City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero has bowed to pressure following his call for the employment of foreign nationals in the metro’s law enforcement agencies which he said would eliminate language barriers he believes are frustrating the fight against crime.
Morero on Monday tendered a brief apology during a media briefing held on the sidelines of the ANC Regional Executive Committee meeting in Magaliesburg on the Westrand.
Morero had made the suggestion during his opening address to the Lekgotla on Sunday drawing much criticism even within the ANC.
“Upon further reflection I have come to the conclusion that my suggestion was not consistent with the policies of the ANC and the policies of the government. I therefore unconditionally withdraw my proposal and apologise for the anxiety it might have caused to the residents of Johannesburg and the people of South Africa as a whole,” said Morero in his apology.
Morero said in rejecting his suggestion the REC recommended that instead officers be trained in foreign languages.
“ We should instead train our officers to be proficient in foreign languages that are dominant in areas with the highest concentration of specific groups of foreign nationals. The Lekgotla however accepted the concern that language barriers frustrate police work as valid and legitimate,” he said of the internal discussions.
The suggestion saw Morero criticised heavily on social media with many accusing him of not appreciating the level of unemployment among South Africans. Among those who shot down the mayor’s idea was his boss, ANC Gauteng chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi who took to X to express relief at the REC’s rejection of the proposal.
“We don’t agree with this proposal. We held discussions with our Regional Chairperson and Executive Mayor Cde Dada who advised us that the ANC Johannesburg Lekgotla rejected his proposal, and he fully accepts the decision not to entertain this proposal further. We remain committed to ensure that our law enforcement agencies are appropriately trained to tackle challenges created by crime. Our sincerest apologies for the confusion and pain caused by this proposal,” said Lesufi in a post.
Morero underplayed the public’s reaction as participation in discourse which he said confirms the existence of a vibrant citizenry.
“I wish to appreciate of course the robust manner in which our people were engaged in this discourse especially on social media platforms. The participation of our people in this discourse reaffirms our belief that we have a vibrant and conscious citizenry upon which a prosperous society can and will be built,” he said.
Two of the ANC’s allies in the City of Joburg’s Government of Local Unity, Action SA and Patriotic Alliance have taken a hardline approach on immigration and were among the first to reject the mayor’s suggestion.
The ANC regional executive was recently in the news for having taken a decision to deploy its members on the boards of state-owned agencies which the party’s Provincial Executive Committee labelled unlawful and ordered its reversal. Morero is adamant that the REC is competent enough in the region and the metro.
“ Yes we believe we are in the right state of mind to lead the people of the Johannesburg and in fact in the statement delivered to the REC we cover extensive expectation of the citizens of Johannesburg, in as far as this leadership is concerned and we drive the point that this leadership must know that the residents of Johannesburg have how hopes and believe that we can turn the tide and address all the challenges that are faced by the City of Johannesburg and we believe we are equally committed and competent to be able to take the city forward,” said Morero.