Thursday, 21 May 2026 · 1 h 33 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
50th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting
AI draft.Written by AI from the livestream and not yet checked by a person. Use the timestamps to check anything before you quote it.
- Budget and finances
- Services, housing and development
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (3)
- ◯Quorum count (1)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (2)
Chapters, decisions and procedure are AI drafts from the livestream; topic tags are AI judgments (a chapter with several shows its strongest). Services, housing and development covers water, electricity, roads, housing, waste, safety, health, planning and community facilities.
Council did not approve a loan agreement with KfW for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial years, the item tabled by the Executive Mayor at this extraordinary sitting. 00:31:18 01:27:13 The Speaker announced 5 abstentions, 94 against and 129 in favour, short of the 136 votes a finance item needs; she first gave the threshold as 137. 01:27:13
The ANC, ATM and UDM backed the roughly R3.8 billion loan, the UDM with conditions, while ActionSA rejected it and the DA said it could not support it. 00:40:28 00:40:35 00:44:43 00:49:23 00:58:54 01:01:51 The ACDP abstained, the IFP and PA noted the report, and the DA and ACDP objected that annexures were unsigned and Treasury positions were missing. 00:32:23 00:36:01 00:37:15 00:49:23 MMC Masuku called the loan concessional, affordable, compliant and strategic, and accused the DA and ActionSA of opposing investment in infrastructure. 01:05:45
Before the vote, the Speaker refused an ANC request for a 10-minute caucus break, ruling that such breaks are granted at or just after tabling, not once debate has ended. 01:11:22
Early in the meeting, the Speaker adjourned for about 10 minutes to count councillors and confirm a quorum, with Legal reporting 186 on the register outside. 00:16:49 In closing, the Speaker said Section 79 committees were not quorate, told councillors they must attend committees and sittings, and announced budget meetings on the 27th and 28th. 01:30:00
AI draft from the record of this sitting (Claude Opus 5.5), checked against the chapters; every sentence links to the moment. Report an error
This week in council: Council rejects KfW loan: 129 for, 94 against, short of the 136 votes needed
In brief
- 3 decisions: 2 rejected, 1 noted or other.
- 1 promise on record, including: Hold the budget meeting on the 27th and 28th and distribute the related documents to councillors in due course.
- 1 quorum count.
- 30 apologies read out. Sound or equipment problem: 2; Warned or stopped by the chair: 2; Not present when called: 1.
Chapters
20What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:06:19
Assembly and seating of councillors
Before the formal start, councillors are asked to take their seats so the day's business can begin. There is informal chatter in the chamber while the meeting is prepared.
Report an error - 00:15:23
Notice of meeting and opening acknowledgments
The meeting notice is read out and the Speaker opens the sitting. She acknowledges the Executive Mayor, the Deputy Executive Mayor, the Chief Whip, the City Manager, the Secretary to Council and others. The notice as transcribed gives the 15th extraordinary meeting, dated 29 May 2026.
Report an error - 00:16:49
Break to verify quorum
The Speaker adjourns for about 10 minutes so councillors in the chamber can be counted and the second register checked to confirm a quorum. Legal staff report 186 on the register outside. Counting continues amid movement in the chamber, and the sitting resumes at about 00:27.
Report an error - 00:27:09
Applications for leave of absence
Party representatives table apologies for absent councillors, citing ill health, party or private business, study leave, bereavement and religious observance. The Speaker also reads out written apologies and asks that they be noted.
ArnoldsAICSimonsePAMakhubaIFPMaseraDANdlelaANCMkhonzaACDPDe LangeFF+MkasiEFF
Report an error - 00:31:18
Item 1 tabled: KfW loan agreement
The Executive Mayor tables the recommendations to council. The Secretary to Council reads Item 1, the request for approval to enter into a loan agreement with KfW for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial years. The Speaker stops a councillor who rose to speak before the item had been tabled.
Report an error - 00:32:23
ACDP debate on Item 1
Cllr Mkhonza says the ACDP regards the KfW loan as good debt in principle. He objects that the Annexure C letter to the province is unsigned and that the comments do not give the positions of the province and National Treasury. He also points to the Finance Minister's letter of 23 April. The ACDP will abstain. During his speech the Speaker has protocol check on a person using a phone at the back.
Report an error - 00:36:01
IFP and AIC positions on Item 1
The IFP notes the report, recalling that council agreed a multi-year funding plan on 29 May 2025. The AIC rises to note and approve the report.
Report an error - 00:37:15
PA position on Item 1
The PA councillor, after a mix-up over whether Cllr Ponsonby was present, speaks about unmet ward and service delivery needs. He cites the Kliptown project, sewer pipes and debt collection against pensioners. The PA notes the report and calls for a debt write-off.
Report an error - 00:40:28
- 00:40:35
ANC position on Item 1 (Cllr Radebe)
The ANC supports the loan, describing it as concessional and aimed at energy transition and strengthening electricity infrastructure. He says it builds relationships with development banks and will be monitored by the German side. He calls on all councillors to approve it.
Report an error - 00:44:43
ActionSA rejects the loan
Cllr Nkonyeni says ActionSA rejects the roughly R3.8 billion loan, arguing the city lacks accountability and should report on its existing loans. He cites potholes, outages and tariff increases. Cllr Mnyameni interjects that he never spoke to the councillor as alleged, and the Speaker asks the speaker to continue.
Also discussed: Item 1 debate: ActionSA rejects the loan (18 June 2025) · Item 1 debate: ANC and MMC Finance support (18 June 2025) · ACDP opposes the KfW loan (26 May 2026)
Report an error - 00:49:23
DA position on Item 1
Cllr Santana says councillors received late notice of the meeting and questions the city's compliance with MFMA sections 71 and 52(d). He sets out the loan terms and points out that Annexure G is unsigned, that no Treasury responses are attached, and that the documents are inconsistent on quarterly versus semi-annual repayments. The DA cannot support the loan until council is informed of the city's and City Power's financial position.
Report an error - 00:54:35
EFF position on Item 1
The EFF says it supports investment in City Power but rejects presenting long-term borrowing as financial strength. It notes the 15-year facility of about R3.8 billion, interest of up to 9% and an upfront fee of about R19 million. It says debt cannot replace clean governance and revenue collection.
Report an error - 00:58:54
UDM position on Item 1
The UDM supports the loan in principle, saying infrastructure investment is needed. It says support is not a blank cheque and sets conditions on revenue collection, action on electricity theft, measurable operational reforms and visible outcomes.
Report an error - 01:01:51
ANC position on Item 1 (Cllr Modupi)
Cllr Modupi endorses Cllr Radebe's position, with a personal story about growing up with government support. He says the loan will stabilise electricity infrastructure and be ring-fenced and monitored. He urges residents to vote ANC and avoid coalitions in November, and moves for approval.
Report an error - 01:05:45
Deputy Mayor/MMC Finance responds on Item 1
MMC Masuku thanks supporting parties and says the loan is concessional, affordable, compliant and strategic. He accuses the DA and ActionSA of opposing investment in infrastructure, and says the city has presented Section 71 reports. He asks council to approve the loan, after a brief exchange with a DA councillor, Belinda.
MasukuANC
Report an error - 01:11:22
Dispute over ANC request for a caucus break
After the debate, Cllr Ndlela asks for a 10-minute ANC caucus break, and an MMC argues one was allowed before. The Speaker rules that caucus breaks are granted when an item is tabled or just after, but not once debate has run or ended. She refers to having sought legal advice. MMC Mgcina and Cllr Kunene also speak on the point, and the Speaker says she will carry on.
NdlelaANCArnoldsAICMgcinaANCKunenePA
Report an error - 01:16:26
Voting on Item 1
The Speaker rings the bell so absent councillors can return, then closes the doors and calls for a show of hands on abstentions, noes and yeses. There are exchanges over councillors pointing and noise in the chamber while hands are counted.
Report an error - 01:27:13
Result: KfW loan item not carried
The Speaker announces 5 abstentions, 94 against and 129 in favour. The item is not carried because a finance item needs 136 votes (she first said 137). She reads the Municipal Council provisions on non-delegable functions, including the raising of loans, and the quorum rule.
Report an error - 01:30:00
Closing remarks and adjournment
The Speaker says it is disappointing that Section 79 committees are not quorate and that whips did not know about leave-of-absence letters. She says no directive to disestablish council has been given, so councillors must attend committees and sittings. She announces budget meetings on the 27th and 28th and tells Cllr Santana he received the memo on the 14th. She adjourns the meeting.
Report an error
Promises
1Commitments with a date, an amount or a 'we will'.
On 5 November 2026 (when this page was built): 0 overdue, 0 due in the next 30 days, 1 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
No dateMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
01:31:57· by in due course· Report an error
Latest: Said done at a later sitting, 28 May 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 3 later sittings
“the budget meeting will be on the 27th and the 28th. The related documents will be distributed in due course.”
- Done, they sayNotice of meeting and opening · 27 May 2026 · and 1 more moment that day
- In progressAnnouncements and closure · 27 May 2026
- Done, they sayOpening of the sitting and moment of silence · 28 May 2026 · and 1 more moment that day
Decisions
3What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:30:37
Applications for leave of absencenoted
The Speaker read the verbal and written apologies and asked whether they were noted, then moved on.
- 01:14:07
ANC request for a 10-minute caucus break after the debate on Item 1rejected
The Speaker ruled that caucus breaks are given when an item is tabled but not once discussion has run or ended, and proceeded to the vote.
- 01:27:13
Item 1: Request for approval to enter into a loan agreement with KfW (2025/26 to 2027/28)rejected
Five abstained, 94 voted no and 129 voted yes, short of the 136 votes needed for a finance item, so the item was not carried.
Attendance and conduct
35Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 30
- Ill health (12)
- Kaldine, Nyembe*, Chabalala, Roberts, Maila, Papo, Campbell-Cloete, Bittkau, Mgaga, Rohlssen, Ntoele, Ngwenya*
- Private business (6)
- Benjamin, Truluck, Koekemoer, Gert Niemand*, Mpolobosho, F. Abdool
- Bereavement (1)
- Nomoya Mnisi
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Sound or equipment problem 2
Warned or stopped by the chair 2
Not present when called 1
Transcript
233Every line, linked to the video.
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