By Mark Ogagan
Johannesburg Mayor and ANC Chairperson, Dada Morero has withdrawn his controversial suggestion to employ foreign nationals within the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) after facing significant criticism. The proposal, made during the ANC’s regional executive committee (REC) lekgotla, was intended to address language barriers in crime-fighting efforts but was met with swift rejection by various political parties, including the ANC’s provincial leadership.
During a media briefing in Magaliesburg, Morero apologized to Johannesburg residents, acknowledging the anxiety his comments caused. He admitted that the proposal was inconsistent with the policies of both the ANC and the South African government.
Morero emphasized that the ANC remains committed to following government policy, which stipulates that only South African citizens can be employed in law enforcement. While the ANC REC lekgotla recognized that language barriers do pose challenges, it resolved to focus on training JMPD officers in foreign languages, especially in areas with large immigrant populations, rather than employing foreign nationals.
Discussion about this post