‘Some crime is done by foreign nationals’ but give Dada a chance, says ANC

As hundreds marched to Joburg mayor Dada Morero’s office to demand jobs after his suggestion that foreigners be hired as metro police officers, the African National Congress (ANC) said calls for him to be removed over his utterances are impulsive.

Morero, who is also the ANC’s regional chair, apologised for his comments. But fierce backlash saw a petition started to have the mayor recalled. The petition got over 10 000 signatures within a day of its launch.

ANC spokesperson Masilo Serekele told The Citizen the party had noted calls from certain quarters for Morero to resign.

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“People must allow the regional chairperson some space. We appeal that they give the mayor enough time to execute the plans that the ANC has for the City of Johannesburg,” he said.

Morero’s apology was sufficient

Soweto residents on Wednesday marched through the city of Johannesburg with their CVs in hand.

Serekele admitted Morero’s proposal was insensitive because of the high unemployment among locals, but said the matter should now “be closed”

“The regional chair has apologised. I do not think the ANC is planning to do anything that the regional chair has proposed,” he said.

Comments made out of frustration

He said the mayor’s comments came amid crime, sometimes committed by foreigners, in the city.

“In his frustration, he made that suggestion. The Regional Executive Committee felt his comments were unattainable and undesirable given the crisis that we are facing in the country of crime and unemployment. We believe some crime is done by foreign nationals,” he said.

There have been suspicions that Morero could be facing opposition from a faction inside the ANC.

Sources told The Citizen that Morero’s comments on tightening up finances in the municipality may reduce the opportunities for theft and corruption, leading to the faction calling for his removal.

Serekele would not confirm this.

“We have not done any investigation into this, so we have not had enough time to assess the situation. For now, it’s too early to tell what is happening,” he said.      

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