Election 2026
The 2021–2026 council on the record
Two kinds of evidence, kept separate. The City's own signed minutes are the official record of who attended and how votes went. Our transcripts of the livestreams show what was said, but cover only 10 sitting days so far and are AI drafts.
From the signed minutes
65 meetings26 January 2023 to 20 March 2026. Counted facts, linked to the minutes.
- Absences without leave
- 143
- Leaves of absence
- 1 174
- Counted votes
- 86
- 29 defeated · 963 decided without a count
- Motions
- 108
- 31 adopted · 23 rejected · 22 withdrawn
Most absences without leave
Councillors with at least 10 meetings in the minutes; not listed as present or excused while on council.
- 1Garry RamaruDA5of 62
- 2M M Nyaqela3of 27
- 3Louis Mamoloko MasogaActionSA3of 64
- 4Florence Cheryl RobertsDA3of 64
- 5Thapelo AmadAl Jama-ah3of 65
- 6Nkhobo KhomongoeANC2of 29
- 7Jacob Dinkwanyana AphaneActionSA2of 36
- 8Ramatamo Joseph SehoaiActionSA2of 36
- 9L J HarmanDA2of 49
- 10Z JainoodeenActionSA2of 55
Dissent recorded in counted votes
Parties the minutes record as dissenting, across 86 counted votes.
- DA23
- FF+4
- ActionSA3
Defeated in a counted vote (29; newest 8)
- Motion on the vote of no confidence against the whip of council, councillor Sithembiso Zungu · 25 June 2025 · 69 for, 179 against minutes
- Motion of the vote of no confidence in the executive mayor, cllr Sello Enoch ‘Dada’ Morero · 25 June 2025 · 75 for, 144 against minutes
- Motion recommending for the provision of adequate water, sanitation and electricity in doornkop ext 4, in ward 50, in the city of Johannesburg · 26 March 2025 · 36 for, 142 against minutes
- Motion recommending the executive to reclaim the hijacked goudrand hall in matholesville ward 127 region c and turn it in to family units. · 13 March 2025 · 36 for, 134 against minutes
- Motion to rescind the approval of the motion to rename Sandton drive to leila khaled · 13 March 2025 · 61 for, 170 against minutes
- The city conducts a feasibility study into the possibility of re-commissioning the kite street water tower to allow residents to have basic access to water without restrictions. · 29 August 2024 · 58 for, 157 against minutes
- Comprehensive internal audit of water meters and valves in areas affected by water shedding · 29 August 2024 · 59 for, 142 against minutes
- To enforce the use of professional email signatures for all councillors and city employees · 29 August 2024 · 67 for, 159 against minutes
From the transcribed sittings
10 days26 May 2026 to 30 September 2026. AI drafts from the livestreams; each item links to the second.
- Questions to the executive
- 4
- 1 answered · 3 partly · 0 not (AI-judged)
- Promises made
- 84
- 16 raised again later
- Walkouts
- 1
- 3 adjourned with business unfinished
- Absent for own item (MMCs, Mayor, committee chairs)
- 28
Questions by who replied · Every promise · Moments · How council runs
Based on 10 of this term's sitting days, so these are not term totals. Verdicts and follow-ups are AI judgments; listen to the moment before relying on one.
Changeover to the new council
43 itemsThe local election was held on 4 November 2026. What the outgoing executive left open, and what parties said on the floor they would do in government. AI drafts of what was said; each links to the second.
Open promises the next administration inherits (35)
Made by the outgoing Executive Mayor, Deputy Mayor or an MMC in a transcribed sitting (26 May 2026 to 30 September 2026), with the date passed or no date given, and no later sitting or City statement we found saying it was done. Overdue first.
- 03:52:58
Overdue by 96 days Jack Sekwaila (MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services): Carry out an operation with SAPS and Home Affairs to cut off illegal electricity connections in Alexandra.
22 July 2026 · said: the coming week
- 06:17:47
Overdue by 35 days Mlungisi Mabaso (MMC for Human Settlements): Relocate the Maxwell Court residents to Fleurhof.
22 July 2026 · said: September
- 03:11:57
Overdue by 35 days Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): Publicly report JOSHCO's maintenance backlog figure.
28 May 2026 · said: end of quarter one
- 00:42:15
Overdue by 33 days Dada Morero (Executive Mayor): The Executive Mayor will engage taxi associations, JMPD and other bylaw enforcers on women's safety, responding to the President's call.
30 September 2026 · said: Friday
- 00:22:06
Overdue by 4 days Eunice Mgcina (MMC for Development Planning): The department commits to completing the New Turffontein Clinic project by the end of September, October at the latest.
27 August 2026 · said: End of September 2026 (October latest)
- 00:32:21
No date Dada Morero (Executive Mayor): The Executive Mayor will update council and residents as the PFA implementation is finalised.
30 September 2026
- 04:30:33
No date Jack Sekwaila (MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services): The MMC will follow up on the lack of water in the area raised by Cllr Mkasi and have a team assess what is happening, such as a pressure issue.
30 September 2026
- 04:45:22
No date Mlungisi Mabaso (MMC for Human Settlements): The Human Settlements department is developing a system and database to manage movement in informal settlements and deal with people owning more than one shack.
30 September 2026
- 08:21:02
No date Eunice Mgcina (MMC for Development Planning): Councillors' concerns on the disaster management items will be escalated to the responsible MMC so that he responds to councillors.
30 September 2026
- 09:36:20
No date Eunice Mgcina (MMC for Development Planning): The proposed trading designation of Lilian Ngoyi Street is placed on hold pending further stakeholder engagement.
30 September 2026
- 01:18:57
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): The executive will add the supplementary information requested on the Academy for Chartered Accountants policy and bring it back to council.
27 August 2026
- 01:42:24
No date Ennie Makhafola (MMC for Health and Social Development): The city will keep escalating the Zola Clinic complaints with the province, which runs the clinic.
27 August 2026
- 06:03:14
No date Thapelo Amad (MMC for Community Development): MMC Amad will pass the councillors' inputs on the Item 5 by-laws to MMC Kunene.
26 August 2026
- 06:35:10
No date Jack Sekwaila (MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services): MMC Sekwaila undertook to ensure the GEF grant money is spent in line with its mission.
26 August 2026
- 07:42:40
No date Nomoya Mnisi (MMC for Economic Development): MMC Mnisi said the environmental and other studies on the Fairland properties will be done once council authorises the transaction.
26 August 2026
- 08:36:51
No date Nomoya Mnisi (MMC for Economic Development): MMC Mnisi will keep working with the JDA, JPC and others to identify opportunities and strengthen the investment pipeline in high-unemployment areas.
26 August 2026
- 01:03:31
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): The executive will accelerate implementation of the audit action plans.
30 July 2026
- 01:06:00
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): The executive will fast-track disciplinary cases and investigations.
30 July 2026
- 03:14:51
No date Nomoya Mnisi (MMC for Economic Development): Corrective measures will be implemented to improve the Economic Development portfolio's performance.
22 July 2026
- 04:26:45
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): Respond, via the administration, to a written question on specific service-provider payments.
22 July 2026
- 05:49:44
No date Ennie Makhafola (MMC for Health and Social Development): Roll out the electronic patient health record system to 14 more clinics.
22 July 2026 · said: in the coming few months
- 06:18:46
No date Mlungisi Mabaso (MMC for Human Settlements): Table a report on the future of council rental units (CRUs) to the Mayoral Committee.
22 July 2026
- 07:16:08
No date Ennie Makhafola (MMC for Health and Social Development): Relay councillors' Public Safety comments to MMC Koma.
22 July 2026
- 01:31:43
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): The city will begin the actual public participation on the Municipal Planning By-law review only after 4 November.
25 June 2026 · said: After 4 November 2026
- 02:47:57
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): EISD will submit quarterly progress reports on the biogas project to Council.
25 June 2026 · said: Quarterly
- 02:48:31
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): Monitoring and reporting on biogas project milestones will be provided, including to the Section 79 committee.
25 June 2026
- 05:39:11
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): After stakeholder consultation on the Auckland Park student precinct, the matter will come back to council for approval.
25 June 2026
- 06:13:23
No date Thapelo Amad (MMC for Community Development): MMC Amad committed to identify and address the concerns raised by councillors in the Community Development debate.
25 June 2026
- 08:23:24
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): The Acting Executive Mayor committed to strengthen procurement compliance controls, improve planning and contract management, and start procurement processes on time.
25 June 2026
- 08:32:05
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): The Acting Executive Mayor committed to promote more competition in strategic procurement, monitor contract implementation and supplier performance, and regularly review procurement outcomes.
25 June 2026
- 01:15:30
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): The city will set up dedicated workstreams between City Power and Eskom on turnaround actions, loss reduction, metering and City Power's financial sustainability.
24 June 2026
- 07:15:59
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): Expedite the loyalty reward scheme policy so it goes through the committees, Section 79 and governance structures before coming to council for approval.
24 June 2026
- 03:09:29
No date Loyiso Masuku (Deputy Executive Mayor, MMC for Finance): Link entity CEOs' and Section 56 managers' performance to measurable turnaround targets.
28 May 2026
- 03:33:07
No date Dada Morero (Executive Mayor): Confirmed an 8% maintenance budget.
28 May 2026
- 03:34:39
No date Dada Morero (Executive Mayor): Support the Central Methodist Church so its dignity can be restored in Small Street.
28 May 2026
What parties said they would do in government (8)
Results have not been declared yet, so no party is shown as governing. Once the new council elects its Executive Mayor, pledges by the parties in government will be listed first. Picked by hand from the AI-drafted promises: pledges about governing, not oversight or protest.
ActionSA
- 01:32:37
Xulu: If ActionSA returns to government under Herman Mashaba, it will rebuild a capable administration with clean governance, professional public service, stronger financial controls and consequence management.
“we are going to rebuild a capable administration founded on clean governance” · 24 June 2026
- 02:40:29
Xulu: ActionSA will implement the UIFW prevention strategy decisively if it enters government after the 4 November election.
“when ActionSA enters government after the 4th of November, we are going to implement it.” · 24 June 2026
- 05:43:49
Moshapo: ActionSA promises to pay service providers on time and direct Health and Social Development funds to where they are needed most.
“We will pay our service providers on time.” · 22 July 2026
- 06:28:39
Aphane: ActionSA promises to recruit 1,500 additional JMPD officers over a term of office, about 300 a year.
“ActionSA will recruit 1,500 additional JMPD officers over a term of office” · 22 July 2026
DA
- 03:05:57
Christians: The DA says it will fix the ward committee policy problems if it takes over governance after the November elections.
“When we come in after November, we'll fix it.” · 25 June 2026
- 06:35:16
Marais: A DA-led government would ensure city officials cooperate with law enforcement on corruption cases.
“A Democratic Alliance government will ensure that every official cooperates with law enforcement authorities” · 22 July 2026
- 00:42:28
Suddaby: If elected, a DA-led council will demand a full account of all outstanding MPAC and Section 79 committee resolutions.
“A DA-led council will require a full account of every outstanding resolution” · 30 July 2026