Latest news with #Arnolds
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Margaret Arnolds re-elected as Joburg speaker, defeats DA's Alex Christians
African Independent Congress, Margaret Arnolds, elected new Speaker of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) council. Image: X The outspoken, African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor, Margaret Arnolds, has been elected as Joburg Speaker again. In a surprising turn of events, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has put forward Alex Christians as its candidate for the Speaker position, marking a notable shift in the party's political strategy. DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, confirmed that this was a call from the party's top brass, Federal Executive (FedEx). However, Christians could not match Arnolds. Three parties, the ATM, Al-Jamah and UDM were unhappy with the ANC again fielding Arnolds. Al-Jamah has three seats, and the other two have two seats each. All these parties have five seats in total, meaning they will have an impact on Arnolds election. All the parties in the Government of Local Unity (GLU) are supporting the ANC's pick. Arnolds got 137 votes beating Christians who got 68 votes. Yongama Zigebe from UDM received 5 votes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The election was run by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Arnolds was elected to be a speaker in the city council chamber in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Thursday. Meanwhile, ANC regional secretary, Sasabona Manganye, expressed confidence before the voting process that Arnolds would become the speaker. Last week, City Mayor Dada Morero survived a motion of no confidence while the former speaker, Nobuhle Mthembu was removed from the position. Morero is on an international working trip and could not attend the sitting. He is the ninth mayor to be elected in the city since 2016. IOL Politics
TimesLIVE
18-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Joburg rates will rise in July
The City of Johannesburg has taken a decision to cushion its residents from high rate increases by not matching the tariff hikes by Eskom and Rand Water for the 2025/26 financial year. Instead of matching the proposed increase of 12.74% from Eskom, the city will limit its electricity increase to 12.5%. The electricity surcharge will remain at R270 and will only be charged once a month, and not every time a consumer loads electricity. However, residents will be paying more from July 1 for refuse removal, property rates and water. According to mayoral committee member responsible for finance Margaret Arnolds, the city has had to do a tough balancing act, juggling between prioritising the provision of basic services and ensuring that the most impoverished communities were protected. 'Tariffs are the lifeblood of local government finances. They make it possible for the city to clean our streets, electrify informal settlements, maintain infrastructure and expand all services. We also recognise that every rand charged must be justifiable, we don't want to take the money and not clarify what we have done with it,' she said. Arnolds said her administration has to be fair and responsive to the economic realities faced by residents and business. 'The work we do in setting these tariffs is not done in isolation. It is done within the framework of the government of local unity, a multiparty coalition committed to placing the people of Johannesburg above party politics.' Group CFO Tebogo Moraka said residents should not be worried about steep increases, revealing that discussions are being held at a national level. 'As metros, we are distributors of energy and water, so we get our tariff increases from the generators. We also need to play our part and ensure that the systems we are using are efficient. If there is efficiency, there could be savings that we can pass on back to the residents.'
The South African
29-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Billions allocated to rescue Johannesburg's infrastructure
The City of Johannesburg has committed over R13 billion in multi-year funding to stabilise struggling municipal entities, improve service delivery, and support long-term economic growth. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds revealed the allocations during the city's 2025/26 budget speech on Wednesday, pledging to move Johannesburg 'from planning to progress.' Johannesburg's municipal entities are under significant strain. Years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure, and revenue shortfalls have created essential services backlogs. Furthermore, Arnolds said the new budget responds to that challenge, reflecting a 'statement of intent' from the city and its residents. 'This budget was built through public dialogue, regional forums, and sectoral engagements,' she said. 'And in every hall, every meeting, every township, the message was clear: We want a city that works.' City Power, which owes Eskom over R1 billion, will receive R4.6 billion over the next three years. The allocation aims to help stabilise the city's power grid. 'This infrastructure will not only support economic continuity, but also enhance household financial stability,' said Arnolds. In addition, Johannesburg Water will receive the largest allocation, R5.6 billion, to address a R27 billion infrastructure backlog and reduce water losses. 'Through intentionally increasing infrastructure investment, the city will begin to claw back on water losses that eat away at resources that could potentially be available to re-invest in infrastructure for the future,' Arnolds noted. The water utility loses over R2 billion annually due to leaks and illegal connections and is owed nearly R500 million by government departments and state-owned entities. Furthermore, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has been allocated R2.8 billion, with R400 million earmarked for expanding stormwater infrastructure in flood-prone areas like Orange Farm and Ivory Park. The goal is to boost urban resilience and improve access between townships and economic hubs. 'These investments are part of the broader spatial transformation agenda, creating inclusive, walkable neighbourhoods and connecting marginalised communities to the city economy,' said Arnolds. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
CoJ allocates R3bn to revamp CBD
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Joburg has now put plans to revamp the CBD on paper, with R3 billion allocated to improve conditions in the area. But this R3 billion is not exclusive to the city centre, as it will also go towards refurbishing other underdeveloped communities is Johannesburg. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds announced during her budget speech on Wednesday that Eldorado Park, Lenasia South, Diepsloot and Orange Farm would also benefit from the money. Opposition parties in Johannesburg are concerned about the metro's efforts to revamp the CBD, arguing that the area needs a dedicated budget of its own. They believe the R3 billion allocated to underdeveloped communities was not enough, given the extent of decay in some areas. But Arnolds said city's departments also have their own individual budgets allocated specifically for the rejuvenation of the CBD. "These allocations include bulk infrastructure upgrades, human settlements support, and roads and stormwater systems linked to economic nodes." The Gauteng government is also running its own programme intended to rejuvenate Johannesburg's CBD.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Joburg's budget aims to combat rampant crime and improve safety
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department has been allocated more resources to tackle crime across the city. The Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD), once a vibrant epicentre of finance and commerce, is now grappling with an alarming rise in crime that casts a long shadow over its efforts for revitalisation. But there is a glimmer of hope, with the city yesterday announcing new plans to tackle the scourge. As the police force employs various strategies to enhance security, the persistent issues of theft, robbery, and hijackings have put both residents and businesses on edge. The CBD's reputation for being a high-crime area is not unfounded, as reports indicate a worrying trend in criminal activity. Victims recount harrowing experiences, from being held at gunpoint during daylight hours to having their vehicles forcibly taken in broad daylight. The subject of the high crime rate in the province featured prominently in the White House last week when the South African delegation was hosted by the US government. Last year, Gauteng Premier was quoted as saying the crime in the province is giving him ''sleepless nights'. However, this could change if the City of Johannesburg has its way. Yesterday, the City of Joburg's pledge to protect residents from rampant crime across the municipality should come as a relief; moreover, as the city prepares to host world leaders later this year. Johannesburg will be hosting the G20 Summit, a meeting of heads of state and government held from 22 to 23 November 2025 Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds has announced increased resources for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). Arnolds tabled the R89.4 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year at the council chambers in Braamfontein yesterday.
