Tuesday, 26 May 2026 · 1 h 18 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
51st Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting
AI draft.Written by AI from the livestream and not yet checked by a person. Use the timestamps to check anything before you quote it.
The 51st Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting had one item: approval to enter into a loan agreement with KfW in the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial years, tabled by the Executive Mayor. 00:17:06 Council approved the loan with 181 yes votes, 44 no votes and 0 abstentions after the Speaker called a formal vote. 01:05:29
The ACDP opposed it, with Cllr Harris citing R616 million in interest, a R17.5 million upfront cost and a R16 billion City Power overdraft, and ActionSA also rejected the item. 00:41:27 00:48:07 The DA supported the loan after nine new annexures and amended recommendations, including a two-year freeze on executive salary increases at City Power; the ANC, AIC, ATM, PA and UDM also backed it. 00:43:57 00:45:00 00:49:58 00:56:01 01:00:02
Responding to the debate, MMC Masuku said the loan is concessional and ring-fenced for City Power under KfW conditions, and criticised ActionSA for voting against it. 01:01:36
The Speaker declared a quorum with 172 on the register and 158 counted in the chamber, and a 15-minute caucus requested by the Chief Whip ran over time. 00:04:04 00:17:54 00:38:38 The PA withdrew a request for a 30-minute caucus after the Speaker offered only 15 minutes, and during the vote she warned of a R500 fine for using a camera. 00:40:05 01:05:29
The Speaker announced a memorial sitting the next day for the late Cllrs Tshedo (EFF) and Simelane (ANC), followed by the budget speech. 01:15:08
AI draft from the record of this sitting (Claude Opus 5.5), checked against the chapters; every sentence links to the moment. Report an error
This week in council: Budget of R97.1 billion passes 139 for, 92 against; KfW loan carried 181 to 44
In brief
Chapters
18What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:00:18
Opening and prayer
The meeting opened with a prayer or meditation. The Speaker then formally notified councillors that the 51st Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting was convened for 26 May 2026 at 10:00 in the Council Chamber in Braamfontein.
Report an error - 00:01:25
Welcome, protocol and order in the chamber
The Speaker acknowledged office-bearers and officials, then rebuked members for walking in and making noise during the opening. She restarted the welcome and formally welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Report an error - 00:04:04
Counting of councillors and quorum
The Speaker allowed about 10 minutes for the councillors present to be counted and the attendance register to be verified. She reported 172 signed the register and 158 were counted in the chamber, and declared a quorum.
Report an error - 00:12:30
Applications for leave of absence
The Speaker said the office had received one leave application, from Cllr Abdool. Whips from several parties then tabled apologies and late arrivals for their members. The Speaker asked whether the apologies were noted.
ArnoldsAICHarrisACDPMaseraDADe LangeFF+MunyayiActionSANdlelaANCSimonsePAMakhubaIFPMogapiEFF
Report an error - 00:17:06
Recommendations to council: KfW loan item introduced
The Executive Mayor tabled the reports for council's consideration. The Speaker announced the first and only item: approval to enter into a loan agreement with KfW in the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial years.
Report an error - 00:17:54
Chief Whip requests caucus; recess
The Chief Whip asked for a 15-minute caucus, which the Speaker granted with a return time of 10:35. The recess ran well over time, and the transcript for this period contains unrelated background conversation about a delivery rather than council business.
Report an error - 00:38:38
Resumption after caucus and Chief Whip report-back
The Speaker called members to order, noting they were 5 minutes over time, and asked non-councillors to leave. The Chief Whip reported that the matters raised had been looked at and council could continue.
Report an error - 00:40:05
PA caucus request cut to 15 minutes and withdrawn
The PA asked for a 30-minute caucus. The Speaker said she would grant only 15 minutes, noting there was one item and procedures for tomorrow still to prepare. The PA then withdrew its request.
Report an error - 00:41:27
ACDP opposes the KfW loan
Cllr Harris said City Power is in crisis, citing a R16 billion overdraft and R5.2 billion owed to Eskom. He said the loan would carry R616 million in interest and a R17.5 million upfront cost, and argued it unfairly commits the next council. The ACDP would not support the item.
Report an error - 00:43:57
IFP and AIC positions
The IFP caucus said it noted the report. The AIC said it noted the report and would support it.
Report an error - 00:45:00
ATM and PA support the loan
Cllr Magwentshu of the ATM spoke on football and said the item had already been approved by council in its funding model. He supported it. The PA's Cllr Ponsonby said the PA notes and approves the report.
Report an error - 00:48:07
ActionSA rejects the loan
Cllr Nkonyeni, speaking in isiZulu, congratulated Sundowns and said ActionSA had rejected the item the previous week and would not change its position. ActionSA rejected the item.
Report an error - 00:49:58
DA supports the loan after amendments
Cllr Santana raised concerns about the generic project description, safeguards against diversion to operating costs and the City Power salary freeze. He welcomed nine new annexures and amended recommendations, including a two-year freeze on executive salary increases at City Power. He set out the loan terms and said the DA would support the loan.
Report an error - 00:56:01
EFF and UDM notes and support
Cllr Zitha of the EFF commented on football and said the EFF notes the item. Cllr Zigebe of the UDM spoke on Africa Day and the African Indigenous Spirituality Charter, and said the UDM notes and supports the item.
Report an error - 01:00:02
ANC supports the loan
Cllr Radebe said the ANC supports and approves the loan as a foundation for electricity infrastructure for future generations. He thanked other parties for supporting it.
Report an error - 01:01:36
MMC Masuku responds to the debate
MMC Masuku said the loan is concessional and ring-fenced for City Power under KfW conditions in Annexures 2 and 8. He thanked supporting parties and criticised ActionSA for voting against it.
MasukuANC
Report an error - 01:05:29
Vote on the KfW loan
The Speaker said she heard yeses but called a formal vote and rang the bell. She warned a councillor of a R500 fine for using a camera. The result was 181 yes, 44 no and no abstentions, and the item was carried.
Report an error - 01:15:08
Announcements and closure
The Speaker announced two council sessions the next day: a 9:00 memorial sitting for the late Cllrs Tshedo (EFF) and Simelane (ANC), and the budget speech at 12:30. Both would be held in the chamber. A councillor interjected to congratulate Kaizer Chiefs.
Report an error
Promises
2Commitments with a date, an amount or a 'we will'.
On 4 November 2026 (when this page was built): 0 overdue, 0 due in the next 30 days, 1 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
Date passed; the City's newsroom said doneMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
01:16:28· by tomorrow, 9:00 and 12:30· Report an error
Latest: Said done at a later sitting, 28 May 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 1 later sitting · 1 City report
“The first one starts at 9:00”
- Done, they sayActionSA's Cllr Edward attacks the budget; point of order by Cllr Echeozonjoku · 28 May 2026
- City says doneCity newsroom, 27 May 2026: Joburg’s 26/27 budget allocates R 28.3 billion towards energy security
“This was announced on Tuesday, 27 May 2026, during Executive Deputy Mayor and Member of Mayoral Committee for Finance, Cllr Loyiso Masuku's R97.1 billion budget speech for 2026/2027.”
No dateMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
The Speaker will fine any councillor found using a camera in the chamber R500.
01:09:47· R500· Report an error
Latest: Said done at a later sitting, 26 August 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 2 later sittings
“If I find anyone with a camera, you are fined R500.”
- Raised againRegister, headcount and Rule 30 on conduct of councillors · 28 May 2026
- Done, they sayItem 3: EFF on the ethics code and fines for filming · 26 August 2026 · and 1 more moment that day
Decisions
5What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:12:03
Quorumquorum confirmed
With 172 on the register and 158 counted in the chamber, the Speaker declared a quorum and started the meeting.
- 00:16:41
Applications for leave of absencenoted
The Speaker asked whether the apologies tabled by the parties were noted, and proceeded.
- 00:18:22
Chief Whip's request for caucusapproved
A 15-minute caucus was granted with return at 10:35; the Chief Whip reported back at 00:39:56 after it ran over.
- 00:41:01
PA request for 30-minute caucuswithdrawn
The Speaker offered only 15 minutes, and the PA withdrew its request.
- 01:14:37
Request for approval and authorization to enter into a loan agreement with KfW in the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial yearsapproved
Carried with 181 yes votes, 44 no votes and 0 abstentions.
Attendance and conduct
37Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 34
- Party business (12)
- Abdool, Papo, Ramaru, Benjamin, Da Gama, Shawe, Chabalala, Fourie-Shawe, Dewes, Gerhard Niemand, Stuart Marais, Mkhonto
- Private business (5)
- Mkhonza, Huggett, Truluck, Bongani Nkomo, Boer
- Ill health (8)
- Roberts, Mphefo, Maureen Mnisi, Shackleford, Mwale, Nkomo*, Nyembe*, Ngwenya*
- Bereavement (2)
- Chame, Mazibukwana
- Arriving late (6)
- Christians, Unidentified councillor*, Kenny Kunene, Unidentified councillor*, Ennie Makhafola, Gwamanda
- Family responsibility (1)
- Mohlala*
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Warned or stopped by the chair 3
Transcript
154Every line, linked to the video.
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