Dada Morero
Johannesburg Mayor and ANC Johannesburg Regional Chairperson, Dada Morero, has officially withdrawn his controversial proposal to recruit legally documented foreign nationals into the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD). The proposal, which was intended to address language barriers faced by law enforcement, has been met with widespread criticism from political parties, residents, and even his party’s own structures.
Proposal and Immediate Backlash:
Mayor Morero’s proposal suggested that employing foreign nationals in the JMPD could enhance the department’s ability to tackle crime, particularly in areas with a high concentration of immigrants. He argued that the language barrier often hinders effective law enforcement, especially during interactions with non-South African nationals. This suggestion was made during an ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) lekgotla, where Morero emphasized the potential benefits of such a move for crime-fighting efforts in Johannesburg.
However, the proposal sparked immediate backlash across the political spectrum. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi was among the first to publicly reject the idea, stating that it was inconsistent with ANC and national government policies, which mandate that only South African citizens can be employed in law enforcement roles. Lesufi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce that the ANC Johannesburg lekgotla had rejected Morero’s proposal and that the Mayor had agreed to drop it. Lesufi apologized for any confusion and assured residents that the ANC remains committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies are properly trained to tackle crime without resorting to such extreme measures.
Political and Public Outcry:
Several political parties swiftly condemned the proposal. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng described it as a “misinformed” and “dangerous” idea, highlighting that it undermines the credibility of South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. The EFF’s Johannesburg Region echoed these sentiments, labeling the proposal as a “betrayal” of the working-class South Africans who are eager to serve their communities.
ActionSA also voiced strong opposition, with the party’s Johannesburg Caucus Leader Nobuhle Mthembu stating that the proposal was an “insult” to thousands of South Africans aspiring to join the JMPD. ActionSA emphasized that the prerequisites for joining the JMPD clearly stipulate that recruits must be South African citizens. They vowed to use their position in the Johannesburg Council to ensure that this “bad idea never happens.”
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) also released a statement rejecting the proposal, arguing that it posed an unacceptable risk to national security. They highlighted concerns about the potential infiltration of foreign nationals with ill intent into sensitive security roles and called for a more cautious approach to law enforcement recruitment.
Morero’s Retraction and Apology:
In response to the widespread criticism, Morero held a media briefing in Magaliesburg, where he formally retracted his proposal and issued an apology to the residents of Johannesburg for any “anxiety” his comments may have caused. He acknowledged that his suggestion was not in line with the ANC’s policies or those of the South African government, and expressed gratitude for the robust public discourse that ensued, particularly on social media.
Morero further clarified that the ANC REC lekgotla had resolved to instead focus on enhancing the language proficiency of current JMPD officers, especially those stationed in areas with large immigrant populations. This approach, he noted, would address the language barriers without compromising the integrity and security of South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
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