The Joburg Metro Police Department has a new chief after the appointment of Brigadier Zwelibanzi Nyanda was approved by council this week.
Nyanda, a former head of SAPS crime intelligence’s operational response and border policing units, will take over at the JMPD from chief Chris Ngcobo in August – more than a year after the Saturday Star reported he was the preferred candidate for the job.
On Thursday, the city council recommended that Nyanda be appointed as the chief of JMPD for a fixed four-year contract, subject to his meeting all requirements as per municipal police regulations.
The council recommended that city manager Trevor Fowler should negotiate and finalise all terms and conditions of Nyanda’s term of employment and performance contract. Ngcobo has been at the helm of JMPD for more than a decade after his term expired in June 2011. He was asked to stay on for an unspecified time while the city searched for the new chief.
Yesterday, Ngcobo said he was aware of Nyanda’s appointment but said he remained the chief until the end of July. “I am still here,” he said. “I am aware of it (the appointment)]. I think I am going to remain in the city.”
Last year, Nyanda’s mooted take over of JMPD caused ructions internally after it was found that he lacked traffic law enforcement qualifications. This was the reason for the delay in his appointment. -Saturday Star