Latest news with #MargaretArnolds
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Joburg speaker reinstates council's independent investigation committee as pressure mounts
Johannesburg speaker Margaret Arnolds has reversed her predecessor Nobuhle Mthembu's decision to review the operations of the city's Special Independent Investigation Committee. Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL Politics City of Johannesburg Speaker Margaret Arnolds appears to have bowed to mounting pressure from some councillors in the government of local unity to revoke the disbandment of the Special Independent Investigation Committee (SIIC). The SIIC's establishment was placed under review without any authorisation by the council by Arnolds' predecessor and former ActionSA councillor Nobuhle Mthembu, according to a letter written by Al Jama-Ah Gauteng provincial chairperson Thapelo Amad to the new speaker last month. Mthembu was voted out in June as speaker and resigned from ActionSA last week. In the letter, seen by Independent Media, Amad complained that Mthembu had indicated that she would complete such a review of SIIC by May 30 and that this clearly showed that she was not advised that she was usurping the review powers of the council in terms of the Municipal Systems Act. 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ The committee was established in June 2023 to investigate the lawfulness or otherwise of the establishment of the city's Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS), as well as allegations of improper and unlawful conduct on its part. On Monday, Arnolds wrote to the SIIC chairperson, senior counsel Pule Seleka, revoking correspondence sent to him on April 30 by Mthembu. She said the earlier suspension by Mthembu was therefore neither procedurally nor legally valid. Seleka was appointed in April last year to investigate allegations of corruption by GFIS officials. In her letter, Arnolds said the work of the SIIC must resume with immediate effect and proceed to conclusion in line with its original mandate, and that she would further appreciate it if the committee expedited the issuing of the investigation report in part or in full. 'Upon careful review of the applicable council resolution, it is evident that only the council, as the body that constituted the committee, holds the authority to suspend or dissolve its operations. The previous suspension was therefore not procedurally or legally valid,' she wrote. The SIIC was set up after complaints relating to allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration, and breach of law by the GFIS and others. In particular, its establishment as a separate unit or department and its inherent powers without approval by the council, the appointment of the GFIS head without compliance with the applicable recruitment processes, and the unlawful investigations it conducted against senior officials and councillors. The SIIC was empowered to inquire into, make findings and recommendations, and report on the allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration, and breach of law in the establishment of the GFIS as a separate department, allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration and breach of law in the appointment of its head as well as allegations of fraud, corruption maladministration and breach of law regarding the implementation of rogue, clandestine, and unlawful investigations. In his letter, Amad said Mthembu's purported review was irregular and unlawful, and it therefore falls on Arnolds as her successor in title, to withdraw her letter, and cause her to face disciplinary action for contravening a council resolution, which established the SIIC. He also warned Arnolds against seeking permission from Mayor Dada Morero before withdrawing the letter as this would be unlawful and may contravene the separation of powers doctrine. 'We further advise you that since the SIIC has commenced working, you would be liable for wasteful expenditure in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act if you allow its operations to be stopped without an investigation report because you approved its terms of reference,' Amad told Arnolds. In addition, he said to avoid such an eventuality, Arnolds should request the SIIC to conclude its outstanding hearings and consolidate its gathered evidence into a part one investigation report for council consideration and seek further authorisation for its part two investigation. Amad said he believes such a staggered approach is required in the circumstances, as any attempt to collapse the SIIC's operations without any investigation report having been submitted to the council may have far-reaching implications for her. In an earlier response last week, Arnolds said Amad's letter was so unfortunate that it left the impression that her office had failed, refused, or neglected to consider it. 'As you are aware, that I was the MMC: Finance at the time Councillor Mthembu stopped the SIIC from conducting its business as per the council resolution, as the new re-appointed speaker, I had to understand the rationale behind Councillor Mthembu's instructions to the SIIC,' explained Arnolds. She added that as part of understanding the rationale, she had to consult with various internal stakeholders and that the consultations are still ongoing.
IOL News
08-08-2025
- General
- IOL News
'A friend in need': City of Joburg and Chinese Consulate deliver aid to Alexandra fire victims
Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, partnered with City of Joburg and delivered aid to members of the Alexandra community members recently devastated by an inferno. Image: Supplied Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, Margaret Arnolds, in partnership with the Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, has delivered aid to members of the Alexandra community recently devastated by an inferno. Arnolds stated that the aid donated by the Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg would assist approximately 39 families facing displacement. The aid, which included essential goods and groceries, marked the second visit the community has received support from well-wishers. During a gathering to distribute the donations, Arnolds expressed gratitude to the Chinese mission for the financial contribution. "We want to thank the Chinese Consulate General because they have given money towards this and they work well with us," she said. "They've worked with us and they've allowed us to buy you essentials, with other donations. We will come back next week again to buy you some other stuff. At least these things can keep you going." Speaker of the City of Johannesburg, Margaret Arnolds, and Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, visited the Alexandra community recently devastated by an inferno. Image: Supplied Consul General Pan said he was honored to join the humanitarian effort, expressing the Chinese consulate's sympathy to fire-affected families and offering assistance. 'I'm happy to join the Speaker to be part of the collective humanitarian relief for you after you were unfortunately affected by the fire. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate, we express our great sympathy and in China we have a saying 'a friend in need is a friend indeed'. 'So through our small assistance, we hope that you will overcome the difficult time and return to normal life as soon as possible,' said Pan. Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, delivered aid to members of the Alexandra community recently devastated by an inferno. Image: Supplied The Consulate General of China, working in conjunction with the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, has donated educational support equipment and school furniture to Progress Comprehensive High School in Pimville, Soweto. Since he arrived in South Africa in 2024, Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, has prioritised education among South African learners in Gauteng and Free State - the two provinces serviced by his diplomatic mission. At the handover of the R250,000 donation, which was also attended by Gauteng Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe, the Chinese diplomat said the school furniture initiative is another manifestation of the many collaborative projects.
News24
03-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Margaret Arnolds voted back as JHB speaker
Margaret Arnolds was re-elected speaker of the Johannesburg council after securing 137 votes, reclaiming the seat she lost in August 2024.
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
eNCA
19-06-2025
- Business
- eNCA
What do you think of these steep tariff increases?
JOHANNESBURG - The Joburg metro council has approved new tariffs for 2025/26, effective from the 1st of July. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds says the rate hikes will help the city manage costs while safeguarding impoverished communities. On the South African Morning soapbox, we ask: what do you think of these steep tariff increases?. eNCA reporter Pule Letshwiti-Jones was out and about in the streets of Johannesburg, to get opinion on this.
