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David Tembe, the director of operations, is to take over the hot seat at the metro police for the next three months.
David Tembe, the acting chief of police in the Johannesburg metro police department (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
AN acting chief of police has been appointed at the Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD), after Chris Ngcobo stepped down pending an external investigation into allegations levelled against the JMPD is being conducted.
David Tembe, the JMPD's director of operations, was named acting chief at a press conference at the Metro Centre, on Wednesday, 11 February.
The member of the mayoral committee for public safety, Thomas Phakathi, made the announcement. Tembe will hold the position for the next three months; his appointment comes after Ngcobo recused himself pending the external investigation.
The investigation follows a week-long strike by JMPD workers who are members of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu). Among their demands was that Ngcobo be redeployed or fired. Among other things, he is accused nepotism.
Tembe joined the JMPD in 2004, and was appointed director of operations in July 2006. Prior to the JMPD, he was the director of operations at the emergency management services. His qualifications are in management and personal development.
Under his directorship at the JMPD, his team won several public safety awards, including a Service Excellence Award for reducing road fatalities in the city by 21 percent over the festive period in 2007 and by 71 percent over Easter in 2008.
Confidence
Phakathi said the City had utmost confidence in Tembe's abilities. "We expect him to provide vital leadership to the JMPD during a turbulent period. Under his leadership we are confident that the JMPD will continue to provide quality service to the people of Joburg. The strike disturbed normal services in the JMPD, especially in the licensing departments, and we will put more efforts into this matter."
The department was busy analysing the number of driving licence tests that were cancelled and various options would be considered to make up these times, including longer working hours and working on Saturdays.
"A public announcement will soon be made on this matter," he said.
He also called on Samwu members in the JMPD to co-operate with the investigation, which was being conducted by an independent legal firm. "People who have evidence that supports the allegations of corruption in the JMPD should present it to the investigators," he said.
"The JMPD will continue to play a vital role in the city with crime prevention and by-law enforcement. This department is key to our preparations for the 2010 World Cup and in assisting motorists and commuters in a period of hectic road construction."
Tembe thanked the City for its confidence in him. "In order for me to fulfil my duties as chief of police, I will need everyone's support, including my colleagues and the community."
No one has been appointed yet to take over Tembe's position as the director of operations. However, he said he had full confidence in his deputies and anyone who would be appointed from them.
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