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David Tembe, a veteran South African public safety official and former chief of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 71. His death was confirmed by the City of Johannesburg on November 25, 2025, after he was found unresponsive at his home in Bramley, Johannesburg.
His family, including daughter Tokiso Molefe, has stated they do not suspect foul play and noted he had complained of a minor flu the previous week; he was reportedly found collapsed on the stairs after failing to respond to calls over the weekend.
David Tembe was named in connection with the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System (established July 2025), as a scheduled witness.
Tembe’s advisory role to MMC Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku (2023–2025) placed him within the scope of these investigations.
Tembe had reportedly complained of not feeling well on Friday, November 21, and was working from home that day. His body was discovered on Monday, November 24, still in the same clothing he had worn on Friday, with no communication from him over the weekend.
The most widely discussed theory posits that Tembe took his own life on Friday, November 21, overwhelmed by pressure from his impending appearance as a witness in the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating criminality and political interference in Johannesburg’s policing. Reports claim he confided in colleagues about his reluctance to testify, locked himself in after his domestic worker left that afternoon, and was discovered three days later still in the same robe, with no outgoing communication. This is tied to ongoing scrutiny of his 2020 qualifications scandal (fraudulent diploma) and irregular appointments.
Another conspiracy narrative suggest Tembe was murdered to silence him as a key witness exposing corruption networks, including alleged ties to crime syndicates in Johannesburg’s public safety sector. Some posts implicate specific figures like Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi (former JMPD head) or businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe in cover-ups, framing his death as an elimination by “cartels” or “mgulukudus” (slang for gangsters) to protect mafia interests in the city. Timing with the commission’s hearings amplifies this, drawing parallels to other “suspicious” deaths in South African probes.
- 1981: Began career as a paramedic with Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services (EMS); served for nearly 20 years in emergency response.
- 2002: Appointed acting Chief of Emergency Management Services (EMS), City of Johannesburg.
- 2003: Appointed Director of Operations, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD); oversaw traffic law enforcement and operations.
- 2011: Appointed National Chief of Traffic Police, Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
- 2013: Resigned from RTMC to work as a private consultant in law enforcement and public safety.
- 2017: Appointed Chief of Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) under Mayor Herman Mashaba (took office 2 January 2017).
- 2020: Resigned as JMPD Chief through a confidential separation agreement; Public Protector found he had fraudulently obtained his metropolitan police diploma.
- 2021–2023: Served as Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, City of Johannesburg.
- 2023–2025: Appointed strategic advisor to the MMC for Public Safety (Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku); remained in this role until his death on 24 November 2025.
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