Transcript: 33rd Ordinary Council Meeting, Day 2

00:03:45Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two.

00:03:49Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two.

00:03:54Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two.

00:04:00Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two.

00:04:04isiZuluAyi bafana.

00:04:17Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two. One, two, one, two.

00:04:31Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two. Sound test one, two.

Opening, prayer and quorum dispute

00:06:47Good morning, councillors, distinguished guests in the gallery, ladies and gentlemen. May we rise for the Speaker of Council, Councillor Magwentshu.

00:07:12Good morning, councillors, officials, people in the gallery. Can we remain standing for a moment of silence for prayer or meditation? Thank you.

00:07:41Thank you. Councillor Schay, we had an extra half a minute because when we started, you were walking. Thank you.

00:08:10Councillor Christians, if it's on what I said to Councillor Schay, Councillor Schay knows we've agreed that we'll do it that way. Thank you, councillor. You are acknowledged.

00:08:27Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, can we please check quorum before we start? Because my count shows us to be just about 100. Thank you.claim

00:08:37Councillor Christians, we are getting there. We're starting at 10:00. We'll get to the quorum. We'll get to everything. Just to settle your mind, we'll get to the quorum. It's part of our starting. Thank you, colleagues.

00:08:59Good morning, councillors. It is hereby notified that the continuation of the 33rd Ordinary Council meeting of the City of Johannesburg Municipality will be held on Tuesday, 30th of September 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Constance Connie Bapela Council Chamber in Braamfontein. And the first item on the agenda is opening.

00:09:23Thank you, colleagues. Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Dada Morero, in absentia; Whip of Council, Councillor Sthembele; Chair of Chairs, Councillor Vhuhani Marema; all political party leaders and whips; Members of Mayoral Committee; Chairpersons of Section 79 committees; fellow councillors; Acting City Manager, Mr. Kiba Kekana;

00:09:55Secretary to Council, Mr. Andile Gobinca; officials of the City of Johannesburg; residents of the City of Johannesburg; members of the media; ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to the continuation of the 33rd Ordinary Council meeting of the City of Johannesburg Municipality. At this point, councillors, I will allow 10 minutes

00:10:25for councillors to ensure that they sign the attendance register for the meeting before we verify the number of councillors present, so as to confirm quorum. It is now, according to my watch, it's 1 minute 2 minutes past 10:00, and 10 minutes would be 12 minutes past 10:00. Let's all be back in time. Councillors, I don't want us to repeat yesterday when we went to the second meeting, many of you have not signed in.

00:10:59So this is the time to ensure that you sign in. Councillor Christians.

00:11:12Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, every council meeting, I've stood on this issue of quorum, and I've been dismissed. Madam Speaker, I'm now going to rise in terms of rule 58(1), where if it is brought to your attention, you have to count who is in the house. You cannot take a unilateral decision to open council before we are quorate. Can I please ask you to adhere to the rules so that we do not disintegrate into what happened yesterday? Thank you very much.

00:11:48Councillor Christians, I've adhered to the rule, and I do believe that even if I count people now, like I said in the last council meeting when I was counting, there was people from all sides walking in, and they are all outside. As you can see, they are walking in. Your councillors are walking in. So if I counted 20 now,

00:12:17and there was another one coming in, it meant there was 22. There's another one of your councillors walking out, and she will walk in again. Please, colleagues, I'm not going to take that. Let's not debate. 10 minutes has started. Let's go and check our councillors. Whips, please check if all your members are here.

00:12:46I'm giving extra five minutes because the legal advisors asked me they want to check something. Thank you so much.

00:13:45Councillor De Lange, I see your hand, but we are currently on a break. You'll tell me afterwards. Thank you, Councillor De Lange.

00:26:35Colleagues, can I ask whips and leaders of caucuses to ask their members to settle down? Can we do that? Legal has just informed me, Legal has just informed me that we are 159. Councillors,

00:27:10can I ask that we settle?

00:27:25Thank you so much. We are quorating, and we are going to continue with our meeting. We're going to the next item. STC.

Applications for leave of absence and late arrivals

00:27:39We are now on applications for leave of absence.

00:27:44Thank you, colleagues. We have received the following leave of absence in writing: Councillor Lebohang Mokoka, on party business; Councillor Themba Mabunda, on party business; Councillor Moipone Rakosa, family bereavement; Councillor Advice Chuma, on party business; Councillor Meshack van Wyk, ill health;

00:28:15Councillor Kabelo Moatshe, family responsibility; Councillor Genevieve Durand, family responsibility; Councillor Raymond Nkosi, ill health; Councillor Jabulani Ngwenya, ill health; Councillor MMC Ennie Makhafola, council business; Councillor Senbes Nhlapo, private business;

00:28:46Councillor Edwin Ntshidi, out of the province; Councillor Sarah Wissler, out of province; Councillor Nicole Johnson, out of the country; Councillor Michael Crichton, ill health; Councillor Zanele Hughes, ill health; Councillor Florence Roberts, private business; Councillor Martin Louw, ill health;

00:29:18Councillor Alex Christians, ill health; Councillor Timothy Truluck, ill health; Councillor Bongani Nkomo, study leave. Are there any other leave of absence from the floor? I'll take Councillor Ellah Makhuba, and then I'll take Councillor Avant-Smith, and then I'll take Councillor Mkhonza, and then I'll take Councillor Mogapi,

00:29:49Councillor from ActionSA, I can't read your name, but I'll take the Councillor from ActionSA. I will take Councillor De Lange, and then Councillor

00:30:00Um.

00:30:04What's his name?

00:30:07Councillor Mofokeng, and then I'll take Councillor, Councillor Zigebe. I think I've called you all, and in that fashion, we start with, we start with Councillor Allen. Oh, we'll end by Councillor Simonse. We start with Councillor Allen Makhuba, and we'll end by Councillor Simonse in that order. Thank you, colleagues.

00:30:33Good morning, Speaker, and greetings to all colleagues. For the IFP, Councillor Manganyi will leave at 3:30, and MMC Mabaso will leave at 6:00 p.m. if we are not done. Thank you.claim

00:30:49Thank you, Councillor Makhuba. Next councillor.

00:30:54Good morning, Speaker. Thank you very much. Yes, indeed, Councillor Christians is here. He missed us all so much. The only, we've got two more, three late arrivals. Councillor Pietersen and Councillor Reddy will be in by 11:00, and Councillor Niemand by 1:00 p.m. Thank you very much.claim

00:31:14Thank you, Councillor. The next councillor. The next whip.

00:31:19Thank you, Speaker. Greetings everyone. From the EFF, it's Councillor Raseruthe, ill health. Councillor Molefe, ill health. And Councillor Mosehla, ill health. Councillor Seerane, private business. And Councillor Radebe, running late. Thank you.

00:31:38Thank you, ma'am.

00:31:42Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, two apologies. I also submitted it on Sunday evening to your office. Councillor Righardt Pelzer will be leaving at 15:30 for urgent party business, and Councillor Paul Smit will be leaving at 16:00, 4:00. And then I'll wait until we are done with the apologies, and then if you can give me the opportunity then. Thank you.

00:32:08Thank you, Councillor De Lange.

00:32:11Good morning, Speaker, and thank you. Councillor Shumba, ill health, and Councillor Edward, late arrival. Thank you, Speaker.

00:32:20Thank you, ma'am. Who was next? Councillor Oh, it's not Mkhonza, it's Harris. Sorry.

00:32:30Shalom, shalom, Madam Speaker. Please excuse Councillor Mkhonza, urgent private business. Thank you.

00:32:38Thank you, Councillor Harris. Next councillor. Councillor Mofokeng.

00:32:49Morning, Speaker. I've got the following apologies. The Mayor will request to be released for a few minutes. He's attending an urgent matter somewhere, but he'll rejoin us. Councillor Sekwaila will request to leave at 1:00 for medical reasons. Councillor Nair will leave at 4:00 if we are not done. The following apologies are Councillor Raphadu, Councillor Mabuza, Councillor Zondo, Councillor L. Ndou, Councillor M. Dlamini are sick. Councillor Marumo, Councillor Tshehlo, Councillor B. Dlamini, Councillor Lobi, Councillor Julius Maake are on council business. Late arrival, Councillor Khomongoe, Councillor Eunice Mgcina, and Councillor Papi Chetsanga. Thank you.claim

00:33:52Thank you, Councillor Mofokeng.

00:33:56Oh, sorry. Sorry, Speaker. Councillor Mabuke on family bereavement. Thank you.

00:34:02Councillor Zigebe.

00:34:05Good morning, Speaker. The following councillors: Councillor Amad, Councillor Gwamanda, and Councillor Mhlongo are running late. Okay.

00:34:16How far are they running? Thank you. Councillor Simonse.

00:34:22Good morning, Madam Speaker. I have late arrivals: Councillor Kaldine, Councillor Cherry, and Councillor Reinten. Thank you.

00:34:31Thank you, colleagues. Are these apologies noted? So, we know who's leaving early, and we know who's arriving late. So, if you're leaving, please let us know. Thank you so much.

Tabling of executive and legislature items

00:34:51Councillors, we proceed now to recommendations to council.

00:34:57Yeah.

00:35:17Okay, um, LOB, can you table the recommendations, and then the Chair of Chairs.

00:35:37Greetings, Speaker, to yourself. Greetings to the Chief Whip of council, Councillor Chauke. Greetings to the Chair of Chairs, Councillor Marema. Greetings to fellow councillors and guests. Speaker, on behalf of the Executive Mayor, I rise to table the items from the executive. Thank you.

00:36:03Councillor Marema.

00:36:08Greetings, Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Arnolds. And greetings to the Chief Whip of council, Councillor Kasamula Chauke, all chairpersons of Section 79, all whips of different political parties. I rise to table the legislature reports in this council. Thank you.

00:36:36Thank you, Chair of Chairs. STC.

Items 19 and 20 read in; point on debating oversight reports

00:36:40Councillors, we're starting off with Item 19, and that's the performance assessment report for the Office of the City Manager for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025, and read together with Item 20, and that's the oversight report of the Governance Section 79 Committee on the fourth quarter performance assessment report of the Office of the Chief Operations Officer, Office of the City Manager, Group Strategy, Policy Coordination and Relations, Group Governance, Citizen Relations and Urban Management, Group Communication and Marketing, Group Legal and Contracts, Group Risk and Assurance Services, and Group Forensic and Investigation Services for the period April to June 2025.

00:37:25Before we call the speaker that's going to ascend, can I get Councillor De Lange? Apologies, Councillor De Lange.

00:37:35AfrikaansBaie jammer.

00:37:37Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Freedom Front asks for a four-hour caucus break, please. Just a joke. Just to lighten the mood.

00:37:47AfrikaansEk het amper 'n hartaanval gekry.

00:37:50AfrikaansNee, ek het gedink dit gaan naby wees na gister se marakkas.

00:37:54Madam Speaker, just a small little note, and my caucus just alerted me. A decision was taken, I remember we didn't support the decision, that we don't debate physical oversight reports in council. But I see your team still adds names to these items. And then I don't want us to slip up because, for argument's sake, I didn't prepare anything for an oversight because we don't discuss these. So I don't know if we can look at a different format going forward. Because if we look at Item 47, running right through to Item 58, and I remember specifically the decision was that we don't debate our physical oversights emanating out of our committee activities. I do see names there, and I don't know how we're going to change this because obviously the member in charge must table it like we did it in the old days, and then the member in charge will also close the item. So if we can just look at that. As far as I can remember, the Secretary to Council just reads the items in, and we then note them. So there's no confusion regarding this anymore. It's just for process purposes. Thank you.

00:39:11Thank you, Councillor De Lange. Chair of Chairs, because I want to start with the item.

00:39:18No, thank you very much, Speaker of council. I think my learned colleague there just read into our minds the thing that I was discussing with the Whip of council here, that when we get to that items, they will all be read into the records, all of them, and then we note them. So I think in the future it's something that can be corrected, but that is the approach. And perhaps the Whip was going to raise it, but I see that Councillor De Lange there had already picked it up. The same is with the Item 59, 60, 61, and 62. They will be read for noting because those are terms of reference that you can't debate. I mean, it's terms of reference from committees that went to strat sessions. Thank you very much.

00:40:14Thank you, Councillor. I think we've just agreed here that we did not have a resolution like that, but we can always ask yourself to stand up and ask us to do that. Councillor Da Rocha, I'm going to close because I need us to carry on to the item that we have read in. It's only that I had forgotten to take Councillor De Lange. We will, I'm not going to take anything on this item.

00:41:01MMC Mabaso.

00:41:04isiZuluNgiyaxolisa,

00:41:05Speaker, my apologies. Greetings to yourself and all the colleagues. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that we do have a resolution with regards to what Councillor De Lange has raised in the meeting. So I think administratively we need to correct it. Yeah. So your legal must advise you correct, and the administrative support there, yes.

00:41:25Thank you, MMC. Okay. Councillor Belinda, are we delving into that as well? Because I want us to start with where we're supposed to.

00:41:34Madam Speaker, I just want to bring to your attention that I have had my hand up. You said you are not taking anymore.

00:41:41Can you, can you please

00:41:42And you spoke, and you allowed Councillor, the MMC to speak.

00:41:45I can't even hear you, Councillor Belinda.

00:41:47And you allowed the MMC to speak. I just want to say,

Items 19 and 20: ANC debate

00:41:51Colleagues, can we not start the day off the way we did, the way we ended it off. Councillor Belinda, can you get to the point, please? Councillor Belinda. Oh, you decided not to speak. Colleagues, can we get into the item? Um, the ANC, Councillor Ngwenya. We are on the item. Can you proceed?

00:42:29Good morning, Madam Speaker. We are hoping as the ANC today we won't be insulted in any way. Madam Speaker, residents of Johannesburg, members of the mayoral committee, Chair of Chairs, Councillor Adolph Marema, the Whip of council, Councillor Chauke, and all councillors present in this chamber. Madam Speaker, let me take this moment to congratulate the African National Congress Youth League, as led by President Collen Malatji, for convening a successful National General Council. This was not just an event, but a demonstration of the renewed energy and discipline of the Youth League in responding to the needs of our people. Madam Speaker, the NGC reaffirmed the call by our president, Collen Malatji, that young people must be trusted with leadership, and indeed young people are capable of leading with vision and courage. Madam Speaker, as the ANC Youth League in Johannesburg, we stand ready to translate these resolutions into action on the ground. Madam Speaker,claim

00:43:44Sepedi"Motšha Palong"claim

00:43:45is not just a slogan. It is a commitment that many more young leaders will rise within the City of Johannesburg, ensuring that the renewal of our movement and strengthening of service delivery in the City of Johannesburg. Speaker, in this spirit, let me officially congratulate Councillor Mzobe on being elected as the councillor of Ward 130. A clear demonstration that the ANC trusts young leaders with responsibility. Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, I can't say the same about the other political party that I won't mention, that believes that a 74-year-old can fix Johannesburg and the challenges that we have in Johannesburg. What a shame, what a shame, Madam Speaker. Um. Speaker, turning into Item 19 and 20 that speaks to the performance assessment report of the Office of the City Manager, allow me to emphasize that this is one of the most critical offices within the administration of the city. It coordinates all departments and ensures that service delivery reaches our residents effectively. It is therefore important that in the performance assessment, we not only acknowledge the work done, but also reflect honestly on whether KPIs are being met. While progress has been made, Madam Speaker, much more still needs to be done. Meeting KPIs is not just a compliance exercise. It is about improving the daily lives of our residents in tangible ways. Equally importantly, Madam Speaker, is that service delivery must be properly communicated to communities. Our residents must not only benefit from services, but also must feel and see that the city is working for them. Lastly, Madam Speaker, we must move with urgency to appoint a permanent City Manager. Stability and strong leadership in the administration are essential to keep the city functional and responsive to our people's needs. Madam Speaker, as the ANC, we note these items with the expectation that it will drive higher performance, greater accountability, and improve service delivery for all the people of Johannesburg.

00:46:05isiZuluNgiyabonga,

00:46:06Madam Speaker.

Executive response on Items 19 and 20 and dispute over racial remarks

00:46:14Can we have a response from the executive?

00:46:22Greetings again, Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor in his absentia. Let me also greet the fellow councillors as well. Speaker, we have noted all the comments, Speaker, and indeed we hope to improve where needed. And we take every comment as it comes, and indeed we do commit that we'll improve where needed. But Speaker, I would have done injustice to my responses if I failed to address this narrative that seeks to suggest that the DA runs better municipalities. The main challenge is that we never address such issues with facts. For those of us who are from Cape Town, now during our January 8, we had a chance to drive around Cape Town. Cape Town is a tale of two cities, if I may call it. There's a white city, there's a black city, and a colored city. It's called into three. So it would be wrong to want to project

00:48:01LOB, can you have a seat?

00:48:03Okay.

00:48:04Councillor Rahn.

00:48:07Madam Speaker, we had a ruckus here yesterday regarding certain terminology and things that were said in this house. Okay. Going racially within speaking and misleading houses is not acceptable either. Okay. Have we driven down Joburg recently? Okay. Because Joburg is a complete disgrace. Okay. But, sorry, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, can I please be protected?

00:48:34Councillors! Councillors! Councillors on my right! Councillors on my right! Can we not do what we are doing? I asked yesterday that we respect each other. Her hand was up. We can't even hear what she's saying. Can we please allow me to rule when I have to rule? Can we not do that? Councillor Rahn, can you haste to do what you are doing? Thank you.

00:49:09Thank you, Madam Speaker. Okay. Yesterday we had an issue in the house regarding words and terminology that was being used. Okay. Now today we're having racial comments being said about white and black. We're a South Africa that is made up of a diverse range of people.

00:49:23Thank you, Councillor Rahn.

00:49:24Can you please stop it?

00:49:25Thank you, Councillor Rahn. LOB, can you continue?

00:49:31Well, Speaker, I have not insulted anyone.

00:49:33LOB, can you please continue? Can you continue?

00:49:37I am simply saying, Speaker, I think we have failed to deal with this narrative, and it's wrong that they want to subject themselves to being one of the best, when in actual fact,

00:49:53LOB.

00:49:54they have failed.

00:49:55LOB!

00:49:56The DA, Speaker, they've run the City of Johannesburg.

00:49:58LOB, can you please take your seat? Councillor Christians.

00:50:06Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this item that we're discussing is not about Cape Town. Can I please ask you to ask the MMC to deal with the item that is at hand? Nobody is

00:50:26LOB, can you continue? Can we all respect, colleagues? Can you allow me to do what I have to do? Councillor Maila, Councillor, MMC, please. Councillor, LOB, can you continue? Can you switch off your mics?

00:50:55Speaker, I don't know why Councillor Christians is taking an issue because they raised the issue of Cape Town in this chamber. I am simply saying it becomes wrong to want to think that Cape Town is the best. We are from there. Yes. For some of us, yes. I agree.

00:51:14Can you speak through me, LOB?

00:51:16So, Speaker, Speaker, and I think what the DA is missing, I think what the DA is missing is that, Speaker, I think what the DA is missing is that the Auditor-General's report

00:51:33Can you please take your seat once again? Can you take your seat once again? Colleagues! Colleagues! Colleagues! Councillor Deppe and the councillor next to you,

00:51:52Afrikaansasseblief tog. Kan ons net ophou?

00:51:57Respect earns respect. If I don't respect you, you won't respect me. And respect earns respect. Councillor Belinda, can you in two seconds tell us

00:52:11Madam Speaker, I am reserving my right to speak. It's fine.

00:52:14Thank you. Leader of Executive Business, can you finish? You have one minute left. You have two minutes and 22 seconds.

00:52:29Okay.

00:52:30Finish, please.

00:52:31I see that maybe I'm touching the nerve. I will, but we cannot then shy away from addressing issues that are put wrongly, Speaker. The Mayor of Johannesburg, Speaker, is on the ground daily addressing service delivery issues. And I think it pains them that he's doing what they failed to do over the years. They ran the city as well, the DA. They ran the city from 2016. They talk about the squatter camps and so on, but we got the squatter camps from 2016, between 2016 and 2019. They were running the government of the City of Johannesburg. So, Speaker, I think what we need to correct is that we can't come to council and mislead this council to want to believe that there's a better party than the other. So, Speaker, I want to say that maybe yesterday the issue that they had, the DA, was that the madam was here, and they had to impress, and they had to go all out to impress the madam. We are not here to impress, but we are here to work for the people of Johannesburg and to make sure that they get services. Speaker, this report is for noting. I therefore request council to note this report, Speaker. Thank you.

Items 19 and 20: member in charge closes and items agreed

00:54:01Thank you, MMC. Colleagues, I have noted that we are putting up our hands, and we are not even coming out with any rule. We are just putting up our hands because it is a nicer way to scream. Please, can we not do that? The MMC has sat down. Councillor Christians, I'm not going to allow you because he's sitting down. Hands up when you're speaking, I am not going to do that, and I'm being advised not to do that. Councillor Magwentshu, member in charge, it is your turn.

00:54:44Greetings, Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor in absentia. Greetings to the Chief Whip. Greetings to Chair of Chairs. Greetings to all chairpersons. Greetings to all MMCs. Greetings to fellow councillors. And greetings to all the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, all the parties that have debated on this item have been clear on one thing: the city must appoint a City Manager. I therefore implore on the Executive Mayor to do the right thing and finalize this process, as it's clear that it's impacting on the work of council. Speaker, I therefore ask this council to note the report. Thank you.

00:55:38Thank you, member in charge. Colleagues, the recommendations are on pages 19.24 and 20.10. Are the items agreed to? Thank you so much. Next item, STC.

Items 21 to 24: Legislature and Ombudsman reports tabled; ACDP and ActionSA

00:55:55We're on Item 21, and that's the performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Legislature Department for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025, read with Item 22, which is an oversight report of OCOL on the 2024/2025 fourth quarter budget and performance assessment report of the Legislature of the City of Joburg for the period April to June 2025, also read with Item 23, which is the performance assessment report for the Office of the Ombudsman for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025, and lastly read with Item 24, which is the oversight report of the OCOL on the 2024/2025 third quarter performance report of the City of Johannesburg Office of the Ombudsman for the period April to June 2025.

00:56:45Thank you so much, STC. Member in charge, Councillor D. Ponsonby.

00:56:53Thank you, Madam Speaker. My greetings to yourself, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the executive, chairpersons, our caucus, PA caucus, Joburg 10, and our caucus leader, Councillor Kenny Kunene. Madam Speaker, I rise to table the following items of the Oversight Committee on the Legislature quarterly performance reports on the Legislature and the Office of the Ombudsman. Item 21, performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Legislature Department for 2024/2025 financial year, with Item 22, the oversight report of OCOL for the same quarter, the fourth quarter budget performance assessment, with Item 23, the performance assessment report for the City of Johannesburg Office of the Ombudsman, with Item 24, the oversight report of OCOL on the fourth quarter budget performance assessment report for the same period, April to June. And I thank you.

00:58:03Thank you, member in charge. ACDP, Councillor C. Rohlssen.

00:58:12Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, before I speak, with your permission, Councillor Mkhonza has attributed his one and a half minutes to my time. So that would make it three minutes, with your permission, Madam Speaker.

00:58:32Surely, Councillor Rohlssen. You have three minutes.

00:58:36Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, appreciate that. Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Greetings to you, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, MMCs, councillors, distinguished guests, and residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, before I do my speech, I'd also just like to say that the honorable Nelson Mandela, when he became president of South Africa, he was at the age of 75 years of age. So, Madam Speaker, if a person is able to Madam Speaker, am I protected? Madam Speaker, am I protected?claim

00:59:30Councillor Rohlssen, can you just take your seat, please? Does anybody on my right want to speak? Can you put up your hand if you want to speak? Thank you. No one. Councillor Rohlssen, can you take your, can you, yes, can you rise?

00:59:57Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam

01:00:00Madam Speaker, and look at the amazing job that uh Nelson Mandela did at the age of 75. I thank you. Um Madam Speaker,

01:00:11Madam Speaker, I rise on item 22, the oversight report on Oco, uh sorry, Oco. My apologies, not alcohol, but Oco. On the 2024/2025 fourth quarter budget and performance assessment report of the legislature of the City of Johannesburg for the period of April to June 2025.

01:00:42Madam Speaker, the ACDP supports the concerns raised in this report, and the lack of repairs and maintenance. And Madam Speaker, the concern of the ACDP is in the legislature. I have I have on numerous occasions highlighted the problem that we have with this window in the gallery, Madam Speaker. Now, the question that might be asked, why is he raising this issue on the window? Having been a member of the emergency services, I'm well aware of the fact that when there is an unstable window,

01:01:18it can collapse at any time. And Madam Speaker, taking into consideration that the honorable leadership that we have that visit our gallery and that visit this chamber, the honorable ANC uh executive, the of all parties, Madam Speaker, we have members of parliament, uh deputy presidents. Madam Speaker, I would hate to see the day where this window collapses and the glass falls on these executive VIPs.

01:01:52Madam Speaker, I I ask you humbly, please, Madam Speaker, because as your executive, I have approached your executive a number of occasions. They guaranteed me action would be taken. No action was taken whatsoever. What is my evidence if I

01:02:10Councillor Rohlssen, your time is up.

01:02:21ActionSA, Councillor Zwane.

01:02:30Uh greetings, Speaker. Um greeting to ActionSA Caucus Leader, Marcel Coutriers. A special greetings to the residents of the City of Johannesburg. I rise to speak on item uh 22. Um acknowledging the achievements of the department, we must recognize where legislature has met its mandates. There are several key achievements worth noting.

01:02:58Public engagement, the department significantly exceeded its annual target for citizens' participation, engaging over 15,500 residents against the target of uh 12,000. This may look like a cornerstone of democracy accountability, but it's not. The City of Johannesburg has plus minus 6 million residents. Only 15,500 is engaged. This is less than the residents, this number is less than the residents of Ward 130.claim

01:03:41Um the implementation of oversight program was achieved at 100% with 28 oversights conducted and 13 comprehensive reports compiled. This demonstrates a commitment of holding the executive accountable. The legislature successfully advertised two critical bylaws for public consultation, achieving 100% of compliance with the required processes. All council and section uh section 79 committees' meetings were convened as required with agendas distributed promptly, ensuring the smooth functioning of our core uh legislature business.claim

01:04:22Those accomplishments, particularly in the public uh public participation and oversight, are commendable and form a solid foundation upon which to build. However, we are confronting the reality of underperformance. Honorable Speaker, the department um report compels us to shift our focus from celebrating a sober to a sober reflection. The oversight findings reveal systemic challenges that if left unaddressed, fundamentally undermine our credibility and effectiveness.claim

01:04:58The overall performance is not 68 uh percent initially reported, but to be more accurate, it's 63 with six of nine key performance indicators not met. The areas of failure are not minor operational issues. They strike at the heart of our governance.claim

01:05:21The collapse of ward-level democracy, the most alarming finding of this failure in ward committee functionality against the quarterly target of 405 ward committee meetings, only 95 were held. This is not a minor miss. It represents a 77% failure rate. The reasons include threats to councillors and community frustrations are serious symptoms of deeper crisis.claim

01:05:50Not, this means the most fundamental channel of communication between residents and their elected representative is severely compromised. Financial mismanagement and lack of accountability, legislature financial performance is deeply troubling. We failed to pay our suppliers on time, achieving only 74.5% compliance with the mandatory 30-day payment rule.claim

01:06:16This damages our reputation and violates the MFMA. This is a significant underspending on critical budget. Only 71% of the capital budget and 85% of the operational budget were spent. This indicates poor planning and execution.claim

01:06:36Most concerning is the discrepancy in the reporting. For example, KPI 11 on repairs and maintenance was marked achieved despite only 59% of the budget being spent on repairs. Such inconsistencies erode trust in the entire reporting system. Lack of uh lack of councillor compliance and code of conduct is unacceptable that only 85% of councillors are compliant with the code of conduct regarding their municipal accounts. This means 19 councillors are in arrears for over 90 days, owing uh betweenclaim

01:07:0924 seconds left.claim

01:07:10owing between 1.4 and 1.6 million. Uh as a leader, we cannot demand financial responsibility from residents while failing to meet our own obligations. ActionSA notes this report. Thank you.claim

Items 21 to 24: DA and EFF speakers

01:07:23Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Avant-Smith, you have eight minutes, cause you're getting the minutes of Councillor Truluck.

01:07:34Thank you very much, Speaker. Madam Speaker, fellow councillors and guests, I rise to speak on the Q4 report on the legislature. As this report is the culmination of the year's report, I feel it is necessary to give an overview of the year in its entirety. Today, the Democratic Alliance must place on record our deep concern.

01:08:00The legislature of Johannesburg has failed in its core mandate of oversight and accountability in 2025. This failure is not accidental. It is the result of political manipulation, weak leadership, and a legislature that is being captured by the very executive it is meant to hold to account.

01:08:27Firstly, the office of the Speaker has abandoned impartiality. Instead of being a neutral referee, the Speaker has repeatedly acted in defense of the governing coalition. Rulings are skewed, debates are curtailed, and the opposition is silenced.

01:08:50Speaker, as you are returning to the role moving forward, I trust your office will protect the democratic process, not shield a failing executive. Many of these decisions will be taken on review by the Democratic Alliance. Secondly, the Chair of Chairs, to the Chair of Chairs,

01:09:16the Section 79 committees should be the backbone of oversight. Instead, under the current executive, they've become talk shops and rubber stamps. Officials are allowed to dodge questions, reports are sanitized, superficial, and often the master report does not tally with the annexures, and critical investigations are blocked, and committee requests appear to be misunderstood.

01:09:47The people of Johannesburg deserve robust scrutiny, proper oversight, and not cover-ups for the failures of officials or executives. Thirdly, transparency has collapsed. Quarterly oversight reports meant to expose service delivery failures are deliberately watered down or tabled late, often months out of date.

01:10:18This protects the executive, but leaves the residents in the dark. Let us be clear. When Soweto sits without power, when Ennerdale and Coronationville run dry without water, when rubbish piles up on our streets, and traffic lights remain dead, it is because this legislature refuses to demand answers.emotive

01:10:45Colleagues, this is not oversight. This is complicity. Instead of holding the Mayor and the Mayoral Committee accountable, it runs interference for them. Instead of defending residents, it defends politicians. The Democratic Alliance rejects this uh this decay. We remind the house that our duty is to the people of Johannesburg, not to party bosses.emotive

01:11:16We will not sit quietly while this legislature betrays its constitutional duty. We will continue to expose failures, table hard questions, and use every legislative tool available to shine a light where others prefer darkness. Speaker, history will judge us harshly if we continue down this road.emotive

01:11:42Johannesburg is collapsing under the weight of corruption, incompetence, and neglect, and this legislature has chosen silence over accountability. The DA will not be silent. We will continue to fight for a legislature that is independent, that speaks the truth to power, and that stands on the side of residents, not failed politicians. The people of Johannesburg deserve nothing less. The Democratic Alliance notes this report with serious reservations. I thank you.emotive

01:12:19Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Baloyi from the EFF.

01:12:28Thank you very much, Speaker. I will speak on behalf of Councillor Baloyi. Greetings to you, Speaker, and fellow councillors in the chamber. Speaker, allow me to congratulate these African leaders for putting Africa and its interests first. President Traoré of Burkina Faso, President Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, President Boko of Botswana, President Goïta of Mali, President Tiani of Niger.claim

01:13:07Unite, Africa, unite. Uh Speaker, the EFF advocates to a true transparency, not just a report that reflects 100% while having so much challenges. We don't approve reports based on percentages. We see this 100% achievements, but we are concerned of challenges stipulated in this report.

01:13:34Speaker, we are also concerned about councillors that are reported not holding public meetings. According to this report, this means 58 wards out of 135 are not getting service delivery. Yet we need to approve these reports. We are failing the residents of these wards. The challenges that are stipulated in this report raises a concern to us as Economic Freedom Fighters. It can't be that out of 405 ward committee meetings, only 95 ward committees meetings were held.claim

01:14:10Selection and interviewing panel, we want results of the City Manager appointment. EFF does not believe in acting. Please conclude the process and give us results. All vacant positions need to be filled permanently, especially that the motivation was sent to the committees by the department. We are concerned about our general expenditure without going through one by one. As the Economic Freedom Fighters, uh we approve the report with concern. Thank you, Speaker.claim

Items 21 to 24: ANC, Chair of Chairs response and items agreed

01:14:51Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Moeti from the ANC, T. Moeti.

01:15:04Can you please speak into your mic, please, Councillor? Thank you.

01:15:14SesothoKe qale ke dumedise wena Sebui sa rona. Hantle-ntle ke na le kgalala ya ho kgutlela morao mo re feletseng teng maobane. Empa ha re moo. Eh, ke tla dumedisa wena Sebui sa rona, Mme Margaret Arnolds. Ke dumedise motswaka-sepadi wa rona e leng Ntate Chauke. Ke dumedise eh, Majoro wa rona e leng Ntate Sello Morero le mahlahana a hae. Ke dumedise boradipolotiki kaofela.

01:15:44SesothoKe dumedise badudi ba rona ba City of Joburg. Ehm. Ke phahama mona, Mme, ke phahamisa eh, ditemana tse tharo, e leng, tse nne, e leng tse latelang: mashome a mabedi le motso o le mong, mashome a mabedi le metso e mebedi, mashome a mabedi le metso e meraro, mashome a mabedi le metso e mene. Re le mokgatlo wa ANC rona, ditemana tsena tse ke di badileng, re a di ananela.

01:16:16In simple English, we note the reports.

01:16:28Councillor Moeti, thank you very much. Chair of Chairs, Councillor Marema.

01:16:45Uh thank you very much, uh Honorable Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Arnolds, um the Honorable Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, the the Whip of Council, Councillor Sithembiso Zungu, leadership of caucuses in their different uh political parties,

01:17:15I greet you all and the guests in the gallery. Uh Speaker, on public participation, the legislature has improved numbers of participants uh ranging from IDP, MDB, and SMME workshops where annual target was exceeded. The legislature has also seen an increase in public ward meetings which reflects that there is ongoing interaction with ward councillors and their communities.

01:17:47And we continue to monitor these engagements in order to ensure improvement. And of course, having said that, we are not disputing the fact that there are still other ward councillors that are not actually holding uh public meetings. And that is also taken into account uh matters that was raised by councillor from the ActionSA. Speaker, the bylaw making, we are pleased uh to report that 100% was achieved against this uh KPI on bylaws uh that was advertised by um for public consultation.claim

01:18:25And I want to speak on the matter that was raised uh by Councillor Avant-Smith. Firstly, I want to acknowledge that uh you are very correct, Councillor Avant-Smith. We, as councillors in the City of Johannesburg, have the responsibility to hold the executive into account. It is our role, it is our responsibility, it is the reason why we are here today,

01:18:56and we acknowledge that fact. It is important also to note that while we acknowledge that fact, we shouldn't exclude ourselves or look at ourselves from a party political point of view, because then we exclude ourselves from the responsibility that is expected of us. And I say this because if one wants to argue that Section 79 committees are not functional, one must also take cognizance of the fact that

01:19:27all of us here as councillors in the City of Johannesburg sit in those Section 79s. So, if you stand up and say we are not holding executive into account, you're also pointing to yourself. The responsibility, it is not of that of a party to hold the executive into account, but just to demonstrate to other councillors who believe or thinks that we are not uh taking or playing our role as legislature.

01:19:58And yes, of course, we ought to to look at it from all different angles, but I am standing here in front of you as the Chair of Chairs and giving you assurance that we are not scared, or rather not friends to the executive. We continue to urge all chairpersons of Section 79 committees to hold the executive into account, but this is not solely the responsibility of chairpersons. It is the responsibility of every councillor that is sitting here.

01:20:32When when when the councillor is saying that uh we are sitting here, there's no water in which ward, in this ward, which we all know, it is the responsibility of all of us councillors sitting here to hold the executive into account. And I want to urge all of us to play that role or discharge that role without fear or favor to that of the executive.

01:21:01Uh and I and I'm sure my learned friend, uh the former Chief Whip, now the MMC of GCSS, would know that we are friends, but outside being friend, at work, we are here to work, not to do each other favors. All my learned MMCs that are here, they would understand, and the many those who have had a call with myself would understand that it has not been a friendly call or a call for them to go with myself out for a drink,

01:21:31but it is a call to hold them into account. I urge all councillors in the City of Johannesburg to do such, that when they see a failure that we saw in Ward 29 where there are no speed humps, councillors must be concerned in their respective constituency and where they're sitting right now. It is our responsibility. On the question of impartiality, those who favor Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates would understand it depends on where the ball is rolling.

01:22:01As to whether the Speaker is impartial, when it favors you, you don't complain. But when it doesn't favor you, like I said, it depends on the on where the ball is rolling. Others, when they speak good about Cape Town, you see the smile, but when you raise the Nyanga, the Mitchells Plain, you see the frown in the face. It depends on where the ball is rolling.

01:22:28I want to submit by saying I want to submit by saying

01:22:3440 seconds, Chair of Chairs. No, you can continue, 40 seconds. Continue. Oh, Councillor Maila. Sorry, Chair of Chairs.

01:22:49No, thanks very much, uh Madam Speaker, greetings and salutations. I just wanted to check if the Chair of Chairs, in reference to learned MMCs, is referring to all of them as learned. Thank you very much.

01:23:08That's No, no, no. No. You are really being frivolous. No. Can you continue, Chair of Chairs? Your time was stopped.

01:23:20No, thank you, thank you.

01:23:21You can continue. Councillor Maila, you're out of order.

01:23:24Uh as I wrap up, as I wrap up, of course, it is the responsibility of the Speaker of the legislature to make sure that all councillors hold meetings or public meetings. We urge all these councillors of the City of Johannesburg to interact with their constituency. All of these ward councillors have 10 ward committee members. Engagements must happen, and we urge all of you to do that. We also urge all of ward councillors, including those in the Section 79 committees,

01:23:59to hold the executive into account with no fear or favor. Let us get into the role of doing our part. Lastly, there is a difference between uh a ward councillor and a PR councillor, my my dear colleague from ActionSA. It's easy for a PR councillor to stand and say, "Yeah, these public meetings are not being held, this and that and that." And I I understand from where you coming from,

01:24:31but there are certain councillors or ward councillors that that will raise to you or indicate to you the volatility of the situation in their respective wards, which I believe and I still agree that it is something that we need to improve on, on making sure that we protect or get the councillors protected as they hold or continue to hold their meetings. I think it is very important for us to also zoom into that space. As I close,

01:25:01all of us has the responsibility to make sure that we build the Joburg that we seek to see, a Joburg where water flows in every household, a Joburg that has electricity in every house, a Joburg that we all want to see the future or our kids in the future living in. I thank you.

01:25:23Thank you, um Chair of Chairs. Member in charge, Councillor D. Ponsonby.

01:25:30Thank you, Speaker. Thank you, son of the hunter. Uh Madam Speaker, the committee recommendation is that council approves the reports based on the recommendations in uh item 21 on page 8, item 22 on page 9, item 23 on page 4, and item 24 on page 7, and I thank you, uh Speaker.

01:25:55Thank you, Councillor Ponsonby. Colleagues, recommendations page 21.8, 23.24, and 24.7, are the items agreed to? Thank you, colleagues. STC.

01:26:11We proceed with item 25.

Post-debate remark by Cllr Khanyile ruled out of order

01:26:16Is there is there a hand somewhere? Yes, Councillor. Councillor

01:26:24Khanyile.

01:26:26No, thanks very much, uh Speaker. Uh greetings to you. Um I know that I might be out of order, but I think that you will correct me and making your ruling. That's why I'm just raising my hands after I mean, uh the debate has been closed. Madam Speaker, um uh I heard the clarity uh from the Chair of Chairs in regard of some of the issues that was raised. I'm not opening the discussion, but the issue here, Speaker, is that now

01:26:55councillors, they are all equal, is whether you a ward councillor or a PR. That's what this house says. I remember I think uh last of last month, I mean when we were here, they said that all the councillors are equal, but when it comes to the responsibilities on the service delivery on the ground, it's being selective. I think that, Chair, we have to look at that because it can't it can't be fair that now when uh uh the ground is burning, and then the responsibility of the ward councillors,

01:27:25Councillor.

01:27:25but when there is a project and everything there, we say that we are all equal,

01:27:31Councillor Khanyile, you are right. You are out of order. Can you take your seat?

01:27:42Thank you, colleagues. Can we go to the next item?

Items 25 to 34: Transport Department and entities read in and tabled

01:27:47Uh item 25 is the performance assessment report for the Transport Department for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March 2025, read with item 26, which is the performance assessment report for the Johannesburg Roads Agency for the financial year for the 2024/25 financial year for the period uh January to March 2025.

01:28:12Thank you, colleagues. Uh we will call the member in charge at this point. It is Just hold on, just hold on. Apologies, colleagues.

01:28:28Apologies, councillors. Uh the items continue. Uh the above items are also read with item 27, and that is the performance uh assessment report for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Bus Services for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March 2025, read also with item 28, which is the performance assessment report for Metropolitan Trading Company for the 2024/25 financial year for the period January to March 2025, also read with item 29,

01:28:59which is an oversight report of the Transport Section 79 Committee on the third quarter performance assessment report of the Transport Department, Metrobus, Johannesburg Roads Agency, and Metropolitan Trading Company for the period January to March 2025, also read with item 30, which is the performance assessment report for the Transport Department for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, also read with item 31, which is the performance assessment report for the Johannesburg Roads Agency for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025,

01:29:33also with item 32, which is the performance assessment report for Johannesburg Metropolitan Bus Services for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, also read with item 33, which is the performance assessment report for the Metropolitan uh Trading Company for the 2024/25 financial year for the period April to June 2025, and lastly read with item 34, and that's the oversight report of

01:30:00the Transport Section 79 Committee on the fourth quarter performance assessment report of the Transport Department, Metrobus, Johannesburg Road Agency and Metropolitan Trading Company for the period April to June 2025. Thank you.

01:30:14Thank you, colleagues. Um, we now call Councillor Twala.

01:30:31Uh, greetings to the Speaker, the Executive Mayor in Councillor, can you please speak into your mic? Thank you.

01:30:42Greetings to the Speaker, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Chief Whip of Council, Chair of Chairs, all our MMCs, the Councillors of the City of Joburg, and residents of the City of Joburg. I rise to table the following items for consideration: item number 25, number 26, number 27, number 28, item 29, item 30, item 31, item 32, item 33, and an oversight item, which is number 34. Thank you.

01:31:38Thank you, Councillor Twala. ACDP, Councillor Rohlssen.

Items 25 to 34: ACDP, DA and FF+ on JRA and Transport

01:31:45Thank you very much again, Madam Speaker. Uh, greetings to you all again in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Greetings again to you, Madam Speaker. All protocols observed. Uh, Madam Speaker, I rise on item 31: the Performance Assessment Report for the Johannesburg Roads Agency SOC Ltd for the 2024/2025 financial year for the period April to June 2025. Madam Speaker, the ACDP remains concerned about the condition of Champagne Bridge in the Wilgeheuwel area and Platina Bridge in the Jukskei Park area, and believes that these bridges require greater levels of urgency, willingness, and commitment on the part of JRA for their repair.claim

01:32:40The ACDP is fully aware that the financial challenges and budget constraints that JRA are facing are dire and are very serious indeed. And the ACDP calls on the executive of the city to release immediate emergency funding to JRA, especially considering the bridges crisis that we are facing. Madam Speaker, over 75% of our bridges in the city are facing collapse, and a staggering amount of R16 billion is required to restore these bridges. Should the city not have the funds, the ACDP urges to make emergency applications for the national relief, which can be given in the form of grants for emergency infrastructure restoration. The ACDP asks the executive to proceed with urgency as the bridges are reaching their 50-year lifespan.claim

01:33:49This is an urgent situation, and we ask for an urgent response of the leadership of JRA and of the city. God bless South Africa. God bless the sovereign State of Israel. I thank you.

01:34:08Councillor Rohlssen, thank you so much. Um, the DA, Councillor Kreusch.

01:34:15Kreusch.

01:34:17Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. I rise on items 25, 30, and 26, 31. In terms of item 25, 30, Transport, it is no surprise that we must deal with two quarterlies back-to-back. Since the Section 79 meeting held in April, we've had little or to zero oversight—nothing—on the performance of the department's finances. In fact, since March 2025, we've had the same four matters arising. Four in nine months. The slow submission of only four reports in nine months reflects our Transport Department's failings on accountability.claim

01:34:55It comes as no surprise that the combined grant money returned to Treasury by Transport and JRA is over R500 million. Combine that with several CEOs and CFOs in nine years and an IFP, ActionSA, and PA MMC, we can only expect that the portfolio has been driven into the ground. For too long, it has been a political feeding trough for tenders and paybacks. Frankly, it's time it had a DA MMC. We note the poor performance of Rea Vaya 1A and the failures to rescue the business and now await the appointment of a new operator to this route. We also note the slow pace of the Rea Vaya 1C as the city rushes the route to score political points.claim

01:35:37We also challenge the lack of diversity in the department, with only nine employees from minorities out of a department of 543. That's 3% in total. When you look at the Democratic Alliance's ranks, we are truly a success story of diversity. In fact, we outshine in the amount of young councillors we have in our ranks as well. A true South African success story. We also note the need for the Transport Department to deal with the slow pace of taxi licensing and the lack of clear direction on e-hailing, and the overwhelming amount of food delivery bikes that place all at risk every day unchecked. We expect more from a department that has a CAPEX of 2.2 billion, and cannot wait to address this portfolio in the new term.claim

01:36:19In terms of item 26 and 31, with 82 million of the allocated R190 million annual stormwater budget spent on Lilian Ngoyi Road, it leaves the city exposed to risk of daily flooding as stormwater repairs are sidelined. Mark my words, all the scratch and patch pothole patching will be undone by next March, and the political roadshow will have to begin all over again. In fact, when we all drove home last night, most of the signals that had been restored were all down due to the rainfall. Lilian Ngoyi.claim

01:36:50The original budget for the street was R172 million awarded to Step Up. They were paid R23 million for 22% of the work done. That means 78% would be left to do, with only R150 million left. We suddenly get a new tender awarded for R192 million for that 78% of work to do. Wow, an extra R20 million for the balance of work. Phase one sits at 75% of the work done, which basically says that the new contractor only did 50% of the work. But in total, with the R82 million spent and the R23 million given to Step Up, they have passed over R105 million on that road. Sjoe! With an acknowledgement by the CEO that R220 million has been spent or allocated for that road, there's R100 million left to do 25% of the work.claim

01:37:42Seconds left.claim

01:37:45This is frankly the most expensive road in South Africa, taking into account that this council chamber cost R350 million as a comparison. So there's R100 million left, and I'm sure there's lots of people getting their slice from what's left over. However, our city has never been in worse shape. As the Executive Mayor continues his high-visibility, low-impact roadshow, many of our regions have been completely neglected as our residents have been told it is due to the mayoral priorities. This quoted by JRA employees and heard by my very own ears. We share this with our residents, noting that the GNU doesn't care about the potholes and signals, only the rates and taxes. The Mayor needs to focusclaim

01:38:26Let's not Freedom Front Plus, please, Councillor Boer.

01:38:40AfrikaansMôre, Mevrou Speaker.

01:38:42Um, I've been quiet in council lately because my committees were dysfunctional for the past two months. Um, so I'm rising on item 26 and 31 on the entity JRA. Um, it's an entity that affects all our residents on a daily basis. Um, and when you look through these reports for quarter three and quarter four, it doesn't look that shabby at all. Um, yes, in quarter three they spent on their CAPEX 59% and they got speed in quarter four and they made a 98% CAPEX spending. Why they wait for the last quarter to spend all the money, I do not know, but that is a trend in the city.claim

01:39:23The KPIs achieved were not that great: 62% in quarter three, at least 73% in quarter four. But what we see on the streets is not what we see in the report. Um, unfortunately, the private sector is repairing much more potholes than the JRA is doing, and we have to battle with the pothole issue on a daily basis. Yes, there has been some improvements. Even on Ontdekkers Road, most of the robots are working for a change, so something has been done,claim

01:39:54but so much more needs to be done. And it seems to me that this entity is top-heavy on senior managers and professional qualified managers, making up 624 people out of a total workforce of 1,482 people. So 860 people are supposed to do the work while we're sitting with 624 managers. And even those 624 managers are not able to fix urgent repairs. Ask the residents in Region C. Christiaan de Wet Road—and no, he was not on one of those three ships—so Christiaan de Wet Road was closed in the left-hand lane in March after the heavy rainfall, because the shoulder of the road was washed away by the rain.claim

01:40:42It's now six months later. The new rain season is upon us, and still that road is closed. Nothing has been done to start making any attempt to repair that road. The same applies to Doreen Road up the hill. The left-hand lane is closed, apparently due to a sinkhole. Madam Speaker, there is no dolomite in Roodekrans. There is no dolomite on top of a mountain. It is just because the shoulder of the road was not maintained. The heavy rain washed away some of the soil, and that is why the road made a dent.claim

01:41:20It should have been repaired by long. And with an entity with 624 qualified professional people, apparently they do not have the skills to repair that. The rain season is upon us. How long are the residents going to wait again and live in fear in this road? Because many accidents has happened lately because of this lane closures, and nothing has been done.claim

01:41:52AfrikaansEk het gesê jou tyd het uitgehardloop.

Items 25 to 34: PA, ActionSA, DA, IFP and EFF speakers

01:41:57The PA, Councillor Pitso.

01:42:07Um, greetings to the Almighty God. Abba Father, you are welcome in this our city. Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor in his absence, Joburg 10 P councillors under the effective stewardship of Councillor Kenny Kunene, fellow councillors and residents, I greet you all. Speaker, through you, Councillor Kenny Kunene, I'm going to refer to you as MMC in this my presentation because the things that I'm going to speak about occurred while you were still in office, sir.

01:42:32Speaker, as I was going through the performance assessment reports for the first and second quarter of 2025, I'd firstly love to commend MMC Kenny Kunene for contributing towards aligning the department under his jurisdiction with the city's strategic thrust of being a smart city by rolling out free Wi-Fi at a whopping 37 Rea Vaya stations so far. This smart and progressive step is evident that MMC understands the social issues in our city, and he has used budget allocated to Transport Department to ensure that residents are connected to internet on the house while waiting on Rea Vaya's trusted buses.claim

01:43:01However, Speaker, the department is not immune to challenges, and at the center of these challenges is financial constraints. Speaker, the department is currently short-staffed to handle operating license backlog, and I am glad that President Cyril Ramaphosa was here, and he admitted and declared that MMC Kenny Kunene is a prophet in this council, because MMC did sought to meet the President retrospectively to inform him to prioritize and increase Transport Department's budget in order to mitigate these issues proactively. And now these issues have manifested as prophesied.

01:43:32As councillors and residents of this city, we trust that the presidential package will also be used to mitigate this by increasing human resource in the department and to deliver Piotrans out of business rescue. On behalf of the residents and business sector, I'd like to commend on and thank you, MMC, for the good work you've done while in office to restore Lilian Ngoyi. We admit that the Transport Department is subject to budget constraints, but we bless you and we say that may you continue with your Operation Restore once you are back in office and to give this city a facelift.

01:44:04Speaker, for this city to move forward, residents are key stakeholders, and as councillors, we cannot do it alone. For example, Rea Vaya system is a very strategic organ of this city. It belongs to everyone, and I want this city and residents to have a sense of ownership by embracing and protecting this organ. Rea Vaya is currently a victim of severe vandalism. We understand that service delivery can inflict frustrations on residents, and as residents, we must be real and responsible. And I must say this unpopular statement that it can't be that we have people who vandalize city's infrastructure every time we have service delivery issues, and we must just accept it as a norm. It can't, Speaker.

01:44:40Uh, this infrastructure is for all residents, hence I was saying that we must have a sense of ownership on our city's infrastructure and entities. We can't be collecting tax to build this city, and after collecting and building, our own destroy what we've built. When are we going to build new things if we keep building the same things every financial year due to vandalism? This council must create stronger measures to protect our city's infrastructure. And if your area has no service due to reasons unknown, and you decide to damage robots in your area, you are putting lives of children and

01:45:16The PA notes this report. Thank you.

01:45:19Councillor Mabelebele. I hope I've said it right. From ActionSA. Mabelebele.

01:45:29Thank you so much that you did not butcher my surname. Greetings, Speaker of Council, Margaret Arnolds, ActionSA caucus, all protocol observed. Honourable Speaker, today I stand before this council to reflect on the fourth quarter oversight report of the Transport Department and its entities, namely Metrobus, Johannesburg Road Agency, and the Metropolitan Trading Company.

01:46:01Speaker, what emerges is a sobering picture of missed targets, unresolved challenges, and growing financial risk that threaten the service delivery to the people of Johannesburg. Speaker, allow me to take you through a journey where we go through each entity. We are going to start with the Transport Department. The department achieved only 62% of its key performance indicators. Most concerning is the collapse of the Rea Vaya service. Against a target of 45,000 trips, only 18,024 were delivered—a shortfall of nearly 27,000 trips. Feeder services remain inactive. The Piotrans bus impasses are unresolved, and major infrastructure projects like the Sandton and Gandhi Square stations are years behind schedule.claim

01:47:02Not to forget, uh, GT facility remains stuck at a procurement stage. On top of this, only 18% of internal audit findings and 33% of the Auditor-General findings have been resolved. Now let's go to Metrobus. Metrobus too remains in crisis, with only 62% of its KPIs achieved. It is technically insolvent, drowning in debt owed to the city. The bus fleet is old and unreliable, with only 62% of the fleet requirement met. Complaint resolution stands at a dismal 43%. And despite strong safety records and SMME support, Metrobus overspent its budget by 124 million and now sits with a cumulative deficit of 137 million. Now let's go to JRA.claim

01:48:18Sorry about that. All right, JRA. JRA represents a mixed picture. On the one hand, it exceeded its resurfacing, pothole repair, bridge rehabilitations, and EPWP job targets. On the other hand, it continues to be plagued by delays in contract appointments, theft, vandalism, community disruption. Its financials are fragile. Irregular expenditure stands at 89 million, and it only achieved 66% resolution of its internal audit findings and 79% of AG findings. Now we're going to go to MTC, Metropolitan Trading Company.claim

01:49:02MTC shows a growth in digital services, with 1.6 million Wi-Fi users and improved CCTV coverage. Yet behind this achievement lies a serious risk. The entity only achieved 63% of KPIs, failed to resolve 70% of Auditor-General findings, and recorded 39 million in fruitless expenditure on shareholder loan interest. It is owed 1.6 billion by internal debtors, while itself owing the city over 2 billion. Solvency remains a looming crisis. As I conclude, Honourable Speaker,claim

01:49:50what this report tells us is that our transport entities are overstretched, financially fragile, and struggling to meet their mandate. Rea Vaya has stalled, Metrobus is technically insolvent, the JRA is fighting vandalism and cash flow problems, and MTC is sinking under debt. And while this report is about transport, we must be honest with residents: the same financial recklessness has left buses off the roads, and the same recklessness has left taps running dry. The water crisis and transport crisis are two sides of the same coin: a city paralyzed by poor

01:50:37Councillor Mnisi from the DA. Please switch off your mic, Councillor. Can you switch off your mic, Councillor? Thank you. Councillor Mnisi, DA.

01:50:51Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on item 26: Performance Assessment Report for JRA. Madam Speaker, the Democratic Alliance cannot just note this report without raising the below issue. Madam Speaker, for more than three years, the residents of Protea South Ward 10 has suffered because of blockage stormwater drain, and these faults were reported, logged, escalated, even raised directly to the Regional Director, Mickey Padiachee. Yet despite all this, no action has been taken.claim

01:51:35This is not only negligent; it is a serious health and safety crisis. Families are forced to live with unpleasant smell of water and constant risk of flooding. Madam Speaker, when it rains, it is clear that the JRA has left Protea South behind. Madam Speaker, on the 26th July 2025, I wrote to your office about the same struggle, and your response was you will advise accordingly. Madam Speaker, that was deeply disappointing.claim

01:52:1639 seconds.

01:52:17Community do not need advice; they need solutions. They need leadership that can take responsibility. The Democratic Alliance will not let this issue fade away. We will demand clear timelines for repairs, escalating to the Section 79 Oversight Committee, and continue to stand with the residents until it's done. The people of Protea South deserve equal service delivery, dignity, and respect. Because when the government fails to drain the water, it drowns the dignity of our people.

01:52:54Your time is up, Councillor. IFP, Councillor Khanyile.

01:53:12Thanks very much, Speaker. Uh, I think that you will be patient for my 10 minutes. Uh, greetings to you, Speaker, Executive Mayor in his absentia, Chair of Chairs, Whip of the Council, uh, our caucus leader, MMC Mabaso. Uh, Speaker, the IFP is in support of the tabling of this report.

01:53:46Uh, the report has acknowledged that the department had made visible strides aligning into the work with the broader strategic agenda. The rollout of several stations that are provided with Wi-Fi is also showing the positive side. Also to promote the initiative and implementation of the transport safety and education program, that is also a positive start. However, Speaker, it also, uh, comes with areas of concern, Speaker, that some of the urgent need the urgent intervention.

01:54:22Uh, Piotrans buses remain a serious setback. Passenger numbers have dropped far below, and largely because the buses are not operating in the required capacity. Coupled with the delays in the operationalization of the Phase 1C rollout, it raises real questions about accountability of the effective oversight. However, Speaker, the IFP remains committed to work with this council and the department to ensuring that the transport infrastructure is reliable, safe, and accessible, because without this efficient transport system, our residents cannot fully access our economic opportunities and live with dignity.

01:55:09Uh, um, before I wrap it up, Speaker, I just want to quote one thing, Speaker, that when the bird is sitting too long on the tree while making noise, it's inviting the stone. Thank you very much, Speaker.

01:55:32Thank you, Councillor Khanyile. Councillor Leshilo from the EFF. I hope I said it right.

01:55:44Thank you, Speaker. It's Councillor Leshilo.

01:55:47SepediKe a leboga. Eh, ke rata go dumedisha batho ka moka. Nna ke le Ramatsobane wa Madingwaneng, ke re a šia we Madume.

01:55:56To all the, uh, caucus leader of the EFF, Mgcini Tshwaku, Chief Whip, uh, Tshabiso wa Mogapi,

01:56:04Sepedile dikhanselara ka moka,

01:56:05to our bosses, the residents of City of Johannesburg,claim

01:56:08Sepedike re thobela.claim

01:56:10We are here today to reflect on the performance of Transport Department and its entities: Metrobus, Johannesburg Road Agency, Rea Vaya system. It is only right that we begin to acknowledge the achievements which demonstrate what our city is capable of doing where there is focus and commitment. Free Wi-Fi has been rolled out in 37 Rea Vaya stations, an important step towards building a smart city and connected city. Metrobus has achieved more than 1.6 million fatality-free kilometers, a remarkable achievement in a country where public transport accidents claim lives daily.

01:56:56The Johannesburg Road Agency resurfaced more roads than initially targeted, repaired almost 11,000 potholes, and supported 94 small businesses, surpassing its empowerment targets. These successes, though modest, show that progress is possible. However, Honourable Speaker, we cannot ignore the deep shortcomings reflected across the reports. The Transport achieved barely 60% of its performance indicators. Rea Vaya is in crisis. Instead of the target of 45,000 trips per quarter, only 8,000 were delivered. Feeder routes remain suspended, buses from Piotrans stand idle, and vandalized stations in communities such as Westbury and Noordgesig leave thousands without access to affordable transport.

01:57:53Phase 1C of the system is years behind schedule, with Sandton and Gandhi Square stations still incomplete. The promise of reliable, modern public transport has been reduced to delays, excuses, and exclusions. Honourable Speaker, as the Economic Freedom Fighters have been clear: it is not a privilege; it is the backbone of development. Our local government manifesto calls for affordable, reliable, safe public transport built on revolutionary financial discipline. Our Constitution commits us to a developmental state that must deliver equitable services to all. Yet here we sit, faced with underspending, inefficiency, and a lack of urgency from those entrusted with responsibilities.

01:58:50Budgets are returned unspent while commuters queue endlessly, buses stand idle, and our people are left stranded and unsafe. The way forward must be decisive. Rea Vaya's stalled

01:59:0640 seconds.

01:59:07stalled must be completed without further delays, with vandalized stations restored and idle buses returned to service. In conclusion, Honourable Speaker, transport is the heartbeat of this city. When buses fail, when the stations remain incomplete, the potholes are left unrepaired, it is the poor working class who suffer the most. As the EFF, we need a permanent City Manager. We are not going to be part of the delays, failures, of the process. It must be noted that we are aware that the process of recruitment is

Items 25 to 34: MTC questions, ANC, executive response and items agreed

01:59:55Councillor Pietersen from the DA.

02:00:00Uh good morning, Speaker and fellow councillors, all protocols observed. I rise to speak on item 28 and 33, which is the third and fourth quarter uh reports for MTC. Ma'am, when it uh, Madam Chair, when it comes to uh MTC, it's truly there are more questions than answers. Uh the same issues persist and are affecting the performance of MTC. Key positions, especially in the executive, are not filled, making this uh uh compliance and efficiency impossible to achieve.

02:00:31The Auditor-General findings and internal audit findings are not implemented fully, leaving MTC in breach of the Companies Act. Capital expenditure remains unspent, which is a huge concern considering MTC constantly complains about aging infrastructure. What specific measures are being taken to address the high debtor days, 4,859 days, and improve collections from internal debtors? Why are the MTC still uh incurring significant fruitless and wasteful expenditure due to the shareholder loanclaim

02:01:05interest? What is the timeline for filling key uh vacancies like the COO and others which are critical for strategic alignment? We should expect the directors to develop and implement a clear actionable strategy to address liquidity constraints, improve revenue collection and maybe reduce reliance on internal customers.claim

02:01:24You got 30 seconds, Councillor.claim

02:01:26Um MTC in the fourth quarter, uh the current assets improved by 22%, uh while MTC says it's committed to supporting City's smart initiatives. Um the infrastructure begs the question why there was no spend on Capex in the third quarter to achieve this uh strategic objective. There is no appetite to resolve the shareholder loan issue. What would be the reason for this? The loan cost us 28 million a quarter, and this directly impacts the cash flow and ability to pay credit to pay creditors on time and deliver a more reliable service.claim

02:02:03Your time is up, Councillor.

02:02:04Thank you very much.

02:02:09ANC, Councillor N Supe.

02:02:21Greetings, Speaker. Greetings, uh Mayor of Johannesburg, Sello Dada Morero. Greetings to Chief Whip. Greetings to Chair of Chairs, son of the hunter. Greetings to DCW,

02:02:44uh MMC of Johannesburg, resident of Johannesburg. Speaker, let me take this opportunity Sorry, sorry, sorry. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Heritage Month. As we are continue to preserveemotive

02:03:08and promote our heritage, we must not forget who introduced our tarred road to our people, who introduced our traffic lights to our marginalized, and who introduced our township residents to a to better living condition. Speaker, those those people that are introduced uh this condition is our mighty ANC.emotive

02:03:36Speaker, I rise on item 25 to 34 performance assessment report and oversight reports. And Speaker, as the ANC we note the report. Thank you.

02:03:50Thank you, Councillor Supe. The Leader of Executive Business, MMC Zungu.

02:04:01isiZuluuSolly ukhuluma esilungwini sabangani bakho speaker. Athi hawu asinaso isilungu sabangani bakhe.

02:04:09Can you switch off your mic, Councillor Supe?

02:04:15No, thanks, Speaker. Uh greetings once again, uh Speaker and to fellow councillors. Uh Speaker, I uh have noted all the comments uh from different councillors. And uh indeed, um ours is to note and um improve where needed and possible.

02:04:39But Speaker, I want to uh briefly speak on what Councillor Boer has said. Indeed, we may uh always be able to pick the bad uh the good from the bad. Um there is uh that uh upward surge um to what JRA has been doing. It can It cannot all be uh bad, Speaker.

02:05:07There's challenges here and there, but the improvement are there. We are seeing a lot of uh traffic lights that are being uh repaired and fixed. But let us also not ignore the fact that uh there's a lot of vandalism in the City of Johannesburg. We repair robots almost daily, but they're vandalized. And uh that is uh our biggest challenge as a city that we are facing. Um I um fully agree that I think I drive around the city a lot. I'm on the ground.

02:05:39I've been witnessing a lot of robots that have been out for a number of years. They've uh been fixed and they are operating. And uh I think ours is to appeal to our people that uh let's uh look after our infrastructure, so that uh we are not always criticized as the city that we are not doing anything. Um I think, Speaker, the speakers have spoken and um we we are we are we are grateful that they've put their comments. Speaker, I therefore um ask uh council to note this report. Thank you very much.

02:06:13Thank you, MMC. Um Acting member in charge, Councillor Twala.

02:06:32isiXhosaYho ezi bhantla zininzi sizinqibayo. Eh Speaker, ndicela le ngqungquthela iqaphelise le ngxelo sivumelane ngayo. Ndiyabulela.

02:06:48Thank you, Councillor Twala. Colleagues, the recommendations are on pages 25.2, 26.12, 27.5, 28.4, 29.21 to 29.22, 30. 2, 31.10, 32.5, 33.4, and 34.19 to 34.20. Are these items agreed to?

02:07:21Thank you so much. SCC.

Withdrawal of Items 35 and 41; caucus break

02:07:25On uh item 35 is the amendment of the development agreement in respect of Portion 420, which is a portion of

02:07:34Can you just hold on? There's two hands. Um the Leader of Executive Business and then the Chief Whip.

02:07:50No, thanks, Speaker. Uh Speaker, there's a request from the executive uh to withdraw item 35 and uh item 41. Thank you.

02:08:01Item 35 and item 51.

02:08:0441.

02:08:0541. Okay. Item 41 is out. Item 35 is out. Thank you. Uh Chief Whip.

02:08:17Uh thanks, Speaker. Uh I just needed a caucus with the whippery for 10 minutes.

02:08:23Okay. Uh 10 minutes granted.

02:08:27All whippery, please can we meet outside?

02:08:44We come back at 10 past, right? 10 past.

Chief Whip reports back: Items 36 to 40 clubbed

02:19:25Thank you, colleagues. We are back in session. We are 2 minutes over the time. Can we take our seats?

02:19:41Colleagues, can we move to our own seats, so that we can start the process? Can the Chief Whip report back to us?

02:20:00Uh thanks, Speaker. We have learned that uh we needed to discuss as the whips to club the items, which is items 36, 37, 38 and 39 and 40. As our items from JPC, we were just consulting each other as whips that we club them, we do them at once. We have agreed on that one.

02:20:32We will club them, and then uh Councillor Harris will speak at item 36, and uh Councillor De Lange at uh at uh item 40. And uh soon we will give you the name of the speaker from the EFF who will cover all of them, Councillor Mogapi is still dealing with that. And in the ANC, uh Councillor Molefe, Molefe SB will represent all the items. I thank you, Speaker.

02:21:12Can I just get it right? Uh so that we at the table, when we start um going to the speakers list, we have the right things. Item 36, we are saying only Councillor Harris and Councillor Molefe will talk. Councillor Mo- The councillor from ActionSA, the councillor from EFF will not speak on those items. Is that what we are saying?

02:21:49No, Speaker. We are saying we are clubbing all the items, from item 36 to item 40, as we learned that item 35 and 41 are withdrawn. So, the speakers will speak on those items, which is 36 to 40. So, when you look at um what you call there, Speaker, it shows that at item 36, Councillor Moatshe, Councillor Harris, Councillor Mohlala, uh S Molefe and and they were the speakers.

02:22:25But when you go to item 38, it will show you there's Moatshe, Moepi, Bolani. So, we are saying in the ANC, one speaker will represent. You won't have speakers of each and item. When that speaker speak, they will club all items at once. That is what we are saying, Speaker. And the EFF also will do so. You must read all the items to be one items, and then the speakers came and speak on the on the items.

02:22:55No, it's fine. We got it now. We got it. Um we just needed to be clear on what we are doing. Thank you, councillors. So SCC, you'll read them all together, and we'll call out the speakers as we have to.

02:23:18Councillor Mogapi.

02:23:20Oh, thank you, Speaker. From the EFF, Councillor Moepi is going to present us. Thank you.

Items 36 to 40: read in, ActionSA withdraws, ACDP on Eskom servitude

02:23:32Uh councillors, the following items will be read together: Item 36, and that is the registration of electrical servitude over the remaining extent of Portion 129 of the farm Rietfontein uh 301 IQ in favor of Eskom; also read with item 37, and that is alienation of sanitary lanes throughout Pimville Township of the City of Johannesburg Municipality jurisdiction; also read with item 38, and that's alienation of sanitary lanes throughout Region C of the City of Johannesburg Municipality jurisdiction;

02:24:08uh also read with item 39, which is an alienation of sanitary lanes throughout Rosettenville Township of the City of Johannesburg Municipality jurisdiction; and lastly read with item 40, and which is um the proposed amendment to Southern Farms Land Availability and Development Agreement in terms of Section 116, Subsection 3 of the Municipal Finance Management Act. Thank you.

02:24:41ActionSA, Councillor K Moatshe.

02:24:47Uh Speaker, we're withdrawing.

02:24:49Thank you. ACDP, Councillor Harris.

02:25:05Uh good morning, Madam Speaker. I greet you all and um all protocol observed. Uh servitudes are crucial for maintaining and expanding community infrastructure, in this case power lines. This agreement will allow essential services to cross properties, ensuring that communities have access to the infrastructure they rely on. The servitude will promote the overall development of communities, and it grants Eskom the right to manage the property identified and to restrict certain uses of the property.

02:25:41Under item 1.1.3, Eskom will not allow any encroachment whatsoever onto the servitude. 1.10 states that

02:25:51Councillor Harris, can you just hold on? The councillors at the back there, can we please respect council? And the councillors that are busy at IT, please, councillors. Thank you, Councillor Harris.

02:26:14Item 1.10 states that Eskom shall be responsible for the cleaning, security and maintenance of the servitude area and surrounding portion of land that may be sterilized uh due to this application. The challenge I have with Eskom particularly is that they enjoy full rights, but they do not respect and uphold the conditions of these agreements. Generally, servitudes are hiding places for all kinds of criminal activities, from waylaying pedestrians to the burning of stolen copper wire. These servitudes are hotspots for illegal dumping.

02:26:47They are not maintained and they are a security risk to adjacent communities. While we agree with this item, the ACDP appeals to the Johannesburg Property Company to implement measures that will compel Eskom to uphold their responsible responsibilities as contained in this agreement, and ensure the servitude, as well as the number of other servitudes managed by them, are well maintained, clean and secure. The city cannot afford to have yet another eyesore on their hands. We agree with this item. Thank you.

Items 36 to 40: EFF and start of FF+ contribution

02:27:20Thank you, Councillor Harris. Um just hold on. Andile, you just organized thing here. Councillor from the EFF, Councillor Moepi. Is it Moepi, am I right?

02:27:51Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and greetings to yourself, the 29 battalions of the EFF under the stewardship of Councillor Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, the Chief Whip of the caucus, Councillor Mogapi, fellow councillors, the residents of Jozi, I greet you all. Madam Speaker, I stand

02:28:22I rise on items 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40. Uh as the EFF, we note this report, but we would like to register this concern. Madam Speaker, as the EFF, we really need a permanent City Manager. The issue of the City Manager cannot be left alone as if it's normal.

02:28:52We are not going to be part of the delays and failures of the process. It must be noted that we are aware that the process of recruitment was done. The report must come to council, and the appointment of the new City Manager process must be completed. More so, Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulation uh to congratulate, rather,

02:29:25the young lions and lioness of the Youth Command Team of the Economic Freedom Fighters for decisively winning the SRC election at the University of Witwatersrand. Thank you very much, Speaker. We note the report.claim

02:29:44Thank you. Councillor De Lange.

02:29:48Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. To put this whole um item in a nutshell, the proposed amendment to the Southern Farms

02:29:55Just hold on, Councillor De Lange. Councillors!

Vulumax Joint Venture lease amendment: FF+ concerns

02:30:02Thank you. Councillor De Lange.

02:30:04Thank you, Madam Speaker. This lease needs to be amended. Currently, it's a 50 year lease from the city. And after 50 years, the development and everything on it will divert back to the City of Johannesburg. Vulumax Joint Venture needs to raise funds to kick start the specific development. If you look at clause 10 on the on this specific item, Madam Speaker, Vulumax JV must negotiate to mortgage the specific standsclaim

02:30:34to get funding. That's how it works with developments. I did that for many years before I joined Council. But the land belongs to the City of Joburg. You can't mortgage something some land that doesn't belong to you, or there must be some kind of agreement. So, Tim du Toit Attorneys approached JPC to request a agreement of OSAS to protect their development rights. And this will mirror the right to bond these specific stands.

02:31:06This will be a willing buyer, willing seller situation. Madam Speaker, we do have a few concerns that is still standing and luckily, through our Section 79 we will get a quarterly report from the developers and from JPC. We did mention this in council quite a few times. There are still some stands that needs to be bought, that doesn't belong to the city, and they wanted extraordinary high purchasing amounts to these stands.claim

02:31:36We are still waiting for feedback on that. Further, as far as we could gather, the environmental impact study comes from 2011. Now, you can't do a development if the environmental impact study is not three years old within the three years fear of that. So we will be looking into that when we get reports back from the city and then JPC did mention that we haven't seen any paperwork on this. There's a pending land claim

02:32:06on a huge portion of the specific development. They said they are in negotiations with the with the land claimants on this specific item or this specific development. And what normally should happen is if this goes to court, it's going to delay the process, because then the court must rule that this specific development is in, is to the benefit of the public or to the benefit of the region or to the benefit

02:32:35of the development itself. So those are the three outstanding items that we hope that we're going to see in the court is coming to see if we did everything correctly before we embark on this specific development. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Items 36-40: servitude, sanitary lanes and Southern Farms (ANC)

02:32:51Thank you, Councillor De Lange. Councillor Molefe from the ANC.

02:33:01Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, let me greet our Chief Whip, Councillor Love Chauke. The Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Dada Morero.

02:33:22Speak into the mic, please, Councillor.

02:33:27Let me also greet the members of the Mayoral Committee, all councillors, residents of the City of Johannesburg.

02:33:42Use the next mic. If that one's...

02:33:48Even this one, Speaker, doesn't work. All right. No, thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, I rise on item 36, 37, 38, 39 as well as item 40.

02:34:07That, maybe Speaker, before I engage on the items, item 21, 22, 23, I think, and item 24 speaks about the councillors who don't attend the public meetings as well as the ward committee meetings. I think Chair of

02:34:31I think Chair of Chairs we need to address the issue of councillors who actually don't attend the oversight.

02:34:43Can we give the councillor a roving mic? There's definitely a problem there.

02:34:48Yes, Speaker. I think we also need to look into the issue of councillors who don't attend the oversight. Because of we have councillors who who choose on which areas do they attend the oversight. When we are having oversight in Orange Farm, Deep South, Kliptown and all those other black informal areas, we have councillors who really don't care or who don't attend those oversight. But when we have oversight in Sandton,

02:35:18we will forever see those councillors. So I think it's one of the things that we really need to talk about. And those councillors every time they will speak a lot about Councillor this and Councillor that, while they really don't look into what they are actually doing. People will forever say we must go to an oversight, but when we go to oversight, when it's Deep South and then they are not there. So I think, Speaker, we need to look into that thing. And then, Speaker, on item 36,

02:35:48it seeks approval for the registration of an electrical servitude in favour of Eskom over municipal land of portion 129, Rietfontein to enable the Lenasia 88kV upgrade. This project is essential for stabilizing electricity supply in the south of Johannesburg and Eskom has agreed to carry out the survey, registration and relocation cost and to pay a market-related amount

02:36:18determined by the independent evaluator. However, the draft agreement contains clauses that allow Eskom to sublet or cede its right to parties without councillors' oversight or compensation. If left unchanged, this will erode the city's control and forclose future revenue opportunity. We therefore recommend that council approve the servitude in principle, subject to amendment requiring Eskom to obtain

02:36:48council's prior written consent over any over any letting or cession, with additional compensation payable. We further require proof of payment for the valuation before registration and performance guarantee to secure restoration and relocation obligation. Speaker, this approach ensure we enable critical infrastructure delivery while protecting the city's fiscal interest and strengthening accountability.

02:37:18And then item 40, Speaker, we now go to to item 40 where we now deal with the Southern Farms. The item 37, 38 and 39, we note, Speaker, those items that talks about the sanitary lanes. We all note those three items. And then with regards to item 40, Speaker, I think it's one of the most important item

02:37:48that talks about the Southern Farms. But before I enter there, Speaker, I need to engage with the issue of the issue of the capacity. I really need to come in, Speaker, and explain to say in the context of a person, capacity refers to the ability to understand information and make relevant decision. A lack of a capacity occurs when a person's mind is impaired by condition that is preventing them from making sound decision at a given time.

02:38:20And then Speaker, those who always complain with a lot of negativity to a point of not realizing and understand the good that comes with Southern Farms Mega City project, consider themselves more capacitated and they always consider those who strive towards making the 27 billion mega project possible, incapacitated. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I think one day when we have time, we need to engage on the issue of capacity.

02:38:48The Southern Farms Mega City project site handover that happened on the 9th May 2025, the COJ officially broke ground on the 27 billion Southern Farms Mega City project at the Bushkoppies site. The ceremony was led by Executive Mayor Councillor Dada Morero, joined by MMC Councillor Mlungisi Mabaso and our Economic Development MMC Nomoya Mnisi, along with JPC CEO, Musah Makhunga.

02:39:18The site handover marked the launch of a transformative development initiative for the City of Johannesburg. This 10-year initiative to deliver integrated housing and economic upliftment in Johannesburg South. Central to the project is the construction of 43,000 housing units directly addressing the city's long-standing housing backlog. Beyond shelter, Southern Farms will offer clinics, schools, taxi rank, roads,

02:39:49and essential infrastructure to create a livable connected community. These amenities are designed to support sustainable growth and ensure neighbourhood prosper long after the last home is built. Madam Speaker, in celebrating excellence in property leadership, our CEO Musah Makhunga was honoured by South African Institution of Black Property Practitioners as one of the top 100 of South African Institution

02:40:18Black Property Practitioners on the leadership of 2025. This recognition celebrates ethical leadership and meaningful contribution that have shaped transformative policy, program and institution within property sector. Makhunga's leadership in public sector, particularly in advancing transformative and unlocking value in the City of Johannesburg exemplifies these ideals. Madam Speaker, item 40 deals with the proposed amendment

02:40:49to the Southern Farms land availability and development agreement. These changes are required in terms of Section 116 of 3 of the Municipal Finance Management Act to enable the developer to seek finance for the project. Importantly, we need to note this one, Madam Speaker. Importantly, there are no financial implications for council as all cost rest with the developer. This recommendation before us

02:41:18is simply for the council to note the amendment and authorize the Johannesburg Property Company to proceed with Southern Farms land availability and development agreement. Madam Speaker, I also want to to to to to engage on the issues of the mega project that the Economic Development itself have embarked on. We've seen that the likes of the Soweto Gateway, the Southern Farms,

02:41:48there are a lot, Madam Speaker. And then now you will find other other political parties will then say this GNU is not doing anything, the city is suffering. However, that Economic Development, Speaker, is creating lot of employment, especially in the township. This Southern Farms project is one of its kind and we have never seen such a project of this magnitude in the deep south of Orange Farm.

02:42:18So that is why we are saying we request the council to note this report so that the developer can continue with ensuring that the community of the City of Johannesburg, in particular Deep South, they benefit on this mega project, which is Southern Farms. As the ANC we note this item as presented. I thank you, Speaker.

MMC Mnisi replies; items 36-40 agreed

02:42:46Thank you, Councillor Molefe. MMC Mnisi. I've covered all political parties, hey? Councillor, uh, MMC Mnisi.

02:42:58Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, the Chief Whip of Council, the Chair of Chairs, DCW of the ANC, fellow councillors, our esteemed guests in the gallery, residents of the City of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, we note all the submissions which were made by the councillors and we further welcome the observations that councillors have done

02:43:26as they will strengthen our work as the department and entity. Madam Speaker, the inputs by Councillor Moepi, they are misplaced. He is speaking about issues of recruitment of City Manager and we are still in items of JPC. So I think maybe if EFF can afford him an opportunity to address those issues in item 66. On the issue of Councillor,claim

02:43:56Madam Speaker, Councillor De Lange, the Southern Farms, I just want to remind Councillor De Lange that the Southern Farms report was submitted in council in 2024 and it was approved. So it was submitted, the environmental report was submitted together with the acquisition report and it was approved by council in 2024. So I am not sure every time we speak aboutclaim

02:44:26Southern Farms, Councillor De Lange just gets tickled. It's something that maybe me and him must address outside of this council. Madam Speaker, these property reports including registrations of servitude and alienation of sanitary lanes are all about ensuring our assets work for the people. With that being said, Madam Speaker, we are requesting council to note and approve the reports. Thank you.claim

02:44:56Thank you so much, MMC Mnisi. Councillors, recommendations from item 36 are on pages 36.10 to 36.11. For item 37, it's on 37.9 to 37.10. Item 38 is on pages 38.9 to 38.11.

02:45:27For item 39, it's on 39.5 to 39.6. And for item 40, it's on 40.5. Are these items all agreed to? Thank you, colleagues.

Item 42: SCM deviations and ratifications – ActionSA

02:45:48We proceed, councillors, with item 42, which is Group Strategic Supply Chain Management deviation and ratification reports that were considered and approved by the accounting officer for the period April to June 2025.

02:46:06Thank you. Colleagues, we are calling on... Councillor Mkhonza is not here. Is ACDP replacing?

02:46:17No, Madam Speaker, we note this report. Thank you.

02:46:20Okay. Thank you. Action SA, Councillor N. Edward.

02:46:37Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, Madam Speaker, Honourable Mayor, members of Council, colleagues and residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, today I rise on behalf of Action SA to express deep concern over the continued abuse of Regulation 36 under the Municipal Finance Management Act

02:47:07and its consequences on the financial health of our city. Speaker, Regulation 36 was intended to be an exceptional safeguard, a measure to allow municipalities to act swiftly in emergencies or in rare cases when normal supply chain processes cannot be followed. But in Johannesburg, under the ANC-led coalition,

02:47:37Regulation 36 has become a backdoor for corruption. Instead of being an exception, it has become the rule. Action SA notes with alarm that this has resulted in inflated contracts, lack of competition and the sidelining of genuine suppliers, particularly small businesses who should be benefiting from these opportunities. What should protect the cityemotive

02:48:07has instead eroded accountability, weakened oversight and opened the door for corruption. Speaker, under this current leadership, Johannesburg has sunk even further in terms of financial instability. Year after year, the Auditor-General flags irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Yet, instead of tightening controls,emotive

02:48:38we see impunity, deviations rubber-stamped, contracts awarded without proper processes, billions meant for service delivery disappearing in the system. While residents sit in the dark, fetch water from broken systems and live among uncollected waste, this administration plays politics with the residents' money. Action SA says,emotive

02:49:08enough is enough. The very same item before us today is yet another example of deviations brought for retrospective approval after the money is already committed. This practice makes a mockery of council's oversight role. Decisions are made behind closed doors and presented here as a done deal. Action SA rejectsemotive

02:49:37this culture of non-effective governance in the city. Speaker, financial mismanagement is not a victimless act. The victims are the people of Johannesburg, residents of Johannesburg who pay their rates faithfully, but get collapsing services in return. Let me stop pretending. Johannesburg is really bleeding in terms of money and finances. It is bleedingemotive

02:50:07because of the leadership that refuses accountability. Regulation 36 has become the mask of corruption. Mayor is the face of this financial mismanagement. Action SA calls it what it is: corruption dressed up in deviations. And we demand accountability, not tomorrow, not next year, but now, Madam Speaker.emotive

02:50:38This time has come to end this abuse that is happening. We want restoration, integrity in the procurement processes of the city. And we hold the Mayor and his executive to account. We hold this administration to account for all the financial chaos that is taking place. We hold the Mayor and his administration to account for all the financial chaosemotive

02:51:10that is taking place in the city and that has left the city bankrupt. Madam Speaker, we note this report with all the concerns that have been mentioned above. Thank you.emotive

Item 42: DA on Regulation 36 deviations

02:51:23Thank you, Councillor. Councillor N. Pietersen from the DA.

02:51:31Good day, Speaker, and fellow councillors and the Mayor in absentia. Today I rise to critically engage with the Group Finance Department report detailing deviations, ratifications, contract amendments and procurements for the period April to June 2025. While the report attempts to reflect transparency and good governance, it also reveals troubling patterns that echo the Auditor-General's national concerns about procurement practices,

02:52:01particularly the misuse of Section 36 deviations. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke has been unequivocal in her warnings. Deviation from competitive bidding processes should be the exception, not the norm. When used excessively or without proper justification, it undermines transparency, fairness and value for money. She has further cautioned that poor planning is not a valid reason for emergency procurement.

02:52:31A self-created urgency does not justify bypassing competitive processes. These statements directly challenge the rationale behind several deviations in this report, such as the R2.5 million spent on Urban 20 Mayoral Summit venue and the R45 million for interim bus services. These were foreseeable needs, not emergencies. The key issues are lack of corrective measures. The report fails to outlineclaim

02:53:01concrete steps to prevent future deviations. The Auditor-General has emphasized accountability must include not only reporting, but also implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Also, high cost and questionable value. The financial implications of deviations raise serious concerns about cost efficiency. The Auditor-General has noted municipalities continue to incur financial losses due to uncompetitive

02:53:31and uneconomical procurement practices. Incomplete and vague reporting. Annexure C contains incomplete descriptions and missing corrective actions, which undermines the credibility of the report and the city's commitment to transparency. And last, but not least, over-reliance on external entities. The city's dependence on external organs of state for critical services reflects a lack of internal capacity, which the Auditor-General has identified as a systemic

02:54:01weakness, saying inadequate skills and capacity, governance failures and a culture of no accountability are the root cause of poor municipal performance. So, what should be done? We call for stricter oversight and justification for 36 deviations, implementation of AGSA's recommendations, including proactive planning and consequence management, improved internal capacity to reduce reliance on external providers,

02:54:31full and transparent reporting with the corrective actions and accountability mechanisms, one of which being the submission of meaningful paper trails and documents to the Section 79 Committee and MPAC. I conclude, Speaker. This report, while highlighting some achievements, also exposes systemic governance failures. As the Democratic Alliance, we do not condone deviations and demand accountability. Speaker, I ask you to help Johannesburg, the city we love,

02:55:01to one day become world class by being proactive and ensuring that these Section 36 items are presented to MPAC without exception, timeously and before the AG has to point out the obvious. Let us commit to a procurement system that is fair, competitive and transparent, as envisioned by the Constitution and demand and demanded by our residents. I thank you.

Item 42: EFF response

02:55:24Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. Councillor Zitha from the EFF.

02:55:34Thank you very much, Speaker.

02:55:37XitsongaNdzi rhandza ku xeweta wena Xipikara, ndzi xeweta vurhangeri bya EFF, ndzi xeweta na tikhansele ta EFF, na tikhansele hinkwato leti nga kona laha namuntlha. Hikokwalaho, hi ku tirhisa wena Xipikara, a ndzi lava ku hlamula liya ya Mufambisi wa Doroba, hikuva Mufambisi wa Doroba a nge le ka mhaka yo karhi.

02:56:05XitsongaMufambisi wa Doroba hi yena a faneleke ku tihlamulela eka huvo, u fanele a va eka mhaka yin'wana na yin'wana, se ku nga vi na mhaka yo hlawuleka leyi a nga ta vulavula eka yona. A ndzi hlamula Khansele Mnisi. Hikokwalaho, a ndzi tivi kuri mi ta ndzi twa Xipikara, kambe ndzi ta ya emahlweni. Naswona loko ndzi vulavula hi mhaka ya vu-42, eka mhaka ya vu-42 Xipikara, tanihi huvo leyiwani, hi fanele hi nga

02:56:37Xitsongatitoloveti ngopfu ku va hi tirhisa minkarhi ya ku hambuka eka maendlelo, hikuva ku hambuka eka maendlelo na kona, hambileswi hi swi tivaka kuri swa laveka, kambe ku nga vi ndlela yo olova ya kuri loko swi nga endli, hi endla sweswo, hikuva swin'wani a swi laveki. Ndzi vula Nhlengeletano ya Vurhangeri bya Madorobakulu. Hayi bo!

02:57:06XitsongaHikuva a yi hi pfuni nchumu hina laha Dorobeni ra Joni. Hikokwalaho, a hi hlamuseleni sweswo kuri ku nga vi xiphemu xo balekela eka xona, loko swilo swi nga fambi kahle hi ya eka ku hambuka eka maendlelo. Hikokwalaho, ku vula sweswo Xipikara, ndza tshemba Xirho xa Komiti ya Meyara mi ndzi twile. Hi ku vula sweswo, tanihi EFF ha yi amukela xiviko lexi. Ndzi khensile.

02:57:38AfrikaansEk hoop dat die Lede van die Burgemeesterskomitee verstaan het, want ek het ook niks verstaan nie, maar baie dankie.

Item 42: ANC support

02:57:51ANC, Councillor D. Modupi.

02:58:04SesothoMotsamaisi wa dipuisano ka kgotla, ke ne ke kopa ho lebohela monyetla ona o nneileng ona. Ke qale ka ho dumedisa boetapele ba toropo ka tlasa bolaodi ba ramotse, ntate Dada Sello Morero. Ke dumedise le komiti ya hae,

02:58:34Sesothoke dumedise basebetsi mmoho le nna ba lekgotla ba teng ka kwano. Ke dumedise le setjhaba se leng ka se re etetseng mona. Motsamaisi wa dipuisano le nna ke wele kgabong. Ke re ha re sheba tlaleho ena, re fumana hore ho na le dintlha tsa bohlokwa, ho na le matlafatso

02:59:04Sesothoya bolaodi ba toropo, mme ebile ho bonahala hore ho na le nyollo tlhakisong ya dietsahala tse teng, hore setjhaba se bone dintho di be pepeneneng, di se ke tsa etsetswa mafifing. Ke a utlwa hore bomphato ba rona ka mane ba buang ka sekgowa,

02:59:33Sesothoba lla mme ba bua ka di-deviations jwalo jwalo. Empa ke re ho na le kgatelopele e bontshwang ke diraporoto tsena, mme rona re le mokgatlo wa African National Congress re tshehetsa tlaleho ena monwana, re re e ananelwe ke lekgotla lena. Ke a leboha.

03:00:02SesothoKe a leboha, Councillor Modupi.

Item 42: MMC Masuku replies; item put to council

03:00:06SesothoMMC... MMC Masuku, ke a leboha.

03:00:20Can Councillor Modupi switch off his mic?

03:00:26Okay. MMC, there you go.

03:00:31SesothoOkay. Le nna ke a leboha, Madam Speaker.

03:00:36I made an attempt to hear the Councillors, but I will make every effort to respond. It was a bit difficult. Councillor Zitha went a bit deep,

03:00:51but I think we all have a responsibility to learn and be multilingual, because of course, also it's Heritage Month, and we are all different... We come from different ethnic backgrounds.

03:01:06I think let me start with Councillor Pietersen, through you, Madam Speaker. I think I agree with the inputs that come from him, because it's one of the issues that I've been very critical about also in the department. And I think

03:01:23this is obviously one of the steps in ensuring that we are reflecting transparency, because if we were not reflecting transparency, we wouldn't be bringing the reports to Council. So, that's the first step to indicate that there is nothing that we are hiding. The administration should not abuse Regulation 36. I'm very clear in my mind about that, and I'm not apologetic.

03:01:51And one of the discussions we've had with the Group CFO is to ensure that where humanly possible, do not wait until you need to go through the utilization of Regulation 36. But there are instances where it is beyond our control, and I think Councillor Zitha mentioned it. The procurement of some of the venues for U20, you would want this venue

03:02:17and then the venue is not available. Then you have to go and try and get another, and obviously the officials are not in charge of which venue ultimately gets to be utilized. So I'm using that example because also Councillor Zitha picked up on it. So, it's something that we wouldn't have just, and it's beyond our control because venues are not within our control, and because of the international standard that we had to keep up in ensuring that we subscribe to.

03:02:47And stricter oversight, myself, I'm very clear about that. And I think the Section 79 is well within its right to make certain supplementary requests on documentation. If there is such a need, I will support that fully. There is nothing that we should be able to hide because as long as the process towards the utilization of Regulation 36 was done in accordance, because Regulation 36 is there in the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations

03:03:18for us to utilize, but still there must be a process that is done correctly to get to that. So, that is fine. Meaningful oversight, and if there is paper trail that is requested to be submitted to the Section 79, I've noted that in my diary. I've already sent it through to say supplementary documentation that will be requested must be made available. And that's our commitment to ensuring that. And I think

03:03:50consequence management, in an event where we find that there was something untoward, I think we've been very clear about it as this administration. And we also have been very clear in terms of the work of the disciplinary board in ensuring that we deal with any financial mismanagement. But at the moment, I haven't come across any, and when it does happen, we bring it to Council, because Council is the highest decision-making body

03:04:19that ought to ensure that we take action against any of that. But in this instance of this particular report, there isn't any. Second last, Madam Speaker, the former Chairperson of the Committee, Councillor Edward, she said through you, "The time has come," or "This time has come." No, no. Her time came and it ended for her to be a Chairperson.

03:04:47So, she must accept that her time has ended. There is no corruption. This is not a corruption report, Speaker. We are reporting. Actually, we are being transparent here. In fact, as the Government of Local Unity, we are reporting to Council. So, there's no corruption here. This is a regulated process. So, she must accept, drink water, breathe,

03:05:08isiXhosaixesha lakhe liphelile.

03:05:12Thank you, Councillor Modupi and Councillor Zitha. We note those points, and we are committed to ensuring that we will never allow any service provider to be sidelined or supplier. If there are those, it must be reported, and we have a right to look into it, so that everybody gets a fair chance in terms of the process of supply chain. I thank you, and I ask Council to note this particular report. Thanks, Madam Speaker.

03:05:39AfrikaansBaie dankie, MMC.

03:05:44AfrikaansMMC het nou gesê dis Heritage Month en ons moet mekaar verdra. So ek sal sê...

03:06:01Thank you, colleagues. I wanted to say it in Afrikaans, but it's fine.

03:06:05AfrikaansDie aanbevelings is op bladsy 42.3. Is die item...

03:06:12Do we agree to the item?

03:06:18It's Heritage Month. I used all the languages that I know. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you so much. You all seemed as if you wanted to sleep, so I thought I'll wake you up.

Lunch adjournment

03:06:28Colleagues, we are now going to break for lunch. We'll be back at 2:00. And I suppose we'll be bright because we would have had filled our little tummies. Thank you.

Resumption and item 43 introduced

04:18:40Good afternoon, colleagues. We are back. Uh we will proceed with our agenda. Um we've been cruising very nice today. So, can we remain on steering this way that we are so that we don't get too much waves and other things. Pardon? Yes, we are cruising very nicely. And I love that. Colleagues, um STC, next item.

04:19:20Uh welcome back, councillors. We resume with item 43, which is the group strategic supply chain management acquisition status report reflecting bids considered and approved by the accounting officer for the period of the 1st April 2025 to the 30th of June 2025.

04:19:39Thank you, colleagues. Uh the first speaker on the list is Action SA Councillor N Edward, thank you.

04:19:53Is Councillor Edward in the house? Okay, thank you.

Item 43: ActionSA on tenders

04:20:11Thank you so much, uh Madam Speaker. Greetings to the Mayor in absentia. Greetings to all Councillors and most importantly to the residents of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I rise with fire in my heart and duty on my shoulders on behalf of Action SA to expose the rot in the financial mismanagement of our city.claim

04:20:40We are told, Madam Speaker, that the Central Adjudication Committee handles tenders from 750,000 to 5 million. The Executive Adjudication Committee handles tenders from 5 million to 10 million and anything above that goes to the city manager. Madam Speaker, at face value, this is supposed to guarantee oversight.claim

04:21:09But in practice, it has become oversight abused. Bloated contracts benefiting the connected few. Speaker, this report reveals tenders worth hundreds of millions. 174 million handed to Standard Bank for banking services, 30 million given to another company with only one bidder responding. In transport,claim

04:21:383.1 billion for Rea Vaya contract was awarded to another company yet the highest bidder was selected. Since when does the highest bidder equal best value, Madam Speaker? This is not good governance. Action SA calls it what it is. Daylight robbery. Over and over, we see tenders approved with one bidder. Madam Speaker, 4.8 millionclaim

04:22:07was given to a consulting company for a matric program, 1.9 million to the same company for an adult education training. Speaker, is this competition or is it the system being designed to shut out fair participation so that insiders walk away with public money? Action SA demands answers on this.

04:22:36Points are supposed to balance cost, capacity and empowerment. But in this city, Madam Speaker, points have become the shield for picking the most expensive option while communities in Soweto, in Alexandra, in Orange Farm sit without basic services. Madam Speaker, under this current administration, we have become a playground for tenderpreneurs.

04:23:09Billions are locked in long-term contracts communicating committing future budgets while potholes, blackouts, water outages in most areas of the city worsens. Madam Speaker, Section 33 processes meant to safeguard future budgets are treated as tick as box-ticking exercises

04:23:38with no real consultation. This is not good governance. This is not effective governance. It is betrayal. Action SA will not stand by while this city is looted. Madam Speaker, we recommend that we conduct a full forensic audit on some of the tenders and some of these tenders that are listed in this report. An explanation of why one bidder one bid

04:24:08tenders are approved without re-advertisement. Answers on why the highest bidders are consistently chosen. We also want accountability for allowing this type of abuse while our residents in the City of Johannesburg suffer. Action SA says that the Johannesburg residents deserve better.

04:24:3440 seconds left.

04:24:35Better than being sold out to politically connected tenderpreneurs. Better than an administration that normalizes waste and corruption while residents are left without basic dignity. And let it be clear, as long as Action SA stands in this chamber, we will not keep quiet. Action SA notes this report with all the concerns that have been mentioned above. Thank you.

Item 43: DA critique of awards and expenditure

04:25:01Thank you, Councillor. DA DA Councillor N Pietersen.

04:25:10Good day, Speaker, honourable members of Council and the honourable Mayor in absentia. I rise not merely to summarize expenditure incurred by the City of Johannesburg from April to June 2025, but to critically examine the implications of these financial decisions. As public representatives, our duty is not to approve budgets,

04:25:36but to ensure that every rand spent delivers value to our residents. During this quarter, the Central Executive Adjudication Committee approved several high-value contracts. While these were ostensibly aligned with strategic goals such as service delivery and infrastructure development, the pattern of irregular, unauthorized, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure continues to cast a long shadow over our financial governance.claim

04:26:06Recent reports reveal that the city has written off over R13 billion in such expenditure, with 5 billion still pending treasury approval for write-off. This is not just a number. It represents lost opportunities for housing, safety, and basic services. The transport department, which I see the MMC is not here, umclaim

04:26:30316 billion awarded to Litsamaiso Limited for BRT Rea Vaya services. While public transport is vital, this contract must be scrutinized for delivery benchmarks and cost efficiency. Development planning, also not in attendance today, 30.1 million to Esri SA and NTG Solutions for GIS services. Spatial development is important, but we must ask, are these systems being used effectively across departments?claim

04:27:02Group finance, 174.6 million to Standard Bank for banking services and 4.1 for asset management systems. These are foundational services, yet the city's financial controls remain weak as evidenced by the ongoing irregularities. Economic development, also absent, precinct plans for Glen Austin and Kew Wynberg cost nearly 1.5 million. SMME training cost 413,000.claim

04:27:30While commendable, we must ensure that these initiatives are not just box-ticking exercises. Group corporate and shared services, 6.8 million allocated to education programs. Again, noble in intent, but where is the impact assessment? Now, here's a name that has been mentioned here quite often. It's Pimp My Computer. A case in point.claim

04:27:55One contract that demands attention is involvement of Pimp My Computer CC, a company based in Chiawelo, Gauteng. While the company operates in the IT services sector, there is no publicly available record of a major tender awarded to this entity in the city's official procurement bulletins or e-tender portals. If this company has received municipal funds, we must ask, was the procurement process transparent? Were they accredited under SITA norms and standards?claim

04:28:24What services were delivered, and how were they evaluated? Given the city's history of 1.21 billion in irregular payments to panel of service providers between 2018 and 2022, we cannot afford to overlook even small contracts. Every supplier must be vetted and every contract must be justified. Critical observations. There's a significant oversight deficit. The Auditor-General has repeatedly flagged poor consequence management and lack of accountability. Multi-year contracts are oftenclaim

04:28:56a source of irregularities. Leadership instability. With nine mayors since 2016, continuity in governance is lacking. Each administration resets priorities undermining long-term planning. Public trust. Residents are losing faith. They see potholes, dry taps, and load shedding while billions are written off without consequences. And that speaks to the um disciplinary board.

04:29:24Conclusion. While the approved bids reflect strategic intent, they also expose systemic weaknesses. We must move beyond rubber-stamping expenditure and demand transparent procurement, impact-driven budgeting, real-time monitoring of service delivery, accountability for every rand spent. Let us not allow Johannesburg to become a cautionary tale of financial mismanagement. Let us restore integrity to our governance. Thank you.

04:29:53Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Mkhonza from

04:30:00Um ACDP is not here. Do we pass?

04:30:10Thank you, Councillor.

Item 43: EFF position

04:30:12Councillor Zitha, EFF?

04:30:29Councillor Pietersen, please switch off your mic.

04:30:37AfrikaansBaie dankie, Speaker.

04:30:40Eh, Speaker, I just want to greet the EFF party leader, Dr. Tshwaku, EFF eh chief whip, Mrs. Thabisa Mogapi, the EFF councillors. Speaker, um as the EFF we note the acquisition status report for the period of April to 20 to June 2025.

04:31:10We acknowledge that the bid approved went through uh the central and executive uh committees and the process processes followed requirement of MFMA and PPPFA. Um however, Speaker, as the EFF we cannot simply um rubber-stamp the report of billion being awarded without raising the voice of the people. We see for example, um I heard uh Councillor

04:31:39Pietersen mentioning it, um that there was an uh um a project that was awarded to Litsamaiso PTY LTD um to assist with Rea Vaya services valued at over 3.1 billion. And then again for 7 years. While the public transport, we know that is very critical for our city, we ask why is it the city locked into this product project for such a long time?

04:32:10Expensive contract with private companies instead of building the capacity for us for our people. Uh we also note, Speaker, that uh there's 174 million contract with Standard Bank for commercial banking services. Once again, Speaker, the city enrich these big bank uh big banks while the poor resident are being cut off from water and electricity for not affording the bills.

04:32:39So, as um the EFF, Speaker, we support eh this need of the government, transparency, service delivery. But, we must uh be clear, procurement must not be a feeding scheme for the connected few. It must drive real transformation, empower genuine black-owned and community-based enterprises, and deliver directly to benefit our people. We therefore, Speaker, support noting this

04:33:09report. But, we also demand that the oversight must not end here. This council must insist on regular monitoring of those contract, on penalties for under-performance, and a plan to shift Johannesburg away from dependence on private companies and banks. So, as the EFF we will note um we will not stop reminding rather this council that our people want services, not tenders.

04:33:39We are tired of of tenders. I wanted to say sick and tired of tenders. Um they want dignity. They want endless um not the endless report of contract running into millions while their township remain neglected. Thank you very much. Looking forward um to the answers from the MMC. Thank you.

04:34:01AfrikaansBaie dankie.

Item 43: ANC and Cape Town comparisons

04:34:05Councillor Nofemela from the ANC.

04:34:19Thank you, Speaker and greetings to you, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Whip of Council, ANC caucus, fellow councillors.

04:34:30Councillor Nofemela, can you speak into your mic, please?

04:34:33Okay.

04:34:34Thank you so much, Councillor.

04:34:35Thank you, Speaker and greetings to you, the Executive Mayor in absentia, the Whip of Council, ANC caucus, fellow councillors. Greetings to the members in the gallery, to the residents of the City of Johannesburg, and not forgetting the residents that deployed me here from Ward 10. Madam Speaker, please allow me to send the special greetings to the real leader of caucus of the Democratic Alliance.

04:35:05Madam Speaker, allow me to congratulate the African National Congress for retaining Ward 130 and in welcoming Councillor Mzobe in the chamber. Speaker,

04:35:22isiXhosakukho abanye endingazobabiza ngegama apha kodwa bayazazi bona. Babhizi yeyi kuthiwa fundani kuthi ngeloxesha

04:35:37a 73-year-old has been piloted to lead Johannesburg because only she has capacity. And I don't know what I can say

04:35:45isiXhosangabanye usuke eNtshona Koloni ukuzozibambela intambo ngokwakhe ngoba

04:35:51all her councillors in Johannesburg lacks capacity to lead. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 43. Speaker, as the ANC we have looked into the report and analyzed it closely. And we are satisfied that nothing untoward that can be identified or picked up.

04:36:16So, it is very clear that the Evaluation Committee and the respective Adjudication Committee are executing their task according to the relevant prescripts governing the bidding processes. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I encourage this house to visit places like Site C and Harare in Khayelitsha to see what good governance means in the City of Cape Town.

04:36:42isiXhosaKubuhlungu kwabanye abaphatha eJohannesburg asabona nto.

04:36:48Instead of comparing their work, their failures, they see failures in others and compare with other municipalities instead of their performance in the City of Johannesburg. As the ANC, Speaker, we note the report. Thank you.

04:37:05Thank you so much, Councillor Nofemela.

Item 43: MMC Masuku replies; item put to council

04:37:17MMC Masuku.

04:37:30Thank you very much, uh Madam Speaker, and I note the comments from the councillors. Um, but I must say that the rands that we spend are meant for service delivery and for nothing else. Um, so I want to implore the outgone former chairperson of the committee through you, Speaker, Councillor Edward. Where she knows money has been stolen, she must report it.

04:38:02If she believes that there are people who have robbed the city, whether at gunpoint or in whatever method, she must go through the proper channels. There's GFIS, there's a hotline, there's an email. She can even go to the South African Police Services. But, to come here and grandstand and say that officials who are doing their work to procure services for residents of Johannesburg are stealing money, is actually an atrocious act

04:38:32from a person who used to chair a committee, used to chair a committee. One would think that she would appreciate and understand the essence of this report, because this report is to bring to council so that council has an understanding of what we would have actually procured and what would be reflecting in line with the supply chain management um um uh uh uh bids that would have been procured between April and uh uh June.

04:39:01So, there's no theft. But if you know of theft, report it then. Why are you sitting with theft? And then you come and you mislead the residents of Johannesburg. So, if you know of any of those actions, report them and not mislead the residents of Johannesburg. Councillor Zitha, yes, I agree with you. Ours is to continue to serve and transparency remains at the center of our existence. The Government of Local Unity is very clear about good governance and transparency

04:39:30and ensuring financial sustainability, which is something also obviously we must Our residents must get value for money, uh services at the right time, at the right price, but for all residents, not only a particular section of the residents. All residents must get the services that they require, and the processes of procurement must be followed by the officials who procure those particular services. With that being said,

04:40:00I want to thank you, Madam Speaker, and request council to please note. Thank you.

04:40:04Thank you, MMC Masuku. Colleagues, it's item 43. The recommendations are on page 4.3. Is the item agreed to?

04:40:22Thank you, councillors. Councillor

Cllr Da Rocha's off-agenda state-of-emergency remark

04:40:25Da Rocha.

04:40:26Da Rocha.

04:40:31Uh thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, every day I'm getting complaints from my residents that they got no water. And I really think that this council should declare the City of Joburg a state of emergency.

04:40:53Think about it.

04:40:54Councillor Da Rocha, can you take your seat? I asked you yesterday on which agenda item are you, and you do it again. Thank you, colleagues. STC.

04:41:10Colleagues, I've done what I've had to do, please. STC.

04:41:26Councillor Da Rocha, switch off your mic, please. Any other mic that's on?

Item 44: SCM operational status report – ActionSA

04:41:32Uh Councillors, we are on item 44, and that is the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management Operational Status Report for the period 1st of April to the 30th of June 2025.

04:41:44ActionSA Councillor N. Edward.

04:41:53Councillors, respect your own councillor.

04:42:03Thank you so much, uh Madam Speaker. Greetings to you, Honourable Speaker, councillors, and most importantly, the residents of the City of Johannesburg. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 44, which deals with the state of supply chain management in our city. This report lays before us the details of bids awarded, and committees that sat, and the financial commitment entered into

04:42:33on behalf of our residents of Johannesburg. Let us be clear, Madam Speaker, that every tender awarded is not just a line item, it is a commitment made in the name of the residents of Johannesburg. It is their money collected through rates, taxes, and tariffs that funds all these service delivery projects. And it is our responsibility as council to ensure that these funds are spent responsibly,

04:43:03transparently, and effectively. In item 44 that is presented before us, which is a report for August 2025, it continues in the same vein, requiring us once again to discharge our oversight duties. Together, these reports remind us that oversight is not just a passive function. The MFMA, supply chain regulations, and Section 33

04:43:33processes demand that we, as council, remain vigilant custodians of public resources. Honourable Speaker, accountability is not optional, it is the cornerstone of good governance. We cannot merely note these reports without interrogating them. Madam Speaker, it is our duty to note them and give our views to these reports. We must also ask,

04:44:03were these bidding processes competitive? Were they fair? Were they transparent? Were the correct policies and regulations followed? Do these contracts deliver value for money and sustainability in terms of service delivery? And most importantly, will our communities see tangible improvements from these expenditures that we are making or committing to make? Where accountability is absent,

04:44:32wasteful expenditure flourishes, and we also see personal attacks on people that do speeches, which is not supposed to be like that. Where oversight is weak, corruption finds room to breathe. But where this council insists on transparency, demands compliance, and enforces accountability, the residents of Johannesburg will reap greater rewards in terms of good governance. Let me stress, our role is not to rubber-stamp

04:45:02decisions of officials or committees. Our role is to ensure that these decisions align with principles of financial sustainability, principles of fairness, principles that will develop the needs of our city, and will deliver those basic services to the residents of Johannesburg. As we table this report, let us commit ourselves as councillors to this duty. Let us not Let us hold not only the administration

04:45:32accountable, but let us also hold ourselves and the executive accountable to remain diligent, vigilant, and unwavering in safeguarding public funds contributed by our residents. In the end, accountability is the highest service as councillors that we can render to our residents. If we fail in this, we fail them. And that, Honourable Speaker, is not an option.

04:46:01We must hold the executive to account and we must not fail our residents. ActionSA notes this report. I thank you.

Item 44: DA on Smit Street stock write-off

04:46:10Thank you, Councillor. Um I'll go straight on to Councillor N. Pietersen because Councillor Mkhonza is not here. Councillor Pietersen.

04:46:36Councillor Edward, can you please switch off your mic? Can we all remember that after we've spoken, we switch off our mics, please? Thank you, Councillor Pietersen.

04:46:49Thank you, um Speaker, and fellow councillors, and uh Mr. Mayor, and the residents of Johannesburg. Today I rise to speak on matters that go to the heart of our city's financial integrity and the trust of our communities placed in us to manage public resources with care and accountability.

04:47:17We are currently faced with a proposed write-off of stock items at Smit Street store valued at just over 26 million.claim

04:47:23ActionSA, the councillor of ActionSA there, we hear you. Your conversation with your colleague, we can hear it clearly. Please, colleagues, please. Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. You may continue.

04:47:41Has my time been adjusted?claim

04:47:41Don't worry, I've stopped your two minutes that I've taken.claim

04:47:44Thank you, Speaker. So, I'll repeat. We are currently faced with a proposed write-off of stock items at the Smit Street store of just over R26 million. These items, and yes, it is probably those ink cartridges, have been flagged for deletion and referred to Group Forensics Investigative Services for further scrutiny. While the stock has been provisionally written down to 70 just over R74 million, that's uh basically 74 million rand's worth of ink cartridges and stationery that we are holding in our stores,claim

04:48:15we must await GFIS's findings before any final decisions are made. This process is essential to ensure that any write-offs are not only justified, but are also transparent and accountable. However, I must raise a red flag regarding the lack of detail in the report concerning the Smit Street adjustment. A significant adjustment of R7.5 million is noted, yet there is no explanation that accompanies this figure. This is deeply concerning. Transparency is not a luxury,

04:48:46it is a non-negotiable pillar of good governance. I urge the relevant departments to provide full clarity before council is asked to make any decisions, that is that this be referred to MPAC. Further, I'm compelled to question the ongoing procurement activity at Smit Street store. Who is placing these requisitions? What processes are being followed? For instance, RFQ COJ0063/24-25,

04:49:15recently published in the city's e-procurement portal, details the procurement of first-aid kits for 222 Smit Street offices. This confirms that purchasing is still active at this location. But, what about the other items, like ink cartridges, which are frequently requisitioned? Where are the RFQs for these? Are these purchases aligned with our procurement policies? Are they being properly justified? These are not rhetorical questions, they are demand answers.

04:49:43The integrity of our supply chain management depends on it. As we deliberate, we must not We must also confront the broader financial pressures facing our city. The report outlines significant expenditures across departments, including the procurement of operational items. While some of these may be necessary, we must ask, are they aligned with the urgent needs of our residents? Johannesburg is in a precarious financial position. We must prioritize infrastructure that directly improves lives,

04:50:14that being water, sanitation, electricity. These are not optional services, they are the backbone of dignity and survival for our communities. Water infrastructure, in particular, is under immense strain. Without targeted investment, we risk compromising access to clean, reliable water for thousands, if not millions of people. This is not just a technical issue, it is a human one. I therefore call on all departments to exercise restraint and focus budgets on initiatives that deliver tangible,

04:50:45measurable benefits to our communities. Every rand must count. In closing, let us recommit, or should I say commit, to the principles of transparency, accountability, and service delivery. Let us ensure that our financial decisions reflect the values we claim to uphold and the needs of the people we serve. Thank you.

Item 44: EFF commends report

04:51:09Thank you, Councillor Pietersen. EFF Councillor Zitha.

04:51:20Thank you again, Speaker, and greetings to you. Greetings to the Executive Mayor, EFF leadership, and the members of council, and not forget the resident of the world African city, uh Johannesburg. Um Speaker, we have before us the operational status report of Group Strategic Supply Chain Management for the 1st April to the 30th of June 2025.claim

04:51:50At the outset, let me commend, for the first time, officials for coming uh complying, complying, oh no, it's compiling, a comprehensive and transparent account. It is clear the work has been done in line with the MFMA, the supply chain management regulations, and the city's own policy framework. This strengthen our commitment to good governance,

04:52:20financial sustainability, and service delivery. In summary, Speaker, this report provide a valuable tool of for the oversight. It reflect compliance with legal obligations, it shows notable success in preferential procurement, and demonstrate the scale of procurement activities that sustain service delivery. But, it also exposes systematic weaknesses in stock control,

04:52:48um contract management, and procurement planning that, if left unchecked, could undermine both financial sustainability and public trust. Therefore, Speaker, as the EFF, while we note and support this content of this report, we also call on the administration to act decisively on the shortcoming identified. Efficiency, foresight, and accountability must guide every rand we spend,

04:53:19because behind every procurement figure lies the service delivery our resident depend on. So, thank you very much, Speaker.

Item 44: ANC on stock and consequence management

04:53:32Thank you, Councillor Sharon. Councillor R. Maswazi from ANC.

04:53:51Councillor Zitha, is your mic off? Okay.

04:53:54Yeah. Thank you, thank you, Speaker. Uh greetings to you, uh Honourable Speaker of Council. Uh greetings to the Executive Mayor, Councillor Dada Morero. Uh greetings to the Whip of Council, Councillor Khasamula Chauke, Chair of Chairs, Councillor Adolf Marema, and fellow councillors. Speaker, I rise to address item 44, the Group Strategic Supply Chain Management

04:54:25Operational Status Report for period 1st April to 30th June 2025. Speaker, this report provides valuable insights into the movement of procurement activities across the core departments from quarter 1 to quarter 4. As we know, Speaker, procurement processes are guided by the Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003. This report consolidates all purchases,claim

04:54:55including direct goods and services, stock items, as well as renewals of contracts within the core city of the city. Speaker, a detailed information on this report on purchasing, inventory management, and contract status is available on Annexure A, B, C, D, and F of the report. We have noted, as the ANC, a few concerns regarding the direct purchases of goods and services.claim

04:55:26One of those is that by the 30th of June 2025, the city held stock valued at 108,626,059 594,000. Okay. Uh by the 30th of June 2025, the city held stock valued at R108,626,594. I got it. However, Speaker, a further R3,639,396claim

04:56:00was written off due to goods expiring on the shelf before being used. The ANC have noted that as a concern as well, and also noted that additionally an amount of R26,206,111 has been marked for deletion. However, Speaker, contrary to what other councillors have said, they've raised issues as if there were no consequence management that have been drafted by the MMC. Through the intervention of the MMC Masuku,

04:56:30some of these matters have been referred to the Group Forensic Investigation Services unit for further investigation. Speaker, we commend the MMC for this decision or decisive step, as it reflects a commitment to curb wasteful expenditure. Accountability and consequence management um has been established by this uh uh MMC who just came into office. Issues such as poor stock projections, weak stock handling, and unexplained shortages cannot simply be ignored.

04:57:00They must be met with proper consequence management. We therefore insist, Speaker, that individuals that are entrusted with the inventory management and control must then be properly qualified, have clear responsibilities, and be measured against performance indicators. Speaker, despite challenges that we face, we remain confident that the recent appointment of the MMC for Finance, MMC Masuku, will bring much-needed turnaround in this portfolio.

04:57:29Her swift action to refer irregularities to the relevant authorities already shows a firm commitment to clean governance and financial prudence. There is a saying which says, Speaker, a new broom sweeps clean. The MMC has just arrived and already cracking the whip. Let's give the opportunity to clean the house. Speaker, in conclusion, with that said, the ANC requests this council to duly note the report. Thank you.

Item 44: MMC Masuku replies; item agreed

04:57:57Thank you, Councillor Maswazi. MMC Masuku.

04:58:16There's a mic that's on somewhere. Councillor Maswazi, is your mic off?

04:58:20Mine is not working. Okay. Mine is not working, Speaker. Speaker, thank you very much. Um once again, fellow councillors, Executive Mayor, Chief Whip of Council, um Chair of Chairs, and fellow MMCs. Speaker, I note the comments and the input from um Councillor Edward and Councillor Pietersen. And I think one of the things that I must emphasize is that we

04:58:47all of us are committed to transparency, and Councillor Zitha has spoke comprehensively about uh good governance, financial sustainability. Um and one of those things is to make sure that we follow due process. And unfortunately, we do have to wait for MPAC processes to be concluded. There is nothing we can do until those particular processes are completed. And um GFIS obviously remains a critical part

04:59:17of um one of our institutions that assist us in dealing with um wrongdoing um or if there are findings that um lead um uh uh that are linked to um mismanagement or fraud or corruption. And as the administration, that's why we would then um bring that to council and uh get permission from council. So, those are processes and it's our commitment to good governance as well,

04:59:46in ensuring that those referrals are done. Um it's not um The time frames, of course, are part and parcel of one of the things we dealt with uh in one of our in the strategic planning session of the of

05:00:00the section 79 for finance one of the issues we we actually spoke about was the frequency of the sittings of the disciplinary board to ensure that we don't have a backlog of how we deal with these with cases when they come come through. So I'm just responding on that specific issue of in an event where there is financial misconduct. Ah and I think

05:00:28remember the members of the disciplinary board are not ah they've got their work that they do in the city. Um so they are not compensated differently so it's not as if it's an independent body.

05:00:40Are there employees of the city and then we've got someone from national treasury and we've got an independent chairperson. So the frequency becomes important to ensure that we then deal with the backlog. But our commitment remains you know services that are procured they are procured for the good of the residents it's for service delivery it's to ensure that our people receive um what um is due to them.

05:01:06Councillor Pietersen I don't have a specific response on the issue through you Speaker on the RFQ query you've raised, but I have noted it. I think you were specific, you made an example on the first aid kits and then you were saying that you made something on cartridges, so I don't have a specific response on that in this immediate moment,

05:01:31but I've noted it and then we will do even if it's through a response to your whip so that we provide that clarity once we've got those facts from the officials because I would not want to mislead council because I don't have that. We accept that there are shortcomings and weaknesses through you speaker as raised by Councillor Zitha and we are working on those that's why we've

05:02:00we've started and we are very clear in our mind that contract management cannot be a by the way issue in the city. Contract management actually is the reason why sometimes we get into some of the problems we get in because officials wait until a particular contract has ended then we have to deal with the issues of extensions and extensions whereas there must be a systematic plan in a dashboard that takes us through clearly

05:02:30what is supposed to be done and what when we procure the procurement systems are done and the stock of course is controlled um accordingly. So we acknowledge that Councillor Zitha and we are not hiding anything. We remain committed to ensuring that we comply and we um live by our principles of good governance and we appreciate the comments also and the suggestions made uh how to better um improve.

05:02:57I ask council to please note the report and Councillor Maswazi we've also noted your comments and thank you for that and we ask council to please note the supply chain operational status report for the period April to June 2025. Thanks Speaker.

05:03:17Thank you MMC. Colleagues, that's item 44. The recommendations are on page 44.4. Is the item agreed to? Agreed. Thank you.

Item 45: Contract A834 specialised legal services – ActionSA

05:03:35We are now on item 45 and that's an amendment to an extension of a contract period in respect of contract A834 and that's for provision of specialized legal services for the City of Johannesburg.

05:03:55Thank you ActionSA Councillor T Nkomo.

05:04:05Good day, Honourable Speaker, Honourable Mayor, ActionSA Caucus Leader Marcel Coutriers, all fellow councillors in the chamber and the residents at home.

05:04:19I rise today to caution the house on this proposed amendment and further extension of the contract for specialized legal services beyond the already extended period. While I recognize the importance of legal services to the effective functioning of our city, this additional nine-month extension is deeply concerning for several reasons.

05:04:43Firstly, the original contract was awarded over four years ago in June 2021, and this contract has already seen extensions totaling over one year. The prolonged reliance on this contract suggests a failure in proper planning and execution by the Group Legal and Contracts Department to finalize the procurement process within reasonable timeframes.

05:05:09Furthermore, the justification that the extension is needed due to an overwhelming volume of bid submissions raises questions about the initial procurement framework and capacity. It is troubling that such delays continue to place pressure on our governance processes and could lead to fiscal uncertainty.

05:05:29By approving yet another extension, this council risks perpetuating a cycle of delays and undermining public confidence in the city's ability to manage procurement processes transparently and efficiently. Moreover, extended contracts may limit opportunities for new legal service providers and reduce competitive pressures that could drive innovation and cost-effectiveness in legal support services.

05:05:55In addition, while there has been public notice, the lack of objections does not equate to strong community endorsement. The citizens' voice is more than just silence, and they deserve proactive engagement on matters that affect municipal governance and expenditures. Although we now have no choice

05:06:16but to approve the extension because of these unnecessary and avoidable delays, we request and demand that the Group Legal and Contracts Department expedite the procurement process immediately and provide clear guidelines I mean, excuse me, clear timelines and accountability measures. We must provide good governance, transparency and fiscal prudence over administrative convenience.

05:06:43Let us send a message that delays and extensions at the expense of effective service delivery and oversight will not be tolerated. Thank you, Speaker.

Item 45: DA on contract A834 reporting duties

05:06:55Thank you, Councillor. Councillor A. Marais from the DA.

05:07:01Thank you, Speaker. Madam Speaker, fellow councillors, council officials, ladies and gentlemen, both in this house and online. This is the second time that the Group Legal and Contracts Department has sought to amend contract A834 for the provision of specialized legal services to the city.

05:07:23The three-year contract was extended for a further 12 months in terms of a resolution of this council on 19th September last year. At that time, it was pointed out to this council and the Group Legal and Contracts Department that in terms of section 116 2D of the Municipal Finance Management Act, the accounting officer of the municipality must regularly report to the council on the management of the contract and the performance of the contractor.

05:07:53In the context of this contract, the accounting officer is the City Manager and the performance which is required to be reported upon is that of the panel members. More so, Section 116(1)(b)(iii) requires such a contract to be reviewed every three years.

Item 45: extension of legal services panel contract

05:08:14It is pointed out that no reports in regard to the management of the contract or the performance of the panel members has been furnished to the Governance Oversight Committee or tabled in this council.

05:08:28The department is seeking today to extend the term of the contract and effectively the appointments of the panel members yet again for a further nine months. But it is persisting in its failure to review or report on the management of the contract and the performance of the panel members.

05:08:48This is despite the fact that there has been trenchant and continuous criticism by the Johannesburg High Court of the manner in which the city has conducted litigation before it since 30th June 2021 when this panel was appointed.

05:09:07Once again, this council is put in the position that it is obliged to extend the mandates of the panel members without any feedback as to the desirability of continuing to employ them. This was pointed out on the last occasion when the contract was extended for the first time,

05:09:25but has been ignored by the Group Legal and Contracts Department and the City Manager. We trust that this deliberate failure will be noted and taken into account in the performance assessments conducted in regard to the relevant senior managers.

05:09:42It is pointed out that the amount of money in question which is spent in regard to the provision of these legal services exceeds one quarter of a billion rand annually, that's a billion, not a million, a billion rand.

05:10:00So that we are talking about a large amount of money over which this council has been prevented from exercising proper oversight over. I thank you.

05:10:16Thank you, Councillor Marais. Councillor Zitha.

05:10:28Thank you once more, Speaker. Greetings to you, greetings to the EFF party leader, greetings to the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg and greetings to the MMC of Finance, Councillor Masuku.

05:10:51Speaker, once again, this council is asked to extend a contract, contract A834 for specialized legal services. The EFF will not shy away from telling the truth.

05:11:09This delay is a direct result of inefficiency in our system. The Bid Evaluation Committee received a mountain of submissions, but instead of preparing for this reality, we now sit here under pressure to extend the expired contract.

05:11:27Speaker, the EFF does not oppose this extension because we know that the city cannot afford a legal vacuum. Without protection, Johannesburg risks financial losses, court defeat and reputational embarrassment.

05:11:45But let us be clear, this extension is not a favor to service providers, it's a shield to our people against the consequences of poor planning.

05:11:56Speaker, MMC through you Speaker, I've said the word accountability today more than anyone and that's the stance of the EFF. We demand accountability. We demand that this nine-month extension be the last. We demand that the Group Legal and Contract Department complete its procurement without further excuses. We demand that the contract value is not exceeded

05:12:23because every rand wasted is a rand stolen from service delivery to our people. The EFF support this report, but with a warning.

05:12:35In the days of endless extension, the days of contract being used to enrich the connected at the expense of our poor people are over. This coalition must deliver, Speaker. It must answer to our people of Johannesburg. Those were the demands coming from the EFF, Speaker. Thank you very much.

05:13:01Thank you, Councillor Zitha. Councillor Nofemela from the ANC.

05:13:16Thank you, Madam Speaker, and greetings to you, the Executive Mayor, and all protocols observed.

05:13:23isiXhosaMadam Speaker, abanye bahleka abanye uba abana capacity. Andizukubathwa ngegama, shem. Abanye bakhululwe emisebenzini yabo, kuthiwa abadelivari. Icapacity dololo, kodwa asikho apho, Speaker. IsiXhosa sithi njengoba uqhaqha iileta zam nje, nezakho zikulindile eposini.emotive

05:13:55Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on item 45. Speaker, this item dealing with the request for approval of the contract to be extended on a month-to-month basis for a period not exceeding six months. Madam Speaker, notwithstanding that the current contract was extended for nine months because of due diligence,

05:14:23this goes with the process of supply chain. Madam Speaker, the ANC understands the reason put forward for the extension and agrees thereto. The reasons are about mitigating and managing the legal risk involved if the extension is not effected.

05:14:44Madam Speaker, the city cannot afford to expose itself to this risk, which include amongst others the interruptions of services which can cause financial loss, disruptions in service delivery and reputational harm to the city. Madam Speaker, this request for approval is simulating that clearly, that the procurement process of the new contract due for completion is realized.

05:15:16The interim... Who's that? IT.

05:15:35Just continue, let's see. The interim contract may, Madam... The interim contract may be terminated to avoid unnecessary irregular expenditure. In conclusion, Speaker, the ANC instead of blaming their predecessors, we are on the ground with our people and for the people. The city is indeed in capable hands under this GNU. Therefore, Madam Speaker, as the ANC we note this report and I thank you.

05:16:06Thank you so much, Councillor. MMC Masuku.

05:16:21Thank you, Speaker. Councillor Nkomo, yes, your points are precisely the matters I raised in the previous report, the concerns on the inability to plan, the concerns around, and we've said it even in the Mayoral Committee, that if you know a contract is going to expire in two years, why would you want to advertise it two months before?

05:16:49Because you know it's going to expire in the next two years, so advertise it at least 18 months before. And those are the issues that we've raised and we are monitoring and making sure that that particular process is being done.

05:17:04Um... Councillor Zitha, your points are noted. Yes, even if people receive a mountain of submissions, they must plan for the mountain of submissions. There must be teams that are there to deal with that. It can't be that, because you don't know how many submissions you are going to get. So if you get 20 times the amount of submissions, that on its own cannot be a reason for you to say that's why you have the delay.

05:17:31But of course, because we need to have continuity of the service, that's why we're bringing the report to council and requesting council to allow us to continue with this particular extension. But I must say that because I did ask specifically in terms of the process and it's articulated that the BEC has sat,

05:17:58so meaning that at least, although we've asked for nine months, we should expect that it should be completed in less than six months, and we ask council to approve. Thank you.

05:18:10Thank you, MMC Masuku. The item is item 45 and the recommendations are on pages 45.6 to pages 45.7. Is the item agreed to? Agreed.

Item 46: Land Use Scheme tabled and DA speech

05:18:38Councillors, we're on item 46.

05:18:40Excuse me. There's someone's phone that's ringing.

05:18:50I'm certain when we walk in here we know that our phones should be on silent. And if we catch that one, you'll be out by the door. And I'm very serious. I'm not smiling. Thank you, colleagues.

05:19:11Item 46, councillors, is a request for the approval of the reviewed City of Johannesburg Land Use Scheme of 2018.

05:19:21Thank you so much. Member in charge, Councillor Kaldine.

05:19:29Thank you, Speaker. I rise to table item 46 for the approval of the reviewed City of Johannesburg Land Use Scheme 2018. I thank you.

05:19:37Thank you, Councillor. Um... Councillor Nefdt is not here, so DA Councillor D. Schay.

05:19:57Honourable Speaker.

05:19:58Is it Schay or Schay?

05:20:00It's Schay.

05:20:00Thank you.

05:20:02Welcome to another lecture in the Johannesburg School of Governance, brought to you by the Democratic Alliance, proudly sponsored by the Presidency of South Africa.

05:20:14Speaker, the political quote of the month undoubtedly belongs to Minister Gwede Mantashe: "Capacity dololo". Now, I'm not here to debate the Minister's intent when he said that,

05:20:26but I can think of no better or more...

05:20:30Councillor Schay, I honestly don't want a repeat of yesterday.

05:20:36Speaker, just let me finish the sentence and we get...

05:20:38Please, Councillor Schay, please. Thank you, all of you. Councillor Christians, no, no, no. Thank you, everybody. Councillor Schay, please. Asseblief.

05:20:50Okay, fair. But I can think of no better way to describe, diagnose Johannesburg's current condition. Its infrastructure, its enforcement system, its planning: capacity dololo. It isn't a political jab, it's a reality our residents live with every single day.

05:21:07A reality I came home to last night after leaving this chamber, when I got home and there was no water in my suburb. For the umpteenth time, a burst of the chronically failing Randjeslaagte Reservoir forced a shutdown. That is the reality that informs this debate.

05:21:24And yet, here we are debating a new land use scheme like that capacity exists. Let me be clear: the DA does not reject a new land use scheme. We understand the need to modernize our planning framework and to enable sensible densification. But we cannot support this land use scheme in its current form, not until the foundational work is done.

05:21:48Because you cannot plan the future of a city by putting the cart before the horse. You cannot densify before you've secured infrastructure. You cannot expand zoning before you've mapped capacity. You cannot promise growth while ignoring enforcement.

05:22:06Right now, the land use scheme is trying to build the roof before the foundations are poured. It's trying to plan density on top of a system that is already straining under the weight of unmanaged growth, illegal development, and infrastructure neglect. And these aren't just the views of the Democratic Alliance. These are the views of Johannesburg,

05:22:27written in black and white through the public participation reports on this very item. But there is a fundamental difference, Speaker, between reading a report to tick a box and reading it for genuine understanding.

05:22:43If the administration had read the submissions to understand them, and not merely for the purpose of formulating a response, they would have heard one clear, unified message from the city: the time is not right.

05:22:56They would have heard resident after resident, community after community, warning that we lack the foundations for this land use scheme, and that to proceed now is to build a blueprint for collapse.

05:23:09We see the reality clearly on the ground. Recently, I submitted a petition calling for a joint audit by Development Planning, City Power, and Johannesburg Water into areas fed by the Orchards substation, a substation that trips repeatedly week after week.

05:23:25And why? Because illegal communes and unmanaged land use in places like Sydenham and Orange Grove are overloading infrastructure that was never designed for this kind of density. Because we have densification without enforcement, growth without governance. And it's not just the DA and the residents saying this. A few weeks ago, I sat at a public meeting with the Chair of Chairs, and he himself was bemoaning the lack of enforcement that led to the first backyard shack he had ever seen in Sandton.

05:23:55Even he can see the problem his own party refuses to solve. And from my petition, the residents themselves are sounding the alarm. In their responses, and I quote: "Every two or three weeks we are left without our power. Some properties have as many as 20 people living on them. The strain is destroying our network. Illegal structures need to be demolished and owners held accountable. Orange Grove is reaching the point of no return. Our area is becoming a slum of gangsters."

05:24:23Speaker, this is not DA rhetoric. This is Johannesburg speaking, and it is speaking loudly.

05:24:32Residents are paying a fortune in tax and getting nothing in return. They endure outages that last for days, leaving homes vulnerable and their security systems failing. They watch water pressure collapse and roads crumble, not because of unforeseen events, but because of deliberate political choices: the choice to ignore bylaw enforcement, the choice to tolerate illegal land use, the choice to pretend that density can happen without capacity. This is capacity dololo in practice.

05:25:00And it's why the DA says the scheme cannot proceed without three fundamental changes. First, bulk service contributions need to be ring-fenced. Every cent for the infrastructure upgrades required by densification in that specific area should be spent on that area. Developers must not be allowed to pay into a general pot that disappears into unrelated spending while the pipes beneath their buildings burst from overuse.

05:25:22Second, those bulk service contributions must be calculated dynamically, based on real capacity that exists today and the upgrades planned for tomorrow. That is why we insist the city's digital twin, already under development, must be completed and properly used. It must not be a vanity project; it must be a living map of Johannesburg's infrastructure: every pipe, every cable, every substation, constantly updated and accessible to planners, engineers, and the decision-makers alike.

05:25:49And that leads me to the third: transparency. For the digital twin to function, departments like Joburg Water must be willing to share their knowledge with the rest of the city. Currently, they will not share their pipe layout with the Development Planning department.

05:26:06It raises serious questions on what's being hidden. Masking critical data at this stage does not protect the city, it cripples it. Speaker, without ring-fenced funding, without dynamic bulk service pricing tied to real capacity, and without full interdepartmental transparency, this land use scheme is not a plan, it's a fantasy.

05:26:26It is densification on paper and disaster in reality. Right now, the city is trying to teach Chapter 10 when it hasn't even passed Chapter 1. It's writing the textbook without checking if the classroom's been built. It's promising high-rise futures without checking whether the pipes can cope. That is the very definition of putting the cart before the horse.

05:26:47We believe in Joburg. We believe this city can grow. We believe it can thrive. But belief alone is not enough. If we believe in Joburg, we must build the foundations first. We must enforce the laws we already have. We must protect the infrastructure we already depend on, and we must plan growth based on reality, not on rhetoric.

05:27:09This is another lecture in the Johannesburg School of Governance, and as I said yesterday, this is the last term. There will be no extended learning program for slow learners. Next term, there will be demonstration. Because today, to believe in Johannesburg is to believe in more than just plans on paper. It is to believe in the rule of law that protects our communities. It is to believe in the infrastructure that supports our growth. And it is to demand a government that delivers both. Thank you.

Item 46: EFF supports the Land Use Scheme

05:27:35Thanks, Councillor Schay. Councillor Komane from the EFF.

05:27:52SepediModulasetulo wa lekgotla, ke go leboge go mpha sebaka se. Ke go tamiše. Madume ke a go dumelela le ba mphato ka moka bao ba bokanego ka gare ga lekgotla le, badudi ba toropo ya rena ye botse ya Joburg bao ba latelago tshepedišo ye mo mafaratšhatšheng a go fapafapana.

05:28:18SepediKe dumelela le baeti ba rena ka mo galering ka mo. Eh... Moetapele wa khutamaga ya balwelatokologo ba ekonomi fao a lego gona, kudu-kudu ya setšhaba sa Rantsho bao ba tšeetšwego maatla ka lerumo la go thunya mollo.

05:28:41SepediBa utswetšwa lefase ka mahlale le maradia a bo Ramošweu. Ba re "ekhuni se, ke go fe se," kganthe ga ba khuparela selo ka mo seatleng. Rantsho a šala a ithwele megono a lla sa masetlapelo.

05:28:59SepediRe le lebeletše, re le šeditše, nako ya lena e tlo le fihlela, barekiši ba lefase. Ah... Mokhomišinare Ngaka Mgcini Tshwaku, thobela ka mošate.

05:29:18Honourable Speaker,

05:29:20Sepedike tšea leeto ke le boelela ke dumelela sefepisegolo sa khutamaga Mokhanselara Thabiso Mogapi. Fela nka lebala bjang go rola kefa ka tšea letolo ka tamiša lebotho la madira a masomepedi-senyane

05:29:36a Economic Freedom. Revolutionary greetings to you, fighters.

05:29:44SepediMohlomphegi, ke ema mo pele ga kgoro go ahlahla

05:29:49item 46, the reviewed Land Use Scheme. Considering the steps followed in reviewing

05:30:00With this land use scheme, one can be satisfied that relevant stakeholders participated meaningfully. The com- the committee con- conducted consultations in three phases, all within the set KPIs and time frame. Public participation was canvassed through various media platforms,

05:30:26ensuring visibility and accessibility, while meaningful engagements were facilitated across all seven regions. Therefore, Honourable Speaker, as the EFF, we adopt the recommendations in this report.

05:30:44SepediRe a leboga Seboledi sa Lekgotla.

Item 46: ANC speech, leg-stretch request and history exchanges

05:30:49Thank you so much, Councillor. Councillor Lefutso from the ANC. Councillor Lefutso from the ANC. Thank you.

05:31:10SesothoA ke lebohe Speaker.

05:31:12Hold on, Councillor. Councillor Rahn. No one has spoken. Point.

05:31:24Thanks, Madam Speaker. It's just a point of personal um or uh request. Would it be possible for us just to take a leg stretch and just a toilet break? We have all been sitting here for quite a while. Um I don't want to disrupt everything, but it's just uh if we could just

05:31:39Let's finish the item.

05:31:41Okay. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

05:31:44You can carry on, Councillor Lefutso.

05:31:48SesothoHa ke lebohe Speaker. Eh ke dumedise Meyara eh Ntate Sello Dada Morero ke dumedise Chief Whip, ke dumedise Chair of Chairs, eh ke sa lebale di-councillor tsa eh mokgatlo o moholo wa African National Congress,

05:32:18Sesothoo tsebahala lefatšeng ka bophara. Ke ntse ke sa lebale haholo

05:32:26the residents of the City of Johannesburg in particular the residents of Ward 34 where I preside. Speaker, eh we're not in the mood today. It's better we do the work that we intend to do. Eh Speaker, before

05:32:53I'm going to touch base with I think we must correct other things, Speaker. Yesterday, we were called names, and amongst that we were called to be slow learners yesterday and today. I don't know if whether eh the 6,700

05:33:22children of Gaza that are dying daily are the perpetrators slow learning now that the nation is being swiped? But, nonetheless, Speaker, let me speak to the item, Land Use Scheme 2018. Thank you, Madam Speaker. The City of Johannesburg Land Scheme 2018 is born

05:33:52of a Spatial Planning and Land Management Act 16 of 2013 SPLUMA, and provides guidance on issues of concerned land use application and development across the city. The land scheme is subjected to review and approved by council

05:34:22for every 5 years period. It must be noted, Speaker, that the 2018 land scheme use was approved by council on the 31st August 2018 and came into operation on the 1st of February 2019. The land scheme use enforces through the municipal planning bylaws

05:34:53of 2016 as amended which all land owners and users, including municipalities, state-owned enterprises, and all organs of state are bound by its provisions with regard to the city spatial development framework. The review process

05:35:24of the 2018 land use scheme was a product of rigorous progress which was implemented in three phases: an internal review phase, a comprehensive public participation process, and the finalization of land use scheme 2018 document.

05:35:54Considering all processes were followed, including consultations with all city departments and municipal-owned entities and the general public, we, therefore, request that the land scheme 2018 as reviewed in 2025 be approved by council. I want to thank you, Speaker. In closing,

05:36:28in in 1652, Speaker, it has happened as history written in the books of South Africa. And I will repeat, the three ships sailed from the west coming to Cape Town, namely,

05:36:57they were Drommedaris, Reijger, and Goede Hoop. Those ships, they brought misery to Africa.

05:37:08Can you take your seat just. Councillor Rahn.

05:37:13Thank you very much for noting me, Madam Speaker.

05:37:16Councillor Rahn.

05:37:17Thank you. Madam Speaker, I'd just like to put on record as a point of clarity, we're 400 years down the line, okay, and the South African Navy has less ships than they had in 1600.

05:37:31Councillor, carry on with your speech.

05:37:35Thank you, Speaker. These are the beneficiaries of those three ships. Eh Speaker, you know it must be put to context in whatever is happening in Gaza today, a couple of years as a couple of 100 of years has happened in the west, whereby the Red Indians were swiped outemotive

05:38:06of their country. Today, we are witnessing the very same thing in Gaza, whereby the Palestinians are being swiped out, and there are people amongst our midst who don't even recognize that there is something called genocide. When the three ships arrived in South Africa,emotive

05:38:38the question of land was addressed, and the land was stolen from the black people of South Africa, secured in the in Europe. Referring to the land use scheme, Madam Speaker, we want to redressemotive

05:39:00Councillor, can you please take your seat? Councillor Christians.emotive

05:39:09Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I'd just like to put on record that the councillor speaking is misleading this house. There's a reason why our coat of arms say !ke e: /xarra //ke. That's very simple. The original inhabitants of this country were the Khoi and the San, and they're the ones who got the land taken away from them. Thank you.emotive

05:39:35Councillor, can you continue with your speech?emotive

05:39:38Thank you, Speaker. I see, Speaker, we are catching feelings here, and I wonder why are we catching feelings if you're not guilty. Eh because we're referring to beneficiaries who today are sitting amongst the midst. Eh but, Speaker,emotive

05:40:03isiZuluImpi yaseSandlwanaemotive

05:40:11isiZuluimpi yaseSandlwana,emotive

05:40:13Speaker, it was a react from colonialism.emotive

Item 46: order disputes and MMC Mgcina's response

05:40:20Councillor, just take your seat. Councillor Zitha and the other councillor across from ActionSA. And who?

05:40:40It's the mayor. It's the mayor, Speaker.

05:40:47Hhayi manje, I give up. Colleagues, I give up. Kahleni.

05:40:59Ethics! Ethics!

05:41:03Colleagues. Colleagues, you know, Executive Mayor, just on a very light note, earlier on someone's phone rang. Executive Mayor, earlier on someone's phone rang, and I said I'm going to remove that person. And I Afterwards, I said I'm hoping it's not the mayor because I wouldn't want to remove you. But, colleagues, please. Zitha, you must chase the mayor when he's there. Carry on with you.

05:41:34I will remove him next time, not now.

05:41:37Speaker, in respect of the mayor, I would like to thank the opportunity. Thank you very much.

05:41:44Thank you, MMC Mgcina.

05:42:06Councillor Zitha, switch off your mic.

05:42:12Okay. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Greetings to residents at home. Greetings to yourself, Madam Speaker. Greetings to the Executive Mayor, to the Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, and the entire council.

05:42:41Colleagues, now what's happening? Pardon? I don't know. Maybe he has a pressing thing to run out. I'm not sure. Yes, Councillor Belinda.

05:43:01Please exempt yourself from speaking.

05:43:05MMC, switch off, please.

05:43:08Sorry, Madam Speaker. I'd like to call a point of order on you. We are all councillors in this house, including the Executive Mayor. The rules of council is very clear. When someone is on the floor, you don't move up and down. The mayor has now gone from the one side to the other side, even with his own MMC being on the floor. Can you please call the mayor to order? Otherwise, we'll have to call you on a point of order as well, Madam Speaker.

05:43:34Colleagues, thank you for the point of order on me. Councillor Councillor Mgcina, please get back to your speech. Councillor Mgcina, please get back to your speech.

05:43:49I want to give MMC Gogo some minutes as well. No. Thank you very much once more, Madam Speaker. I'm done with salutations. I acknowledged I think everyone in the house. Let me thank Councillor Komane and Councillor Lefutso for welcoming the land use scheme

05:44:19review and appreciating the work that was done towards this realization of the scheme. Thank you very much also because you are also assisting me to respond to Councillor Schay when he is surprised about the fact that there were no foundational processes that were done. I mean, this The advert went for over 90 days. I'm not sure what is it that you wanted us to do

05:44:52further. The engagements went throughout the regions. And I think maybe just to assist you in case you could not go through the report itself, but I know that it was served as well at the Section 79. And thank you, Chair of the committee, for making sure that this particular report goes through the Section 79. Just as a brief summary, councillors,

05:45:24we are all aware that the review of the land use scheme will bring the regulation of development space in line with the modern trends. That's what we are all aware of. We are actually replacing a scheme of 2018. So now once we approve this one, it will now be a scheme of 2025. As well, Madam Speaker, the scheme in terms of the site development plans, will seek to reduce the requirements of

05:45:58requirements for the submission of the site development plans for minor buildings and extensions to existing residential building buildings. It will also introduce a clause where should a dwelling house be developed in any use zone with the addition of subsidiary dwelling units in compliance with Clause 21 of the land use scheme, as the SDP will not be required.

05:46:30In terms of the increase in economic opportunities for home owners and occupants, it will increase opportunities to work from home as well, provision for additional consent uses, such as beauty and health spa, and salons, as well as the veterinary clinics, also provision for small-scale aftercare centers to operate without a need to apply for consent similar

05:47:02to the small-scale ECDs in our areas. There are many benefits to this land use scheme. And we want to thank residents who participated and stakeholders who participated in making sure that this dream becomes a reality that will assist our city to progress instead of going forward, I mean backwards. And, lastly, Madam Speaker, through you, I want to request that the DA caucus supports this. This

05:47:36is a scheme that covers everyone in Johannesburg, and we're quite clear that we represent residents of Johannesburg and not part of Johannesburg. We're actually representing Johannesburg holistically with all its regions. So I am requesting that you support this particular scheme as a tool that will make sure that development in our city is realized. Thank you very much.

Item 46: closing, approval and DA objection

05:48:09Thank you, MMC. Member in charge, Councillor Kaldine.

05:48:17Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just on another note, councillors need to remember the responsibility of Section 79. We go to Section 79 to debate and engage. We cannot come to this house then debate on something that was approved in Section 79. In light of that, the Section 79 committee recommends that council approve. Thank you.

05:48:44She went too fast. She went very fast. But can I hear Can I hear you? Uh-uh.

05:48:51Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, I'm rising on a point of order. This is now the second chairperson who's not following the protocol. They're there to close. They're not there to No, no, Speaker. Speaker, they're there to close an item. They cannot tell councillors that they cannot come to this house, which is the highest decision-making body of council, to debate. Thank you.

05:49:15Councillors, the the recommendations on page 46.13, is the item agreed to?

05:49:40Can I Can I do it one more time? The I haven't even said anything! You are saying no to what? No! No! I am asking recommendations on pages 46.13, do we agree to the recommendations?

05:50:09Colleagues, aii! Yes!

05:50:26The table all says the yeses has it. Yes! I asked I consulted here. I consulted here. Councillor Christians, don't cough too much out. Don't cough too much.

05:50:51Can you switch off your mic, whoever's mic is on? Take the Yeah.

05:50:57Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, in terms of Rule 84, the Democratic Alliance would like to record its uh opposition to the its opposition to the item. We are not uh against the land use policy, but we are against the fact that there is not sufficient bylaw enforcement in place. Thank you.

Five-minute break

05:51:18Thank you, Councillor. Thank you, Councillor. Noted. Councillors, Councillor Rahn has asked for a 5-minute break. We're going to have a 5 5 Councillor Belinda, say yes to 5, a 5-minute break. Thank you. 5 5

06:04:58Colleagues.

06:05:03Colleagues, the 5 minutes has turned into 8 minutes. Can we take our seats so that we can continue? The ship has still been sailing very nicely and we have managed to get past all the waves. There's a councillor that has lost her scarf.

06:05:31There's a councillor that has lost her scarf. I also want to report we have shoes at the back of someone that lost her shoes. We have quite we have a wardrobe at the back. Um I'm going to I'm going to give it to charity.

06:05:56So, please, if you've lost a scarf today, your scarf is over here. Thank you. Um no one is going to report back because we all went to stretch our legs. Maybe we'll ask how far have we stretched. Thank you, colleagues. STC.

Items 47-58: oversight visit reports

06:06:15Uh councillors, the following items will be read together. That's item 47, which is an oversight report of the HSD section 79 committee to Mfolo South clinic in Region D on the 10th of June, 2025. Also read with item 48, that's an oversight visit report of the HSD section 79 committee to Mountain View Clinic, Region G on the 10th of June 2025. Also read with item 49,

06:06:46it's also an oversight visit report of the HSD section 79 committee to to Lawley Extension 1 Clinic in Region G on the 10th of June 2025. Read also with item 50, which is an oversight report of the HSD section 79 committee to Freedom Park Clinic in Region G on the 22nd of April 2025. Also read with item 51, which is an oversight report of the HSD section 79 committee to Turffontein Clinic construction site in Region F on the 22nd of April,

06:07:202025. Read also with item 52, which is an oversight visit report of the HSD section 79 committee to Bertrams Bertrams Multipurpose Centre construction site in Region F on the 22nd of April.

06:07:38The On my right-hand side, the councillors in the third row from the back, can we please refrain from what we doing? And then the councillors on my left, can we be seated? Councillor Da Rocha, we are disturbing. The councillors at the back, can't you do softly what you are doing?

06:08:05I'm talking to them on the right as well. Left and right, can we please? We walk in, let's do it slowly. Thank you. STC, can you continue?

06:08:16On item 52, it's the oversight report of the HSD section 79 committee to Bertrams Multipurpose Centre construction site in Region F on the 22nd of April 2025. Read with item 53, that's an oversight report of the HSD section 79 committee to a construction site for the displaced persons in Region G on the 22nd of April 2025. Also read with item 54, and that's the oversight report visit,

06:08:45sorry, uh oversight visit report by the section 79 committee on transport to Selby South in Region C at uh John Street on the 13th of May 2025. Also read with item 55, that's an oversight visit report by the section 79 committee on transport to Roodepoort Region C at Pierre Road bridge on 13th of May 2025. And also read with item 56, which is an oversight uh report, oversight visit report by the section 79 committee on transport to Roodepoort in Region C at Champagne Street bridge on 13th May 2025. And also read with item 57, which is an oversight uh visit uh by section 79 oversight committee on transport to JRA uh asphalt uh plant on the 13th May 2025. And lastly, read with item 58,

06:09:43which is an oversight visit report on the section 79 Economic Development to Southern Farm Development, Golden Highway, Ennerdale, Region G, on the 9th of September 2025.

06:09:57Thank you, colleagues. Um item 47, recommendations is on page 47.5. Item 48 is on 48.4. Item 49 is on 49.5. Item 50 is on 50.5. Item 51 is on 51.5. Item 52 is on 52.5. Item 53 is on 53.5.

06:10:26Item 54 is on 54.7. Item 55 is on 55.9. Item 56 is on 56.8. Item 57 is on 57.6. Item 58 is on 58.6. Are these items all agreed to?

06:10:50Agreed.

Chamber toilets complaint

06:10:52Thank you, councillors. Councillor Coogan, your hand.

06:10:59Thank you um Chair. Just a point of concern, we've just been to the bathrooms and they seem to be getting progressively worse. Not only are many of them not working, lights are flashing in some of them, the toilet the soap dispensers don't work, and there's often like questionable hygiene in terms of people have been there previously. And I've actually seen the state deteriorating over the last couple of months, and I would really like to request that we get in some handymen. Surely, we are the decision-making body of the of the city. We could have suitable toilets for us. And honestly, it looks like at least a good third are nonfunctional in some capacity or other. Thank you.claim

06:11:44Thank you, Councillor Coogan. We We have noted, and we will respond on it. Thank you so much. Um STC.

Items 59-62: Section 79 committee terms of reference

06:11:57Uh council, on item 59, uh terms of reference for section 79 Community Development Committee,

06:12:12and also sorry, read with also item 60, that is also the terms of reference for section 79 Health and Social Development Committee. Read also with item 61 and the terms of reference of the section 79 uh Municipal Public Accounts Committee with annexures. And lastly, item 62, and those are also terms of reference for section 79 Transport Committee.

06:12:37Thank you, councillors. There's still a lot of What is it, piti-piti? Councillors, um item 59, the recommendations is on page 59.2. Item 60 is on 60.2, and item 61 is on 61.2, and item 62 is on page 62.2. Are these items all agreed to?

06:13:11Agreed.

06:13:14Thank you, councillors.

Item 63: UIFW expenditure certification tabled; ActionSA speech

06:13:17Uh councillors, item 63 is motivate is the motivation that council certifies as irrecoverable and regularize irregular and unauthorized expenditure for September 2025.

06:13:37Remember of the member in charge of MPAC, there's an apology. Do we have anybody that's standing in? Because we didn't get a name. Councillor Mazibuko. Oh, apologies, councillor. Thank you. Colleagues. Colleagues, please.

06:13:58AfrikaansAsseblief tog.

06:14:00isiZuluNgiyacela

06:14:02please. Thank you, Councillor Mazibuko.

06:14:11Thank you, Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise to table the motivations by section motivations by section 79 Municipal Public Accounts Committee for council to certify and as irrecoverable and regularize um and unauthorized expenditure. According to section 32.2 of the of the MFMA, a municipality must recover unauthorized, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure from the person liable for that expenditure, unless the expenditure, after investigation by a council committee, is certified by council as irrecoverable and written off by council.claim

06:14:58Further, according to the uh Regulation 74.1D of the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations of 2009, once a council once a council committee has investigated uh the recoverability of the UIF expenditure, the committee must submit a motivation to council explaining its recommendation regarding regarding the recoverability of the expenditure.

06:15:26Speaker, noting these pieces of legislation, on the 20th of August and the 9th On the 19th and the 20th of August No. On the 20th of August and the 19th of September 2025, the committee agreed to recommend to council that UIFW expenditure be certified in as irrecoverable and regularized. These expenditures cover various core departments. The expenditures range from 2019claim

06:15:57to 2020 uh to 20 2024/2025 financial years. Madam Speaker, as the committee, we are encouraged that some of these matters will be referred to the disciplinary board for further investigation where the elements of financial misconduct were identified. In conclu- In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that council approves recommendation to certify as irrecoverable and regularize the expenditure as listed in the in the report and its annexures. Thank you, Speaker.claim

06:16:36Thank you, Councillor Mazibuko. ActionSA, Councillor P. Xulu.

06:17:02Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, ActionSA caucus leader Marcel Coutriers, and the and the ActionSA caucus, fellow councillors, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg, greetings.

06:17:17isiZuluSanibonani.

06:17:19arAssalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.claim

06:17:22Today, Madam Speaker, this council considers considers certifying almost R845 million, that is R312 million of rands in irregular expenditure and R533 million in unauthorized expenditure. Madam Speaker, these are rands that could have built houses, repaired potholes in Marshalltown, kept lights in Robertsham, preserved heritage in Hillbrow and Soweto, and created jobs for the residents of the City of Johannesburg.

06:17:58isiZuluSomlomo, kunekhanda elibi elilokhu elilunguzile ngalezimali ezixhaphazwa ilohulumeni,

06:18:05both political and interference. When leadership sends mixed signals, when politics overrides governance, the result in this cycle in every council, year after year, sitting here to certify the write-off of millions. And if nothing changes, the next council will be sitting here again certifying this write-off or similar write-offs.

06:18:31isiZuluSomlomo,

06:18:33I want to ask every councillor here, is every councillor in this chamber interested in our heritage and economy as the lifeblood lifeblood of our communities?

06:18:43isiZuluSomlomo,

06:18:45Johannesburg is a city rich with history. Our heritage sites, such as the Constitutional Hill, should be the engines of pride, tourism, and local business. Yet too often, they are left to decay while funds vanish through irregular contracts. Residents feel feel this deeply, and our Johannesburg City Library used to be safe, full of books, and a community space. Today, its doors are partially locked,

06:19:16and there's a promise of them opening. We do not know when. And the majority of our residents, they have nowhere to go. These are the lived consequences of poor decisions. History teach us teaches us better. Madam Speaker,

06:19:32isiZuluiLembe eleqa amanye amalembe ngokukhalipha,

06:19:35with very limited resources, he built unity, discipline, and economic structures that sustained his people,

06:19:44isiZuluabantu beSilo.

06:19:45He understood that without accountability and strategy, no nation survives. Compare that to Johannesburg today. Abundant in resources, yet they are squandered. Abundant assets, yet they are neglected. We have the potential to lead South Africa, but we are failing to live up to it. This is why ActionSA is clear in its policies. One, our economy must be rooted in ethical long-term leadership. Two, public assets must be leveraged transparently to create jobs. Three, institutions like GFIS must be empowered and independent to stop corruption before it repeats. And political leadership, not just officials, must face accountability when communities are betrayed.

06:20:32isiZuluSomlomo,

06:20:34ActionSA supports this item because legally, under section 32 of the MFMA, these expenditures are irrecoverable and must be regularized. But, Madam Speaker, I do so with a very a very heavy anger. Anger that Johannesburg, with the highest number of municipal-owned entities in the country, is meant to be the mirror of South Africa, yet it only reflects its mismanagement.

06:21:05We cannot simply say close the books. We must change the culture. That means, one, empowering GFIS to act without fear or favor. Two, ensuring political and administrative accountability alike. Three, linking expenditure decisions to heritage and community upliftment, not waste and neglect. Madam Speaker, this should not be another culture of resignation that has found home in this chamber, but let's let this be a turning point.

06:21:34Joburg cannot be a mirror of what South Africa should be, but that is only possible if we treat the economy as precious, heritage as living, and accountability as non-negotiable. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Item 63: FF Plus and DA speeches

06:21:48Thank you, councillor. Um Councillor Boer.

06:21:56Good afternoon, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, fellow councillors. Uh I'm rising on item 63. And councillors, item 63 is a motivation that council certify as irrecoverable and regularize irregular and unauthorized expenditure. So, this document is supposed to be a motivation. And Madam Speaker, I've risen on this item before. When we look at irregular expenditure and we are requested as a councilclaim

06:22:30to regularize expenses worth R266 million that arose from 19/20, 19/19 and 19/20, uh and we're given this report as various departments, various service providers, and the reason is under One of the reasons is it appears that some employees, directors complete the declaration as a matter of form over substance. Umclaim

06:23:01really, this to me is not a motivation to say, yes, you've tried your best. We don't doubt the integrity of MPAC. I think they're doing a splendid work. But this document is supposed to be a motivation why council should regularize those expenses. And to say various departments, various service providers, write off 266 million, is not a motivation. Madam Speaker, on the unauthorized expenditure, um yes, we are overspending, and as a result, our mayor has to stand in front of theclaim

06:23:31Auditor-General, and he I think after his term he can become a fire a fireman because he just has to extinguish fires fires that uh appear in the city, and he has to give answers over overspending on budgets. And it's not on to to write off R423 million from Human Settlements on overspending to budget due to depreciation and impairment losses. Those items were known before the financial year, and they should have become to council to be regularized before uh they they were incurred so that they don't appear on our financial statements as um unauthorized expenditure. So, there's a lot of work that we need to do to make sure that we don't see those reports um every single year to write off old debt. But having said that, we support the the the MPAC's uh report, and we and we need to clean our books on this regard. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:24:28AfrikaansBaie dankie.

06:24:31Um Councillor J. Suddaby. Suddaby, Suddaby. You'll correct me.

06:24:44Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is as written, Suddaby.

06:24:51Thank you, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. I rise to speak on item 63, the motivation that council certify as irrecoverable and regularize irregular and unauthorized expenditure for September 2025. For the sake of clarity, Madam Speaker, GFIS investigates matters referred directly to them that transpired before the 1st of July 2018.claim

06:25:19So, none of the new items, as discussed in item 44 today, are on that desk. All items since the 1st of July 2018 have been referred directly to GRAS. Up to today, MPAC has had to wait for GFIS and GRAS to submit the results of their investigations to the committee. The house can be absolutely assured there are no, none, zero matters sitting on the desk of the MPAC chairperson waiting for the committee's attention. All backlog of UIFW items prior to today sits at GFIS and GRAS, and MPAC is waiting on those departments. But all is not lost. The new terms of reference and UIFW investigation processes that have just been approved state that all new matters must now come directly to MPAC, and the committee will determine the level of investigation required outside of the committee,claim

06:26:24and follow up if the reports are slow in returning. To be clear, Madam Speaker, MPAC is ready and willing, and now able to receive the deviation reports as noted in item 42 for investigation. With respect to the 312 million plus rand in um irregular expenditure in this report, it is alarming that supply chain processes continue to be flouted with impunity,claim

06:26:55and the accounting officer ratifies these deviations unabated without providing explanation. So, the report submitted to MPAC must therefore include the circumstances surrounding the deviations, including the paper trail of warnings that a contract is coming to a close, any special circumstances, and consequence management applied so that the committee can quickly make a determination regarding recoverability. The committee further looks forward to investigating monthly the deviations that are ratified going forward per our approved terms of reference.

06:27:30The city will never achieve a clean audit without strengthening its internal controls and addressing its irregular expenditure before the AG finds any transgressions. The unauthorized expenditure of 530 533 million and change requested to be removed from the UIFW register mostly resulted from budget adjustments. The committee has requested that all departments submit their standing operating procedure to prevent future adjustment budgets from causing

06:28:04unauthorized expenditure. And identifying unauthorized expenditure before year-end is simple arithmetic. Actual invoices paid plus commitments equals expenditure. And as soon as that sum is greater than the annual budget, unauthorized expenditure has taken place. If the item is not on the budget, unauthorized expenditure has taken place. And in response to unauthorized expenditure,

06:28:32the mayor must adhere to the provisions of section 29 of the MFMA and bring both the matter and an adjustment budget to council. The AG commented in the 23/24 audit that the city seems to rely on AG findings in order to achieve a clean audit. In other words, if the AG doesn't find it, it never happened. But with MPAC now proactively checking every deviation as they happen, irregular expenditure found by the AG should be significantly lessened. And if the mayor adheres to the section 29 of the MFMA, unauthorized expenditure discovered by the AG would be limited to only those last month's invoices either paid or committed for payment. A clean audit would then become possible. The MPAC terms of reference for the last year has allowed for the UIFW registers of the entities to serve in the committee,

06:29:35accompanied by their board of directors' records of decision to write off or recover, consequence management effected, and referrals to the disciplinary board for investigation of possible financial mismanagement. Could the mayor, as sole shareholder of all the entities, please request that all entities submit those UIFW registers to MPAC as a matter of urgency?

06:30:00Without adequate scrutiny of the entities UIFW, it is apparent that the city will not get control of its UIFW nor achieve a clean audit. Because of the R12 billion UIFW added to the register by the 2023/2024 audit, 3 billion was attributed to core administration and a whopping R9 billion came from the entities.

06:30:25Where necessary referral to the disciplinary board for investigation into possible financial mismanagement, referral for disciplinary action and recommendations to the accounting officer to consider criminal charges are included in the recommendations of this report. National treasury has given a directive that the removal from the UIFW register and possible disciplinary processes are separate issues, and the write-offs cannot be deferred while waiting for those outcomes.

06:30:57The committee does recommend that monies must be recovered where services have not been delivered or objectives have not been achieved. Whether value for money was received is a different matter altogether. It would be greatly appreciated if the AG would begin to include in its annual audits the measurement of cost-effectiveness as stated in Section 112 of the MFMA.

06:31:23That we continue to rack up annual UIFW expenditure in the magnitude of budgets of small countries is distressing. It is plainly obvious that a government anchored by the Democratic Alliance and our commitment to good, honest, and transparent governance is the only hope for a clean audit for the City of Johannesburg. The DA approves this report with continued concern that UIFW matters show no indication of reducing. I thank you.

Item 63: ACDP, GOOD and UDM positions

06:31:52Thank you, Councillor. Um Councillor R. Harris from ACDP.

06:32:03Good afternoon once again, Madam Speaker. All protocol observed. I rise to speak to item 63 relating to UIFW expenditure. The Auditor General consistently calls for performance, accountability, transparency and institutional integrity in local government. This council is being asked to certify as irrecoverable and regularizeclaim

06:32:30R312 million in irregular expenditure for the 2019/2020 to 2024/2025 financial years. Also, we are asked to certify as irrecoverable and regularize R533 million for the 2023/2024 financial year. Though the MFMA makes provision for the certification and write-offs, it does not morally legitimize these actions.claim

06:33:00We acknowledge MPAC's investigation. Of the 42 recommendations, 14 have been agreed to. There's little information on whether disciplinary action has been instituted against officials responsible for this financial delinquency. On the contrary, officials must only give reasons why they should not be suspended. The lack of information on consequence management, including the laying of criminal charges

06:33:28makes it even more difficult to be complicit in this mismanagement. As councillors, we are asked to agree to the application of legislation. However, the credibility and integrity of this chamber and every councillor is going to take yet another battering. The action we are contemplating today will erode the little trust the public has in this body. Our ever increasing cost of utilities and rates will leave ratepayers asking why they are being squeezed dry

06:33:59with a range of levies and surcharges yet we can so easily agree to the regularizing of inefficiencies worth hundreds of millions of rands. Our task is to provide oversight. It is our duty to ensure the metro functions effectively, and most importantly, we must give the residents the assurance that we are good stewards of the resources they have entrusted to us. Approving these write-offs is an admission of failure. It is an admission that we cannot keep people accountable.

06:34:28It is an admission that we condone the dereliction of duty. It is an admission that we lack transparency. It is an admission that institutional integrity ranks low in our priority list. In keeping with the ACDP's promise of service, order and safety, the ACDP does not approve of the certification of these amounts as being irrecoverable. I thank you.

06:34:55Thank you, um Councillor Harris. You did well. You have 10 seconds left. Councillor M. Cook from GOOD.

06:35:08Thank you and good afternoon, Madam Speaker. Um you do look very good from here, Madam Speaker. I don't know if the lighting from back there was bad, but it is much better from here.

06:35:19AfrikaansOh, dankie. Dankie.

06:35:23I'd also like to greet the Executive Mayor, the Chief Whip, the Chair of Chairs, uh all MMCs and the Section 79 uh Chairpersons. Speaker, today Council considers the recommendations of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee regarding irregular and unauthorized expenditure. The amounts before us are not small, 312 million in irregular expenditure, and 533 million in unauthorized expenditure.claim

06:35:51These figures represent failures in governance, but they also represent an opportunity for us to show that the oversight mechanisms of this Council are starting to work. Let us be clear, certifying this expenditure as irrecoverable and regularizing it does not mean excusing what has happened. It means closing the books in a legally compliant manner while demanding that corrective action be taken and that consequence management follows.

06:36:21Speaker, where officials or service providers have failed, they must be held accountable. Where systems have failed, they must be strengthened. Speaker, our residents expect financial discipline. Every rand wasted is a rand not spent on housing, clinics, roads, or waste removal. This Council must ensure that the recommendations of MPAC are not just adopted, but are implemented from the new SOPs in group finance to stronger contract management controls across all departments.

06:36:51GOOD stands for clean, transparent government. We therefore support these recommendations, but we also call for a renewed commitment that UIFW expenditure of this magnitude never happens again. Speaker, in one of my first uh speeches in this Council, I commented on MPAC, and uh Chairperson Raseruthe uh commented that I was not a member of MPAC and that I should join MPAC. Uh I attended his very next meeting as a member of MPAC,claim

06:37:21and I would like to commend the entire MPAC uh team um as I now leave the MPAC Committee uh to go and chair up finance. Good luck to the MPAC Committee. Keep doing your good work. I know it's a struggle with some of the things, but keep fighting ahead.

06:37:40Thank you, Councillor.

06:37:42SesothoChairperson e ncha e betsa tswibila ho yo.

06:37:45Councillor Zigebe? Who was that?

06:37:52Honourable Speaker, at the outset, let me congratulate the United Democratic Movement

06:37:57Colleagues, I'm trying to we're trying to listen to Councillor Zigebe. Can we please not do that? Councillor Zigebe, continue.

06:38:13Thank you, Speaker. At the outset, let me congratulate the United Democratic Movement on reaching 28 years of existence on the 27th of September, 2025. This is not just a number, it is a legacy. The UDM was born at a time when our democracy was still in its infancy. And its leader, President Bantu Holomisa stood tall as the first whistleblower of corruption in the wake of democracy, when it was not fashionable to do so.

06:38:42At a time when exposing wrongdoing came at great personal and political cost, he chose country over comfort, integrity over silence. Today, the very same voices that once criticized him now sing from the same hymn book, acknowledging that corruption is the single greatest threat to service delivery and democracy. It is on this moral foundation that we approach item 63. The Municipal Public Accounts Committee has recommended that council certify as irrecoverable and regularize R312 million in irregular expenditureclaim

06:39:12and 533 million in unauthorized expenditure. These are not just figures. They represent broken promises to the residents who go without water, electricity, housing and safety while resources slip through the cracks of poor management and weak controls. We acknowledge the diligence of MPAC in investigating 22 reports and bring forward corrective measures. Yet as the UDM, we cannot accept that the normalization of writing off hundreds of millions becomes an annual routine.claim

06:39:42Regularization is an administrative requirement, yes, we agree, but it must be coupled with consequence management, criminal referrals where warranted and urgent tightening of financial systems. Honourable Speaker, Johannesburg cannot afford a culture where irregular and unauthorized expenditure becomes part of doing business. Departments must be held to account, officials must be trained and disciplined and service providers who flout the law must be blacklisted. It is not enough to certify and move on. We must demonstrate that lessons have been learned

06:40:14and reforms are implemented. As we celebrate the UDM's 28th anniversary, let us remind this council that accountability is not a slogan. It is a duty we owe to our people. Just as President Holomisa's courage set the tone for ethical governance decades ago, so too we must in this chamber lead by example. We must prove to the residents of Johannesburg that every cent of public money is safeguarded and directed to service delivery. In conclusion, Honourable Speaker, the UDM supports the recommendation, but with a strong call,claim

06:40:44this must be the last time council is asked to write off such staggering amounts without seeing tangible reform. Our residents, they deserve better. Thank you.

Item 63: Mmbengwa speech and points of order

06:40:52Thank you so much, Councillor. Councillor M. Mmbengwa.

06:41:01TshivendaNdi masiari Vho-Tshipikara. Ndo livhuwa. Eh, Vho-Tshipikara, ndi uri ndi khou amba namusi hafha noni mbilu yanga yo kwashekana nga maanda. Na nga zwithu zwine vhathu vha ita zwone. Na matamba othe e ra tangana nao u bva tsha mulovha.

06:41:23Uh Madam Speaker, I so wish I could dwell much on my vernac, maybe to exude the deep culture that Vhavenda people have, the descendants of Vele Lambeu, uh and the [inaudible] Msenzi. Madam Speaker, just note that the Venda people have got almost over 26 tribes within them. It's a lesson for another day. But I'm not here for that. Um

06:41:54We are sitting here with what we call in-tsumantsumane. Uh, it's a puzzle if I have to put it in this uh thing, it's. But we need to detail where the problem started. The same way that the problem of our our country started when the gangsters arrived here in South Africa in 1652.claim

06:42:24It then manifests to the very pattern that happened in the year 2016. The 16 there shows something. That is where the problem that we have here in this item 63, our problem started in 2016. And when it started, there was one masquerade that was masqueraded as a face of what is going to happen in the City of Johannesburg.

06:42:55And believe you me, when somebody is used as a masquerade in the custom that the people of Igboland uses, it's not a real thing. So that masquerade was paraded, and it took the shape and the face of us as a black people. It became Black Like Me, and it was paraded as a very nice uh accidental mayor of the city, it's on record. Now, what then happened? That is why I say

06:43:27this problem of these irregular expenditure, which is holding us, where does it started?

06:43:33isiZuluAke siqaleni ke amandulo, la iqale khona.

06:43:36TshivendaKha ri i thome he ya thoma hone, kha ri zwi ambe uri ho bvelela mini.

06:43:39XitsongaA hi vulavule hi boxa straight ku ri ku humelele yini.

06:43:44Because some people are good in economical uh uh uh, they're very, very, very, very unkind with the truth. They are always uh economical untruth with the truth. And we must tell it as it is. Allow me to quote Cabral. Amílcar Cabral, the very name that my father when I met him said, "This is the name that I reserved for you." It's a story for another day. Wathi, "Tell it as it is." Can I tell it as it is, Madam Speaker?

06:44:15Now, we always not want to miss any point in history because when the multi-party came on power, they made sure that all the functionality of the city are not functioning. I wonder when people stand up and cruise and say that we'll teach you how things are done. Yes, they know better because in the multi-party time, maybe we must be very frank. Maybe we must be very frank.

06:44:46Councillor, can you just have your seat? Councillor Santana.

06:44:56Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, can the councillors please speak to the item and be factual because these are write-offs are from 2011.

06:45:05Councillor, please continue with your speech.

06:45:08Can I continue? That's why we say when the multi-party came on board, they made sure that number one, they made the people that are supposed to work, do the right things, not working. The disciplinary board was rendered redundant. That is a fact. And then when we come in on board, we had to pick up and establish that so that those that are cannot account. Now,

06:45:38let me then say it as it is like I said Cabralic. A certain speaker then in that time, allow me not to mention names because I don't want to be accused, made sure that all the report does not see the light of the day, and that speaker

06:46:00TshivendaNdi do ya ra ambelana. Vha songo wara, ri do zwi dzudzanya hanefho hayani.

06:46:03made sure that all the reports does not come to council. And these reports are also forming forming part of all these irregular expenditures that we have. Yet when they speak in the corridors, when they speak in the medias, they say, "We are a good leaders. We are these things," because the masquerade who has now turned up to be some you know, when we drink uh a beer, there is Castle and Castle Lite.

06:46:33So there is this other Lite. I'm not going to mention it. So after that things, those that have got a problem, those that can want to interject me, they can just go and check what is happening at Madlanga Commission, where one person has already displayed that one speaker in the City of Joburg was making sure that all the reports does not come through.

06:47:04Councillor, can you quickly take your seat, Councillor Mmbengwa?

06:47:08Can I continue?

06:47:09No, take your seat, your father. Oh, sorry. Yo. Councillor Santana wants to speak.

06:47:19Chair, I'll withdraw. Thanks. Speaker.

06:47:20Thank you. No, I thought it was his family that had their hand up on that side. Councillor Mmbengwa.

06:47:28My My colleague is getting excited. So in that whole process, Mesuli who was talking there at Madlanga highlighted exactly what was happening. And they claim to be the good leaders. But now, I talked about masquerading and the face of masquerade, which was like Black Like Me. Now, Now, eNCA has detailed that one.

06:47:59eNCA has put it that way. Now let's get it right. What is a masquerade? A masquerade is something that there is something behind. So the project that was started in 2016

06:48:13Councillor, can you quickly take your seat?

06:48:14Yeah, yeah, yeah.

06:48:15Councillor Mofokeng.

06:48:18Thank you, Speaker. Please, man, allow let them allow uh Councillor Mmbengwa to speak. We are listening to him attentively. Please, Speaker. Please.

06:48:29Colleagues, can we Colleagues, can we please allow everybody that's on the podium to speak? You should have You should have asked to be on the speaker's list. Why Thank you, Councillor Mmbengwa. Coun-

06:48:55Okay. Now, as we go on, I don't know whether my 10 minutes is still safe or not because these people are interjecting me a lot. Now, when we come when we came on board, when we because what we have here is as a result of trying to mop up things that has been done before. And we are sitting in this juncture. At least, a truth must be told to this South Africa that the GNU has made sure that we establish that committee

06:49:26to make sure that whosoever who stole, whosoever who has done wrong, whosoever who has uh huddled or make sure, stifled the reports that are lying at the GFIS office is accountable for. We have now established that so that it goes on, so that we can find exactly what must be done. Yet we don't get acknowledged. They don't talk about it. The very MPAC here, under GNU, made sure that

06:49:56of all this money Yes, there's a money that we are talking about that are not recoverable, which we are recommending. Thank you for my colleague, there's Cilliers B that says this other day that they are agreeing to that, because we are sitting in a juncture whereby we are unmasking the masquerade behind. And the masquerade was a certain gogo who stays there in that uh western side of this country, and that's why now the real masquerade is marching on into the City of Johannesburg. Unfortunately,

06:50:25TshivendaVhana vha Vele Lambeu a vha nga do zwi tenda.

06:50:27It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. That's why where we are sitting, we are saying the very MPAC under GNU has made sure that 230, which the AG acknowledged. Maile was very clapping the hands to say we have done something as this collective. But yet, when it's multi-party, they hide reports. They do everything that's supposed to be done. They even lie that there's spying

06:50:57equipment which has been secured to spy people. That machine is there, it exists.

06:51:09Can you take your seat, please, Councillor? Councillor Belinda.

06:51:17Madam Speaker, you know, I don't even want to quote the rule that talks

06:51:21I can't hear you.

06:51:23I'm saying I don't even know if Councillor Mmbengwa read the rules of council that talks to the fact that he cannot comment of things that is in front of a court or at a commission. He's just talking about something now that is in front of a commission. So I'm going to ask him to please read the rules, and I'm asking you to please call him to order.

06:51:45Councillor Belinda

06:51:54Councillors, Councillors, the Madlanga Commission has arrived, so I don't know. Hey, Councillor Mmbengwa, can you finish your speech?

06:52:05Okay, the commission I made a mistake. Uh let me withdraw the Madlanga

06:52:08And your time is running.

06:52:09Let me How many minutes I have?

06:52:11You have 1 minute and 21 seconds.

06:52:13Okay, I withdraw the Madlanga. It was reported in eNCA, ne. It's on record, it is there. And we as the ANC, we are saying that we are transparent, that's why we have got all this whole things uh on board, and we are making sure that we are going to make sure that with these

06:52:29Councillor, I'm keeping your 1 minute and 7 seconds. Councillor Christians.

06:52:39Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise in terms of rule 72(1). Madam Speaker, I'm a bit confused about the process. Earlier on, when Councillor Schay spoke, you said, "Do not repeat what happened yesterday." Yet you are allowing the abuse from that side against this side without saying the exact same thing. Are there double standards in this house? Please advise. Thank you.

06:53:07Councillor Mmbengwa, can you wrap up, please?

06:53:12I'm wrapping up. The MPAC under the GNU works and is functioning. It is doing change. We had made sure if there was a compliance and not delay because the masters that was that were uh that was misused at GFIS, not bringing the reports, are now coming on. And unfortunately, out of the 130 report, which would have made sure that

06:53:3720 seconds left.

06:53:38everything is okay, has now finally arrived, and we are coming. We are

06:54:01I I don't know. What did you have? Is it the apples that you ate, or what? I don't know. Um Councillor the member in charge Switch off your mic, please. Councillor Mazibuko. Switch off your mic, Councillor Mmbengwa.

Item 63: member in charge replies; item agreed

06:54:27No, thank you, Speaker. I think, if anything, this item has ensured or has demonstrated that all parties agree on the item. I think Councillor Mmbengwa wanted to say the African National Congress supports his statement. Um, but um, Speaker, it's We have I've noted all the comments from all the different political parties and from the councillors,

06:54:57but needless to say that the MPAC or MPAC committee is committed in ensuring that the city gets a clean audit, that the city or the committee ensures that we clear the UIFW register, take away the legacy or the old um items that have been sitting there, ensuring that uh we minimize um the AG's findings by ensuring that systems are improved,

06:55:28making sure that consequence management is taken, and this we've just done that, uh Speaker, by approving item 61 of the revised um revised um item 61. So, MPAC is really, really working, um and I would like to, you know, acknowledge what Councillor Cook was saying. Um the members of MPAC regularly meet. They work rigorously. Um and we ask that council approves

06:55:59uh item the item. Thank you, Speaker.

06:56:03Thank you, Councillor Mazibuko. And they are very hard at work. I've been to three or four of the meetings. Um recommendations on page 63.3. Is the item agreed to?

06:56:50Somebody was showing me where it's coming from. Who is it? Can you please show me the councillor that's doing that? Please show me the councillor. Councillor Nofemela, show me the councillor. It's not Mmbengwa's. It was on this side. It was this side. No, not here. It was this side by there.

06:57:22Thank you so much, colleagues. Um the recommendations on page 63.3. Is the item agreed to? Thank you so much, councillors. We're moving on to the next item.

ACDP dissent on item 63 and broken window safety

06:57:39Madam Speaker.

06:57:41Yes, uh Councillor Harris.

06:57:44Uh thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in terms of rule 84. Please note the ACDP's dissent on this item. Thank you.

06:57:51Thank you, Councillor Harris.

06:58:05Oh, there's another hand. Councillor Rohlssen.

06:58:10Uh thank you very much, uh Madam Speaker. Just as a point of safety, I would just like to ask that um the area below the broken window be cordoned off so that should that glass window collapse at any point, that the people sitting below it would be safe. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

06:58:33We'll attend to it. Thank you, Councillor Rohlssen. Can we go to the next item?

Item 64 (urgency): community-based planning, Zigebe

06:58:46We now proceed to urgency items. And uh item 64 is uh public participation for community-based planning and that's for October to November 2025.

06:59:06Councillor Y. Zigebe.

06:59:14Um Speaker, I'm not going to take up the 3 minutes. Um and I'm not donating the remaining to anyone. The only thing I'm rising on is to acknowledge the work that has been done in preparations for the CBPs. Um you would remember that at the IDP sessions that we had at Brixton um with the targeted stakeholders, people with disabilities, with a lot of issues uh stemming from the type of buses they were using,

06:59:45which was not adequate for them, um also on catering. Uh so now I'm rising to ask uh Tswetswe, uh Speaker, if that's the right Sotho to use, uh that those things please be looked into.

07:00:00as we go into each and every public participation so that the people with disabilities would not be left out or would feel that they are being excluded or not cared for by the city, because we are building indeed a world-class African city. So, therefore, we need to make sure that no one is left behind. Thank you very much.

Item 64: DA opposes cluster meetings

07:00:22Thank you, Councillor Zigebe. Councillor Christians from the DA.

07:00:34Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, when I saw the heading of this, I was a bit confused because it talks to community-based planning. But as we go through this report, it talks to cluster meetings. So, I'm not sure whether my English is not good or the translation from community to cluster has changed, but this report has got nothing to do with community-based planning.

07:01:00We are taking people from various communities, putting them into one area, and expecting them to then say what their community wants. And that has been the result of what I spoke about when we spoke on the IDP. Your target was 20,000, you only reached 5,000 and less than 6,000. Now if you're going to do this, we're definitely going to reach even less. But this report does not even talk to targets. So we are supposed toclaim

07:01:28approve R4 million for 40 meetings. R4 million for 40 meetings to do what, Madam Speaker? It's to tick this box here. This box of empty promises that we're going to give residents because we actually not listening to them. Madam Speaker, when we look at it, Region A will have four meetings. Region B will have two meetings. And unfortunately, the people ofclaim

07:01:58Region B cannot afford to join the technology age. That's why they don't even have a virtual meeting. So sorry to you councillors in Region B. You don't qualify for a virtual meeting. And notice, Madam Speaker, I only speak to my colleagues behind me because they are the ones who represent those residents in Region B. Madam Speaker, in Region C, they get one virtual meeting and four physical meetings.claim

07:02:29Region C, Region B and Region C, those are the ones that bring in the most money here, and this is what they're getting. Region D, sorry, but the city has failed you. There is no technology in your areas. That's why you will not have a virtual meeting. In Region E, we have one virtual meeting. And this is where you're going to be reaching the most, and I think Councillor Zigebe was touching on that, how do we get to the most?claim

07:02:58The Gen Z generation is completely forgot. So that means the future of this country, the future of the city is not being included in our CBPs. Region F, I'm sorry, but you have to go to somewhere else because there's only physical meetings. We are here today, we can transmit to the rest of Johannesburg, to the rest of South Africa, to the rest of the world this council meeting,claim

07:03:26but there is no virtual meeting for this region. Region G, once again you also do not qualify for the technology age, so you will not have it. So the people in Lens who lead in IT in most areas, sorry for you, you do not qualify. Madam Speaker, as I said, is this just another tick box exercise that we are doing? And we are told, no, it's not. We're actually going to be doingclaim

07:03:56the right thing. But is the right thing 40 meetings for R4 million? R4 million? I want to pause on that. It's R100,000 per meeting. Won't it be easier just to break that down and do R20,000 per community? Because you'll reach more people and it will be proper community-based

07:04:24planning. It's not cluster meetings. Cluster meetings are for you, the executive, who wants to bring everybody together and give them this nice big picture of empty promises in the tick box exercise that you've done. Madam Speaker, I can give you this. It's free, this box, and you can go tick it, and it's not going to cost R4 million. But it's actually an insult to the residents of Johannesburg that you want to spend that kind of money and not actually speak to them.

07:04:55Because that's what you're doing. You're having cluster meetings once again and we said it needs to be community-based. You have time. You have enough time from now till the end of this year to do each and every community, but you choose not to. You choose not to. You give us a plan where we're saying we're going to go to these communities, but it's not communities. You're actually taking them out of their communities and you're putting them into some place where they're expected to speak with

07:05:24other wards, not even other communities only, it's other wards. You aren't even doing them in their own wards. Yet at the end of the day, these councillors sitting behind me have to go back to their wards and say, why did you not have it in my ward? Where is our input as the residents, as the ratepayers of the city? Madam Speaker, the only reason I stayed here today, even though I'm not well, is to speak on behalf of the residents. They need a voice.

07:05:54They need a voice, Madam Speaker. And as the custodian of public participation, I urge you, please take this report back. Have it redone, and let the community actually give input into it. That is why we cannot accept that R4 million will be spent in 40, 40 public meetings and virtual meetings. Madam Speaker, I also want to go to the point where they say communication.

07:06:25And my colleague here just reminded me of something. We send out statements every single month. It's free. Why are we not using that to inform the community of where these meetings are going to happen? It's free, Madam Speaker. It's not going to cost R4 million, but it's going to get to everybody who pays for services, even though those residents outside today who are saying we are paying for

07:06:54services and getting nothing, and the mayor is promising they will be getting services. So let's hope the residents of Ward 58 will get some service as well. And as Councillor Da Rocha has stood up in every single council meeting and said, my residents do not have water, the community-based planning is for him. It's for his residents. And if you look at his residents, where do they have to go? Ward 66 is going to Bertha Solomon's. It's not even in his ward. How are those people who cannot

07:07:24afford to buy water and are getting water going to get to Bertha Solomon's? He has a recreation centre in his ward, but you don't want to do it. So in other words, what we're saying for Ward 66, you are getting dololo. You are getting this empty box again, and that's all it is. It's a tick box. So Madam Speaker, I urge you, and even though Councillor Zigebe knew I was going to speak after him and he didn't want to give me his extra 2 minutes, but I will stop here because ultimately,

07:07:54Councillor Marema has to come and tell us, are we going to continue with this or are we going to revise it to make it better for everybody? I thank you.

Speaker threatens ethics referral over sabotage remark

07:08:04Thank you, Councillor. Before the, before the Chair of Chairs stands up, I actually know who played that. And you are still bragging of how you are sabotaging things. And I will deal with you when we are done in a very progressive way.

07:08:36I cannot see that councillors are sitting here and saying they are sabotaging the City of Johannesburg. Councillor Belinda, it's not up for debate, ma'am. I, we are going to take this to Ethics. And you know who you are. You know exactly who you are. And we'll deal with it. It can't be right. Thank you, councillors. Councillor Marema. No, no, no, Councillor Belinda, don't worry.

07:09:07Huh? I'll make it public when I give announcements.

Item 64: Chair of Chairs rises; ActionSA speaker mix-up

07:09:12No, thank you very much, Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Margaret Arnolds. You know, when I see this item, I thought to myself, one councillor is given 3 minutes, one councillor is given 8.

07:09:31Councillor, can you just, Chair of Chairs. Yes, Councillor.

07:09:39Madam Speaker, thank you very much. We have as ActionSA submitted a speaker for this item, and I have given it this morning.

07:09:49We only have two speakers, Chair of Chairs.

07:09:51I have submitted this morning with to Patience this morning.

07:09:56Patience?

07:09:57Thank you, Speaker.

07:09:58Councillor?

07:10:00Councillor Xulu, they just gave it to me, but we'll allow the councillor to speak.

07:10:03Thank you.

07:10:04Councillor Xulu, am I right?

07:10:08Speaker, you're correct. Thank you.

07:10:09Okay, they just gave it to me now. Thank you. Councillor Xulu.

07:10:36Councillor, your 3 minutes is running. Your 5 minutes is running. It's on 4 minutes and 50 seconds.

07:11:13Madam Speaker, councillors, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg, greetings once again. Madam Speaker, I am rising on urgency items, especially item number 6, 66, that speaks to-

07:11:32Councillor, we are not on item 66. Can we agree that you are not prepared?

07:11:39Madam Speaker, I think there was a mistake.

07:11:41Because we are on item 64.

07:11:43Yes, I think there was a mistake with communication. We're on 66.

07:11:46Thank you, Councillor. Thank you so much. Chair of Chairs.

Item 64: Chair of Chairs replies amid points of order

07:11:55No, thank you very much, Speaker. And I hope you had forgiven the councillor because he's new. You know, sometimes concentrating on these long items may be confusing. But coming back to community-based planning, self-explanatory definition, community-based planning.

07:12:26Councillor Christians must know the city has other platforms where Councillor Da Rocha and many other councillors can go and raise service delivery matters, like your council forums. And I hope that these councillors do attend those meetings because that is the platform that is created for all councillors to go and raise issues of service delivery.

07:12:54Chair of Chairs, can you just hold on for Councillor Da Rocha? Councillor Da Rocha.

07:12:59Madam Speaker, if that gentleman did his job, we wouldn't have this problem in the first place. I raise problems at the council forum. The council forums don't work. This council-

07:13:10That is not a point of order. And we can't even hear you. Councillor Belinda.

07:13:18Because you switched me off.

07:13:22Madam Speaker, I'd like to use Rule 72 on the Chair of Chairs. He's out of order. This item is a CBP where residents directly are consulted. Councillors' forums is where councillors are, where the city and the executive don't have direct access to the residents. So he's out of order to refer us back to councillor forum. He's out of order. He's misleading the house.

07:13:51Councillor, can you, Chair of Chairs, can you proceed, please? Can you proceed?

07:13:59I thought you said I must take a seat. So-

07:14:01No, I said proceed.

07:14:03No, thank you very much. I am rising, Speaker, to request council. This is a process. We don't go out there to the community to solicit the plans that will feed into the IDP before we bring the item here. Today's item is not here to debate the report of CBP.

07:14:33We are here to ask for council to allow us to go out there and talk to the residents, community-based planning. Now, so I'm not sure whether the auspices of freedom of speech is allowed in this council.

07:14:55Colleagues, there's something like, sorry, Chair of Chairs, when we want to say something, we raise our hands. No, no, no, you are not. Councillor Belinda.

07:15:11Madam Speaker, I'm going to plead Rule 72 once again. The Chair of Chairs is out of order. I'm going to plead with him not to mislead this house. This item is coming in. It details the number of meetings per region. That is what it's given. He's misleading the house by telling us a long story about that it's only for permission. Those permission is specific for per region, and it gives you how many meetings per region.

07:15:41We're raising specific issues. He must not mislead the house. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

07:15:51Chair of Chairs, can you continue? You have 3 minutes.

07:16:00Yeah, I feel that the freedom of speech in this council is-

07:16:14I'm not going to allow any other point of order. I'm going to allow the Chair of Chairs to continue. I'm not going to, everybody had a chance, and I think allow the Chair of Chairs to do what he's doing. If you're not agreeing with what he's saying, Chair of Chairs, can you continue?

07:16:36No, just two lines so that I close the debate.

07:16:39Can you please continue?

07:16:41Just two lines. But before I get to the two lines, Speaker, I must indicate that I'm pretty disappointed, disappointed in the fact that the-

07:16:56Hhayi, both sides, please. Colleagues, I do have Allergex in my bag, so I can give you all Allergex, right? Councillor Belinda, can we allow the Chair of Chairs? Chair of Chairs, please.

07:17:12No, no, no, firstly, Speaker. Must I continue?

07:17:23Chair of Chairs, proceed. Finish your two lines.

07:17:26Tjo! Yeah. No, you could have done that when Madam Helen Zille was here yesterday to impress her, not today when she's not here. You could have done that yesterday. It's too late. It's too late. It's too late.

07:17:48Switch off your mic, Chair of Chairs.

07:17:56Madam Speaker, we're waiting for the, could we just stick to the item and stop having digs at each other, please? This is what started it yesterday. I'm asking nicely. Thank you.

07:18:08Councillor Mofokeng, is that now a point of order on a point of order? I can't allow that. Councillor Mofokeng, I can't have a point of order on a point of order.

07:18:19Thank you, Madam Speaker. No, no, it's not a point of order. No, no, Speaker, it's not. You can't. It's not a point of order.

07:18:27Councillor Mofokeng, can we allow the Chair of Chairs to move on, please? And I am not, no, Councillor! Councillor Chame! Councillor Chame! Councillor Avanzini, can you control this side? Chief Whip, can you, can Councillor Mofokeng control this side, please? We are on one item. Councillor Rahn, no more point of orders.

07:19:01Chair of Chairs, can you continue? No more point of orders. Because everything, it's not a point of order any longer. Can you conclude? Can you conclude?

07:19:15No, thank you very much, Speaker. For the sake of progress, I want to ask council to approve and note this report that is before it, and I hope that in doing so, all councillors in their respective regions will go and attend the CBPs. I thank you.

Item 64: noted with DA dissent

07:19:41Thank you, Chair of Chairs. The report is for information. Is the item noted? Thank you, colleagues. Councillor Christians! Councillor Mhlongo! Councillor Mhlongo!

07:20:14Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'm rising on Rule 84 for us to, for the record to be noted that we dissent to the noting of this because it's malicious compliance and not actually public participation. Thank you.

Caucus request before the last item

07:20:30Thank you, Councillor Christians. We're going to the next item, which is our last item. Councillor Kunene.

07:20:54Greetings, Madam Speaker. May we please have a caucus for 5 minutes, please, Madam Speaker, before this particular item?

07:21:065 minutes?

07:21:075 minutes, Madam Speaker.

07:21:10Okay. Councillor Rahn, I'm granting the 5 minutes. Councillor Rahn.

07:21:21Thank you, Madam Speaker, and sorry to jump the gun on before we table the item, but we haven't seen the item. So we're a little concerned that we, where we are on this. I know it's an urgency item, but we would like to discuss it and actually see the item. Thank you.

07:21:38I'm granting a caucus. When we come back, there are 5 minutes. When we come back, we will get onto the item. We have not even read the item in. I just said we're going to the next item and the hand was up, so I'm granting that 5 minutes. Thank you.

07:22:18Not told me what they're going to discuss. Nobody has the item. We'll come back to the item and distribute the item.

07:22:28AfrikaansHulle vra 'n 5 minute. Na hulle 5 minute caucus kom ons terug en dan table ons die item.

07:54:41Councillor Kunene, can you report back?

07:54:44Madam Speaker, thank you very much and we want to apologize for taking more than 5 minutes. Thank you very much. We are all okay.

07:54:51Thank you.

07:55:05Okay. Councillor, ah, STC.

Item 66: City Manager recruitment report; request for committee

07:55:12Uh Councillors, still on the urgency items, we have item 66, and that is the report to advise Council of the process to date on the progress uh to recruit the City Manager.

07:55:33Can we have the report? Can we have the report?

07:55:49LOEB? LOEB?

07:56:06Someone's mic is on. Can you switch off your mic? Whoever's mic is on.

07:56:16Uh greetings, uh Speaker. Uh once again, um to yourself and uh uh the Executive Mayor and fellow councillors. Speaker, I rise on in terms of uh Rule 88 to request that uh this matter be dealt with in committee. Thank you, Speaker.

07:56:36Thank you. Can we switch off everything and can we ask those people that are in the gallery to move out and switch off your cameras, those of you that have cameras up in the gallery, or take. Live streaming needs to stop.