Acting City Manager Makola ratified 139 for, 60 against after vote is repeated

Acting City Manager vote repeated over tally

At the 34th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting on 17 January 2025, the first show-of-hands vote on the acting City Manager item was announced as 139 for, 81 against and 40 abstaining. 17 Jan 01:31:10 MMC Arnolds pointed out that the first tally on the acting City Manager item added up to 260, against 240 councillors recorded in the chamber. 17 Jan 01:31:10 17 Jan 01:47:46 In the second vote, council ratified Mr Makola as acting City Manager by 139 for, 60 against and 41 abstaining, with the Speaker saying the numbers added to 242. 17 Jan 01:57:02 The DA recorded its dissent under Rule 84 on both votes on the acting City Manager item. 17 Jan 01:31:10 17 Jan 01:57:02

After the second vote, MMC Arnolds said the figures added to 240, not 242, and noted that two councillors had gone to smoke. 17 Jan 02:14:00

Debate on Section 54A and recruitment

Cllr Christians (DA) argued that Section 54A requires council, not the executive, to appoint an acting municipal manager, and said the DA would propose amendments. 17 Jan 00:51:03 Cllr Echeozonjoku (DA) said the court ruling invalidated Mr Brink's appointment and objected to the report being for noting without a recruitment process recommendation. 17 Jan 01:03:14 Cllr Lebatlang (ActionSA) asked that recommendation three be removed and recruitment of a permanent city manager added, saying ActionSA could not support the report as it stood. 17 Jan 01:08:11

Cllr Harris (ACDP), Cllr Boer (FF+), Cllr Magwentshu (ATM) and Cllr Raseruthe (EFF) spoke in support of Mr Makola's appointment. 17 Jan 00:51:03 17 Jan 00:57:53 17 Jan 01:08:11 17 Jan 01:14:02 Cllr Raphadu (ANC) used a Cinderella analogy to criticise the DA's court case over Mr Brink's appointment and said the ANC supports Mr Makola's appointment. 17 Jan 01:17:44 Cllr Magwentshu (ATM) called on the Executive Mayor to appoint a permanent city manager within two months. 17 Jan 01:08:11

MMC Masuku said recommendation two ratifies the acting City Manager appointment while recommendation three caps it at three months. 17 Jan 01:25:26 MMC Masuku cited the 2013 council delegations giving the Executive Mayor authority to appoint an acting city manager, and suggested a review through the Section 79 oversight committee. 17 Jan 01:25:26 MMC Masuku said the executive would bring a report to start the process of appointing a permanent City Manager. promise

Caucus break, quorum and opening

The 34th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting opened with a moment of silence for Cllr Nonkumbi, Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee, who died during recess. 17 Jan 00:00:00 Legal reported 172 councillors present at the 34th Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting, so quorum was confirmed. 17 Jan 00:01:47

Before the acting City Manager item, the Speaker granted all caucuses a 30-minute break at ActionSA's request, over the objection of Cllr Boer (FF+). 17 Jan 00:10:36 The DA's Cllr Christians disputed the Speaker's ruling on the caucus break and asked that the objection be sent to the Rules Committee. 17 Jan 00:10:36 The Speaker reminded councillors that the Ordinary Council meeting is scheduled for 30 January 2025. 17 Jan 02:19:38