By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in Johannesburg and the city’s mayor, Dada Morero, has withdrawn his proposal to employ foreign nationals in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) after facing criticism and backlash.
Morero said at the weekend that the City of Joburg might have to consider recruiting qualified and properly documented foreign nationals into the JMPD to assist with bridging the language barriers when foreign nationals are involved in crime.
Morero and Regional Secretary Sasabona Manganye were briefing the media on the party’s Lekgotla that took place over the weekend.
He said the language barrier frustrated the work of the police when investigating crimes involving foreigners.
Several common issues are leading to the downfall of the city, including crime, lawlessness, corruption, violence, and building hijacking.
Leading the briefing, Morero apologised but stated his comments were to spark debate in the Lekgotla.
“I have concluded that my suggestion was not consistent with the policies of the ANC and 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,” he said.
Morero further extended appreciation to people for robustly engaging in this discourse.
“The lekgotla accepted that the concern that language barriers frustrate police work is valid and legitimate. The instruction is clear that the proposal by the regional chair has been rejected, and we have resolved on the way forward on this matter, and I will not entertain any further debate on which this proposal is concerned,” he said.
He revealed that the lekgotla instead settled on training its officials to be proficient in foreign languages dominant in areas with a high concentration of specific groups.
Morero reported that the regional executive’s commissions on elections, governance and organisational renewal are under way and will report back on presentations received on Tuesday.