Budget of R97.1 billion passes 139 for, 92 against; KfW loan carried 181 to 44

Budget vote and other items on 28 May

At the Budget Debate on 28 May 2026, council approved Item 3(a)-(d), the 2026/27 to 2028/29 medium-term budgets, by show of hands: 139 for, 92 against, 1 abstention. 28 May 04:09:57 Cllr Masuku, the MMC Finance, asked council to approve the R97.1 billion budget, describing it as pro-poor and reform-oriented. 28 May 04:08:00 Cllr Niemand asked under Rule 84 that the DA's opposition to the unfunded 2026/27 budget be recorded and its rights reserved. 28 May 04:23:33 Before the budget vote there were disputes about late entries and an open door, and the chair scolded ActionSA members for being outside after the bell. 28 May 04:09:57

Council agreed Item 1, the 2026/27 IDP Review and business plans, and Cllr Smit asked that FF Plus's dissent be noted under Rule 84. 28 May 04:57:56 Item 2 (the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan), Item 4 (a Standard Bank banking services agreement) and Item 7 (Ombudsman recruitment and acting arrangements) were agreed. 28 May 05:52:09 28 May 06:01:35 28 May 06:03:12 On Item 7, ActionSA said it rejects recommendation five, the extension of an acting arrangement. 28 May 06:03:12

Item 8, the appointment of a Group Head Communications and Marketing, was agreed; Cllr Kgeletsane said the DA rejects it, and FF Plus recorded a Rule 84 objection. 28 May 06:07:31 28 May 06:17:21 Item 6, the 2024/25 Group Integrated Annual Report, was noted and referred to MPAC, and Items 3(e) and 5 were withdrawn. 28 May 04:23:58 28 May 03:35:41

Promises from the MMC Finance and Executive Mayor

Cllr Masuku, the MMC Finance, said the financial turnaround framework would come back to Council before the end of June after consulting National Treasury. 28 May 04:08:00 promise Cllr Masuku committed to publicly reporting JOSHCO's maintenance backlog figure by the end of quarter one. 28 May 03:08:01 promise

Executive Mayor Cllr Morero confirmed an 8% maintenance budget and ring-fencing of revenue from the water business from 1 July 2026. 28 May 03:18:03 promise promise Executive Mayor Cllr Morero said the City would honour 30-day payment to suppliers in the next financial year. 28 May 03:18:03 promise

KfW loan at the extra-ordinary meeting

The 51st Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting on 26 May 2026 had one item: approval to enter into a loan agreement with KfW in the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial years. 26 May 00:17:06 After a formal vote, the KfW loan item was carried with 181 yes votes, 44 no votes and 0 abstentions. 26 May 01:05:29 Cllr Harris said the ACDP would not support the KfW loan, citing R616 million in interest, a R17.5 million upfront cost and a R16 billion City Power overdraft. 26 May 00:41:27 MMC Masuku said the KfW loan is concessional and ring-fenced for City Power under KfW conditions in Annexures 2 and 8. 26 May 01:01:36

Power failure, caucus breaks and R500 fines

The Budget Debate was adjourned for 10 minutes while IT dealt with a power problem in the chamber. 28 May 00:02:46 The Speaker granted ActionSA a 30-minute caucus break instead of the requested hour, citing the fragile electrical system. 28 May 00:43:40 At the Budget Debate, Cllr Da Rocha raised a point of order alleging the Speaker was biased over a belt incident the previous day. 28 May 00:02:46 The Speaker directed MMC Kunene to apologise for the belt incident and said misconduct would be charged at R500 per councillor. 28 May 00:24:32 promise

At the 51st Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting, a 15-minute caucus requested by the Chief Whip ran over time. 26 May 00:17:54 At the 51st Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting, the PA withdrew a request for a 30-minute caucus when the Speaker offered only 15 minutes. 26 May 00:40:05 During the KfW loan vote, the Speaker warned of a R500 fine for using a camera in the chamber. 26 May 01:05:29 promise