ActionSA rejects proposal to employ foreign nationals in JMPD

Action SA Gauteng Caucus Leader, Funzi Ngobeni, is strongly opposed to the newly appointed Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero’s proposal to employ documented foreign nationals in law enforcement in the city.

Morero told the African National Congress’s (ANC) Regional Lekgotla that documented foreign nationals would assist the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) in dealing with language barriers when arresting foreign nationals.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Action SA interim chairperson Michael Beaumont are among those who have criticised the proposal.

Morero has since retracted the proposal, which Ngobeni says is not practical.

He says, “We don’t agree with that and we think it won’t happen because it will be in contravention of the Public Service Act in the first place. But also imagine how practical that is going to be. How many languages are spoken by these criminals that are coming from outside the country?”

“But in any event, when people get arrested and they need translation they do get it when they arrive in court. The court processes do afford them that submission. Our police must be allowed to do their work. They must fight crime, they must arrest these individuals,” Ngobeni adds.

PODCAST | Interview with Ngobeni on SA fm’s First Take Programme: