Former JMPD Chief David Tembe found dead at home

Zuko Komisa

Former JMPD Chief David Tembe was found dead at his private Johannesburg home, with a post-mortem pending to determine the cause.
Councillor Margaret Arnolds, the Speaker of the City of Johannesburg Council, conveyed her profound sadness following the death of Mr. David Tembe
The death of the highly regarded but controversial figure comes as South Africa’s criminal justice system is under two official state investigations.

Former Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Chief David Tembe has been found deceased at his private residence.

The news, confirmed by the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Public Safety, stated that Mr Tembe was discovered unresponsive yesterday, Monday, 24 November 2025, and emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene.

Councillor Margaret Arnolds, the Speaker of the City of Johannesburg Council, conveyed her profound sadness following the death of Mr. David Tembe

“David Tembe represented the very best of public service. He understood that safety was not only about enforcement, but about humanity, dignity, and building trust with communities”. wrote Councillor Margaret Arnolds

A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be carried out to ascertain the precise cause of death. Mr Tembe, who had most recently been serving as a strategic advisor to the City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, leaves behind a career spanning over four decades.

Tembe initially began his long public service career as a paramedic with the Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services.

He ultimately rose through the ranks, being appointed JMPD Chief in 2017, a role he maintained for four years.

Following this, he served as the MMC for Public Safety from 2021 until 2023.

The City of Johannesburg has lauded Tembe for his enduring legacy, highlighting his “community-centred approach to policing, his unwavering commitment to the welfare of officers, and his relentless pursuit of safer streets.”