{ "schemaVersion": "1.0.0", "constitutionVersion": "1.0.0", "createdAt": "2026-08-12T00:00:00Z", "description": "Append-only Evidence Passport records. Old revisions are immutable; corrections create a new revision and preserve the previous permalink.", "entity": { "type": "project", "id": "johannesburg-broadband-network-bwired", "title": "Johannesburg Broadband Network (BWired/MTC): City Fibre Bought Back for R1.3 Billion", "canonicalUrl": "https://1001smartcities.org/projects/johannesburg-broadband-network-bwired/" }, "currentRevisionId": "2026-10-11-baseline", "revisions": [ { "id": "2026-10-11-baseline", "createdAt": "2026-10-11T20:15:17Z", "effectiveAt": "2026-10-11", "changeType": "baseline", "summary": "Created the first structured Evidence Passport with 22 claims and 10 source dossiers.", "preparedBy": { "type": "automation", "label": "AI-assisted evidence preparation", "humanApproved": false }, "review": { "status": "unreviewed", "by": null, "date": null, "note": "Awaiting operator and domain-expert review; publication of this revision implies neither." }, "changes": [ { "operation": "add", "path": "/evidencePassport", "summary": "Added claim-level evidence mapping and source dossiers." }, { "operation": "add", "path": "/revisionHistory", "summary": "Established a permanent, hash-addressed baseline revision." } ], "snapshotHash": "sha256:3136cde0539bc1b95a7b0fb026dcc7942ebeebd2470b3b2ac89416a67e6332dc", "snapshot": { "asOf": "2026-10-11", "projectFingerprint": "sha256:efc414e92caa2cd3f480ffeb7d8bca3c7629b90b6bde13a7de36d785c79e1c53", "assurance": { "status": "unreviewed", "scope": "evidence-passport-revision", "statement": "AI-assisted structural preparation. This revision has not been reviewed by a human or subject-matter expert.", "machineChecks": [ "schema", "publication-diff-contract", "material-project-fingerprint", "claim-text-drift", "source-reference-resolution", "complete-source-dossier", "snapshot-hash" ] }, "projectState": { "status": "live", "outcome": "scaled-back", "evidenceGrade": "official", "timeline": { "started": 2010, "ended": null } }, "governance": { "operator": "Metropolitan Tech Company (MTC, formerly Metropolitan Trading Company), a municipal-owned entity 100% owned by the City of Johannesburg; built 2010–2013 by CitiConnect Communications under the BOT contract ceded by Ericsson SA, with BWired as the operating venture until the 2014 termination", "actorTypes": [ "city-government", "private" ], "fundingModel": "public", "fundingDescription": "Originally a 15-year build-operate-transfer contract with Ericsson SA (annual fee, ownership after 15 years); since September 2015 city-owned — transferred to MTC for about R1.25 billion financed by a shareholder loan, with an annual city subsidy (R169m subsidy revenue in the 2026/27 business plan)", "cost": "R1.3 bn buy-out of the BOT contract (2015, city figure); the city's forensic investigation put deal-related costs at R1.7 bn (Dec 2017)", "ownership": null, "decisionRights": null, "exitConditions": null }, "claims": [ { "id": "clm-b27685db3c29ab1d", "field": "snippet", "text": "began in June 2010 as a 15-year build-operate-transfer contract with Ericsson SA", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-dbbea76629bce8e8", "src-f9a8d88cf3b14e9d" ], "supportNote": "MTC's own history, reproduced by TechFinancials, says Ericsson South Africa was commissioned in June 2010 to build and operate a city-wide network over 15 years, three to build and twelve to operate; ITWeb reported in 2015 that Ericsson won the deal in 2010 to run the project for 15 years.", "caveat": "The city's 2017 statement dates the tender award to 19 December 2008; the award and the signed contract are two years apart.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-ece27ff03dcb7762", "field": "snippet", "text": "ceded to CitiConnect Communications and BWired", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-f9a8d88cf3b14e9d", "src-dbbea76629bce8e8" ], "supportNote": "ITWeb reports that Ericsson SA 'later ceded it to CitiConnect Communications', which manages BWired, an entity the city established with Ericsson SA; TechFinancials carries MTC's account that BWired was set up by the city and Ericsson to operate and commercialise the network.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-60a7d0761a7ffd8f", "field": "snippet", "text": "About 900 km was laid by mid-2013", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-dbbea76629bce8e8", "src-f9a8d88cf3b14e9d" ], "supportNote": "MTC's history says that by the middle of 2013 CCC had built approximately 900 kilometres; ITWeb's 2015 report speaks of '900km of fibre-optic cables that have been rolled out'.", "caveat": "The length varies by source and date: MTC's 2015/16 report says 1150 km rolled out, the 2019 sale notice 1 000 km, the 2026/27 business plan 1,200 km.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-a57d7cc6bf98ab80", "field": "snippet", "text": "the 1 July 2013 go-live was missed", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-c7042f9b81be900d", "src-7fe733f627a794af" ], "supportNote": "ITWeb states the network 'was initially envisaged to become operational on 1 July 2013, but the termination of the original contract scuppered that deadline'; in January 2015 TimesLIVE described a network that 'remains unused 18 months after it was expected to deliver fast internet'.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-b50f5edb1bbc5dc9", "field": "snippet", "text": "on 31 July 2014 the city cancelled the contract for breaches", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6", "src-6849926c9695e7dc" ], "supportNote": "The city's statement says 'On 31 July 2014, the City terminated the agreement so as to operate the network itself through the MTC'; MTC's integrated report says CCC/BWired 'had committed numerous acts of repudiation of its obligation under the BOT' and that the city cancelled it on that date.", "caveat": "The substance of the breaches comes from the city's side only: ITWeb (2015) reports intermediary companies selling spare capacity and fibre for a second network laid in the city's trenches. CitiConnect's position is not in these sources.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-6e8194fb611aae3e", "field": "snippet", "text": "paid R1.3 billion to buy the network out", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6", "src-6849926c9695e7dc" ], "supportNote": "The mayor's statement: 'the City chose to buy out the agreement at a cost of R1.3 billion'; MTC's report values the asset transferred as part of the JBN business at R1,3 billion.", "caveat": "Earlier figures differ: ITWeb reported in February 2015 that the city would pay R1.2 billion, and MTC's own history gives the September 2015 transfer at approximately R1.25 billion. The entry uses the city's and MTC's R1.3 billion.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-e5e7223863f1ade6", "field": "snippet", "text": "from September 2015 ran it through its own Metropolitan Trading Company (now Metropolitan Tech Company, MTC)", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-6849926c9695e7dc", "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6", "src-22756966e5a22d3b" ], "supportNote": "MTC's report gives 3 September 2015 as the effective date of transfer of the business and network to MTC, a municipal entity 100% owned by the municipality; the city's 2017 statement says MTC commenced operations on 30 September 2015; the Sunday Times describes the company as 'formerly the Metropolitan Trading Company'.", "caveat": "Two city documents give two September dates (3 and 30 September 2015); the entry says only the month.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-cdb8e318dd467738", "field": "snippet", "text": "A forensic investigation ordered in 2017 put the deal's costs at R1.7 billion", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-337058796c938b4b", "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6" ], "supportNote": "The city announced the independent forensic investigation on 10 March 2017; in December 2017 the mayor reported that 'the investigation has since revealed that costs relating to the deal currently amount to R1.7-billion' and were likely to rise.", "caveat": "The figure is the mayor's summary of a progress report; the Nexus Forensic Services report itself has not been published. The same statement said a minister and deputy minister benefited by 'almost R200-million'; ITWeb's 2019 retelling gives R279 million.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-7922c22eb279752b", "field": "snippet", "text": "The fibre now links municipal buildings and carries free public Wi-Fi", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-adc15ec0fc1d10cc" ], "supportNote": "The city's August 2026 article on MTC's rehabilitation programme says 'the fibre network underpins municipal buildings, public Wi-Fi, digital communication systems and other smart city services', with work under way in Randburg, Sandton, Alexandra and other areas.", "caveat": "The city's own description; no independent account of what the network carries was found.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-23020b95adf706d4", "field": "snippet", "text": "26 network staff maintaining about 1,200 km", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-22756966e5a22d3b" ], "supportNote": "Reporting MTC's 2026/27 business plan, the Sunday Times says the company is 'relying on just 26 network employees to maintain 1,200km of fibre' and that the plan calls MTC 'currently under-capacitated'.", "caveat": "Figures from the business plan as reported by the newspaper; MTC did not answer its questions, and the plan itself was not read.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-0267c29f2b7f50b8", "field": "snippet", "text": "a Wi-Fi target of 200,000 connections, against 1,574,979 recorded in 2024/25", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-22756966e5a22d3b" ], "supportNote": "The article reports MTC 'recording 1,574,979 connections to the city's free Wi-Fi network in 2024/25 but setting a target of just 200,000 connections for 2026/27', and that 'the business plan does not explain the sharp difference between the two figures'.", "caveat": "What counts as a 'connection' is not defined in the reporting.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-7858fe72e576e2eb", "field": "impact", "text": "the operator reported that the fibre reached about 30 clinics and 15 libraries by 2016", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-6849926c9695e7dc" ], "supportNote": "MTC's 2015/16 report says the network 'was extended to connect about thirty (30) clinics' for the e-health platform and that connectivity to fifteen (15) libraries benefited the e-learning programme.", "caveat": "Operator self-report; a count of sites connected, not a measured service effect.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-b493900eca1a174d", "field": "impact", "text": "the free Wi-Fi logged 1,574,979 connections in 2024/25", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-22756966e5a22d3b" ], "supportNote": "The Sunday Times reports the figure from MTC's 2026/27 business plan.", "caveat": "A usage count reported by the operator, not an outcome; the unit is not defined.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-c4def1063711581e", "field": "impact", "text": "in March 2017 the mayor said that despite the cost 'few of these benefits have been realised'", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6" ], "supportNote": "The statement lists the project's aims — service delivery, ICT cost savings, affordable internet for communities and businesses — and continues: 'Despite the astronomical cost, few of these benefits have been realised'.", "caveat": "A political assessment by an incoming administration of its predecessor's decision, not an evaluation.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-c9f64513ca6619b8", "field": "impact", "text": "MTC's 2026/27 business plan says ageing equipment, power outages and vandalism have kept it from meeting its network-availability targets", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-22756966e5a22d3b" ], "supportNote": "The article says 'ageing and dilapidated equipment, power outages and vandalism are among the reasons it has struggled to meet its network availability targets', and that insufficient capital budget has affected maintenance and expansion.", "caveat": "The targets and the availability actually achieved are not given in the reporting.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-b2ccef94c02689d1", "field": "impact", "text": "The city projected in 2015 that ending the contract would save it 20% a year", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-f9a8d88cf3b14e9d" ], "supportNote": "The city's head of broadband told ITWeb that termination released the city from R279 million a year over 12 years, 'allowing it to realise a 20% annual saving'.", "caveat": "A projection by the city at the time of the buy-back, not a measured saving; no later source reports whether it materialised.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-1fe1ef3685e1e5b1", "field": "lesson", "text": "Johannesburg's original deal would have cost it an annual fee and handed it the fibre after 15 years", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6" ], "supportNote": "The city's statement: 'Under the initial agreement, the City would have paid an annual fee for the building and operation of the network. After 15 years we would have taken over ownership of the network.'", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-e0e5b0b04487540f", "field": "lesson", "text": "the city bought the asset for R1.3 billion and took on the operation it had contracted out", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6", "src-6849926c9695e7dc" ], "supportNote": "The statement says the city terminated the agreement 'so as to operate the network itself through the MTC' and bought out the agreement for R1.3 billion; MTC's report records the transfer of the network and its business to the municipal entity in September 2015.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-b18aaa7507b77870", "field": "lesson", "text": "an entity the mayor later said had neither a viable business plan nor the capacity to run it", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6" ], "supportNote": "The statement describes MTC as an entity 'which possessed no viable business plan nor had requisite capacity to run a broadband operation of this size'.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-8ee10a3820d1b951", "field": "lesson", "text": "That entity lost R54 million in its first financial year", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6" ], "supportNote": "The statement: 'On commencing operations on 30 September 2015, the MTC ended the 2015/16 financial year with a net loss of R54 million.'", "caveat": "The mayor's figure; MTC's audited statements for 2015/16 could not be read, and the integrated report's Auditor-General section is blank in the published file.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-315091ad675fc4c5", "field": "lesson", "text": "the city tried to sell the network again from 2019", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-5643bfb71f4d933f", "src-dbbea76629bce8e8" ], "supportNote": "Engineering News reports the 2019 open tender to sell the network for an expected R853-million to just over R1-billion under a 12-year build-operate-transfer arrangement; TechFinancials reports MTC's February 2021 update that a compliant bidder had 'entered into an agreement of sale'.", "caveat": "No source after February 2021 records a completed transfer or names the buyer; the 2026/27 business plan still has MTC maintaining the fibre, which suggests the sale did not close, but that is not stated anywhere.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-1d91cb272955e6a0", "field": "lesson", "text": "in 2026 MTC maintains 1,200 km with 26 network staff while more than 60% of its city subsidy goes to servicing its shareholder loan", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-22756966e5a22d3b", "src-dbbea76629bce8e8" ], "supportNote": "The Sunday Times: MTC relies on 26 network employees to maintain 1,200km of fibre and 'says more than 60% of the subsidy it receives from the city is used to service its shareholder loan balance, after recording R169m in subsidy revenue'. MTC's own history says the 2015 transfer was 'financed by means of a shareholder loan account'.", "caveat": "Whether the 2026 loan balance is the same instrument that financed the 2015 transfer is MTC's description across two documents five years apart; the business plan was not read.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } } ], "sources": [ { "id": "src-1d0fd9233458c5c6", "title": "City of Johannesburg — Investigation into City's R1.3 billion acquisition of Broadband Network (10 Mar 2017)", "url": "https://www.joburg.org.za/media_/MediaStatements/Pages/2017%20Press%20Releases/10032017-Investigation-into-City%E2%80%99s-R1-3-billion-acquisition-of-Broadband-Network.aspx", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "joburg.org.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-b50f5edb1bbc5dc9", "clm-6e8194fb611aae3e", "clm-e5e7223863f1ade6", "clm-cdb8e318dd467738", "clm-c4def1063711581e", "clm-1fe1ef3685e1e5b1", "clm-e0e5b0b04487540f", "clm-b18aaa7507b77870", "clm-8ee10a3820d1b951" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2017-03-10", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Executive mayor Herman Mashaba's statement announcing the forensic investigation. States the sequence the entry relies on: tender awarded 19 December 2008; agreement terminated on 31 July 2014 'so as to operate the network itself through the MTC'; buy-out 'at a cost of R1.3 billion, without any viable business plans'; under the original agreement an annual fee and ownership after 15 years; MTC 'commencing operations on 30 September 2015' and ending 2015/16 with a net loss of R54 million; 'few of these benefits have been realised'; and that the Auditor-General 'raised a number of serious concerns' about MTC's financial performance.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-6849926c9695e7dc", "title": "Metropolitan Trading Company — Integrated Report 2015/16", "url": "https://joburg.org.za/documents_/Documents/Annual%20Reports/20152016/Annual%20Report%20MTC%20Final.pdf", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "joburg.org.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "pdf", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-b50f5edb1bbc5dc9", "clm-6e8194fb611aae3e", "clm-e5e7223863f1ade6", "clm-7858fe72e576e2eb", "clm-e0e5b0b04487540f" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": null, "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "record-date-only" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "The operator's own integrated report for its first year (41 pages; the Audit and Risk Committee report inside is dated 30 November 2016, the cover carries only the financial year). States that CCC/BWired 'had committed numerous acts of repudiation' under the BOT and that the city 'cancelled the BOT on 31 July 2014'; settlement concluded 28 May 2015 and implemented 3 September 2015, the effective transfer date; MTC is 100% owned by the municipality; the transferred asset cost 'R1,3 billion'; the MMC's foreword says the city 'has rolled out 1150km' of fibre; the network reached about 30 clinics and 15 libraries; 340 Wi-Fi hotspots were planned for 2016/17; 15 employees migrated from BWired. The Auditor-General's report section (page 40) is blank in the file.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-f9a8d88cf3b14e9d", "title": "ITWeb — BWired appointed to run R3.4bn Joburg network (18 Feb 2015)", "url": "https://www.itweb.co.za/article/bwired-appointed-to-run-r34bn-joburg-network/KwbrpOMgrKl7DLZn", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "itweb.co.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-b27685db3c29ab1d", "clm-ece27ff03dcb7762", "clm-60a7d0761a7ffd8f", "clm-b2ccef94c02689d1" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2015-02-18", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Reports the council decision to create a municipal entity and pay R1.2 billion to buy back the network assets; Ericsson SA won the deal in 2010 for 15 years and ceded it to CitiConnect Communications, which manages BWired; the dispute concerned intermediary companies selling spare capacity and fibre for a second network laid in the city's trenches; '900km of fibre-optic cables that have been rolled out'; the city's head of broadband says termination released the city from R279 million a year over 12 years, 'a 20% annual saving'. The R3.4bn in the headline is not itemised in the text.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-7fe733f627a794af", "title": "TimesLIVE — R1.2bn bill looms for fibre optic farce (5 Jan 2015)", "url": "https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2015-01-05-r12bn-bill-looms-for-fibre-optic-farce/", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "timeslive.co.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-a57d7cc6bf98ab80" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2015-01-05", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Reports, before the council vote, that the network 'remains unused 18 months after it was expected to deliver fast internet', that Ericsson SA was appointed 'four years ago' to build a 900km network for R1.1-billion, that launch was expected in July 2013, and that settling would absolve the city from paying R3.348-billion over the 12-year operating period, according to council documents.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-337058796c938b4b", "title": "TimesLIVE — Minister implicated in dodgy R1.7bn Joburg broadband tender (13 Dec 2017)", "url": "https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2017-12-13-minister-implicated-in-dodgy-r17bn-joburg-broadband-tender/", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "timeslive.co.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-cdb8e318dd467738" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2017-12-13", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Quotes the mayor's progress update on the forensic investigation: 'costs relating to the deal currently amount to R1.7-billion' and 'likely to rise'; the investigators' report implicates a minister and a deputy minister as benefiting 'to the tune of almost R200-million'; an official was suspended and a court order obtained to image devices. The report itself is not public; the figures are the mayor's account of it.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-c7042f9b81be900d", "title": "ITWeb — Future of Joburg's broadband network remains unclear (21 Jan 2019)", "url": "https://www.itweb.co.za/article/future-of-joburgs-broadband-network-remains-unclear/RgeVDMPog4z7KJN3", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "itweb.co.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-a57d7cc6bf98ab80" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2019-01-21", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Retrospective after the Sunday Times reported the final Nexus Forensic Services findings. States the network 'was initially envisaged to become operational on 1 July 2013', that after more than a decade there is 'still no clarity' when it will go live, the 2010 award to Ericsson SA and cession to CCC, the 2014 cancellation and the R1.3 billion buy-out, and names the three ANC members the Sunday Times said were directors of CCC. Gives the ministers' benefit as R279 million, which conflicts with the R200 million in the mayor's own December 2017 statement.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-5643bfb71f4d933f", "title": "Engineering News — Joburg to sell its 1 000 km fibre network (30 Aug 2019)", "url": "https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/city-of-johannesburg-to-sell-its-1-000-km-fibre-network-2019-08-30", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "engineeringnews.co.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-315091ad675fc4c5" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2019-08-30", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Reports the open tender to sell the '1 000 km fibre network', expected to raise R853-million to just over R1-billion; MTC proposed the build-operate-transfer sale model in May 2018, would procure network services from the buyer and keep a first right of refusal; public meetings in the seven regions. The sale is cited as a plan — the article does not record a buyer or a completed transfer.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-dbbea76629bce8e8", "title": "TechFinancials — City of Jo'burg identifies a potential buyer for its broadband network (23 Feb 2021)", "url": "https://techfinancials.co.za/2021/02/23/city-of-joburg-identifies-a-potential-buyer-for-its-broadband-network/", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "techfinancials.co.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-b27685db3c29ab1d", "clm-ece27ff03dcb7762", "clm-60a7d0761a7ffd8f", "clm-315091ad675fc4c5", "clm-1d91cb272955e6a0" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2021-02-23", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Reports MTC's February 2021 update that a 'compliant service provider has now been identified' under tender A34-2018/2019 and 'entered into an agreement of sale', with virtual public meetings on the service level agreement from 24 to 26 February 2021; the buyer is not named. Reproduces MTC's own history of the network: Ericsson SA commissioned in June 2010 for 15 years (three years to build, twelve to operate), cession to CCC with BWired to operate, 'approximately 900 kilometres' built by mid-2013, and the September 2015 transfer to MTC as a going concern 'for approximately R1.25 billion, financed by means of a shareholder loan account'.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-adc15ec0fc1d10cc", "title": "City of Johannesburg — Metropolitan Tech Company is strengthening Johannesburg's digital backbone (6 Aug 2026)", "url": "https://www.joburg.org.za/media_/Newsroom/Pages/2026-News-Articles/Metropolitan-Tech-Company-is-strengthening-Johannesburgs-digital-backbone.aspx", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "joburg.org.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-7922c22eb279752b" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2026-08-06", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "City newsroom article (dated 06/08/2026 on the page) on MTC's Core Network Rehabilitation Programme: 'the fibre network underpins municipal buildings, public Wi-Fi, digital communication systems and other smart city services'; rehabilitation work under way in Randburg, Hunters Hill, Sandton, Alexandra, Martindale, Roodepoort, Eldorado Park and Lenasia. The entry's present-tense statements about what runs on the fibre rest on this page.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-22756966e5a22d3b", "title": "Sunday Times / Our City News — Joburg's Wi-Fi plan falters amid litany of woes (20 Sep 2026)", "url": "https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-09-19-joburgs-wi-fi-plan-falters-amid-a-litany-of-woes/", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "timeslive.co.za", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-e5e7223863f1ade6", "clm-23020b95adf706d4", "clm-0267c29f2b7f50b8", "clm-b493900eca1a174d", "clm-c9f64513ca6619b8", "clm-1d91cb272955e6a0" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2026-09-20", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Jan Bornman for Our City News, published by the Sunday Times (page dated September 20, 2026; the URL slug says 19 September). Reports MTC's 2026/27 business plan: 'relying on just 26 network employees to maintain 1,200km of fibre'; the entity is 'currently under-capacitated'; more than 60% of its city subsidy services its shareholder loan after R169m in subsidy revenue; about R570m operating and R20.7m capital expenditure; ageing equipment, power outages and vandalism behind missed network-availability targets; 1,574,979 free Wi-Fi connections in 2024/25 against a 200,000 target for 2026/27, which the plan does not explain; the Slovo Park 'smart Wi-Fi' pilot launched in March 2026 and residents' reports of very poor signal. MTC did not respond to the newspaper's questions.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } } ], "coverage": { "claimsTotal": 22, "claimsMapped": 22, "sourcesTotal": 10, "sourcesUsedByClaims": 10, "sourcesWithPublicationDate": 9, "sourcesWithArchive": 0, "sourcesWithExactLocator": 0, "sourcesWithContentHash": 0 }, "limits": [ "Publisher names and source languages have not yet been classified; domains are recorded without guessing.", "Existing source notes are descriptive locators, not page- or paragraph-exact citations.", "A missing archive, publication date or content hash is shown as null rather than inferred.", "The project-level evidence grade ranks the strongest source in the entry; it is not a truth score for every claim." ] } } ] }