Economic Freedom Fighters Statement on the proposal to employ foreign nationals as JMPD Officers

26 August 2024

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) categorically reject the reactionary and anti-worker proposal by the Joburg ANC Chairperson and Mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, to enlist documented foreign nationals as Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers under the pretext of addressing language barriers. This proposal is not only a capitulation to neoliberal ideology but also a betrayal of the working class, particularly the unemployed youth of South Africa, who continue to be relegated to the margins of economic and social life.

In the words of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the Communist Manifesto, "The history of alt hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles." This proposal represents nothing less than an intensification of class struggle against the working people of South Africa. It is an affront to the sovereignty of our nation, a sovereignty earned through the blood and sacrifice of our people in the fight against colonialism and apartheid. To suggest thatforeign nationals should be employed in our law enforcement agencies is to disregard the revolutionary principle that the state, as an instrument of class rule, must serve the interests of its people first and foremost.

The disarray within the ANC is glaringly evident, as seen in the confusion and lack Of direction that plagues the party. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s public denouncement of Morero’s view is a testament to the internal contradictions and disunity that have become synonymous with the ANC's governance. This disorganization not only undermines the credibility of the government but also has dire consequences for policy implementation, as conflicting positions within the ruling party leave the people of South Africa without coherent leadership.

The latest data from StatsSA reveals an unemployment rate of 32.9%, with youth unemployment soaring to 45.5%. These figures reflect a systemic failure to harness the potential of millions of South Africans who are eager and willing to contribute to the prosperity and security of our nation. Instead of outsourcing jobs to foreign nationals, which only serves to deepen the crisis of unemployment and social inequality, the state must investin the development of its citizens. As Lenin observed, "A revolution is impossible without a revolutionary situation." The dire unemployment crisis we face today presents such a situation a call to arms for the state to create real, sustainable employment for our people.

The EFF remains steadfast in our commitment to achieving economic freedom in our lifetime. We will not stand by while the interests of the working class are sacrificed on the altar of neoliberal expediency. We demand that the City of Johannesburg immediately abandon this reactionary proposal and focus on empowering South Africans, particularly the youth, to serve their communities with pride and dedication.

This is not merely a demand for jobs; it is a demand for dignity, sovereignty, and the fulfillment of the revolutionary promise made to our people.

In the spirit of Marxism-Leninism and guided by the principles laid out in the EFF Founding Manifesto, we call upon all South Africans to reject this proposal and to stand united in the struggle for economic justice. The disunity and confusion within the ANC should not be allowed to derail the aspirations of our people. We will not allow the exploitation offoreign nationals as a tool to undermine the legitimate aspirations of our people. The EFF will continue to hold those in power accountable and will fight relentlessly to ensure that the revolutionary gains of our struggle are not eroded by the forces of reaction and opportunism.

Economic freedom in our lifetime is not a slogan; it is a commitment to the realization of a society where the wealth of the land is shared among those who work it. We urge all South Africans to join us in this struggle and to defend the dignity and sovereignty of our nation.

Issued by Tiyiselani Chauke, Media and Communication Officer, EFF, 25 August 2024