Morero certain his job is safe after suggesting foreign national be hired as JMPD officers

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in Joburg Dada Morero says the backlash he is facing over his proposal to employ foreign nationals to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) won't impact his role as the city’s mayor.

Morero has faced criticism for proposing that hiring foreign nationals as police officers could help overcome language barriers in the fight against crime.

Addressing a media briefing in Magaliesburg on Monday, Morero apologised to Joburg residents and subsequently withdrew his proposal.

Some political parties governing the City of Joburg alongside the ANC said they’re vehemently opposed to Morero's proposal.

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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Action SA are among the political organisations that have described Morero’s suggestion as unfair, impractical and absurd.

While Morero has issued an apology, he said the backlash isn't enough to convince him to resign as they mayor of Joburg.

"So this matter will not even begin to worry the ANC or rather be a matter for discussion. It's an ANC matter and the ANC as an independent political organisation debated this matter and arrived at a particular view."

He argued that retracting the proposal demonstrates the ANC's democratic nature and its willingness to heed the voices of the people it serves.