Former Johannesburg police chief found dead

Former Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Chief David Tembe has been found dead at his home.

“Mr Tembe, the former Chief of the JMPD and former MMC for Public Safety, was found unresponsive at his private residence yesterday,” a statement by the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Public Safety read.

“Emergency services responded promptly, but he was sadly declared deceased at the scene. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.”

Tembe had been serving as a strategic advisor to the City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku.

His career spanned more than four decades, starting as a paramedic with the Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services.

After rising through the ranks, Tembe was eventually appointed Chief of the JMPD in 2017, a post he held for four years, before becoming MMC for Public Safety from 2021 to 2023.

“Renowned for his community-centred approach to policing, his unwavering commitment to the welfare of officers, and his relentless pursuit of safer streets, Mr Tembe leaves an enduring legacy in the City’s ongoing fight against crime.”

However, his career did not manage to escape controversy. In 2020, the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, ruled that Tembe had fraudulently obtained his metropolitan police diploma.

Therefore, the City of Johannesburg’s appointment of Tembe as Chief of the JMPD was found to be improper, as he did not have the necessary qualifications.

The Public Protector said that the evidence available to her showed that Tembe’s highest qualification was a three-year diploma in personnel management.

Tembe’s death comes in the midst of two official state investigations into South Africa’s criminal justice system.

This is a developing story.