ANC Accepts Dada Morero’s Apology, But South Africans Remain Unconvinced

The Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero, recently found himself in hot water after proposing that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) consider hiring documented foreigners. This controversial suggestion sparked outrage among South Africans and was met with widespread criticism.

Morero’s remarks were made during an address at the African National Congress’s (ANC) Johannesburg Lekgotla, where he proposed the idea as a potential solution to bridge the language gap within the JMPD. However, the suggestion was met with fierce backlash, prompting Morero to issue a public apology.

In his apology, Morero acknowledged the growing challenges of unemployment and migration in South Africa, which led to the proposal being thoroughly debated and ultimately rejected by the ANC in Johannesburg. According to a report by TimesLIVE, Morero admitted that his suggestion was both “undesirable and unattainable” given the current socio-economic climate and the country’s ongoing struggles with migration.

The ANC’s secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share a statement from the party, confirming that it had accepted Morero’s apology. Mbalula acknowledged that Morero’s proposal contradicted the policies of both the ANC and the government. The ANC emphasized that such a suggestion was not in line with the party’s stance on employment and migration issues.

Despite the ANC’s acceptance of Morero’s apology, many South Africans were not so forgiving. Citizens expressed their discontent across social media platforms, making it clear that they were not convinced by the mayor’s remorse.

A wave of criticism followed Morero’s apology, with some citizens questioning the integrity of the ANC. One user, Vukani Dlamini, voiced frustration by saying, “Where is the ANC’s dignity? Come on, guys, wake up and regroup.” Another user, XekiHlongwane, added, “It’s too late. Now we know what ANC comrades think.”

The backlash also extended to concerns about the ANC’s electoral future. An online commenter under the pseudonym RET stated, “We lost votes. We’re gonna lose more votes in Gauteng. Just recall Dada.” Others, like Nompu Mhlongo, were more direct in their demands, saying, “We South Africans don’t accept his apology. He must be removed.”

The reaction to Morero’s suggestion has further highlighted the growing discontent among South Africans with the current state of leadership. In a related report by Briefly News, it was noted that Dada Morero’s appointment as Johannesburg’s mayor had already raised eyebrows, with many South Africans expressing unease over his return to the position. Morero had stepped in to replace Kabelo Gwamanda, who had recently resigned.

As the controversy surrounding Morero’s statements and subsequent apology continues to unfold, it remains clear that the rift between the ANC’s leadership and the South African public is widening. The discontent surrounding this incident may serve as a warning for the party as it navigates future political challenges, especially in Gauteng, where public sentiment appears to be shifting.