Dada Morero suggested recruiting documented foreign nationals into the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to help address language barriers in law enforcement.
Story Summary:
- Joburg Mayor Dada Morero proposed hiring foreign nationals for the JMPD to address language barriers.
- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the ANC has rejected Morero’s proposal.
- Gayton McKenzie condemned the idea, emphasising the availability of South Africans who speak foreign languages.
What Dada Morero said about recruiting foreign JMPD officers
The recently elected Johannesburg mayor suggested that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) should recruit documented foreign nationals to address language barriers when dealing with crimes involving foreign nationals.
Morero argued that the inability of current officers to speak various African languages limits their effectiveness in enforcing the law, particularly in areas with a high concentration of foreign nationals.
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He suggested that employing foreign nationals in the JMPD could bridge this gap and improve communication during law enforcement operations.
However, this proposal was quickly met with rejection from within his own party.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi took to social media to clarify that the ANC Johannesburg Lekgotla had rejected Morero’s idea.
“We remain committed to ensure that our law enforcement agencies are appropriately trained to tackle challenges created by crime,” he wrote.
He also apologised for any confusion or distress caused by Morero’s suggestion.
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie reacted strongly to Morero’s proposal.
The sports minister, known for his hardline stance on immigration, stated that such a move would only happen “when hell freezes over.”
He argued that many South Africans are fluent in foreign languages and could be hired for these positions instead.
McKenzie’s comments align with his broader views on immigration, where he has consistently advocated for the deportation of illegal foreigners and prioritised jobs for South Africans.
This controversy also comes in the wake of McKenzie’s recent remarks following a devastating fire in Johannesburg, where he reiterated his calls for the deportation of illegal immigrants, blaming them for various urban issues.
Dada Morero, who also serves as the ANC’s regional chairperson in Johannesburg, was elected Mayor on Friday, 16 August 2024, after the resignation of Kabelo Gwamanda from Al Jamah-ah.
Morero’s rise to the mayoralty was backed by a coalition of political parties, including ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance, the EFF, and the ATM.
He secured the position with 189 of 249 votes, defeating the DA’s candidate, Belinda Kayser Echeozonjoku.
Before becoming mayor, Morero was Johannesburg’s Finance MMC and has been a prominent figure within the ANC.
His election came after a series of political manoeuvres and coalition negotiations that finally positioned him as a consensus candidate for the mayoralty.
