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Today, after many weeks of unnecessary delays by opposition councillors, the Multi-Party Government elected Chairpersons of Section 79 Committees. All chairpersons were elected unopposed.

The election of these very capable men and women signals that, indeed, a Golden Start for service delivery is underway in Johannesburg. 

Having the certainty of Section 79 committee chairpersons in place means that the residents of the City can be assured that there will fair but robust oversight over the work of the mayoral committee in the various departments and municipal entities.

Despite unending challenges to the elections taking place, I am confident that, ultimately, it will be found that the process undertaken to elect the Section 79 committee chairpersons fell within the ambit of the law.

I call upon all councillors and political parties to accept the outcome of today’s election as it is a result of democratic processes. It is important, now more than ever, to demonstrate a maturity that offers residents comfort that their needs will be attended to with the urgency they deserve.

It is important to assure residents that water will flow out taps, lights will go on when switches are flipped, rubbish will be collected timeously and potholes will be repaired, regardless of whether one is in Sandton or the Joburg CBD.

I congratulate the following councillors, on their election as Section 79 committee chairpersons:

• Community Development – Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba (DA)
• Finance – Cllr Ashley Sauls (PA)
• Corporate and Shared Services – Cllr Carin van der Schyff (ActionSA)
• Economic Development – Cllr Bongani Nkomo (DA)
• Ethics – Cllr Gert Niemand (DA)
• Rule – Cllr Meshack Van Wyk (ActionSA)
• Public Safety – Cllr Solomon Maila (DA)
• Oversight Committee on the Legislature – Cllr Peter Rafferty (PA)
• Housing – Cllr Alex Christians (DA)
• Environment and Infrastructure Services – Cllr Lerato Ngobeni (ActionSA)
• Petitions – Cllr Kevin Reddy (UIM)
• Health and Social Development – Cllr Lubabalo Magwentshu (ATM)
• Transport – Cllr Wendy Alexander (DA)
• Oversight Committee on Governance – Cllr Sarah Wiesler (ActionSA)
• Gender, Youth and People living with Disability – Cllr Nakita Dellwaria (DA)
• Development Planning – Cllr Juwairiya Kaldine (PA)

A notice will be issued to elect the Chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (Mpac) in the next council sitting.

Issued by City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse