Safety and policing

Item 7: Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Strategy

The ACDP and UDM supported the strategy. The DA said it would not support it in its current form because it lacks costing, targets and named responsibilities. The ANC noted the report and MMC Makhafola presented the strategy. FF+ abstained, DA voted no and the item was carried; the Speaker said she was disturbed by councillors trying to remove others from the platform.

Decisionapproved: FF+ abstained, the DA voted no and the remaining responding parties said yes; the item was carried.

Items 21-23: Disaster management policies and plan, DA opening

The three disaster management items (volunteer policy, policy framework, level 1 plan) were read together. Cllr Benjamin (DA) said all three lack financial implications and costed plans, including 23 extra posts and a move to the City Manager's office. The DA could not approve any of them as they stood. The Speaker repeatedly asked for background noise on her line to be reduced.

Items 21-23: Cllr Nair (ANC) on the disaster management items

Cllr Nair said disaster management and a volunteer system are needed, citing illegal mining, sinkholes and flooding risks. He said it is a concern that reports claim no financial implications while their annexures list substantial resources and 23 extra posts. He criticised long-standing acting appointments, said the ANC would abstain and asked for the reports to be returned to the department.

Item 31: Draft Inner City Street and Informal Trading Plan

Cllr B. Nkomo (DA) said the problem is by-law enforcement rather than a lack of plans, and asked where traders removed from Lilian Ngoyi Street would go. Cllr Tefu (ANC) supported the draft as a pilot. MMC Mgcina said the Lilian Ngoyi designation is on hold pending stakeholder engagement and asked Council to approve the plan.

PromiseThe proposed trading designation of Lilian Ngoyi Street is placed on hold pending further stakeholder engagement.

Motion 2: Traffic calming at Clarendon Place, Hillbrow, withdrawn

Cllr Nkonyeni was called as proposer of the motion on traffic calming and pedestrian safety near Williston Court. He withdrew it, saying it would be politicised. MMC Kunene said he was glad a frivolous motion was withdrawn, and was told by members that he was wasting time.

Decisionwithdrawn: The proposer, Cllr Nkonyeni, withdrew the motion, saying it would be politicised.

Item 39: Secondment for vacant senior management positions

The DA noted the report but asked that no recruitment appointments be made until after the elections, and objected to a suspended official heading Public Safety. An ANC councillor supported the secondments. The Deputy Executive Mayor asked for approval and the item was agreed.

Decisionapproved: The recommendations on page 39.8 were agreed to.

Motion without notice on recruitment of the Public Safety HOD

The Speaker reported a motion without notice under rule 93(1)(c), brought by Cllr Maila, on the recruitment and appointment process for the Head of the Department of Public Safety. She said the office was checking compliance and would report back during the day.

PromiseThe Speaker will report during the day on whether the motion without notice on the Public Safety HOD recruitment complies with the rules.

Decisionrecorded: The register showed 155 signatures against 156 councillors present before the meeting proceeded to business.

Decisiondeferred: The Speaker said compliance was being checked and she would report back later in the day.

Item 38: Procedural dispute over DA motion without notice

Before debate on item 38 the Speaker took the DA's motion without notice. Cllr Raphadu, Cllr Makhafola, Cllr Christians and MMC Mgcina argued over whether it complied with the rules. The Speaker cited rules 90 and 93 and ruled that it complied.

Cllr Maila moves motion to postpone item 38

Cllr Maila read the DA's motion under rule 93(1)(c) to postpone item 38 until the SIU investigation, vetting and integrity processes are finalised. He said the report itself records that the preferred candidate was flagged as high risk by the SIU. He stressed that the motion makes no finding of guilt.

Item 38: Head of Department Public Safety debate (DA, GOOD, ActionSA, EFF)

Cllr Maila placed the DA's opposition on record and said it reserves the right to take the decision on review. Cllr Lotz (GOOD), Cllr Foley (DA) and Cllr Mabelebele (ActionSA) spoke on the SIU high-risk flag and the integrity of the process. An EFF councillor noted the report on behalf of Cllr Nhlapo.

PromiseThe DA intends to put every councillor on notice about the security and integrity risks in item 38, and to seek legal remedies including costs if the decision is found unlawful.

Item 38: MMC Mabaso's response

MMC Mabaso said filling the long-vacant Public Safety post is welcome. He pointed to recommendations 3 and 5, which require security clearance before the appointment is finalised, and asked council to approve the report.

Item 5: CoJ Security Access Restriction by-laws

The council resumed at item 5, the introduction of the Security Access Restriction by-laws and related public participation. Cllr Harris of the ACDP commended the Johannesburg Zoo and said the ACDP notes the reports. Cllr Kreusch of the DA said the DA supports the 2018 road closure policy and the by-laws in principle but reserved some conditions. The transcript part ends mid-speech.

Item 5: Security Access Restriction by-laws debate (DA close, ANC)

A DA councillor closed on the proposed Security Access Restriction by-laws. The DA asked for bona fide public participation and for the by-laws to go to the Section 79 Transport Committee next term. Cllr Supe (ANC) supported the direction, called for emergency access to be guaranteed and for clear criteria and consultation, and said Ward 111 was a no-go area for the DA and Freedom Front Plus.

PromiseThe ANC will provide a CAPEX budget and advance service delivery in Ward 111 (Glenfountain and Ebony Park).

Items 23-24: Executive Mayor responds

Executive Mayor Morero responded on JMPD officer training, saying a 12-month programme was needed after the earlier four-month course. He said the unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure reduction strategy had been accepted by National Treasury. He said the disciplinary board and MPAC were showing results. The items were noted.

Decisionnoted: The recommendations at 23.20 and 24.10 to 24.11 were noted with no objection heard.

Items 25-26: Public Safety performance

The Public Safety Q3 report and oversight report were tabled. The PA noted the report. FF+ criticised the lack of speed prosecution and a R58 million overspend. The ACDP raised illegal mining near FNB Stadium pipelines. ActionSA called the 88% KPI result far-fetched. The DA raised the Afrirent vehicle grounding and the lapsed speed-camera contract. The ANC praised the Executive Mayor's inner-city law enforcement and accepted the report.

PromiseRelay councillors' Public Safety comments to MMC Koma.

Decisionagreed: The recommendations at 25.20 and 26.4 were agreed to.

Item 91: Public participation on 50-year lease extension, Erf 1307 Yeoville

Council considered a request to conduct public participation on a 50-year lease extension for Erf 1307 in Yeoville, for the Yeoville Police Station. ActionSA and the ANC welcomed the report. MMC Mabaso noted there was no opposition and asked council to approve. The item was carried.

Decisionapproved: Recommendations on pages 91.9 to 91.10 were carried without opposition.