

03:23:32AfrikaansAsseblief.

03:23:33Thank you.

03:23:57Okay. Can we listen? Someone's phone is ringing. Colleagues, we are at the closing point of the item. Caucus is asked whilst the STC has read in the item, as we did earlier on, or before it's read into record. We are closing on the item, and that's where we are. And I have consulted, and three of them has told me exactly the same thing, and they've agreed. So we are going to move with the item. The MMC will close, and we will close the item. Thank you, MMC, Deputy Executive Mayor. Let's close the item.

03:25:03Thank you, Madam Speaker.

03:25:05Councillor Moloisane, can you please switch off your mic? Thank you, MMC.

03:25:12Speaker, most of the speakers and councillors who spoke clearly understand what this report is about. This is an adoption of institutionalization of the National Treasury MFMA Circular 106, the local government framework for infrastructure delivery and procurement management, and it is coming to our municipalities. It is going to all municipalities. It is from National Treasury to make sure that there's institutionalization, and the circular was clearly put out and I would have thought everybody understands what the actual circular is about. I think as a compliant municipality, when National Treasury gives us documentation and certain circulars that assist us to align and ensure that we have a proper standardization of the delivery process, because this is about the standardization of the delivery process, the infrastructure asset management program, and it's going to cover planning, budgeting, procurement, implementation, and monitoring. Through you, Madam Speaker, Councillor Zitha, the diagram it actually illustrates integrated life cycling and ensuring that the model works properly. So the diagrams are important, because if the diagrams were not there, then the councillors were not going to understand what National Treasury seeks to achieve with this particular delivery and project management approach. It introduces a seven-stage project life cycle of initiation, concept, design, documentation, construction, handover, and closeout, as articulated in page five. So it's got nothing to do with uhm undermining, and I'm very concerned, Speaker, about the language that uh two councillors used in this chamber of undermining the capacity of senior officials in the city. It's very disheartening that you will actually use such language. It's demoralizing and demotivating to bash employees of the city, especially senior managers who are supposed to be the drivers of critical strategic and core driving innovation and implementation of the service delivery uh plan that we agree upon, that is approved by council, and make sure that we retain these employees. If we always use this council to bash employees, what makes us think they're going to be motivated to stay here and work for this great city? Because every other council meeting we are just bashing them. They are incompetent, they are useless, they are doing this and they are doing that. That is why there's Section 79. We must use Section 79 to constructively give in our ideas instead of always demoralizing senior managers. If that is a campaign strategy that political parties want to use, I think it's the wrong one, because these are the very same employees who must assist us in driving service delivery. So if we come to these chambers and then we bash them, demoralize them, and make them feel like that, these are professionals. They went to school. Their employment was approved by council. They came and they went through competency assessments, and they went through using their qualifications. So if we use this council to undermine their capacity,

03:28:42Councillor Seerane. MMC, MMC, just hold on. Councillor Seerane, can you switch off your mic? I did not recognize you. I recognize you now, and tell us which point of order are you standing up on.

03:29:02Greetings to you, Speaker, and thank you very much for affording me this opportunity. I'm rising on uh rule 72, Speaker. Speaker, uh it's incorrect of the MMC uh to, to, to lead us in a way that we must engage this report. Doesn't mean when you are a senior official you can't be wrong. There is no rule like that. And so if we are not happy about the report, regardless if it came from senior officials or not, we must criticize that.

03:29:33Councillor Seerane, can we get the MMC to finish her report?

03:29:39Yeah, but there is no Deputy Chief.

03:29:45Can, MMC, can you just keep your seat? Councillor Seerane, I've closed you. Can I have the councillor from the PA? And you must tell us which point of order you're rising on.

03:29:59Speaker, I'm not rising.

03:30:00On a point of order, somebody's recording from the gallery there.

03:30:03Oh, thank you. Who's recording? That's one of the media people. The one over there is a media person. If there is somebody that is recording, please don't record unless it's one of the media people of the MMCs. No, no, no. MMC, can you continue?

03:30:33Thank you, Speaker. I reiterate my point. And I didn't mention any specific councillor. So, if the shoe fits, please do wear it. All I was saying, all I was saying is that we must use this Council as an instrument to improve service delivery.

03:30:55Councillor Seerane, your hand is up again. I will need the MMC to close the item.

03:31:04No, thank you very much, Speaker. We also want her to close the item because we are not getting any direction of what she's saying. She can't be saying she didn't mention any name whereas she mentioned the name of Councillor Zitha.

03:31:15No. No, no, no. Councillor, that's why I'm saying, can you please keep quiet, councillors? That's why I am saying we need to listen. The MMC said, "I am disappointed in councillors who has done one, two, three." She did not mention. And you were five people speaking. You were five people speaking. MMC, please close your item.

03:31:53Please close your item. Please close your item. Zitha, you have a beautiful name, so I don't think she used that. MMC, can you please finish?

03:32:07No, colleagues, don't do that.

03:32:11Hey, colleagues. Madam Speaker, listening is a skill in Council. I referred, I'm addressing you. I referred to Councillor Zitha when I was talking about diagrams on page five. I have never referred to Councillor Zitha when I was speaking on the approach and the tone of councillors in terms of how we address senior managers. I have never done that. And the rules allow me to rise on a point of personal explanation and I've done precisely that.

03:32:43Speaker, if, and I'm concluding, if the campaign strategy is to demotivate and demoralize employees of the City of Johannesburg, I think it's a bad campaign strategy for any political party. These are officials who we must support. We must criticize when there is wrongdoing and consequence management when there is wrongdoing. But we must never ever make them feel that they are not doing their job when they are doing their job.

03:33:13Like you said to some workers. Like you said to some workers.

Item 52 agreed; item 53 read in

03:33:23Colleagues, colleagues, the recommendation is on page 52.13. Is the item agreed to? Thank you.

03:33:36Item 53 is the Revised Group Individual Performance Management System Policy Framework.

Item 53: Revised Group Individual Performance Management System Policy Framework

03:33:53Councillor Mkhonza, you are the first speaker.

03:33:59Yes. Yeah. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Allow me to first quote from my guiding manual, the Holy Bible, from Proverbs 22:29 in The Message version. It reads as follows.

03:34:15Councillor Mkhonza, please just hold on. Thank you, Councillor Mkhonza. You can carry on.

03:34:24Yeah. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Proverbs 22:29 in The Message version, it reads as follows, "Observe people who are good at their work. Skilled workers are always in demand and admired. They don't take a back seat to anyone." So, as we speak about individual performance management, let's put that in mind. Madam Speaker, I rise to address item 53.

03:34:54The ACDP welcomes this revised policy as it meaningfully incorporates the core principles required for an effective, fair, credible performance management system. These principles are essential in ensuring that performance management is not only consistent, but also aligned to the strategic intent of the city. In this regard, the ACDP notes the following key principles embedded in this framework. I'm just going to explain only one key principle for the sake of time, strategic congruency,

03:35:26alignment between organizational strategy, objectives, and organizational culture. The rest, I'll just mention. The other one is reliability. Number three is acceptability. Number four is specificity. Number five is validity. Furthermore, Madam Speaker, while the ACDP supports the adoption of this revised framework, we emphasize that its success will depend on effective implementation and institutional awareness.

03:35:57To this end, the ACDP proposes the inclusion of an additional recommendation, either as a recommendation number five or under clause 4.3, which should read as follow, that

03:36:11You have 50 seconds left, Councillor.

03:36:14Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. That the Group Executive Director of GCSS draft a schedule for performance management awareness sessions to be published within 60 days of approving this revised IPMS in line with the communication implications. This will ensure that all stakeholders are adequately informed, capacitated, and aligned with the revised system, thereby strengthening accountability, improving performance outcomes, and embedding a culture of excellence within the city. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

03:36:51Thank you so much, Councillor Mkhonza. Councillor R. Hooper from the Democratic Alliance.

03:37:03Good day, Speaker. I rise to speak on item 53, all protocol observed. Speaker, political ponerology is the study of how psychopaths and abusive narcissists enter the political realm for personal benefit and not public benefit. Poneros being Greek for evil. I raise this because, as I've noted in this Council a number of times, covert and overt forms of wicked employee abuse is taking place within the City of Johannesburg's

03:37:34administration. And it has been ignored by the political executive, who is more obsessed with prestige and status than projects and services. High rates of injuries at depots and service sites, poor succession planning, insufficient training and development, and a long-delayed attempt at restructuring the structures and work processes of the city's administration, also known as the so-called institutional review, all reveal a city led by politicians who care more about prestige, status,

03:38:08and patronage-related influence than they do for the workers and senior officials of the city. Fortunately, there are now plans being put in place and about to be approved by Council to ensure integrated performance management is fully adopted and enacted across the administration. There may indeed now be plans for fora, meetings, committees, and regular training seminars, but will this now result in executive directors of core departments and managing directors of municipal-owned entities

03:38:40actually enacting performance management across their respective workplaces? A lackadaisical and apathetic organizational culture within the city has resulted in performance management being neglected, despite this being blatant non-compliance of both municipal and national legislation. Speaker, key performance indicators should be flexible and not static. They should be reviewed and revised on a regular basis, and managers should be empowered to provide direct training and...

03:39:13Oops. Direct training and, more importantly, coaching and mentorship. With immense pressure from the Auditor-General, the National Treasury, and the department overseeing all metropolises, there are now attempts to ensure PMS is enacted and adopted across the administration, but this is now being rushed without due consideration for standard change management processes and the wellness of employees. The threat by national government of putting the city under administration

03:39:43and dissolving Johannesburg's legislature has certainly lit a fire under the bums of those who are apathetic towards measuring and monitoring every employee, and actually ensuring they get the support, mentorship, training, and incentives that are due to them. There is also pressure from the residents. Residents' associations, academics, researchers, CBOs, and NGOs have found out about the grand-scale mismanagement and poor performance management taking place within the city.

03:40:15They know that the employee abuse and neglect happening in depots and departments is affecting service delivery and the completion of projects in communities across Joburg. They also know about the city's main office building, the Metro Centre, being abandoned and ransacked by vagrants and criminals. Hopefully, these initiatives will ensure everyone gets a digital scorecard with reviewed and negotiated KPIs, gets their financial rewards or leave days for good work, and ensures those who need training and coaching actually receive it.

03:40:48But most of all, hopefully, the senior officials of the city will make sure everyone who must be disciplined, suspended, or fired will actually undergo fair and impartial disciplinary processes. We need consequence management because the residents are sick and tired of failed projects, poor service, and incompetence and corruption within the current administration's departments and entities. Residents and employees of the city must know that hope is round the corner. Let's get Joburg working. We note and approve the report and the policy framework. I thank you, Speaker.

03:41:24Thank you, Councillor Hooper. Councillor Aphane, ActionSA.

03:41:36Honourable Speaker, colleagues, members of the public, all protocol observed, I greet you all. I rise on item 53. Madam Speaker, this item is a step in the right direction. There has been an outcry all along about the underperforming entities of the city versus the remuneration of senior managers heading those entities. Being rewarded for failure doesn't make sense, Madam Speaker. It can actually be viewed as fraud.claim

03:42:08This fraudulent transaction has been approved by this Council on the 7th December 2012, and the Council resolution of date 31 July 2025. The new performance management assessment must also not be weaponized to target those senior managers who are not favorable to the powers that be, and favor those that are making donations to questionable events and keeping millions in their houses.claim

03:42:38On average, Madam Speaker, the executive pay across Joburg's senior management is reported to have increased by about 26% since 2022, well above inflation and 3.3% public sector guideline. The performance management system must not be perceived as a box-ticking exercise. Madam Speaker, when we look at the school subjects,claim

03:43:10there are those subjects that are considered to be easier, like mother tongues, life orientation, and others, while math and science are considered to be more challenging. Best performing learners in the latter are awarded scholarships, while best performing learners in the former don't get scholarships. On the balance of probabilities, math and science teachers who produce top results must be rewarded, unlike their colleagues who achieve top results

03:43:42on easy subjects. Of course, the schools and teachers must be equally resourced, and teachers equally equipped. In the City of Johannesburg, the most challenging departments are usually the ones responsible for basic service delivery, much like how math and science are often seen as the most demanding subjects at school. My view of the most challenging, if I had to rank them like hardest subjects, are

03:44:15water and sanitation, number one being water and sanitation, falling under Joburg Water; electricity, being City Power, ranked number two, according to me, of course; housing and human settlements, ranked number three; roads and transport, ranked number four; waste management, being Pikitup, ranked number five. These are the departments that must... These are the departments that most affect public perception of service delivery in Johannesburg,

03:44:47and senior managers who preside over these entities must be remunerated accordingly, and good bonuses be paid to them if they perform well. And if they don't, they must, of course, be taken to training for correction. If they fail, they forfeit those bonuses and salary increments. Madam Speaker, these entities can do better if there are no political interferences.

03:45:18All that being said and done, Madam Speaker, ActionSA will do away with underperforming entities, which are a liability to the city. It will, however, deal decisively with core entities that I've just mentioned: the water, electricity, housing, roads and transport, waste management.

03:45:4350 seconds left, Councillor.

03:45:44ActionSA will get these entities right, because ActionSA will deliver service delivery to the residents of Johannesburg. ActionSA therefore approves this report. Thank you.

03:45:56Thank you, Councillor. Councillor F. Nhlapo from the EFF.

03:46:11Greetings to the Speaker. Greetings to the EFF caucus leader, and also greetings to the EFF Chief Whip.

03:46:19isiZuluNgiphinde ngibulise u-MMC we-Health. Angazi noma isikhathi sami, Khansela Nguse, uthi ngathi ngithe hour or ngithe, angisakhumbuli kahle. I hope today ngiyisho kahle ke. Ngibingelele u-MMC we-Health today.

03:46:33I rise on item 53, Revised Group Individual Performance Management System Policy Framework. As the EFF, we stress that the system must not become a box-ticking exercise. It must ensure that those in positions of responsibility deliver real, measurable improvements in the lives of our people, especially the poor and the marginalized. We welcome the efforts to strengthen oversight, improve alignment with the municipal goals, and promote transparency.

03:47:04However, without clear targets, proper monitoring, and firm consequences for underperformance, this framework will not achieve its purpose. This policy must ensure that performance is linked directly to service delivery, that excellence is recognized, and that failure is addressed. It must also guard against political interference and favoritism. The people of Johannesburg expect results, reliable services, working infrastructure, and dignified living conditions. This framework must help deliver

03:47:36that. As the EFF, we will support measures that advance accountability and service delivery, but we will oppose anything that enables inefficiency. I thank you.

03:47:48Thank you so much, Councillor Nhlapo. Councillor S. Ngema from the African National Congress.

03:47:59Madam Speaker, allow me again to convey my salutation to the MMCs. I think I need to do that also, to convey our salutation to the MMCs of the great movement,

03:48:22isiZuluumbutho wabantu base-South Africa, i-African National Congress.

03:48:30Madam Speaker, how can I forget to also convey my salutation to our Mr. Brink? When I made a presentation earlier, I forgot to convey my salutation to you, Mr. Brink. Madam Speaker, okay.

03:49:03I rise in support of this report and the Revised Group Individual Performance Management System Policy Framework. What is before us, Madam Speaker, is long overdue. The current framework was approved in 2012, over a decade ago. As the report honestly states, it has not yet yielded the anticipated outcomeclaim

03:49:38as a result of many challenges, both systematic and behavioral. It lacked consequence management, offered no financial reward for outstanding permanent employees, and failed to clarify roles. These are not minor flaws, Madam Speaker.claim

03:50:09They are structural failures that have held back accountability and service delivery. For years, Madam Speaker, the opposition sat on the very committee where this failure was discussed in 2019, 2020, 2021, and as recently in 2025,

03:50:40they were consulted. They saw the problems, and they did nothing. Now, the ANC-led Government of Local Unity brings forward a comprehensive, legally compliant solutions, and they will no doubt pretend to care. Their record shows otherwise.

03:51:14This revised framework aligns with Municipal Systems Act, the 2021 Performance Management Regulations, and in the Municipal Staff Regulations. It introduces consequence management, rewards excellence, and links individual performance

03:51:46directly to the IDP, SDBIP. In short, it does what governance requires. I commend Group Human Capital Management and the Acting Director, Madam Speaker, for their diligence. To the opposition, while you delayed, we acted.

03:52:19As the African National Congress, Madam Speaker, we note this report. However, in conclusion, Madam Speaker, allow me to also, in support of what Councillor Ngoepe conveyed to the resident in the City of Johannesburg, also to say we are appealing to the resident in the City of Johannesburg

03:52:49to support this government in doing their best in providing service delivery to the resident in the City of Johannesburg. We say, take care of our infrastructure, residents. We are doing this to help improve your lives. Therefore, we need to make sure that we protect the infrastructure. Hence, I'm saying we are in support of what

03:53:21Councillor Ngoepe was saying yesterday, to say we are making an appeal, let's protect our infrastructure. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

03:53:30Thank you, Councillor. MMC Zungu.

03:53:49Greetings to yourself, Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor in his absentia, the Deputy Mayor, the Chief Whip of Council, the Chair of Chairs, councillors of the City of Johannesburg, the guests on the gallery, and most particularly the residents of Johannesburg.

03:54:14MMC, can you please take your seat, Councillor at the back?

03:54:19Okay, I just wanted to say there's no water here since morning, Speaker, sorry.

03:54:25It can't be. Everybody got water, but they'll bring water to you. They will bring water to you. Thank you.

03:54:36No, thanks, Speaker. Speaker, let me note all the comments from different councillors who are picking the positive from it. Even the negative, we'll have to deal with it. But Speaker, this report seeks Council's attention on three key matters. Firstly, it proposes the rescission of the existing Group Performance Management Policy Framework that was approved back in 2012, December. Secondly, it also recommends rescinding the Council resolution from July 2025,

03:55:12as clarified under item 33. Finally, the report requests Council's approval to implement the new Group Individual Performance Management System, IPMS, Policy Framework, along with its guiding principles explained further in Annexure B. The Group Executive Director of GCSS will submit the approved framework with its guiding principles to relevant entities for board consideration, and will be authorized to sign off on the framework to confirm the approval dateclaim

03:55:44for audit purposes, Speaker. Therefore, Speaker, I request this house to adopt and approve the report, Speaker. Thank you.

03:55:52Thank you so much, MMC. Recommendations are on page 53.5 to 53.6. Is the item agreed to? Councillors, we are going to put the water at the corners. As you have heard, Councillor Belinda has spoken about officials moving up and down whilst people are speaking. So, you'll find the water at the corner of your aisles. So, you'll find water there. And we are not going to allow them to move up and down. Thank you so much.

Item 54: Increase of stipend for undergraduate student interns

03:56:32Councillors, item 54 is the Request to Increase the Stipend for Student Interns and Those are Undergraduates in the City of Johannesburg.

03:56:42AfrikaansVryheidsfront Plus, Raadslid Boer.

03:56:48AfrikaansGoeiemiddag, Mevrou die Speaker.

03:56:50Fellow councillors, residents of Johannesburg, what we hear today in Council should give you some hope. The ANC is promising, after 30 years of decay, that it's going to be better in the next term. Some other parties are promising moon and heaven, roses with their mayoral candidates. All the Freedom Front says, watch the scoreboard. We're not making promises. Madam Speaker, I'm rising on item 54claim

03:57:22about the increasing of the student stipends. This stipend was last increased in 2018, and inflation for the past seven years has made that R3,500 pretty worthless at the moment. Why don't we just increase their stipends every year with inflation rate to keep track with the expenses? Now, we've got an increase from R3,500 a month to R4,951.88.claim

03:57:55I don't know how we got to that figure, but let it be what it be. We will support this item. The annual cost of this increase is only R666,000. I would rather have seen that we have approved the biogas project and invest that R65 million in there so that we can get a return out of that investment, but that item was withdrawn today. We will support this item. I'm just not sure about the implementation date. In the body of the report itself, it says it's effective from the 1st of July 2025,claim

03:58:31so that is backdated for nearly a year. In the recommendations, it says it's from the 1st of July 2026. So, we just need to get some clarification from the MMC on the implementation date, but we will support the item. Thank you.claim

03:58:45AfrikaansBaie dankie, Raadslid.

03:58:47Councillor K. Pitso from the Patriotic Alliance.

03:58:57Greetings to the Lord Jesus Christ, our wonderful counselor. Greetings to the Executive Mayor in his absence, Deputy Mayor, Chief Whip of Council, the Patriotic Alliance councillors under the capable leadership of caucus leader, MMC Kunene, and most importantly, the residents of the City of Joburg and the students of the University of Johannesburg. I rise to speak on item 54. Madam Speaker, I was glad to see this item because I am also a young student who's compassionate about what graduates and youth are going through, not only in this city,

03:59:30but across the country. This is not just an item, but it's an opportunity for this Council to put political differences aside and unite in one accord to positively impact the personal economies of young people in this city. The city's youth unemployment rate is fluctuating between 30% and 53%, and it is a thorn in the flesh that we have thousands of students who graduate and sit at home with qualifications because the economy is currently incapable to absorb them into dignified jobs of their qualifications. The City of Johannesburg must set a new...

04:00:00[inaudible] trend for the rest of South African cities, Madam Speaker. A trend of not just giving internships, but giving internships that will empower even undergraduates to be able to put food on the tables in their homes. Therefore, when this city gives opportunities to students, let's make these opportunities to be more meaningful.

04:00:18And the approval of this stipend increase will do just that. Speaker, we must understand that it is not only about giving experience to undergraduates with a stipend to go to work and have lunch for 18 months. But we must understand the backdrop that hangs in the realities of youth. We have a reality of homes that are headed by children and even young people. Some of the young people are these very ones that are applying for these internships from the city. If this very same council was able to vote and be united

04:00:49uh for the increase of the upper limits of councillors. If this very same council was able to vote and unite successfully for the increase of the upper limits of the municipal workers, then this very same council is more than capable to do the same for the students.

04:01:0554 seconds, Councillor.

04:01:07All right, Madam Speaker.

04:01:12Um I understand that if the stipend is raised too high, it will discourage departments from absorbing more students, and this will disadvantage undergraduate students from receiving the experience they need in order to graduate. We have seen many budgets being passed in this council, many budgetary items being increased, but departments are still saying that they do not have funds. Therefore, the Patriotic Alliance says the motion of debt write-off that was passed in 2023 has reached a long and appointed time to be implemented. The implementation of this motion will encourage a fresh culture of timeous payments from residents and contribute to

04:01:45to an increase in revenue collection, which will boost department's budget so that this city can even employ more interns. As the Patriotic Alliance, we give full backing for the increase of undergraduate monthly stipend, and asibonge, Madam Speaker.

04:02:00Thank you.

04:02:03Councillor Mkhonza, ACDP.

04:02:07Yes. Shalom, shalom, Madam Speaker. Uh thank you very much once again. Allow me to um

04:02:14to quote from a guiding manual for this um item, which is from Proverbs 22:6 in the Message Version. It reads as follows, "Point your kids in the right direction. When they are old, they won't be lost."

04:02:31Madam Speaker, I stand to speak on item 54,

04:02:35the request for the increased for the increase the uh sorry to increase the stipend for students interns undergraduates in the CoJ. The ACDP in principle welcomes and supports this request, which speaks directly to pointing our youth to the correct direction. That is gaining experience workplace experience amongst the many benefits.

04:03:02Additionally, the CoJ will positively contribute to the national skills development initiatives. Some of the benefits of training your own are as follows amongst the many, Madam Speaker. One, the youth will always remember that their own government positively contributed to their career prospects. Two, the youth will understand the significance of serving with passion their citizens, the city, and the nation at large. Three, this will also boost

04:03:32their retention um the city's retention strategy. Just two questions uh or two concerns um around this um uh report.

04:03:44Is this increase going to be um retrospective as Councillor Boer has said? If yes, let us hope that this excellent initiative is not going to be used as a campaigning tool by uh the GNU partners.

04:04:02Recommendation four, Madam Speaker, does not make sense to us uh because we would have expected that the exercise of identifying savings gap on the salaries budget um is included on this report. Because on 4.2, it says

04:04:22um there must be either a reduction. But we ask a question as the ACDP caucus to say why reduce the number of interns when we have a huge demand um

04:04:3555 seconds, Councillor.

04:04:37Yes. Why reduce the number of interns when we have a huge demand for workplace experience? So, that is the only concern that we have as a as the ACDP caucus. Outside of that, we do appreciate this initiative, and we approve um this um request. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

04:04:58Thank you, Councillor. Councillor D. Manganyi from the IFP.

04:05:06Ndo livhuwa, Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on behalf of the IFP on item 54, request to increase the stipend for student interns. Madam Speaker, we cannot speak about youth empowerment in the city while young people are struggling just to afford transport to the very opportunities meant to empower them. This report speaks directly

04:05:29This report speaks directly to the lived reality of young people who are trying to gain experience while also navigating life as students. Madam Speaker, being a student is not easy. You are balancing studies, transport, food, data, and family responsibilities at the same time and at the very same time, you are expected to show at work ready to learn and perform. For the past 8 years, Madam Speaker, these young people have been expected to do all that on just R3,500claim

04:06:00a month. Therefore, the IFP supports this increasement because it aligns with national minimum wage, but more importantly, it restores a level of fairness and dignity to young people who are already contributing to the work of this city. Honourable Speaker, while we support this increase, we must also confront a difficult reality. Departments are now faced with two options, either absorb the cost within existing budgets

04:06:29or reduce the number of interns. This is where leadership matters. We cannot solve one problem by creating another. We cannot improve stipends while quietly shrinking opportunities. Our responsibility is to ensure that we protect the number of internships opportunities and improve the quality and conditions of those opportunities. Madam Speaker, internships are not just a number in the report. They are pathways to employment, hope for families, and a bridge between education and the economy.

04:06:59This report supports job creation, skills development, and ultimately economic inclusion. And for that reason, we support the recommendation. But we also call for ongoing we also call for ongoing monitoring ensuring that no department uses this as an excuse to cut opportunities for young people, and that the future reviews continue to respond to the real cost of living. Let us not just invest in programs, Madam Speaker.

04:07:2840 seconds, Councillor.

04:07:29Let us invest in people. Ndo livhuwa.

04:07:33Thank you so much, Councillor. Councillor Pietersen from the Democratic Alliance.

04:07:40Thank you, Madam Chair. And uh greet everyone here and um fellow councillors, all protocols observed. This speech is delivered with a certain conviction and urgency. I'm championing uh championing the youth who are the lifeblood of our city's future growth. The unemployment rate among youth remains alarming at over 50%. This also applies to graduates. We as a city must give clear leadership directives that give youthclaim

04:08:10development uh a brighter future.

04:08:15Let me just go back here. Sorry. Uh Today we stand at a critical crossroads for our city's development. Our vision is clear. We want the City of Johannesburg to achieve 5% economic growth. Uh we want to reduce unemployment and provide meaningful redress for the poor. But to reach those heights, we must invest in our greatest resource, our youth. As an educator, I value the potential of our youth. We have become largely the people

04:08:47um who we are because of an educator and others who believed in and supported us. We have an obligation to support our youth with opportunities to develop their future careers. Job applications today all want experience, which our youth do not have. We have the opportunity to assist our youth in achieving some of the requirements they need to be employed.claim

04:09:13For too long, we have asked our interns to build their futures on a foundation that has not shifted since 2017 when this um uh increase was uh done. For almost 10 years, the stipend has remained and now um at R2,992 since 2017. In today's world, this is not just a budget constraint, it is a barrier to entry.claim

04:09:42One would have thought that the new stipend agreed upon in 2017 would have followed an annual increase afforded to all city employees. We are here to change that. So, we have a new deal for our interns, not so new, but we are proposing a comprehensive review of how we value the talent entering the City of Johannesburg. We recognize that different levels of experience deserve a fair and differentiated reward.claim

04:10:13For our undergraduates, we are increasing the stipend. Um these are the students who need practical experience to finish their qualifications. We must support them and without making it uh impossible for departments to open their doors. For our graduates, these individuals have completed their degrees, but are struggling to find that first open door. We are proposing to raise that to R6,870.25.claim

04:10:42This aligns their compensation with the local government minimum wage. For our National Treasury interns, to keep our best finance minds in local government rather than losing them to the private sector, we are raising the stipend from R8,500 to R12,000.

04:11:01This is more than just a monthly payout. One, we need to retain our talent. We need to stop the brain drain of critical skills, um especially in finance, and we must build the necessary institutional knowledge with our youth and retain them. Productivity is also boosted. Our graduates bring fresh formal education that helps our permanent staff tackle complex uh projects. We must make sure that the growth is sustainable.

04:11:31We are committing to annual adjustments in line with bargaining council increases. We will never let the years pass again without uh this policy being reviewed. The cost of inaction. The total estimated cost for this investment in the 2017-2018 year is approximately 1.58 million. While that is an increase, the cost of not investing is much higher. The cost of youth who cannot afford

04:12:00for transport to get to work is one of our economy that we cannot bear. We consulted with legal and finance and our various departments. The budget is ready and the path is clear. Let us send a message to the youth of Johannesburg. Your work has value, your qualifications matter, and your city is invested in your success. As the DA, we believe in freedom, fairness, diversity, and opportunity. We believe that each individual

04:12:30has the right to participate in our economy and not be excluded from uh doing so because of the lack of experience and opportunities offered through our learnerships. By supporting these increases, we aren't just filling desks, we are fueling the 5% growth that will redefine the City of Johannesburg. Let's go to work. Thank you.

04:12:54Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. Uh ActionSA, Councillor Mabelebele.

04:13:07Uh good day, Madam Speaker. Uh Councillor Sondag will be doing the speech.

04:13:23Madam Speaker, ActionSA caucus leadership, members of council, the students in the gallery, all protocol observed. I rise to speak on item 54, which uh proposes increase in the student intern undergraduate stipend from 3,500 to 4,951.88 per month in line with the national minimum wage. ActionSA recognizes the intentionclaim

04:13:54of this proposal to improve the livelihoods and dignity of our young people participating in the city's internship uh internship programs. Aligning uh aligning stipends aligning stipends of young people aligning stipends with the national minimum wage is in principle both lawful and socially responsible. However, Madam Speaker, intentions alone are not enough. From ActionSA perspective, this matter

04:14:24must be assessed through the lenses of fiscal discipline, efficient service delivery, sustainable job creation, and ethical governance. While we support fair compensation for interns, we must also ensure that this decision does not reduce internship opportunities, nor place additional strain on a municipality already under severe financial pressure. ActionSA believes in pro-poor governance that prioritize dignity and economic inclusion.

04:14:54But we are equally firm on zero tolerance and wasteful expenditure, corruption, and unfunded commitments. Any increase in cost must be responsibly managed and accompanied by reforms that protect opportunities and deliver value of residents. Madam Speaker, allow me to briefly reflect on a period when ActionSA President Herman Mashaba was a mayor of City of Johannesburg. During that time,

04:15:24youth development was addressed through expanded job creation initiatives, including EPWP opportunities, internships, and learnerships, strong emphasis on skills development to improve employability, support for entrepreneurship and youth-owned SMMEs, continued bursary support for disadvantaged students, improved governance and anti-corruption measures, ensuring funds were redirected to service and support and

04:15:54and opportunities rather than waste. That approach demonstrated that it is possible to support young people meaningfully while protecting the city's financial sustainability. Madam Speaker, ActionSA therefore offers conditional support for this increase. We support fair and lawful compensation for student interns, but we insist that implementations must be carefully managed, transparent, and fiscally responsible. Internship must remain

04:16:25as a pathway into employment, not a casualty of poor financial planning. In closing, Madam Speaker, this council must ensure that every decision we take upholds the dignity of young people, preserves and expands opportunities, strengthens service delivery, and protects the long-term financial health of Johannesburg. Only with ethical leadership, sound governance, and decisive reform can Johannesburg

04:16:54be fixed. Only when Herman Mashaba can fix Johannesburg. I thank you.

04:17:02Councillor Nhlapo from the Economic Freedom Fighters.

04:17:10Greetings, Speaker, once more. I rise on item 54, the request to increase the stipend for student interns undergraduates in the CoJ. As we support this request or this item, we feel as the EFF just to note the below. We reject the exploitation of young people under the guise of experience. Interns are workers. They contribute real labor,

04:17:41yet they are paid stipends that cannot sustain even a basic standard of living in this city. This is anti-poor and it produces inequality. As the EFF, we stand for economic justice, dignity of labor, and the protection of the working class, including students. A stipend must not be symbolic. It must be sufficient to cover transport, food, and basic needs. Anything less is institutionalized exploitation.

04:18:10If we are serious about transformation, we must ensure that opportunities in this city are accessible to all, not just those who can afford to work for poverty wages. We therefore call for an immediate increase in intern stipends aligned with the cost of living and clear policies that affirms interns as part of the workforce, not disposable labor. The struggle for economic freedom includes our interns. I thank you.

04:18:38Thank you, Councillor Nhlapo. Um Councillor Nguse from the African National Congress.

04:18:51Thank you, uh Speaker. Uh greetings to colleagues from different political parties. Speaker, I think firstly, we are delighted with the position taken by different councillors in support of the item in front of us. But I want to also lobby different political parties that uh

04:19:22we must pay undivided attention to political leaders when they are campaigning. One colleague said Herman Mashaba was pro EPWPs. But when you pay attention to his interviews, he says EPWPs it's just exploitation. So, I find it bizarreclaim

04:19:53that a councillor will stand up and speak boldly about EPWPs, yet the leader of a political party is opposed to such and perceive that as exploitation. Secondly, Speaker, I really want to talk to strategic relations with different organizations because I think it is important that there are different organizations or entities that are doing business with the City of Johannesburg.

04:20:25But as part of developmental agenda, these entities must when they are given opportunities by the city, at least there must be a clause somewhere that precisely speak about adopt a graduate. So, that will then ease the burden uh from the city. And also when we then submit or make our submissions where we are, we will then have an increased number

04:20:55of interns or graduates that we've appointed as a city. Then we also we must also compel and not make it a tick-box exercise that human resource individuals across entities, this must then form a part of their KPI that they must never ever compromise on. That is the only way we can have sufficient young people

04:21:25absorbed by the system. I think most of us did watch uh on Sunday, 403, there was a colossal debate about the quality of education generally in the country, uh qualifications that are irrelevant, statistics giving us what is required by the country and what students are studying. But it also becomes important as parents or graduates generally to

04:21:55continuously engage young people that it is not about holding a qualification, but you must also respond to the needs of the country. Instead of producing more artisans, I think last year there was an article that says for a country to survive like South Africa, we must produce 300,000 artisans a year. So, there's a gap there. So, it can't be about graduating, but we have a role to play, colleagues, generally to continuously

04:22:25empower young people in different institutions of higher learning. But we must put more emphasis on the role of TVET colleges, colleagues, because TVET colleges are perceived by young people as irrelevant or not producing the quality that is required. It is precisely because of how we even advertise our job adverts, a degree and what what. That is why then all young people

04:22:55think that they must go to Wits, they must go to UJ so that they meet the requirements. We must make sure that we pay attention to the role of TVET colleges, partner with strategic SETAs to make sure that young people are exposed and are getting the desired uh skills that are required. Thank you very much. We do accept uh the report.

04:23:21Thank you, Councillor Nguse. Um MMC Zungu.

04:23:30Uh greetings to yourself again, Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, uh MMCs, and all councillors. Uh Speaker, let me appreciate all the comments from uh colleagues, and um I think uh they are positive. Uh Speaker, this um report, the objective of this report is to ensure that the city's internship program provides

04:24:01a fair and sustainable stipend for student interns in line with the current national minimum wage in South Africa. It proposes increasing the monthly stipend for undergraduates from 3.5 to 4,951.88. Requested implementation from the 1st of July 2026, Councillor Boer. This increase, if approved, will apply only from that date. The adjustment supportsclaim

04:24:31a minimum standard of living and the health and well-being of youth in our communities. According to the report, this stipend will apply to all existing and future interns. To ensure sufficient budget, departments have two options. They may either identify savings within their salaries budgets or reduce the number of interns. Stipends will also be reviewed periodically by the Group Head, subject to financial sustainabilityclaim

04:25:01and availability, Speaker. So, therefore, Speaker, we request council to approve this report. Thank you.

04:25:09Thank you so much, MMC. The recommendations on page 54.6, is the item agreed to?

04:25:18Thank you, colleagues. STC.

Item 55 withdrawn and lunch adjournment

04:25:21We're now on item

04:25:25uh MMC Masuku.

04:25:31Thank you, Speaker. On behalf of the executive, we would like to withdraw item 55.

04:25:37Thank you so much. Uh that saves us time. We are going to go for lunch, and we'll come back after lunch. We'll deal with the other items.

04:25:48Sorry, Madam Speaker.

04:25:50Yes.

04:25:51Sorry, on a point of order, Madam Speaker.

04:25:54Who's the councillor?

04:25:55Councillor Dewes.

04:25:57Yes, Councillor Dewes.

04:26:00Sorry, Madam Speaker. I'm rising on rule 73, and I'd like to ask for a personal explanation as to why this item has been withdrawn. It is a R887 million development, and it's already running 7 years behind schedule.

04:26:20Councillor. Councillor.

04:26:22Thank you.

04:26:22Councillor, the executive has withdrawn it, and they have withdrawn it. It's the executive's report. They are able to withdraw the report. We're coming back after 45 minutes. We're coming back at 3:20.

Mock council sitting: opening, Executive Mayor and Deputy Mayor

04:43:02that there were some logistical issues, that some people could not make it, but we will run with the program nonetheless. So I'm going to hand over to our protocol colleagues who will then introduce the Speaker of Council. Thank you.

04:43:18Good morning, councillors, ladies and gentlemen, including those that are in the gallery. May you all please rise as we welcome the Speaker of Council. Councillor Courtney Ann Swannelow.

04:43:55Good afternoon everybody. Can we please have a moment of silence and meditation? Thank you.

04:44:15Okay, thank you. We will proceed. Thank you. Take your seats. Thank you.

04:44:46Good afternoon. I just would like to make note that there are people that are absent today, councillors that are not here. And I would also like to start by recognizing the presence of the distinguished delegates and representatives from the City of Johannesburg, along with all the councillors and officials in attendance today. Your participation, whether direct or observatory, contributes to the strength of this sitting.

04:45:18Honourable Executive Mayor, Chief Whip, Chairperson of Chairpersons, members of the Mayoral Committee, caucus whips and honourable members, I call the sitting of the Municipal Council to order. Today's session convenes to deliberate on a matter of utmost importance, namely whether the current proportional representation, PR, of the electoral system should be reformed to address voter apathy, particularly amongst young people.

04:45:48Honourable members, this issue before this council, voter apathy, is not merely a matter of low turnover, but a direct challenge to the strength and legitimacy of our democracy. When citizens, particularly the youth, disengage from the electoral process, their voices are absent from the decisions that shape their future. This disengagement weakens accountability, limits representation and allows critical issues

04:46:18such as unemployment, service delivery and development to be decided without the full participation of those affected. It is therefore imperative that this council engage critically with this matter, not only to understand the cause of voter apathy, but to consider meaningful ways to address it. I therefore urge all honourable members to engage in this debate in

04:46:48a respectful, structured and disciplined manner and to adhere to council procedures at all times. Members are reminded to remain decorum, avoid interruptions and direct all remarks through the Chair. Having duly recognized and acknowledged all distinguished delegates and honoured guests present, I shall now proceed with the program of the day. It is a privilege to invite the next speaker to address this council. I call upon

04:47:18the Executive Mayor, Mr. Mzwakhe Ndluli, to take the floor. Thank you.

04:47:29Thank you, Honourable Speaker, as I greet the house at its fullest capacity, starting with the legislative head, Speaker of the Council.

04:47:48Thank you once more, Speaker, sending my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity, and sending my acknowledgment of the house, starting with the legislative head, Speaker of the Council, Chief Whip, my Mayoral Committee, honourable councillors, municipal managers, support staff, and the house at its fullest capacity. It is a privilege and honour to serve as the Executive Mayor of the city. We are gathered today not merely to debate,

04:48:18but to deliberate with purpose. Purpose that is guided by shared responsibility to serve the best interest of the people that we are serving. As I begin, honourable members, it is very imperative that I emphasize that while we are still in this house having different perspectives, we are all united here for a single goal, which is one of improving the lives of our people. Our differences in terms of perspective

04:48:48do not necessarily mean weaknesses, but strength, such that if we are then able to engage constructively, we can lead to a more constructive and sustainable decision committee. Therefore, I encourage you all, honourable members, to say that we look forward to a discussion that is of mutual respect, open-mindedness, but most importantly, the willingness to listen to each other. My role as the Executive Mayor of the house

04:49:18is to simply ensure that the council functions in a manner that is orderly and productive, but most importantly, ensuring fairness and inclusiveness. When different aspects or perspectives arise, as they are definitely going to do so, I urge all of you, honourable members, not only to focus on advancing your individual positions, but identifying a common ground, which is that of us ensuring that we are moving forward together. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to bring it also

04:49:48to your attention to say that the success of this sitting is not necessarily on who speaks more, but the success of this sitting is what we get to achieve together. It is with great sadness that we gather this morning on the conversation of voter apathy, minimal youth participation, especially in this current position as we are looking forward to the local elections. This dilemma, honourable members, is a reflection of the minimal understanding

04:50:18of our democracy, not understanding our democratic rights for what it is, and the lack of value of the blood that was shed for this same democracy that we get to enjoy. The real conversation, honourable members, is based on the structural challenges that we are facing, and you may ask, what are those? I tell you about the declining trust in public institutions. I tell you about the service delivery issues. I tell you about the weak accountability mechanisms that are in place, but most importantly,

04:50:48I tell you about the main theme of the house, which is limited opportunities for citizens' participation. I also call upon you, members of the house, to say that critical questions must be brought forward so that they get to direct today's debates. I'm focusing on three aspects: accountability, service delivery, but finally, youth inclusion. I ask the house to say that to what extent is our accountability system effective? But secondly, I ask that do our people even see value in our accountability

04:51:18system? I further move on into saying that is the service delivery that is being provided to people responsive to the needs of the people? To which metric of measurement is ideal into measuring the satisfaction of our people in terms of the delivery of services that we are giving to them? Most importantly, the final question: In the scheme of politics and government administration, where exactly do young people fit, to an extent such that they feel like they are democratic parts of this practice?

04:51:50Councillor Ndluli, you have one minute remaining.

04:51:53Thank you, Speaker. I believe in a visionary government, a visionary government that believes in taking a 360 observation. I therefore propose to the house that the council considers an establishment of Youth Civic Action and Accountability Program, a program that is based on participation, results and accountability. Honourable members, trust is rebuilt when government is seen to respond, not just through promises. I look forward to deliberations that are meaningful and worth the future of

04:52:23our city and the nation at large, to building a world-class city. I thank you.

04:52:34Thank you, honourable members. We will now be moving to the Executive Deputy Mayor, also MMC of Finance, Councillor Masonte. Thank you. Before you proceed, I would just like to add that you have four minutes. Please remain in that timeframe.

04:53:01Oh, sorry about that. Honourable Speaker, Executive Mayor, fellow councillors, distinguished guests and members of the public, my name is Siphesihle Malaika Masonte, and it is both an honour and profound responsibility to stand before you as your Executive Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance in this mock council sitting. We gather at a critical moment,

04:53:31one where democracy is not only measured by its institutions, but by the willingness of its people to participate in it. The growing concern of voter apathy, particularly amongst the youth, is not simply a matter of disinterest. It is a reflection of something deeper, a crisis in trust. And as the custodian of public finances,

04:54:01I must state this clearly. Trust is built when communities can see, feel and experience the value of how public funds are managed. When residents do not see improvements in their daily lives, be it service delivery, infrastructure or even opportunities, they begin to question not only government performance, but the very purpose of participation

04:54:30itself. Honourable members, as the City of Johannesburg, we must ask ourselves: are we managing public resources in a way that restores confidence in civilians? Are we budgeting in a way that reflects the lived experiences of people in our communities? Because when the answer is no, disengagement, especially amongst the youth,

04:55:00becomes inevitable. As MMC for Finance, I firmly believe that credible financial governance is central to rebuilding public trust and ultimately democratic participation, especially amongst the youth. This requires us to focus on three key areas. Firstly, transparency. Our budgeting processes must not exist behind closed doors. Communities,

04:55:31especially young people, must understand where money is located, how it is spent and why decisions are made. This is very important as it promotes inclusivity and shows that we are running through them, through with them every step of the way. Secondly, accountability. We must ensure that every rand spent translates into meaningful

04:56:01outcomes. Wasteful expenditure, inefficiency and corruption do not just

04:56:08Councillor Masonte, you have one minute remaining. Thank you.

04:56:12do not just harm finances, they erode public trust and discourage civic participation. Thirdly, participation. We must move beyond consultation and go towards participatory budgeting, where communities, particularly the youth, are actively involved in shaping financial priorities. In an increasingly digital world, we also have the opportunity to transform

04:56:42how we engage with citizens. By leveraging digital platforms, we can make financial information more accessible, create spaces for youth to engage with governance and ensure that participation is not limited by physical or institutional barriers. This aligns closely with broader transition towards e-governance, where transparency, efficiency, accessibility are the foundation of public administration.

04:57:09Councillor Masonte, your four minutes is up. Please conclude.

04:57:12In closing, let us remember: financial governance is not just about numbers on a page. It is about the people, priorities and promise for a better future. Thank you.

Mock council sitting: MMC presentations

04:57:29Thank you, Councillor Masonte. We will now move on to the Chief Whip of Council. Is Luvulo Bobani present today? Seems as though this individual is not here. So now we will move on to the members of the Mayoral Committee. I would now give it over to Lisebi Thumani. You have four minutes. Thank you.

04:57:55Warm greetings to you, Honourable Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor and the honourable members of council in their entirety, distinguished guests and members of the public. Thank you, Honourable Speaker, for allowing me this opportunity to address this house as MMC of Public Safety. The crux of my presentation today is linking crime and

04:58:25youth apathy as far as voting is concerned. So crime in the city, especially in historically marginal areas such as the townships, remains quite pervasive and a major challenge to the public. How this relates to voter apathy, particularly youth voter apathy, is in that members of communities faced with high crime of various sorts generally believe that this is due to a failure on the part of government organs

04:58:55of public safety to put in place necessary measurements to curb crime. Moreover, with several revelations of the participation of certain government officials, particularly in various kinds of organized crime, fraud and corruption, citizens lose faith in the public democratic process, seeing the governmental arena in society as a space that perpetuates an unequal distribution of power and therefore social

04:59:25inequality. Ultimately, to the young person in Soweto or Alex, voting becomes perceived as merely an endorsement of these crimes by way of permitting politicians to either continue with these illegal acts or perpetuate a system which proves incompetent as far as public safety is concerned, hence the pervasiveness of crime in the city. Safer communities are key to democratic engagements. It is in the best interest

04:59:55of the City of Johannesburg, therefore, to restore the trust

05:00:00of its citizens to the democratic process by implementing policies and accepting initiatives that enhance public safety and security. This ought to be the case not only on the ground in our communities, but even in government itself through the enforcement of accountability and reliability measures for the democratic process and government officials.

05:00:24Firstly, as per the mandate of our portfolio, we ought to strive to maintain close cooperation with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. High impact raids and search and seizure operations in high crime-ridden areas have proven to be of good use in this regard and therefore should continue to be initiated.

05:00:45Secondly, the bureaucratic procedures governing democratic and governance processes must be citizen-centred. By citizen-centred here we refer to a bottom-up approach to governance rather than the top-down one which has allowed for the abuse of power which undermines public safety and the general well-being of citizens. The apparatus used

05:01:07Councillor Dumani, you have one minute remaining. Thank you.

05:01:10Thank you very much, Speaker. The apparatus used to keep in check government officials ought to gradually be vested upon the hands of the trained and informed ordinary citizens. In this way we can ensure that high-profile and organised crimes involving government officials are prevented through placing overseeing power in the hands of the people in a government of the people, for the people.

05:01:33In closing, crime can never be solved without heeding to the various social issues that motivate its pervasiveness. Similarly, even other bodies responsible for public safety such as the emergency management services can never be enhanced if underlying economic conditions in the city are undermined, thus leading to poor infrastructure and institutional erosion. Ultimately, even the very political sphere of society ought to be reconfigured so as to redistribute fairly and equitably power to prevent its abuse.

05:02:06This can be achieved with

05:02:07Councillor Dumani, your time is up. Please conclude.

05:02:10This can be achieved with the elevation of community members, committees and forums into custodians of our democracy through a bottom-up approach where authoritative power is vested more to the citizens than their representatives, which are government officials. Thank you very much.

05:02:30Thank you, Councillor. We'll now be moving on to the MMC of Transport, Refilwe Princess Mzwakali. Thank you.

05:02:47Please be mindful, Councillor, that you have four minutes. Please keep within that time frame. Thank you.

05:02:53Thank you. I would like to appreciate this opportunity to be able to address this Council on this day. To the Speaker, my executive leadership, my colleagues and the whole board of councillors, I'd like to send my greetings. And today I will be focusing on voter apathy with regards to the Department of Transport and how transport equity should be a norm amongst young people in order to access voting opportunities.

05:03:22The Department of Transport exists to ensure that every resident in our city can move safely, affordably and efficiently. Mobility is not just about getting from one place to another; it's about accessing opportunities, healthcare, access to education and jobs. I'd like to tell the house that voter apathy is not just a now problem. It's actually an issue that comes from deep-seated structural inequalities which comes from the lack of meaningful inclusion.

05:03:50The current Department of Transport systems are not consistent across the City of Johannesburg, and access to civic spaces should be available throughout, not only emphasised during elections in order to build trust. Speaker, voter apathy should not be understood in isolation, as the provisional Speaker mentioned collaboration. It is often a reflection of deeper structural inequalities and persistent service delivery failures. If we address these root causes, participation will definitely follow.

05:04:20And importantly, it is important to note that it's not necessarily about the number of votes that we receive, but about what those represent about our democratic processes. In addition, transport safety is a challenge that needs immediate attention in the city. There are ongoing issues with traffic lights, a lack of lighting in critical location where transport is found, taxi and minibus arrests and the general unsafety of public transport, i.e., Bolt.

05:04:50It is also important to know that interventions such as special voting provisions for the elderly and persons with disabilities are in place and are functioning effectively. However, broader transport safety and accessibility challenges remain. There is also a population issue which the Department of Transport should work hand in hand with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that no one that does not have South African citizenship should be in the city.

05:05:17Furthermore, there are not enough voting stations. A lot of them are incapacitated in areas such as Alexandra and Orange Farm. The transport systems do not reach all communities, and by transport systems I am referring to the city's Rea Vaya and the Metrobus. They are not accessible in all communities, and apathy is also reinforced by the lack of consistent civic engagement outside of electoral periods.

05:05:49In addition to civic education programs and the IDPs, regular information systems at these civic spaces could improve familiarity and trust while also creating opportunities for the Electoral Commission to invest further in inclusive infrastructure, particularly for persons with disabilities.

05:06:08Councillor Mzwakali, you have one minute remaining.

05:06:11It is important for me to propose a few ideas as I am highlighting youth voter apathy. It is important to know that we are living in a digital era and that the access to voting education that was spoken about that is accessible to young persons has not been met by appropriate service delivery, and also they do not meet the digital world in which we live in. It is important to note that young people are not really interested in going to centres and doing that, so we must meet them where they are, which is online, social media and engagements.

05:06:45And we also need to regulate the taxi systems and private cars, and bus systems must be expanded during election periods, and we need to ensure proper accountability mechanisms and to make sure that there are feedback mechanisms in situations where we can make sure that the councillors are held accountable same time. With all this, I'd like to emphasise that with these

05:07:09Councillor Mzwakali, your time is up. Please conclude.

05:07:12I would like to highlight that with these propositions and these arguments, we can try and make the 2026 local government elections to be a well-inclusive and fully participated event. Thank you.

05:07:30Thank you very much, Councillor. We're moving on to the MMC for Human Settlements, Bulelani Madyetye. I hope I'm pronouncing that correctly. Thank you.

05:07:41It's Madyetye. Greetings to the house at large. Honoured am I to stand before you all. My name is Bulelani, my surname is Madyetye, and I am the MMC for Human Settlements. As the MMC for Human Settlements, I am tasked with a mandate that goes beyond delivering houses. My mandate is to deliver homes, security and comfort. We are consciously moving away from housing delivery as a transactional exercise towards the development of integrated human settlements.

05:08:10Poor housing conditions in South Africa, manifested as informal settlements, shack fires and lack of basic services, function as a primary indicator of the state's disengagement from its post-apartheid mandate, which is to provide social justice, equity and dignity for all its citizens. The inability of the state to meet housing demands coupled with mismanagement, corruption and a shift towards market-orientated policies has fostered a sense of betrayal among the poor, resulting in profound social exclusion and political apathy.

05:08:43Government-provided low-cost housing, which are known as RDP houses, are often poor quality, crumbling or located on the periphery of cities far from economic opportunities. This acts as a form of spatial apartheid that continues to marginalise beneficiaries. A large percentage of the population in informal settlements lack consistent access to sanitation, clean water and electricity, indicating a lack of basic state service provision.

05:09:13Public officials and politicians often award housing along party lines or as part of corruption networks, bypassing those on the waiting list. The state rarely involves beneficiaries in the planning process, resulting in projects that do not meet community needs, which is a symptom of disengaged top-down bureaucracy. The government's failure to efficiently identify, acquire, as well as release well-located state-owned land for housing indicates a lack of political will to tackle land inequality.

05:09:44Inadequate housing induces desperate residents to take it to the streets in violent protests as there is no other way to get the government's attention. This ongoing crisis in the housing sector reflects a breakdown in the social contract between South African state and its citizen, moving from a model of service delivery to one of administrative and systematic detachment. Dignity, ladies and gentlemen, is not a luxury. It's a constitutional right.

05:10:12It's the feeling of pride when uGogo Dlamini puts down or opens her own front door and hangs up her key. It's the peace of mind that comes with knowing your children are safe, that they have a proper roof over their heads and that their home has electricity and sanitation. Every house we hand over is not just a structure; it's hope restored. Every title deed we issue is a key that unlocks security and transforms a beneficiary into an owner. We are committed to eradicating informal settlements not by displacement, but upgrading and delivering better serviced land, ensuring that our people live in conditions that reflect their human dignity.

05:10:51For too long, the legacy of apartheid spatial planning has kept the poor

05:10:55Councillor, please be mindful you have one minute remaining.

05:10:57and working class on the margins, disconnected from economic opportunities. Our agenda is one of spatial justice. Spatial justice means reversing the segregation of the past and creating a city or a state which everyone has the same opportunities. Human settlements are at the heart of inclusive development. A sustainable settlement is one where all people are included: the young, elderly, those with disabilities and the most vulnerable.

05:11:23Secondly, by prioritizing vulnerable groups, we aim to foster better human settlements, and we'll do this by ensuring our women, child-headed households and elderly are prioritized in our allocation policies. The struggle for adequate housing is a significant barrier that many young South Africans face. The dream of owning a home, a place to call your own, seems increasingly out of reach for many. Unemployment rates among young people in South Africa are alarmingly

05:11:54Councillor, your four minutes is up. Please conclude.

05:11:57In conclusion, let us turn our challenges into opportunities, our struggles into triumphs and our dreams into realities. Together, we can build a South Africa where every young person has a place to call a home. I thank you all.

05:12:13Thank you, Councillor. I would like for you guys to note that after you've done speaking, please switch off your mic. Thank you. We'll now be moving on to the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Councillor Wisdom. You have four minutes. Thank you.

05:12:32Thank you very much, Speaker, for the opportunity. Good day to the members of the Council. My name is Wisdom Netshiongolwe, and today I'll be an MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Development. I will firstly like to emphasize that Johannesburg faces major infrastructure and environmental challenges, including a 300 billion infrastructure backlog, crumbling roads, power outages and water scarcity worsened by high population growth.

05:13:06The key issues include rapid unplanned urbanization, overloaded sanitation systems and environmental pollution. So the solutions to focus on upgrading aging infrastructure, promoting green energy, improving maintenance and implementing dense, walkable urban planning. So as an MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Development, I would like to promote the potential improvements and solution on how we can improve our environment and infrastructure development in Johannesburg.

05:13:44So firstly, we will prioritize rehabilitating existing infrastructure over new projects, utilizing the 83 billion budget for targeted improvements in the areas like Fordsburg and Jabulani. Secondly, we would like to implement the distributed energy systems and expanding renewable energy to reduce reliance on the failing grid.

05:14:09Thirdly, we will focus on the smart water management, whereby we will be addressing water wastage through improved infrastructure and implementing technological solutions to detect water leaks and sewage problems within the City of Johannesburg. Fourthly, we will focus on the environmental sustainability, whereby we will be investing in the recycling initiatives, waste management like Pikitup, and restoring natural water systems to improve flood resilience.

05:14:47In conclusion, we will also like to improve the governance by enhancing institutional capacity within the city to manage service delivery effectively and, in the long term, reduce financial strain. Thank you very much.

05:15:05Thank you very much, Councillor. We'll now be moving on to the MMC for Economic Development, Dihali. Thank you.

05:15:19Honourable Speaker, Executive Mayor and fellow councillors and members of the public. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to address this house on such an important matter. I rise today to address a critical issue at the heart of our democracy: voter apathy among young people and its connection to economic exclusion and unemployment.

05:15:46Young people are often described as disengaged. It's important that we approach this matter with careful understanding. In many cases, what appears to be apathy may in fact reflect deeper structural challenges, including limited economic opportunities, high unemployment and a growing sense of disconnection from formal political processes.

05:16:15Young unemployment in South Africa remains significantly high, with many young people struggling to access meaningful economic opportunities. This reality has broader implication not only for economic development, but also for democratic participation. At the same time, the 2021 South African local government election had historically a low voter turnout.

05:16:47This raises an important question: to what extent are economic conditions influencing political participation, particularly among young people? As the MMC for Economic Development, I believe it is essential to recognize the role that local government plays in shaping economic opportunities. Municipalities are key drivers of local government through infrastructure investment, support for small businesses and inclusion procurement practices.

05:17:25However, it is equally important to acknowledge that the question before this house: whether the current proportional representation system should be reformed. The PR system has played a significant role in promoting inclusivity and fair representation in South Africa's democracy. At the same time, concerns around accountability, responsiveness and public trust continue to be raised.

05:18:01Therefore, rather than viewing voter apathy in isolation, we must consider both the strengths of our current electoral system and the broader socioeconomic conditions that influence participation. In this regard, practical interventions remain essential. We must continue to expand youth employment programs, support entrepreneurship

05:18:29You have one minute remaining.

05:18:31and create an enabling environment for inclusive economic growth. These efforts can help rebuild trust and demonstrate that government is responsive to the needs of young people. Honourable members, strengthening our democracy requires both institutional reflection and tangible economic progress. Whether through reform or through improving existing systems, our shared responsibility is to ensure that young people feel included, represented and empowered, because ultimately, a young person who sees an opportunity is more likely to see value in participation. I thank you.

05:19:22Thank you, Councillor. Before we proceed, I'd like to have a show of hands of where the majority of the MMCs are. Please all raise your hands. Okay, so can the MMCs on this side please make your way that side. You guys need to be seated together. So you guys on this side, please make space for them to

Delay in resuming the real council business

05:20:30Thank you, Councillors. We'll now move on to the MMC for Community Development, Rethabile Mkhoza. Thank you. You have four minutes.

05:20:50Honourable Speaker, councillors, esteemed colleagues and members of our community, I greet you all. My name is Rethabile Mkhoza, the MMC for Community Development. I am honoured to be in this

05:21:11[inaudible] between

05:27:41Come on, come on, come on, come on!

05:28:36minutes over our time. Can we please ask the Whips to check where their councillors are. It's also very bad to see that caucus leaders and caucus whips are not even in the house.

05:29:00AfrikaansJa, Christians, jy is altyd hier.

05:29:10We are 25 minutes over lunchtime, and caucus leaders and whips are not on their seats.

05:29:22AfrikaansJa, iemand sit altyd op niemand se plek.

05:29:28We want to start, colleagues. We want to go home. Otherwise, we'll carry on tomorrow, and you'll go on recess on Thursday. Yeah, it's not me. There's no double pay. Wena, you, I want to tell your leaders up there. They must watch you. Last time you told me I mustn't count on you, I mustn't call you out because Helen was here. I'll tell Mphithi what you do.

05:30:01Uh-huh, I will. I'll make fire for you.

05:30:04AfrikaansEk gaan die pap dik aanmaak vir jou.

05:30:08Colleagues, can we can we get our people in so that we can start?

05:30:13AfrikaansAlle grappies op 'n stokkie, dankie.

05:30:22Let's ask.

05:32:56Thank you, colleagues. We are starting. STC, can you read out?

05:33:56Thank you, colleagues. We are in session. STC.

Items 72 to 99: IDP, budgets and tariff reports tabled for public consultation

05:34:05Uh, councillors, we are starting off with item 72, and that is the 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan, the medium term budget, and draft tariff report for public consultation. Also read with item 73, and that's your 2026/27 draft Integrated Development Plan and draft 2026/27 municipal entities business plan for the City of Johannesburg for public consultation. Also read with item 74, and that's the tabling of the 2026/27 medium-term operating budget.

05:34:41Item 75 is the tabling of the 2026/27 to the 2028/29 mid-term capital budget. And item 76 is the amendment of tariffs of charges for electricity services for 2026/27. And item 77 is amendment of tariff charges for water services and uh sewage and sanitation services for 2026/27. And also the request for approval of proposed waste management service tariff for 2026/27 mid-term expenditure framework.

05:35:26Item 79 is the amendment of tariff of charges for 2026/27 financial year and that's for land development applications, building plan applications, the National Building Regulations and Building uh Standards Act, telecommunication masts and radio masts in respect of National Building Regulations and Building Standards, sorry, Building Standards Act and Policy and Miscellaneous Fees. Uh advertising signs in terms of the city's City of Johannesburg outdoor advertising bylaw,

05:35:56bylaws, uh the issuing of certificates and the supply of information by the Corporate Geo-Informatics Department, uh the supply of information related to the Municipal Planning Tribunal. Item 80 is the amendment of the passenger fare structure of metropolitan bus services for the period 1st July 2026 to the 30th of June 2027. Also item 81 which is the amendment of the tariff fare charges for Rea Vaya BRT for the period 1st July 2026 to 30th June

05:36:302027. Item 82 is the tariffs for Johannesburg International Transport Interchange for period 1st July 2026 to the 30th of June 2027. Item 83 is the request for council approval for amendment of tariff of charges uh for air quality management services in terms of the City of Johannesburg air pollution control bylaws of 2021 for the period of 1st July 2026 to June 2027. Item 84 is the amendment of tariff charges in respect of rentals and charges for council-owned residential stock administered by the Department of Human Settlements

05:37:07for the 2026/27 financial year. Item 85 is amendment of tariffs of charges for environmental health services. Item 86 is the amendment of tariffs of charges for the 2026/27 library and information services, arts, culture, and heritage services, sports facilities, recreation centers, and swimming pools. Item 87 is amendment of tariffs for emergency management services for 2026/27. Item 88 is the amendment of tariff charges in respect of miscellaneous traffic-related services for 2026/27.

05:37:43Item 89 is the amendment of tariff of charges in respect of rentals for council-owned rental stock administered by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company. Item 90 is the amendment of tariff charges in respect of street street encroachments, uh, reinstatements, and printed material. Uh, item 91 is amendment of tariffs of charges for cemeteries, uh, crematoria, parks, nature reserves, um, street trees, and zoo for 2026/27 financial year.

05:38:16Item 92 is amendment of tariff of charges issuing of certificates and furnishing of information for valuation services. Item 83 is amendment of tariff charges for the issuing of certificates for furnishing of information by the COJ legislature. Item 94 is amendment of tariff charges for issuing of clearance figures. Item 95 is amendment of tariff uh tariff charges uh dishonored or electronic payments for 2026/27. Item 96 is amendment of tariff uh charges for delivery of the pre-termination notices for 2026/27.

05:38:50Item 97 is amendment of tariffs of charges for the delivery of final notices. Item 98 is authorization to engage the public on the 2026/27 draft rates policies, policy. Uh item 99 is uh draft determination of uh property rates tariffs for tabling for 2026/27.

05:39:16Colleagues, these these items are all for noting, and we have not received any speakers on them. Um, let's just see. Yeah, there are no speakers on these. So, we will start off by giving you Councillor Christians.

05:39:42Thank you, Speaker. Uh Speaker, there was one speaker provided by the DA, was myself.

05:39:49No, councillor, there was no speakers. We had no speakers from no political party. I can assure you that even last night I was asking if there's any speakers that were submitted. There was no speaker submitted. And and uh yes. Yes, MMC.

05:40:17Madam Speaker, I'm just worried about your language. The language is a problem because if you from the presidium would say that, whereas when we are tabling items that go for public participation, we have never

05:40:31We've not.

05:40:31in this council had speakers. All the MMCs, all caucuses. So, unless you are setting a new precedence, we have never, for as long as we've been in this house, you table to public participation and then you bring back. So, I'm worried about your language, but I don't want to call order on you.

05:40:49No, MMC, what I was saying is that I confirmed last night that we don't have speakers on this and that we don't speak on the items. That's what I said. I understand what are you saying my language, there's never been speakers. No, there's never been speakers. Councillors, these are for noting, and we note them.

05:41:21Hands up.

05:41:22Madam Speaker.

05:41:23Speaker, there's a hand up.

05:41:24Colleagues. Colleagues, it says that the mayor must item must table these items, and it's for noting, and it then goes for public participation. And I'm not going to take your hand, councillor, cuz there's no speakers. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. The next item, STC.

Item 100: Pikitup performance improvement action plan

05:41:48Item 100 is uh Pikitup performance improvement action plan, that's a version one.

05:41:54And on this one, we do have speakers. We have the ANC, Councillor Makamo.

05:42:17Uh Speaker, greetings to the Executive Mayor, the Deputy Executive Mayor, MMCs who are present today, Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, and Committees of Chairs, councillors, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Uh Speaker, Pikitup is mandated to provide waste management and refuse removal to the residents of the City of

05:42:48Johannesburg. However, rapid population growth, inadequate enforcement of municipal bylaws has presented significant service delivery challenges. These challenges have resulted in escalating and increasingly unaffordable service delivery demands, high volumes of waste

05:43:18disposed of at landfill sites, and persistently low revenue collection rates. In addition, aging fleet model has further constrained operational efficiencies. Speaker, in response to these challenges, there is a critical need to intensify waste minimization initiatives,

05:43:47supported by strengthened environmental education, public awareness programs, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, Speaker, the adoption of digital solutions and the deployment of fit for all purposes equipment are essentially to improve operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and long-term service delivery outcomes.

05:44:17It is for this reason, Speaker, that the ANC support and approve Pikitup performance improvement action plan A3 V1. I thank you.

05:44:32Thank you, Councillor Makamo. Um, MMC Okay, MMC Masuku.

05:44:43Thank you, Speaker. Indeed, uh National Treasury uh

05:44:47Just hold on, MMC. Councillor Munyayi.

05:44:54Your point of order.

05:44:55Yes, uh Madam Speaker, uh even us as ActionSA, we did submitted our names.

05:45:02I only got one name from the table here. Thuto had only given me one name that was given to me,

05:45:08Maybe check with her, we did submit.

05:45:09Councillor Makamo.

05:45:11No, check with her. We did submitted our the names.

05:45:14Did Councillor Munyayi give a name?

05:45:15No, it's Councillor Mashala that will be speaking, Madam Speaker.

05:45:18No, Thuto did not get it.

05:45:21No, we did.

05:45:21Who did you give it to? Uh-uh, you don't have a name. Councillor um Smith. Avant-Smith.

05:45:33Thank you, Speaker. We also submitted a name to speak on item 100.

05:45:38Who did you give the name to?

05:45:39Who did we submit to?

05:45:43Okay, no. Okay.

05:45:45Sorry, no.

05:45:45Thank you. No name. Thank you. Um MMC.

05:45:51Thank you, Speaker. Uh as I was saying, uh good afternoon uh to the Executive Mayor and yourself, fellow MMCs, uh that National Treasury requires that the City of Joburg Pikitup develop the trading services reform A3, and this performance improvement action plan and narrative including the budget is an annexure to those trading reforms. The first version of the PIAP uh V3 is submitted, and obviously,

05:46:22for council to be able to note that the Pikitup trading services reforms A3 PIAP, which is the performance plan and narrative report, uh for council to consider and continuous updates uh through the uh board as well as council for information and uh consideration. Thank you, Speaker.

05:46:43Thank you so much, uh MMC. The recommendations is on page 100.2. Is the item noted?

05:46:52Noted.

DA caucus break

05:46:54Thank you so much. STC Yes, Councillor Smith. Avant-Smith.

05:46:59Thank you. The DA requests a 15-minute caucus break, please.

05:47:07Your your your your caucus is granted. It's now 15:43. We will come back at 15:58 sharp, cuz I know some of you come in late when we are out for caucus, please. 15:58, please.

05:49:55Somebody has left his or her glasses. And that person, it's it's it's very strong glasses. I'm sure where he or she is are struggling.

05:54:01Ah, yeah. Then where is this, Meneer?

05:56:37SesothoMosetsanana ke bo rra ke eo ya gore a re tsenye, ba tla founa ba re o batlega ka nako mang-mang. Like meeting o lebileng wa bona beke e la? Ga ba tlo re anansetsa gore ra tsena. And then ka re ka kgona go kopa la ko ofising.

05:57:08SesothoGa go na molato. A kere ke ne ke na le gore ke bontsha fela o rile wa seka? Ga go na molato e re tswa mo re tla tshwanela ka morago ga rona.

05:57:26I'm trying to think

05:57:28Sesothole nna. e se e se o lebogang?

05:57:34Remember the other time, I don't know if it was you or someone else, name tag

05:57:39Sesothoba re tsheka

05:57:40I lost my name tag.

05:57:42SesothoRe kgone go sendisa e messageng ko

05:57:45isiZuluNgizokusendela kuWhatsApp wami.

05:57:50Sesothoga ba tshabe le go fela 083

05:57:53Amen.

05:57:54Sesotho083702

05:57:57SesothoOh, o tshwanetse go bua le dipoko.

05:58:00[inaudible] information [inaudible] ID number ga e yo.

05:58:05SesothoE reng, ausi? 065?

05:58:09Eh, 989 989 8828. 8828

05:58:25SesothoLike, how come how come kante e be la ya gago

05:58:44The name tag.

05:58:46SesothoSo le kile ko tse everything, like?

05:58:48Yeah.

05:58:54SesothoTlhoka pene e šile kwa? And wa bona ga o tsena

05:58:58SesothoYa, the o tla o kenya mo teng. O mpotse ka gore o sendele eng? E ngwale, ngwala lebitso la gago then re tla tear out page.

05:59:07SesothoEh, maybe o bue le nna jaanong gompieno

05:59:10SesothoWa ngwala di initial or full names?

05:59:12Initial.

05:59:14SesothoInitials neh? Ai, full names.

05:59:18SesothoKa dinomoro tsa gago di ntseng jang? Re sendele WhatsApp neh?

05:59:26SesothoOh, o mo E re ke ngwale dinomoro pele. Oh, ga se lona ba?

05:59:31SesothoUh-uh. Oh, okay.

05:59:33SesothoKe re ngwala bo mang? Ke re ngwala nomoro e reng? Re tla šalela re senda WhatsApp.

05:59:36065

05:59:37065

05:59:38eh, 989

05:59:40989

05:59:418828

05:59:428828.

05:59:46SesothoOkay, re tla re tla senda neh?

05:59:49Who sent it?

05:59:52Welcome, EM.

05:59:54SesothoCouncillor mang?

05:59:55Suzanne and

05:59:57There's a councillor, Councillor Tsoadi. Can you switch off your mic?

06:04:33Councillor Avant-Smith, can you report back?

06:04:39Thank you for your indulgence Speaker, we're ready to proceed. Thank you.

06:04:43Thank you so much.

06:04:45Uh Speaker, sorry. Did you receive our speakers?

06:04:48We just received one speaker.

06:04:50Thank you very much.

06:04:51Yeah, on a motion. Thank you.

06:04:58We only received the name of Kyle on the one motion. Can we move? Can we move?

Item 101: KfW loan funding information statement

06:05:11Uh Councillors, we're on item 101 and that is Information Statement Report for loan funding from KfW in the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial years.

06:05:26Thank you so much.

06:05:27AfrikaansVryheidsfront Plus, raadslid Boer.

06:05:35AfrikaansDankie mevrou die Speaker. Ja soos jy sê, boer maak 'n plan. Uhm,

06:05:40I rise to speak on item 101, the proposed uh long term loan of €200 million for capital expenditure for City Power. Uhm, in principle, the Freedom Front welcomes this loan. Uhm, but we must remember this loan is a loan for capital expenditure for City Power and that is that is the purpose of this loan. So we we are using the the term ring-fencing, everybody wants to ring-fence. Uhm, a most most of the people want to ring-fence losses. If you ring-fence losses it means you're not going to support an entity that is making losses, or you make it make it to sink. Uhm, we are talking here about ring-fencing funds. Uh, so those funds that we are going to obtain from the German company are ring-fenced to be utilized for City Power's capital expenditure for the next 3 financial years.claim

06:06:39Uhm, this this item today here is just for noting the information statement uhm and noting the letters to National Treasury and Provincial Treasury. I just want to appeal onto the MMC, when this item comes for approval into Council, get us a responses from National Treasury, get us the responses from Provincial Treasury so that we do the things in the right way. Uh, the information statement is quite impressive. It's a it's on fa- fav- favourable terms, and uhm yes, that is uhm what I want to say about this item. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:07:13AfrikaansBaie dankie, raadslid Boer.

06:07:16Councillor T. Radebe from no no no Councillor C. Nhlapo from the EFF. Apologies, they've written over my hands. Councillor Nhlapo from the EFF, you are not in the house? Thank you. Uh, Councillor T. Radebe from the ANC.

06:07:45Uh, thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, the Executive Mayor, Deputy Executive Mayor, Mayoral Committee, uh Chairpersons of Committees, uh fellow Councillors, uh residents in the gallery. Madam Speaker, the item is uh it's for no- information. Uh, I rise on item 101, which is the information about uh a proposed loan uh from a German Bank Development Bank. Uh, so far, Madam Speaker, when we go through the information it's quite impressive. Uh, the loan it's mainly uh for a stuff infrastructure for City Power. Uh, we need to modernize our infrastructure. We need to make sure that we are up with the times. Uh, it's also part and parcel of the just transition. So, Madam Speaker, as the African National Congress we are saying we went through the document, we are impressed. We'll wait for the response from the National Treasury

06:08:50uh and also from the Provincial Treasury. But also, Madam Speaker, what also impresses me is that there's always an issue of accountability. Uh, to check if we'll be able to account for every rand and cent. But I think with the, you know, German Government involved, uh the National Treasury involved, we will definitely be able to account for every cent, uh and this loan will take us quite a long way. And we also read that we will not be paying anything uh for about 5 years or so. So the loan will be given to us, we'll be able to construct and renew and do other things that we need to do. And then uh after 5 years when we start generating revenue we'll be able to uh start paying the loan. So when the loan comes back uh for approval we should then be ready to debate the details. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:09:50Thank you so much, Councillor. We now go to Councillor Santana from the DA. Just hold on, Councillor Santana. Yes, Councillor?

06:10:05Uh Speaker, uh good afternoon. Yeah, from where I'm sitting I'm freezing on the feet, so I don't know if whether I'm alone or what. So I think maybe we can deal with the air conditioning.

06:10:20Okay, we'll ask them to switch

06:10:21Yeah, I'm freezing from where I'm sitting, uh Speaker. Thank you.

06:10:23We'll ask them to switch off the aircon. Thank you. Councillor Santana. Councillor Santana, it's your turn.

06:10:33Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh, although it's freezing that side, we're boiling on this side. Uh, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on item 101, the Information Statement

06:10:42Councillor Santana, just hold on. Okay, we know that we are freezing. We'll try We'll do something. No, colleagues, we will we will check what to do. Can we allow the person to speak? Ai, colleagues. Councillor Santana, can you please go?

06:11:09Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:11:10No, no.

06:11:11Colleagues, please can I speak? Thank you.

06:11:14No, Zitha.

06:11:17Okay, let me start again. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh Madam Speaker, thank you uh for giving me the opportunity to speak on item 101, the information statement for the K, sorry, someone just took it quickly, sorry. It was the German bank, the KfW. Uhm, yeah, going through the documents, uh it looks quite impressive. The interest rate is acceptable, it's a 9% fixed over the over the term. Uh, if we consider where we are currently in the geopolitical uhm aspects of the of the world, uh with interest rates possibly going to increase, it seems to be quite a decent deal. Uhm, we have obviously requested the the uhm relevant assets

06:11:58Councillors, we are trying to listen to the person. The MMC that's going to respond must also hear the Councillor. Please, colleagues. Councillor Santana, can you carry on?

06:12:14Thank you, Speaker. Uhm, yeah Speaker, so obviously it would be nice if when it comes back to Council that it has the uh list for Council to see what assets are actually being funded over the medium-term budget. I think it also assists making informed decisions in passing that. So just ask to that please can be uh part of the part of our process when it comes back with the with the whole budget as is part of the budget process uhm at the end of the day. Uh in essence, uh it does look like a good deal so we'll just see how it plays out at the end of the day. Thank you, Speaker.

06:12:45Thank you so much, Councillor Santana.

06:12:46And it's ring-fenced, so that helps us. Thank you.

06:12:47Thank you. MMC Masuku, Deputy Mayor.

06:12:52Thank you very much, uh Madam Speaker. Uh, and of course to both uh Councillor Boer and uh Councillor Santana, yes we will bring all the necessary documents uhm, and of course adhering to all the governance principles in line with Provincial Treasury and National Treasury uhm so that we maintain that transparency, and indeed it is particularly for uhm uh City Power uhm electrical uh project funding and specifically for that CAPEX. And I think Councillors would recall that uhm the Council meeting of the 29th of May last year also did deliberate on how uh we must continue to do uhm the funding for our CAPEX project and all Councillors approved. So we appreciate that uh Councillors agreed to the noting of this item. Thank you, Madam Speaker.claim

06:13:44Thank you so much, MMC. Councillors, the recommendations are on page 101.5. Is the item noted?

06:13:53Noted!

06:13:55Thank you.

Item 102 (urgent): Nomination of Municipal Electoral Officer and Deputy Electoral Officers

06:13:59We now proceed to urgency reports, and starting off with item 102, which is Nomination of Municipal Electoral Officer and Deputy Electoral Officers.

06:14:11Thank you, Councillors. We have three speakers. Uh EFF, T. Mogapi.

06:14:24Thank you, Speaker. Greetings to the leadership of the EFF, the caucus of the EFF, the Councillors in the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, this item before us deals with the nomination of the Municipal Electoral Officer and the Deputy Electoral Officers in preparation for 2026 Local Government Elections. These roles are critical because they ensure that elections are properly coordinated, managed, and conducted in a way that supports our democracy. As the EFF, we recognize that the responsibility for appointing these officials lies with the Electoral Commission, and that Council is requested to support the proposed nominations. Speaker, we want to state clear that the EFF agrees with the proposed nominations. We believe that the process must be supported so that preparations for the upcoming election can proceed without delays. But beyond the administrative process, this item also reminds us

06:15:24of something much bigger, the importance of democratic participation. Elections are not just about officials and systems, they are about the people of Johannesburg having a voice in how they are governed. Speaker, many of our people, especially young people, often feel disconnected from the political process. Some do not register, some do not vote, and as a result their voices are not heard. The EFF believes that this must change. We therefore take this opportunity to encourage all residents of Johannesburg, especially youth, to register to vote, to participate, and to make ownership of the future of this city. Because change will not come by itself, it comes through active participation, and we say to the people of Johannesburg, we want the real change. If you want accountability leadership, if you want a city that works for the majority, then you must register to vote and vote for EFF. Thank you.

06:16:30Thank you, Councillor Mogapi. The DA, Councillor A. Marais.

06:16:36Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, fellow Councillors, Council officials, ladies and gentlemen. Section 12(1) of the Local Government Municipal Electoral Act provides as follows: When an election has been called, the Commission must appoint for the area of the municipality in which the election will be held an employee or other person as its representative for the purpose of the election. It is the DA's view that this item is premature, in that it seeks Council's endorsement of the nomination of the officials referred to in the item to be appointed by the Commission as municipal electoral officers in terms of the section. As matters stand, no election has been called, and therefore the process to appoint these officers has not commenced. The appointment of the officers and the attendant processes, which include the nomination of candidates, can only proceed once the relevant election is called.

06:17:38The election in question is the 2026 Local Government Election which is yet to be called. Accordingly, the DA does not support this item. I thank you.

06:17:48Thank you, Councillor Marais. Uh, MMC Deputy uh Executive Mayor, Councillor Masuku.

06:18:01Thank you, Speaker. The IEC uhm has to prepare and start planning for the work that they need to do in preparation for the elections. It is up to the President of the Republic to declare, but we all know that the term of the election is up to 2026 and can go beyond uh determined by that, but no later than uh February last year. Now any responsible institution like the IEC would do what they are doing, which is to make sure that municipalities do what is actually required to support them. And we appreciate that they even respect that they understand that municipalities exist in the local sphere. That is why they would bring reports, uh recommendations through the Office of the Speaker for the relevant uhm support that uhm we need. And of course, voting is an important uhm civic duty, and uhm

06:19:00it was good to hear that we had uh students from UJ who are a constituency that also uh is important in exercising their vote. And I think that now that they even understand that there are processes where city councils also have a responsibility to support, and I repeat, to support the work of the IEC because that is strictly their purview. And we ask Council to support the work of the Independent Electoral Commission in order for them to prepare for the elections as and when they are declared by the President of the Republic, President Cyril Ramaphosa. Thank you, Speaker.

06:19:41Thank you so much, MMC Deputy Executive Mayor. The item is for The recommendations is on page 102 and 3. Is the item agreed to?

06:19:56Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, colleagues, the yeses have it. Councillor Christians.

06:20:09Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in terms of Rule 84, can we note the opposition of the Democratic Alliance and we reserve our rights as we believe the

06:20:20Colleagues, colleagues!

06:20:21as we believe the process is premature. Thank you.

06:20:23Thank you so much, Councillor Christians.

Motion 1: Removal of registered indigent beneficiaries from the debtors list

06:20:29We proceed with motions, and the first motion is Removal of Registered Indigent Beneficiaries from the City of Johannesburg Debtors List.

06:20:42Thank you, colleagues. Can we call the proposer, who is MMC Tshwaku.

06:20:54Thank you very much, Speaker. Greetings to the caucus of the EFF, uh Chief Whip, uh uThabisa, the Whip uThabisa Mogapi, and also the all the Councillors that are here today. Uh, motion submitted in terms of Rule 89(2)(b) of the Standing Rules and Orders of the City Metropolitan, uh the Johannesburg Metropolitan. The removal of the registered indigent uh subsidies from the City of Johannesburg debtors list. I, Councillor Mgcini Tshwaku, hereby table the following motion in terms of Rule 89(2)(b) of the Standing Rules and Orders of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. Noting that the City of Johannesburg has adopted an Indigent Support Policy which provides for the subsidization of basic services charges for qualifying indigent households within the financial and administrative capacity of the city.

06:21:52The objective of this of the Indigent Support Policy is to ensure sustainable provision of basic services to vulnerable households and to establish clear procedures for subsidization. In terms of the Indigent Support Policy, accumulated debt in respect of the approved indigent household is to be written off administratively in accordance with Council approved policy and applicable legislation. The Credit Control and the Debt Collection Policy of the City of Johannesburg acknowledges the Indigent Support Policy and provides for differentiation between customers who cannot pay and those who refuse to pay. Administrative delays, uhm system alignment, or processing backlogs may result in approved indigent beneficiaries continuing to appear on the city's debtors list. The continued listing of approved indigent households as debtors is inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of the Indigent Support Policy.

06:22:57Believing that Section 152(1)(b) and (d) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996, mandates local government to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner and provide a safe and healthy environment. The City of Johannesburg has a duty to ensure that its administrative systems and credit control processes are aligned with its adopted Indigent Policy. Vulnerable households approved as indigent beneficiaries should not be subjected to credit control measures contrary to the Council policy. Proper oversight requires transparent reporting to Council on compliance with Indigent Policy provisions. Council therefore resolves to direct the Executive Mayor, through the MMC of Finance and Municipal Manager, to: 1. Conduct an audit within 60 days of adoption of this resolution to determine whether the approved indigent beneficiaries are reflected on the city debtors list

06:24:00contrary to the Indigent Support Policy. 2. To ensure that all approved indigent beneficiaries are appropriately aligned with the city financial and credit control system in accordance with the Indigent Support Policy and the Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. 3. Implement appropriate administrative safeguards and system controls to ensure that approved indigent beneficiaries are excluded from credit control and debt collection processes in compliance with the Council approved policies and applicable legislation, including the Municipal Finance Management Act, MFMA. 4. Ensure that accumulated debt in respect of approved indigent beneficiaries is written off administratively in accordance to Council policy and applicable financial legislation. 5. Where necessary, submit to Council any proposed amendments required to align the Credit Control

06:25:01and Debt Collection Policy with the Indigent Support Policy. 6. Report back to Council within 90 days on: (a) findings of the audit; (b) the number of indigent accounts corrected or aligned; (c) the value of debt written off in compliance with the policy where applicable; (d) measures implemented to prevent recurrence of misclassification. 7. That this resolution be implemented subject to compliance with the applicable legislation,

06:25:3220 seconds, MMC.

06:25:34Council approved policy, and the budgetary frameworks. I thank you, Speaker.

06:25:40Thank you, MMC. Do we agree on that uhm motion? Can we get a seconder? Councillor Mogapi.

06:26:02Thank you, Speaker. I, Councillor Mogapi, I second the motion as tabled by the Councillor Tshwaku. Thank you.

06:26:08Thank you, Councillor Mogapi. Can we have Freedom Front Plus, Councillor Boer?

06:26:14AfrikaansU het drie minute, nê?

06:26:17AfrikaansDankie, mevrou die Speaker.

06:26:18Fellow Councillors, uhm the Freedom Front is not against supporting the indigent persons. Uhm, we have got a lot of people in our city that are really living way below the breadline, and we should have the most empathy with those people. Uhm, but on the other hand, I think uh the City of Johannesburg has got one of the most progressive uhm support systems to support the poorest of the poor. We've got our ESP program, uhm we are busy with a debt rehabilitation uh program as well, whereby any person in the city will qualify for a reduction of debt depending on the income levels. Uhm, the reason why we do not support this motion is it looks too much like a blanket approach to write off blanket debt, and we cannot support this. The city is already financially so much under strain.

06:27:17Uhm, and indigent people change. They change by the day. Indigent people are added on and they are falling off as they get work and their lifestyle increases. So we support the support to the most vulnerable in our city, but then those people also have to adhere to the rules uhm and apply for their 6-month ESP. Because as people's situations changes, uhm this 6 months they might qualify for ESP, and the next 6 months they are employed and they're earning an income. So uhm we are against a blanket write-off, but we support the support to the indigent people. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:28:01AfrikaansDankie, raadslid Boer.

06:28:03Councillor Mkhonza, you have 3 minutes.

06:28:07Shalom, shalom, Madam Speaker. I'm going to give this item to Councillor uhm Harris. Thank you very much.

06:28:15Councillor Harris.

06:28:18Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, greetings to all our fellow colleagues. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak to Motion 1, the Removal of the Registered Indigent Beneficiaries from the COJ's Debtors List. In principle, the ACDP caucus supports this motion. However, this motion does not present any statistics and or research findings of how many indigent beneficiaries appear on the debtors list. As the ACDP, we would instead recommend that the motion request stats from the Finance Department in an effort to see how much it contributes to the staggering R71 billion and counting that is owed to the City of Johannesburg. Removing indigent beneficiaries from the debtors book will ease the stress on impoverished residents as aggressive credit control measures will be removed. The balance sheet of the city will look better for a while,claim

06:29:18but it will not erase the fact that the city is not able to sustainably collect billable revenue. The motion can also be seen as an undercover campaign strategy. An IEC survey of trust on political parties in democracy revealed a widening trust deficit between the uh between residents and voters and the public and the politicians. This motion uh will be seen as being yet another ploy to exploit the vulnerabilities of the poor for political gain. While we empathize

06:30:00with those who are genuinely struggling, we must consider whether this action can be seen as being fair especially to the working poor who on the border of indigency, yet they do not qualify because of their marginally better economic circumstances. Having said that Madam, we as the ACDP would support this motion. Thank you.

06:30:22Thank you, Councillor Harris. Um Councillor Kyle Jacobs from the DA.

06:30:36Thank you, Speaker. Madam Speaker, we support the principle of protecting indi- indigent households from being wrongly listed as debtors. However, this motion has serious gaps that cannot be ignored. It calls for debt write-offs without quantifying the financial impact. It offers no safeguards against abuse and assumes the indigent register is accurate when we know verification processes are often weak.

06:31:10Without credible data, proper controls, we risk intrenching errors and incentivising non-payment rather than fixing the system. Compassion must be matched with the competence and compliance. This motion should rather come after a verified audit of the indigent register and a full financial impact assessment and necessary safeguards put in place so that we protect the poor while safeguarding the city's financial sustainability.

06:31:41We therefore do not support this motion.

06:31:45Thank you, Councillor. Um Councillor Modupi from the African National Congress.

06:31:56Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I rise here on behalf of the African National Congress, the oldest liberation movement in the continent of Africa. Madam Speaker, African National Congress worked very hard to undo the imbalances that were visited upon this nation by the regime of bygone era.claim

06:32:25What happened is that during the apartheid, people were not paid equal pay, and that was done along the racial biases, the gender biases. And upon African National Congress assuming eh governance, they made sure that they correct that through things like the labour laws, basic conditions of eh Basic Conditions of Employment Act.claim

06:32:58But we know one of the Afrikaner scholars by the name of Sampie Terreblanche told us that apartheid was constructed in such a way that even in a democratic South Africa it will still reinvent itself. Now, today we see the economy that is growing. Our economy has got an annual income of 7 trillion.claim

06:33:29If we were to share that amongst ourselves per month, each and every one of ourselves here was going to have about an average of R10,000, but because that is not the case, we end up having those who have and those who do not have. And those who do not have are unable to pay for the services of the municipality. These are the people that we call the indigent. And I think we need to support this motionclaim

06:34:01because this motion seeks to provide relief to those people. If you are to visit the work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his work called Social Contract, he said, "A system that is advantageous to all is that which whereby none has got too much and all have got something."

06:34:30But in our case, that is not true. So, we need to make sure that we protect the poor because if you are to check our debtors book today is R71 billion. Much of that eh debtors book is older than 90 days. It means that it cannot be collected. We need to salvage the poor from that because we can see that they cannot be able to pay.

06:35:00We can't have a debtors book whereby we say we've got this amount when we know that it is an uncollectable amount. Now, I I have heard other eh arguments saying that this is not quantifiable, but on the motion I saw, the motion proposes that it be quantified and it be brought back within 90 days after being quantified, and the number of indigents eh who are aligned properly with the policy should also eh be reflected the route.

06:35:33So on those basis, Madam Speaker, as the African National Congress, we will always be on the side of the poor. We are not going to politicise eh the benefits of the poor. If something is going to benefit the poor, we will eh of course support it without any blink of an eye. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

06:35:55Thank you so much, Councillor. Um MMC Masuku, Deputy Mayor.

06:36:03Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Uh good afternoon. Madam Speaker, from the side of the executive, uh we can implement this, um we can follow similar models in other metros and uh Social Development would just need to make sure that they assist us in uh speeding up the consolidation of a proper indigent register, and we can agree um in terms of the time frames.

06:36:33Uh we are not opposed to the motion, Madam Speaker, as it is about um making sure we provide relief to individuals living um in extreme uh poverty and uh below the breadline. And I think as councillors have said that we must be clear about um cushioning and protecting uh the indigent. Um that is why it's important then we that we clean up and have a proper register um as soon as the um if council does uh support the motion,

06:37:05but besides that we just need to work harder in ensuring that we clean up because I know even in the Section 79, there have been concerns about uh the indigent register and councillors have been raising those consistent concerns and I think it's um uh a caution that we are taking from councillors. But as the executive, on behalf of the executive, we have no objection and we think the motion can be supported because it was admissible in council. Um thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:37:35Thank you so much, MMC. Can the proposer MMC Tshwaku please close?

06:37:43No, thank you very much, Speaker. Let me thank my colleagues for um for supporting this eh motion, and shame to those who are not supporting these things. Shame on you because you Our people are very hungry, they even said that. They told us in this eh um in this engagement we were having that they have to choose between bread and this eh municipal debts.emotive

06:38:12Eh so we have a lot of unemployment that is there that we busy as the city trying to deal with. So I think it is a decent thing to do, it is a humanity thing to do, or is a Christian thing to do to really support this motion. Thank you, colleagues, and eh let us eh start with the work. We appeal to the to the MMC EM eh Deputy EM to let's expedite it through your officeemotive

06:38:38and the city manager. Let's do it and let's go to our communities, and all those who are indigent and all those who cannot afford, come let's approach the city so that we can see if you qualify or not. Thank you very much for supporting this motion.emotive

06:38:53isiXhosaEh ndiyabulela.emotive

06:38:54Thank you.

06:38:55Thank you, MMC.

Vote on Motion 1 amid disruption

06:39:00Can we then now when it's closed, can we check those that abstain from the item? Okay. Can we see? Oh, you abstain?

06:39:36isiZuluYithi bonke.

06:40:21You will be remembered in November.

06:40:29You just told us you weren't politicking, but now you are.

06:40:33[singing] My mother was a kitchen girl. My father was a garden boy. That's why I'm a freedom fighter. I'm a freedom fighter.

06:40:45isiXhosaHayini maqabane.

06:40:51isiZuluYini nina, ninga-abstain-i ActionSA.

06:40:58isiZuluUyaqala angithi, MMC? Uyasicala angithi? Uxolo mhlobo wami, uxolo mhlobo wami.

06:41:06isiZuluYi-LoveLife. Izolo nisibiza amamenemene asikhohlwanga njalo. Izinto ezinomona.

06:41:18isiXhosaMncedeni bani?

06:41:19isiZuluXolani uyezwa.

06:41:42Thank you so much, colleagues. You can lower your hands. I'm looking there's three hands there that was up and now two went down. Councillor Smit, are you voting again? Okay, let's hear. Councillor, I need to let people vote.

06:42:07I know. I'm terribly sorry, but we Councillor Raphadu was taking photographs of us voting. Thank you.

06:42:16Councillor Raphadu. Councillor Raphadu, don't do that. Can Councillors, can I have those that say no? Awu!

06:43:05Can the no's drop their hands? Can those who agree with it please raise their hands?

06:43:52[singing] It shall be 5-2 quality service to all. Under EFF!

06:44:58isiZulu[singing] Ungakhali mntanami. Ungakhali mntanami.

06:45:36isiZulu[singing] Uzobuya uMalema, uzobuya. Ungakhali sana lwami, thula mntanami. Thula sana lwami, wakhala kangaka. Uzobuya uMalema, uzobuya. Ungakhali sana lwami, thula mntanami. Thula sana lwami, wakhala kangaka.

06:46:06isiZulu[singing] Uzobuya, ungakhali mntanami. Uzobuya, ungakhali mntanami. Uzobuya.

06:46:21Thank you, councillors.

06:46:22isiZulu[singing] Ungakhali mntanami, uzobuya uMalema, uzobuya. Ungakhali sana lwami, thula mntanami. Thula sana lwami, wakhala kangaka. Uzobuya uMalema, uzobuya. Ungakhali sana lwami, thula mntanami. Thula sana lwami, wakhala kangaka.

06:46:53Excuse me!

06:47:02Thank you. Thank you, colleagues. I think some of you missed Councillor Dlanjwa today. Um those that abstained was 60 Councillor, do you have an objection against the voting? Ah you can't interrupt now. Those who abstain is 60. Those who said no, it's three. Those who said yes is 151. The motion is carried.

06:47:45[singing] My leadership, yeah we vow now.

06:47:50Thank you, councillors. Thank you, councillors.

06:47:55[singing] It shall be 5-2 quality

06:47:58Councillor Zitha, can we carry on with the business of the day? STC.

Motion 2: Renaming Wolmarans Street to Dr uZwi Lezwe Radebe

06:48:06Councillors, the last motion is the second motion which is a motion for renaming Wolmarans Street to Dr. uZwi Lezwe Radebe.

06:48:17isiZuluZiyeke lezo.

06:48:20Councillors! Councillors!

06:48:25isiZuluHayi bo!

06:48:30Can I get the proposer, Councillor Y Zigebe?

06:48:40Madam Speaker, this motion before council is not about symbolism, it is about recognising a living legacy that has materially shaped communities in the City of Johannesburg and beyond.

06:48:52Just hold on, Councillor Zigebe. Can I ask that Rule 30 does applies? Thank you, Councillor Zigebe.

06:49:09Wolmarans Street carries a history, yes, but this council must ask itself whether that history reflects the lived reality, aspirations and identity of the people we serve today. Dr. uZwi Lezwe Radebe represents a form of leadership that is both rooted and responsive, rooted in African indigenous spirituality and responsive to the socioeconomic conditions of our communities. And that is important, Speaker, because the emancipation of our people cannot be partial,

06:49:40it cannot it cannot only be economic, cannot only be political. Without the restoration of African indigenous spirituality, without restoring a people to their identity, their knowledge systems and their sense of self, true freedom remains incomplete.

06:49:56Councillors, please! Please! We can't even hear what he's reading.

06:50:06What distinguishes Dr. Radebe's contribution is that this philosophy is not abstract. It is expressed through concrete structured initiatives. In Johannesburg, the uZwi Lezwe uh uZwi Lezwe Reading Hub has expanded access to books, internet and study facilities in communities where opportunity is limited and where this council can't get and the government. Through the Imboni Business Initiative, young people are trained in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business development, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the economy.

06:50:39Job centres established in partnership with Lulaway are connecting young people to employment through practical support, CV deployment development, interview preparation and job placement pathways. Food security is addressed through the Feed A Family program and urban gardening workshops, equipping communities not only to receive support, but to sustain themselves. Community health is strengthened through the Wellness Outreach Initiatives and the Mental Wellness Campaign, recognising that development must include both physical and psychological well-being.

06:51:14Youth development is driven through the Project Cup's initiative, building discipline, leadership and unity through sport. And importantly, Speaker, community safety has not been left to the state alone. Through the Dr. S.B. Radebe Foundation, there has been direct uh support to community policing structures, including resources provided uh to community policing forums, working with SAPS, strengthening safety at a local level. But this work must be understood in its full ecosystem.

06:51:45Through The Revelation Spiritual Home, the African Association for Indigenous Spirituality, African Hidden Voices, the African Centre of Excellence, the TRSH Youth Academy, the TRSH Women's League, the Trillion Dollar Kids Club and Trillion Cart Investments, there is a deliberate program of African indigenous spiritual restoration, youth development, women empowerment, entrepreneurship and economic emancipation. This is what makes this motion significant.

06:52:15It affirms that development without identity is hollow. It affirms that restoring African indigenous spirituality and indigenous practices is not separate from transformation, it is central to it. Because when a people are spiritually grounded, culturally affirmed, economically active and socially organised, that is when true emancipation takes place. Speaker, a street name is not just a sign, it is a statement of who we honour and what we stand for.

06:52:44Approving this motion is not an act of sentiment, it is an act of recognition, recognition of a body of work that has restored dignity, created opportunity, strengthened communities and reconnected people to themselves. I therefore table this motion. Thank you.

06:53:02Colleagues, are we is there are we in agreement with the motion?

06:53:07No!

06:53:12Okay.

06:53:13No! No, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no!

06:53:19Can I Can I ask for a more structured way of doing it? Are we in agreement with the motion?

06:53:27No!

06:53:30Okay. Can I get the seconder? Can the seconder come? Colleagues.

06:53:44isiXhosaMna ndiyayi-support-a. Nokuba nithetha lonto niyithethayo ndiyayi-support-a. Yazi uxolelwa nini apha?

06:53:55Councillor Magwentshu, seconder. Colleagues, can we can we can we just stop?

06:54:05isiXhosaAsiselanga nina apha.

06:54:06Seconder. Seconder.

06:54:11Uh Speaker.

06:54:12Colleagues, please! Please! Can we go to Rule 30? Please! Councillor Magwentshu.

06:54:29Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I stand in support of the motion. Thank you.

06:54:34Thank you. Let's go to the speakers. DA Councillor B Nkwanyana. I hope I'm saying it right.

06:54:46isiZuluEh uBongani Nkwanyana.

06:54:47Thank you very much.

06:54:49Thank you.

06:54:52isiXhosaEh uthethwa kuthethwa ke lomntu.

06:54:55Eh greetings, uh councillors and citizens of the City of Johannesburg. I rise on behalf of Democratic Alliance, the party of the people, for the people, by the people, the party of good governance, to address the motion proposing the renaming of Wanderers Street to Dr. uZwi Lezwe Radebe. Presiding Officer, let me remind this council

06:55:25of a significant initiative of the year 2022 during the tenure of the DA-led government where Executive Mayor Dr. Mpho Phalatse, along with the Directorate of Arts, Culture and Heritage announced the plans for the Archbishop Tutu Heritage Precinct in the heart of Johannesburg CBD within the City of Johannesburg. As part of this initiative, the renaming of several streets was proposed.

06:55:58Plein Street proposed to be Desmond Tutu Street, Wanderers Street Simeon Gqubule Street, De Villiers Street Trevor Huddleston Street, Hoek Street Cathedral Street. These proposals This proposal was adopted by this council and public participation process is currently underway.

06:56:27This is collaboratively effort between the Johannesburg the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Development Agency aiming at transforming the Johannesburg CBD, enhancing pedestrian friendly areas and public spaces, improving accessibility, integrated transport, enhancing safety and security, promoting environmental and sustainability.

06:56:56Presiding Officer, it appears the proposer of this motion and the seconder may have eh may not have considered these existing initiatives. One may ask a question: What value does renaming of Wanderers Street in eh to honour uZwi Lezwe Radebe will bring to the City of Johannesburg? But the answer will say, "Dololo."

06:57:27As a progressive city of gold, we should avoid parallel processes. It is It is concerning that this motion has been brought forth without considering our existing processes. The city policies generally advises against naming and renaming of streets and public facilities after living individuals, except in extraordinary circumstances, which this does not qualify as one.

06:58:02Furthermore, our policy emphasises importance of reflecting the city's diverse cultures, history, and heritage, which this proposal does not achieve.

06:58:15isiZuluKahle kahle bakulahlekisile mhlekazi, udukuza entweni.

06:58:19As Democratic Alliance, we cannot support a motion that undermines established council processes or or the proposal that promotes faith foundation over others.

06:58:36isiZuluAyikho phela lento yogobela wakho wena mhlekazi.

06:58:39We urge the proposer to align this motion with the existing plans of Desmond Tutu Heritage Precinct and thoroughly read Naming and Renaming of Public Facilities Policy of the City of Johannesburg and other documents. We believe in Johannesburg. We, the DA, do not support this motion and we request this council to reject it. Thank you very much, Speaker.

06:59:11Thank you, Councillor.

06:59:14AfrikaansRaadslid Boer,

06:59:16Freedom Front Plus.

06:59:19AfrikaansDankie, Mevrou die Speaker. Um

06:59:21through you, I just want to say to Councillor Modupi um he was saying that the ANC was the oldest liberation movement in the African continent. I've got news for him. There was a movement called the Voortrekkers, and the Voortrekkers was a movement that came from the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape to be freed from the English oppression, and they moved into the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek as we are here at the moment.

06:59:51And this man, Jacobus Wolmarans, he was also one of the sons of the Voortrekkers. Um he was a member of the Zuid-]

07:00:00AfrikaansSuid-Afrikaanse Republiek.

07:00:02He was instrumental of funding Johannesburg, in fact he was the first founder of the first hospital in Johannesburg in back in 1891. Madam Speaker, now we bring a motion to change our history. History is not getting changed by changing names. History is here, it will be always be here for the next, as long as Earth exist.

07:00:30We are, as the Freedom Front, totally opposed against renaming Wolmarans Street to this other Dr Radebe. I am pretty I am pretty interested in this trillion-dollar club of his and I make a suggestion to this doctor to give us part of his trillion dollars and maybe he can refurbish our metro building for us, and then we can probably think of renaming the metro building to Dr

07:01:00Radebe. I think that will be a better a better item to to consider. Madam Speaker, we just spoke about the indigent people, and now we want to spend millions of rand of renaming an existing street to somebody that was not even racist or even connected to any racism, we want to change that name, spending millions of rand instead of looking after our indigents. Madam Speaker, I'm closing off. The Freedom Front is totally opposed changing any names

07:01:30which are not

07:01:32Afrikaans50 sekondes.

07:01:33political affiliated. Thank you very much.

07:01:36AfrikaansDankie.

07:01:38ACDP, Councillor Rohlssen.

07:01:44Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker. Greetings, Madam Speaker. And I greet you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. I can't hear you. Amen? Amen.

07:02:00Councillor Rohlssen.

07:02:01Apologies, Madam Speaker, that's just a joke. Just a joke, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, greetings to you, Madam Speaker, and Executive Mayor,

07:02:13Deputy

07:02:14Councillors, especially the councillors there. No, no, no, no, no. Shh. Really. No. Councillor Rohlssen, you can carry on.

07:02:29Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. And I'll start again, greetings, Madam Speaker. Greetings, Executive Mayor. Greetings to the Deputy Executive Mayor, and MMCs, councillors, distinguished guests and residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I rise on Motion 2, the renaming of Wolmarans Street to Dr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe Street.

07:03:00Madam Speaker, Dr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe has indeed contributed immensely to South Africa, and in especially in the areas of poverty alleviation, education and entrepreneurship, and the ACDP takes note of his contribution. However, the current economic condition that we find ourselves as a city cannot justify a name change to Dr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe,

07:03:32or any other name, for that matter. Madam Speaker, as a city, we are struggling to pay our suppliers. So, the ACDP will not support any name change and find and this is totally out of the question. Only once our financial condition improves could we relook at the naming of Wolmarans Street.

07:04:01So, the ACDP does not support this motion. God bless South Africa. God bless the sovereign State of Israel. I thank you.

07:04:12Thank you, Councillor Rohlssen. Councillor Xuma from the African National Congress.

07:04:18It's Councillor Mashinini.

07:04:20Okay, Councillor Mashinini.

07:04:22Thank you. Honourable Speaker, Deputy Mayor, and the Mayor in absentia, the African National Congress acknowledges the importance of recognizing individuals who contributed to the development of society. The naming of the street and public spaces is a powerful tool of transformation, remembrance, however, it is also one of the highest honors that this Council can be shown on can be shown.

07:04:50It must be, therefore, exercised with, therefore, care and integrity and adherence of the law, and this Council is bound to act strictly within the framework of the of this adopted policy. In instance, this motion before is procedurally incomplete.

07:05:13Renaming Wolmarans Street into

07:05:16isiZuluuDokotela Uzwi Lezwe Radebe,

07:05:17it's in its current form cannot be supported. Firstly, the process does not demonstrate compliance with the require with the requirements of the Municipal Systems Act and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, both which demand that the decision of the nature be lawful, reasonable, procedural, fair, and central to the meaningful of public participation.

07:05:43There's insufficient evidence before Council that affected communities, residents and businesses have been properly consulted. The policy require requires that the street naming be undertaken strictly on after demonstration of public consultation processes. At present, there's no evidence affected to affected Ward Councillor, Councillor Masindi, has businesses and other stakeholders have been have never been consulted, the requirement of paragraph 8 and 14 of the policy.

07:06:16The voice of the people must not only be heard, they must be shaping and they must shape decisions we take. Secondly, the city's own naming policy requires a clear and well-documented motivation, including historical significance and the contribution and relevance of the individual being honored. At present, there's inadequate is inadequate.

07:06:42Publicly available information details the life contribution and the legacy of uDr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe to be justified to justify an honor of this magnitude. Honourable Speaker, the naming of the street must be reserved for individuals whose contribution is exceptional, whose legacy, endurance and recognition is broadly supported by the community. Without this, the process risk undermining both the integrity of the Council

07:07:14and the very purpose of transformation. Thirdly, we must consider the socioeconomic impact of renaming the established street carries financial administrative implications for both municipality and the public residents. Businesses are required to adopt businesses are required to adjust documents, while the city inquires the cost. That must be weighed against passing several service delivery priorities. The ANC firmly believe the transformation must be

07:07:45inclusive and rooted in the will of the people. It must be rather not decisive. We, therefore, propose that the motion be deferred. And the relevant committee be mandated to undertake a lawful, transparent and community-driven process in its full compliance. The legislative processes required requirements the City of Johannesburg policies on the naming of the street,

07:08:16public places, and discourages naming streets after living people, unless exceptional circumstances are clearly motivated. The motion does not provide justification for this. Therefore, Council should consider alternative propor proportional ways to honor uDr Lezwe Radebe, including naming a new development, a public facility, a space that do not impose an undue burden on

07:08:46the existing communities, which can secure broad which can secure broader public support. Honourable Speaker, the ANC as the ANC, we remain committed in building the city that is just and inclusive and responsible for recognition of meaningful and where voices of the people remain at the center of all. We do not we do because there are no minor technicalities,

07:09:16they are mandatory safeguard that ensure transparency, legality, and community and public participation processes without compliance would expose ourself in this way will there will be people who may take us even to court.

07:09:30isiZuluUDokotela uZwi Lezwe usaphila nakhona sithemba ukuthi kukhona into esingazibiza ngaye. Kwamanje asikwazi nje ukubiza isitaradi ngaye akubuyelwe phansi kubukelwe sibone ukuthi yini esingayibiza ngaye kodwa isitaradi lesi umthetho awuvumi Mhlonishwa ukuthi sibize ngaye. Ngiyabonga.

07:09:46isiZuluSizobiza isonto lakhe ngaye. Sizobiza isonto lakhe ngaye.

07:09:50Thank you, Councillor Mashinini. MMC Amad.

07:09:55Thank you. Speaker, I would like to greet the Executive Mayor in his absentia, the Deputy Executive Mayor, the Chief Whip of Council, the MMCs

07:10:10MMC, we can't hear you.

07:10:12The MMCs, Chair of Chairs, and yourself, Speaker.

07:10:17SepediGe ke kgomo ya moshate,

07:10:19Speaker.

07:10:21SepediWa e gapa o molato, wa e lesa o molato.

07:10:26Please say that in Afrikaans. So, I would like Council to approve and let let us take it to public participation,

07:10:37No.

07:10:38and then the voters will decide. Thank you so much.

07:10:40No, no, no!

07:10:43isiZuluHheyi! Awuzoyibhakela eyodwa.

07:10:46SesothoHaae, MMC, se betjhile ke a bona.

Proposer's closing, 'liars' remark and language dispute

07:10:49Can can we get the proposer to close?

07:10:52No.

07:10:55Can we get colleagues, colleagues. Chief Whip, Whip. Can we get the proposer to close?

07:11:11Madam Speaker,

07:11:13isiXhosanje bendingathandi ukuyiphendula imigqukunqa namaxoki namawexuwexu. Ngoba

07:11:20isiXhosaInhlamba leyo!

07:11:22isiXhosangoba apha kule Council kungekudala besithi sifuna uLeila Khaled ephila njalo singakhange sithi masambe siyomrinema kwi-shopping mall. Sakugqiba siqale apha

07:11:36Can you please take your seat, Councillor Zigebe? Is it Councillor Seerane? Mosehla. Can you switch on your mic, Councillor Mosehla? Thank you.

07:11:51Thank you, Speaker. The councillor, although not calling a name, but called the speakers who spoke before him

07:12:04isiXhosaamaxoki,

07:12:06which means liars. And I think that language is not proper for our chambers. Thank you, Speaker.

07:12:14I think Councillor Zigebe was not in yesterday's council meeting, and we had a long thing about people calling each other liars. Can you please withdraw that word, liars?

07:12:30Speaker, I don't know whether I should speak while there's yap-yap in my background. Should I continue?

07:12:40Councillors, can we can we allow the speaker to speak? But I also want you, before you carry on, to withdraw the word liars. Cause I think yesterday we had a discussion, a long discussion on the word of liars. If you want more information, you can you can ask MMC Tshwaku, he knows we had a drill yesterday with that word, liars.

07:13:09So, can you please withdraw and then continue? We need to carry on.

07:13:13I withdraw, Speaker.

07:13:14Thank you. Carry on with your speech.

07:13:15isiXhosaNdizoyibeka ngoluhlobo: zongxaka ichibi into ezima phezu kwecingo.

07:13:25Leila Khaled is alive and well, kicking. The only thing that has stopped us naming

07:13:31Councillor, there's hands. There's hands. Councillor Masindi, and get to the point. Mmbengwa, not long, get to the point.

07:13:51Check another mic.

07:14:00TshivendaNne ndikho humbela vho Speaker thi, ri songo semana nga nyambo dzashu ngori vhone vho Speaker vha do pfi zwine muthu a khou amba zwone. Zwino zwine nda khou amba zwone nda khou humbula uri mini, hoyu Zigebe zwine a khou amba zwone ndi vhushuvhuru.

07:14:12Councillor Masindi, that doesn't help me. Councillor Masindi, that doesn't help me as the Speaker. Councillor Zigebe, can you carry on? You have withdrawn, so just carry on, don't repeat.

07:14:29isiXhosaAkusebenzi, Madam Speaker, kodwa ke siyidlulisile inyani apho ingakhoyo. I-public participation apha yenziwa emva kokuba nivumile into yokuba mayiye kwi-public participation, khange ibonwe before.

07:14:43It says something about your table, Speaker, and yourself having allowed this motion to come here. It says

07:14:51isiXhosainto yokuba kukhona umsebenzi ongenzekanga, kwagqitywa kuzothiwa thina asiwenzanga umsebenzi. Mhlekazi, andithethanga nge-1 Rand mna, ndithethe nge-Wolmarans. Oyena mntu uxakekileyo nobhidekileyo ngumcimbi nguwe, ungandifaki kulonto leyo. Ungakulinge uzondilanduka. Ndithi ke ngoku, Speaker, ndizakucela le Council ukuba

07:15:11Can you can you please take your seat?

07:15:14AfrikaansRaadslid Zigebe, Raadslid Zigebe, jy het nou besluit om nie deur my te praat nie, om net met raadslede te praat en jy praat nie deur my nie.

07:15:27Councillor Belinda.

07:15:33AfrikaansGeagte Speaker, ek is baie bekommerd. Ek is vreeslik, vreeslik

07:15:39AfrikaansKan jy harder praat asseblief?

07:15:41AfrikaansEk is vreeslik bekommerd, Madam Speaker. 'n Paar maande gelede het ons gevra, Madam Speaker, wanneer gaan die vertaling reggemaak word? Nou sit ons met 'n situasie waar mense met mekaar baklei in 'n taal wat niemand regtig verstaan nie, dis net die mense wat daai taal praat wat verstaan. Dis hoekom ek vra, asseblief. Kan u asseblief, kan u asseblief vir my net sê wanneer, hoe lank gaan dit vat sodat die sisteem kan werk sodat ons almal mekaar kan verstaan.

07:16:13isiZuluMasindi, khuluma isiVenda!

07:16:15AfrikaansWant ek dink dit gaan baie misverstande,

07:16:18Thank you.

07:16:19Order, Speaker. Order.

07:16:21Thank you. Thank you, Councillor. Thank you, Councillor Belinda. Colleagues, colleagues, I allowed Councillor Belinda to do what she did, reason being, and she's right, we have said we will have translation, and we haven't had that. But she is quite right. No, no, no. Councillor Zitha, can you listen to me? No. Sorry, the one next to

07:16:47Sorry, Councillor Zitha, the councillor next to you. I've allowed Councillor Belinda to do what she did, because we are having people speaking in languages that I do not understand, and I cannot rule on that. So, Councillor Zigebe, address us in English.

07:17:13isiXhosaHayi, Speaker, uyayimosha ke ngoku.

07:17:15No.

07:17:16isiXhosaWena, Speaker, kule Council uthetha i-Afrikaans wena.

07:17:27Councillor Zigebe, can you finish? Can you get done, Councillor Zigebe? Switch on your mic. You have 40 seconds left. Councillor Belinda.

07:17:43AfrikaansJy kan nie weer,

07:17:44no, no, no. Councillor Belinda, no. Councillor Zigebe, can you come in? No, no, no, Councillor Belinda, that is what causes the chaos. Councillor Zigebe, please. Go to the, ja, please.

07:17:59isiXhosaIilwimi zethu nenkcubeko yethu nobuntu bethu athi nomoya wethu awuzukutyekezelwa phantsi, yilento ke le motion izama ukuyenza into yokuba imbuyiselo yama-Afrika ingoku

07:18:12and

07:18:13isiXhosaizakwenzeka. Siyabulela.

Vote on Motion 2 and points of order

07:18:14Thank you, 20 seconds. Can we go voting? Can we go voting? It's closed. The proposer has closed. It's closed. The proposer has closed it. Those who abstain, can we see your hands? Those who abstain?

07:18:49Those who say no?

07:18:54isiZuluBonke!

07:19:02United.

07:19:04isiZuluMnganami, lomuntu usaphila. Lo usaphila mnganami lomuntu.

07:19:21Hell no.

07:19:24isiXhosaUzeneke.

07:19:26They were not supporting

07:19:28isiXhosaUzeneke.

07:19:31You don't have to count us, just count those ones who did not raise their hands. Just count the three that are not voting.

07:19:43Speaker, the motion carries, please.

07:19:46MMC, raise your hand. MMC, raise your hand.

07:19:49270 minus 3.

07:19:52Only three hands.

07:19:57isiZuluInkomo ingazala umuntu.

07:20:02isiXhosaAkukho zwi lethu apha ozakubizwa ngesitrato.

07:20:15SepediMara le bona maan.

07:20:16Speaker, it's a two-thirds majority.

07:20:29Approve the screen.

07:20:34isiXhosaAzinanyani tshomi.

07:21:36Colleagues, you can drop your hands. Can we have the yeses? Okay, five again.

07:21:52Send the counters. Send the counters.

07:21:55isiXhosaAsiqali, siyayazi le ndlela.

07:21:58We know this road, we've been here before.

07:22:01You can count with your one hand.

07:22:08We have been here before.

07:22:13For you, well done.

07:22:14isiZuluBuyiselani i-100 000 yabantu.

07:22:30You may lower your hands.

07:22:34SepediTšea ba tla re fa the way.

07:22:36Speaker.

07:22:38Councillor Tefu, I don't know, Raphadu, I don't know how you voting, cause there's only three ways.

07:22:44Count Belinda also.

07:22:45There's only no, yes, and abstain. Councillor Raphadu, wait, wait. Those that abstained was zero. Those that said no, those that said yes was five. Those that said no was 226. The item is not carried. Councillor Raphadu.

07:23:11isiXhosaIyabuya,

07:23:12Speaker.

07:23:14Councillor Zigebe, can you oh. Councillor Raphadu.

07:23:17Speaker. Yes, Rule 72, a point of order, Madam Speaker. Councillor Zigebe is a resident in my ward, and this kind of embarrassment does not go

07:23:28Thank you, Councillor Belinda.

07:23:33You must fix this thing, so that we

07:23:39Councillor Belinda.

07:23:40Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm standing on the rules of

07:23:42Colleagues, can we please, I can't hear.

07:23:45I'm standing on Rule 73, because you misquoted me, and it's a personal explanation. I did not say that people should speak in English. I asked that you please urgently I asked that you give a time frame on when the translations will be done, so there's no insults in different languages that nobody understands, so we can have cohesion in this house, and it will help with the decorum.

07:24:15That is what I asked. I did not say nobody should speak in their language, it's protected by the Constitution.

07:24:21Thank you, Councillor Belinda. Once again, I couldn't hear everything that you said because of the noises, so I wouldn't even want to repeat what you said. Thank you, colleagues. Let's go to the next item.

Announcements and recess

07:24:35We are now on announcements.

07:24:39Colleagues, the next item or the announcement is, there is no recess, cause we did not vote accordingly today, so there won't be recess, so we will remain working and enjoy working. That was just on a lighter note. We are on recess as of today, and I hope that you enjoy yourselves. For those of you that celebrate Easter, may you have a good and a holy weekend.

07:25:10I thank you.

07:25:13Love you, Speaker.

07:25:16isiZuluBathi sikushaya ngoba wakhetha ipolitiki.

07:25:29isiZuluHhayi uyosixolela makhelwane.