Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Unproven
The city's own annual report gives these figures. These are temporary work opportunities in public works programmes. They are not permanent jobs. No one outside the city has checked them. The Auditor-General did not audit this part of the report.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Published 1 February 2026.
Where to look: PDF page 556, scorecard 'Strategic outcome 1: Innovative and productive city', indicator KFA5 LED 1.21 'Number of work opportunities created by the municipality through Public Employment Programmes (Incl. EPWP, CWP and other related employment programmes)': 2023/24 target 5617, actual 3927; 2024/25 target 3148, actual 4450. Printed page 350, table T 3.11.6 'Job creation through EPWP projects': 2024/2025, 41 projects, 4450 jobs (2021/22: 4325; 2022/23: 6250; 2023/24: 3927). PDF page 46 (EPWP described as 'providing temporary employment opportunities'); PDF page 655 (Auditor-General's report, paragraph 18 table: outcomes selected for audit do not include 'Innovative and Productive City')
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Princess Faku (ANC). Council run by ANC. From Mar 2023 to present.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Published 27 March 2023.
Where to look: Lead paragraph ('elected as the new Mayor of Buffalo City Metro during the Special Council meeting on Thursday evening 23 March 2023'); paragraph 2 ('takes over from Cllr Xola Pakati who resigned on Monday 20 March')
SABC News. Published 23 March 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Faku elected; Pakati 'resigned on Monday'; the ANC PEC 'recalled Pakati two weeks ago citing poor audit outcomes, wasteful expenditure and failure to collect revenue'); paragraph 3 ('62 votes against the 22 for Bentley'); paragraph 5 (EFF did not vote). Paragraph 2 is a linked video title.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 22 November 2021.
Where to look: Page 3 of 4, seat table: 'AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 61 43 18' (total, ward, PR seats); page 4: 'Total Party Seats 100 50 50'. Printed on 2021/11/22.
Daily Maverick. Published 1 October 2026.
Where to look: Buffalo City mayoral candidates section: 'The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. The ANC has offered incumbent mayor Princess Faku, former deputy minister Nocawe Mafu, Simphiwe Dzengwa and Ncedo Kumbaca as its potential candidates.'
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