Youth demanding jobs from Joburg Mayor distance themselves from xenophobia accusations

JOHANNESBURG – At least 200 unemployed Soweto residents have dispelled accusations of xenophobia, after marching to Mayor Dada Morero’s offices over his proposal to hire foreign nationals as police officers.

Dozens of residents marched to the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday, with their CVs in hand to demand jobs from the mayor's office.

They have accused the city of withholding vacancies after Morero made a public suggestion of recruiting foreign nationals as Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officers to break the language barrier and curb criminality.

ALSO READ: Unemployed Soweto residents drop off CVs at Joburg Mayor's offices

Morero has since retracted his statement and apologised, but the residents say it’s a little too late.

Chanting, singing and even crying – the unemployed South Africans decried the Joburg metro’s statements.

They further suggested they were overlooked for job opportunities. 

Armed with their CV’s and hope, the residents placed their documents into three very large boxes in front of the mayor’s office.

Although Mayor Morero was unavailable to physically receive the CV's, his chief of staff Tsumbo Nephawe acted in his absence.

Meanwhile, the City of Johannesburg has hit back at disgruntled unemployed Soweto residents, saying there simply are no jobs in the metro. 

Morero was quick to dismiss the idea that there are civil vacancies in the city.

Acknowledging the residents' plight, Morero said he would never leave anyone in need of employment in the lurch. 

"Let's make it clear we didn't say we are employing foreigners, now we don't have posts advertised at the JMPD," said Morero.

Morero said he simply made the comments to aid in the fight against crime. 

He said the metro will employ a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce unemployment.