Thursday, 3 July 2025 · 5 h 15 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
41st 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.
- Governance and appointments
- Budget and finances
- Services, housing and development
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (12)
- ◯Quorum count (1)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (5)
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.
Summary
Cllr Margaret Arnolds (AIC) was elected Speaker of Council with 137 of 210 valid votes, ahead of Cllr Christians (DA) with 68 and Cllr Zigebe with 5. 01:35:56 04:44:46 The IEC ran the secret ballot, in which 249 ballots were cast and 39 were spoiled. 01:15:07 04:44:46
The extraordinary sitting was called to fill the vacancy created by the 25 June 2025 vote of no confidence in the former Speaker, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu. 00:00:01 01:04:56 Cllr Arnolds' resignation as MMC for Finance, effective immediately, was read into the record before the Regional Court President swore her in as Speaker. 05:01:55 05:04:19
Quorum was confirmed with 225 councillors present against 136 required, and breaks were granted for an ActionSA caucus and for the IEC to print ballot papers. 00:25:53 00:29:54 01:40:08 Cllr Raphadu (ANC) objected to an Al Jama-ah request for 15 more minutes of caucus time, and the chair continued with the election. 01:04:13 01:04:56
Cllr Nguse and Cllr Modupi (ANC) asked for the water tanker at the chamber to be released to wards without water; the presiding officer reported Johannesburg Water was adding two tankers per ward. 01:11:21 01:31:52
The new Speaker said council would sit at ten minutes before 10:00 and announced a further extraordinary meeting for business meant for 25 and 26 June. 05:09:58 05:12:41
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: Margaret Arnolds (AIC) elected Speaker with 137 of 210 valid votes; Christians 68
In brief
- 12 decisions: 8 approved, 3 noted or other, 1 deferred or withdrawn.
- 3 promises on record, including: Johannesburg Water will add two additional water tankers per ward, as reported by the presiding officer in response to councillors' water complaints.
- 1 quorum count.
- 19 apologies read out. Warned or stopped by the chair: 2; Sound or equipment problem: 6; Not present when called: 2.
Chapters
32What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:00:01
Welcome and register verification
The presiding officer welcomed attendees to the 41st extraordinary council meeting, called to elect a Speaker of council. Councillors were told about Rand Water maintenance affecting Braamfontein and the water tankers, mobile toilets and potable water provided. Whips were given 10 minutes to make sure their caucuses had signed the register.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:25:53
Quorum confirmed
The legal advisers counted councillors by register and in the chamber. The council has 270 councillors, with one ward vacancy after the death of Councillor Buthelezi, so quorum is 136. With 225 councillors present, quorum was confirmed and the meeting continued.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:27:10
Applications for leave of absence
Party representatives submitted apologies and late arrivals for their members, including the Executive Mayor, who was out of the country. The chair asked council whether the apologies were noted.
Avant-SmithHarrisACDPDe LangeFF+MposulaActionSADammieANCMogapiEFF
Report an error - 00:29:54
Start of Speaker election and ActionSA caucus break
The meeting moved to the election of the Speaker. ActionSA asked for a 30-minute caucus break, which was granted, with the meeting to reconvene at 11:05.
Report an error - 01:04:13
Resumption and Al Jama-ah request for extra caucus time
After the break the chair called for ActionSA's report back, and ActionSA said the meeting could proceed. Al Jama-ah asked for a further 15 minutes, and Councillor Raphadu objected because the process had already started. The chair continued with the process.
MposulaActionSAKaroliaAl Jama-ahRaphaduANC
Report an error - 01:04:56
Legal framework for electing the Speaker
The presiding officer noted the 25 June 2025 vote of no confidence in the former Speaker, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu, which created the vacancy. He read Section 36 of the Municipal Structures Act and Schedule 3: nomination forms, secret ballot, elimination of the lowest candidate, further meetings and determination by lot on a tie. He said the IEC had agreed to conduct the election.
1 unidentified
Also discussed: Item 7: Election of the Chief Whip – legal framework (28 August 2025)
Report an error - 01:11:21
Point of personal explanation on water tanker in chamber
Councillor Nguse rose under Rule 73 to appeal that the water tanker stationed at the council chambers be released to serve wards without water. The presiding officer said he had allowed the point in case it concerned technical issues and then continued reading the procedure.
Report an error - 01:15:07
IEC explains election procedure and nomination forms are collected
The IEC explained that nominations would be called first and the full procedure explained only if a vote were needed. Nomination forms were distributed and collected. The presiding officer asked the IEC to explain the procedure first: secret ballot, identification, party agents, roll call, three councillors voting at a time, indelible ink, special votes, 274 ballot papers and counting.
1 unidentified
Also discussed: Second-round process explained (28 August 2025) · Election of Whip of Council: procedure and IEC briefing (2 September 2025) · Confirmation and acceptance of the three candidates (28 August 2025)
Report an error - 01:31:52
Nominations announced, with a second water tanker intervention
The presiding officer announced three nominations, from the DA, UIM and ATM, and said the forms were in order. Councillor Modupi again raised the water tanker issue under Rule 73. The presiding officer reported that Johannesburg Water was adding two tankers per ward and restarted the nominations announcement.
Report an error - 01:35:56
Nominations read and accepted
Nominators, seconders and nominees read their nominations in turn. Cllr Alex Christians (DA), Cllr Margaret Arnolds (UIM/AIC nomination) and Cllr Yongama Zigebe (ATM) each accepted. Three candidates were therefore in the contest.
SifumbaDADeppeDAChristiansDAAbdoolUIMMhlongoAICArnoldsAICMagwentshuATMKaroliaAl Jama-ahZigebeUDM
Also discussed: Confirmation and acceptance of the three candidates (28 August 2025)
Report an error - 01:40:08
Break for printing of ballot papers
The presiding officer granted the IEC 30 minutes to print the ballot papers. The meeting was to reconvene at 12:15.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:00:00
Item 1: Section 71 MFMA report, quarter ended 31 December 2021 (MMC presentation)
The recording moves to agenda items for action, starting with Item 1, the Section 71 and 52D financial report for the second quarter ended 31 December 2021. The presenting MMC reported an operating surplus of R1.2 billion against a budget of R2.6 billion, with bulk electricity purchases R1.7 billion over budget. Capital expenditure was 30% of the R8.2 billion budget, and debtors totalled R39 billion. The report was submitted for noting.
1 unidentified
Also discussed: Item 3: MFMA in-year financial report to 31 July 2025 (30 October 2025) · Budget speech: headline figures (28 May 2025) · Item 51: MFMA In-Year Financial Report to 31 January 2025 (27 March 2025)
Report an error - 02:05:06
Item 1 debate: DA
Councillor Santana said the report largely reflects the previous administration and pointed to irregular expenditure of R166 million, under-collection, overspending and low capex. He highlighted City Power's bulk electricity overrun and a 39% compliance rate in paying suppliers within 30 days. The DA noted the report.
Also discussed: Item 70: EFF and ANC (24 June 2026) · ActionSA, DA and FF+ on Group Finance report (22 July 2026) · Items 1 and 2: DA on city finances (26 August 2026)
Report an error - 02:10:09
Item 1 debate: ANC
Councillor Morero commended the report as confirming sound financial management under the previous administration. He cited audit outcomes and cash balances under the ANC-led government. He said collection was dropping under the DA-led coalition and asked the executive to tighten expenditure controls and improve capex. The ANC noted the report.
Also discussed: Item 44: EFF commends report (30 September 2025)
Report an error - 02:14:35
Item 1 debate: EFF
The EFF speaker focused on City Power's R1.7 billion bulk purchase overrun, illegal connections and a smart metering contract. She called on the MMCs to investigate the contract and argued for subsidised tariffs and insourcing. The EFF noted the report.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:18:19
Item 1 debate: ActionSA
Councillor Coutriers said key indicators were below budget and pointed to R166 million irregular expenditure and failed revenue collection at the entities. He acknowledged that the multi-party government had inherited the problems and was only two months into its term. ActionSA noted and supported the report with its recommendations.
Also discussed: Items 1 and 2: DA on city finances (26 August 2026) · Item 12: ActionSA and DA on unauthorized expenditure (30 October 2025) · DA on Section 71 reports (25 June 2026)
Report an error - 02:21:30
Item 1 debate: IFP
The IFP speaker noted the report and hoped for more spending as the government stabilises. She urged the executive to address unauthorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure and to prioritise informal settlements, hostels and townships. The IFP supported the report.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:23:05
Item 1 debate: Freedom Front Plus
The FF+ speaker, mostly in Afrikaans, said the report should be read together with the adjustment budget report. He pointed to overspending of R1.2 billion, R39.1 billion owed by residents and capital underspending, and to decaying infrastructure. He supported the recommendations on page 1.3.
1 unidentified
Also discussed: Item 1 debate: ACDP and Freedom Front Plus oppose (18 June 2025) · Debate on the sinking fund report; item 52 noted (13 March 2025) · Item 56 (with 56A, 56B, 56C): Freedom Front Plus opposes the adjustment budget (27 February 2025)
Report an error - 02:25:14
Item 1 debate: AIC
Councillor Arnolds commended the previous GLU administration and criticised City Power's overspend on bulk electricity and unrepaired transformers. She also raised level two and three posts, the redeployment of water tankers and delays in restoring water at hospitals. She was asked to wrap up and noted the report.
Report an error - 02:28:11
Item 1 debate: Al Jama-ah
The Al Jama-ah speaker said residents suffer while parties blame each other, and that it is unfair to hold the new administration to account for a period in which it had just come in. He welcomed the report and the recommendation on curbing overspending, and noted blackouts in Roodepoort. He urged the administration to fix what is broken.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:35:31
Party agents nominated for the Speaker election
The acting chair asked political parties to nominate or confirm party agents to monitor voting. The ANC, IFP, PA and EFF each named an agent, as did the AIC and the DA. Later the minorities' agent was added.
DammieANCMakhubaIFPMogapiEFFAvant-Smith
Also discussed: Voting stage opens and party agents are appointed (28 August 2025)
Report an error - 02:38:25
Voting process opened and requests for early votes
The chair confirmed the IEC had printed the ballot papers and voting would commence. Councillors asked to vote first because of ill health, and Cllr Avant-Smith read out the DA names lodged with the Secretary to Council. The Secretary to Council then began calling the party agents to vote.
DammieANCAvant-SmithAmadAl Jama-ah
Report an error - 02:48:49
IEC explains voting procedure
The IEC representative explained the entry and exit points and the positioning of party agents so that ballot secrecy is not compromised. The Secretary to Council was to lead the special votes.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:51:17
Special votes
The Secretary to Council called the special-vote councillors first, including Cllr Jainoodeen, who voted in a wheelchair at the back of the chamber. Cllr Mnyameni was also called early.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 02:56:16
Roll call voting by party
The Secretary to Council called all remaining councillors party by party, from ActionSA, ACDP, AIC and ANC to the DA, EFF, IFP, PAC, PA and FF+. At the end the Secretary asked anyone not called to come forward. The voting session was then declared closed.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 04:00:02
Voting closed and counting
The IEC confirmed no one claimed to have been missed and declared voting closed. Counting proceeded in front of the party agents. The presiding officer asked councillors to find the microphone causing interference.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 04:40:52
IEC hands over result slips
The IEC announced counting was complete and that party agents had signed the result slips. The slips were handed to the presiding officer.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 04:44:46
Announcement of Speaker election result
The presiding officer read the result slip dated 3 July 2025. Christians received 68 votes, Arnolds 137 and Zigebe 5, with 249 ballots cast, 39 spoiled and 210 valid. Cllr Arnolds was declared Speaker.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 05:01:55
Resignation letter of Cllr Arnolds as MMC
The presiding officer read into the record Cllr Arnolds' resignation as a member of the Mayoral Committee, effective immediately, because one person cannot hold both positions. The letter reaffirmed her support for the Government of Local Unity.
Report an error - 05:04:19
Swearing-in of the Speaker
The Regional Court President administered the oath of office to Cllr Arnolds as Speaker. She took the oath and the court president congratulated her.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 05:09:58
Acceptance speech by the Speaker
The newly elected Speaker thanked council and committed to upholding the integrity of the institution and ensuring council operates within the law. She recommitted to the Government of Local Unity and said council would sit at ten minutes before 10:00, not later.
Report an error - 05:12:41
Speaker's announcements and adjournment
The Speaker thanked the Acting City Manager, staff and the IEC. She announced that an extraordinary council meeting would be arranged to consider business meant for 25 and 26 June, and adjourned the meeting.
Report an error
Promises
3Commitments 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, 3 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
No dateUnidentified councillor
Not raised again in 22 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“the Johannesburg Water is adding two additional water tankers per ward.”
No dateMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
05:13:23· by in due course· Report an error
Latest: Said done at a later sitting, 31 July 2025 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 2 later sittings
“an extraordinary council meeting will be arranged to consider the council business that was supposed to have been considered on the 25th and 26th of June”
- Done, they sayNotice of meeting, greetings and urgent items added · 30 July 2025
- Done, they sayOpening and notice of the meeting · 31 July 2025
No dateMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
Council will convene at ten minutes before 10:00 for sittings, not later.
Latest: Called late or dropped at a later sitting, 26 August 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 2 later sittings
“we will come to council at 10 minutes before 10:00, not later than that.”
- Late or droppedAdjournment for break and resumption arrangements · 30 July 2025
- Late or droppedOpening of the 39th Ordinary Council Meeting and quorum count · 26 August 2026
Decisions
12What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:26:59
Quorum for the meetingapproved
With 225 councillors present against a quorum of 136, a quorum was confirmed and the meeting continued.
- 00:29:43
Applications for leave of absenceapproved
The chair asked council whether the apologies were noted and moved on to the Speaker election.
- 00:30:40
ActionSA request for a 30-minute caucus breakapproved
The break was granted and the meeting was to reconvene at 11:05.
- 01:06:48
Al Jama-ah request for a further 15-minute caucus extensionobjection recorded
Councillor Raphadu objected because the process had started, and the chair continued with the Section 36 procedure.
- 01:35:03
Nominations for Speaker of Councilapproved
Three nominations (DA, UIM, ATM) were found in order and each nominee accepted, so a ballot was required.
- 01:40:08
Break for printing ballot papersapproved
The IEC was given 30 minutes to print ballot papers, with the meeting to reconvene at 12:15.
- 02:04:56
Item 1: Section 71 and 52D MFMA financial report, quarter ended 31 December 2021deferred
The report was presented for noting and parties debated it, but no formal resolution is recorded in this part of the recording.
- 02:41:46
Minorities' party agent for the Speaker electionapproved
Cllr Magwentshu was noted as party agent representing the minorities on the nomination by Cllr Amad.
- 04:49:39
Election of Speaker of Councilapproved
Cllr Margaret Arnolds was declared elected Speaker with 137 of 210 valid votes, ahead of Christians (68) and Zigebe (5).
- 05:02:25
Resignation of Cllr Arnolds as Mayoral Committee membernoted
Her letter of resignation as MMC for Finance, effective immediately, was read into the record to clear the way for her swearing-in as Speaker.
- 05:06:34
Swearing-in of Speakerapproved
Cllr Arnolds took the oath of office as Speaker before the Regional Court President.
- 05:13:55
Council meetingadjourned
The Speaker adjourned the extra-ordinary council meeting after announcing a further extraordinary meeting would be arranged.
Attendance and conduct
29Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 19
- Ill health (7)
- Mkhonza, Mchunu, Tshehlo, Ngwenya*, Molefe*, Phindile Simelane, Mnyameni
- Other reason (4)
- Smit, Morero, Mohau Molefe, Seerane
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Warned or stopped by the chair 2
Sound or equipment problem 6
- 01:13:04
Chair mentioned technical issues affecting the meeting when explaining why he allowed an interjection.
- 02:48:03
A microphone or sound check was done in the chamber.
- 03:58:30
Another microphone or sound check was done during the voting break.
- 04:08:28
The chair asked councillors to raise their microphones to find the one causing interference.
- 04:46:40
The presiding officer checked whether the sound was working again.
- 04:47:14
The presiding officer suspected the microphone was not audible and raised her voice.
Not present when called 2
Transcript
529Every line, linked to the video.
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