Dada Morero supports plan to recruit foreign nationals for JMPD positions

Johannesburg Mayor Sello “Dada” Morero has justified his proposal for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to hire foreign nationals.

The newly-appointed mayor faced backlash for his suggestion.

WHY DOES DADA MORERO WANT JMPD TO HIRE FOREIGN NATIONALS?

In a video that was circulated on X, Morero said hiring documented foreign nationals would assist law enforcement in dealing with language barriers when arresting foreign nationals.

In the clip, Morero says, “Comrade chair, deputy chair, I always ask this question: Can none of our policemen and women in uniform speak any of the foreign African languages?”

“And the challenge is for us to deal with crime, and you can have all your suspects here before they write their statements; they can plan what they will say in front of you without you even hearing what they are saying.

“It might be a culture shock to suggest to this REC, but if we are serious about fighting crime in Ward 67, we have no option, but those properly documented with proper documents can be recruited to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) ,” he said.

In an interview with eNCA, Morero said Johannesburg has a high crime rate and his suggestion was informed by the development of other developed cities around the world where they “have this inclusion so that it helps them to effectively deal with crime and criminals.”

As per the South African Police Service (SAPS) stats, over the years the number of foreign nationals incarcerated in South Africa continues to increase.

“The view was that let’s find other alternatives methods to help us address the language barrier which may mean taking officers for training, it may mean that in certain instances as a court’s already do have interpreters to deal with some of the matters,” he said.

He emphasised that the Lekgotla suggested the above-mentioned alternatives as opposed to having a few foreign nationals in the system.