Johannesburg Mayor Faces Backlash Over Proposal to Recruit Foreign Nationals for Police Department

Johannesburg‘s newly elected executive mayor, Dada Morero, has stirred controversy following his suggestion to recruit documented foreign nationals into the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) as a means to combat rising crime in the city.

Morero, who is also the chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Johannesburg regional executive committee, made his remarks at a regional lekgotla. He emphasized the need for police officers to have language skills to communicate with suspects who may speak various African languages, highlighting that current personnel often struggle with this barrier.

He stated, “I always ask this question, that none of our police, men and women in uniform, can speak any of the foreign African languages.” In this context, he suggested that properly documented foreign nationals could enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in Johannesburg.

However, Morero’s comments have been met with significant backlash from various political factions and community leaders. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemned the proposal, affirming that the ANC Johannesburg lekgotla had rejected it. Lesufi expressed the party’s commitment to ensuring law enforcement agencies are properly trained to handle crime-related challenges without resorting to recruiting foreign nationals.

ActionSA, a political party, also disapproved of Morero’s suggestion. Their City of Johannesburg Caucus Leader, Nobuhle Mthembu, emphasized that the recruitment requirements for the JMPD mandate applicants to be South African citizens, referring to the proposal as an insult to the citizens of South Africa.

In a subsequent media briefing, Morero publicly retracted his proposal, acknowledging that it did not align with ANC and government policies. He apologized for any anxiety his remarks may have caused among Johannesburg residents and the broader South African community.