New Police Chief for the City of Johannesburg

03 January 2018

Today, I am pleased to announce the appointment a new Police Chief for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Mr David Tembe, who commenced his duties on 02 January 2017.

Mr Tembe's Public safety career began in 1981 as a paramedic with the Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS). He became a Superintended in 1989, and in 1999 was appointed acting Director in charge of the EMS Academy.

Tembe was appointed Director of Operations in 2001, where he was responsible of leading the 26 city fire stations.

In 2002 Tembe was appointed acting Chief of the Emergency Management Services, where under his stewardship, the URBAN Search and Rescue was established and represented South Africa during Algeria and Iran’s disasters.

After serving for close to 20 years with the EMS, Tembe was appointed Director of Operations for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) in 2003. During his time with JMPD, he was awarded and commended by the National Department of Transport for innovation and excellence in Traffic Law Enforcement. In 2011, Tembe was appointed National Chief of Traffic (RTMC) until he resigned to pursue a career as a consultant in Law Enforcement in 2013.

Tembe holds a National Diploma in Personnel Management, Metro policing, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership (Virginia, USA). He has also attended seminars on Law Enforcement Leadership in the USA since 2009.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to JMPD's leadership team for providing the necessary support during the past transition period.

I have every confidence in Mr Tembe’s abilities and look forward to working with him as we run a corruption free City that respects the rule of law and stimulates economic growth for our people.

Statement issued by Cllr Herman Mashaba, Executive Mayor, City of Johannesburg, 3 January 2017