Humble beginnings, iron resolve

Born and raised in Randfontein’s Mohlakeng Township, Dr. Modise’s path to greatness was filled with adversity and reinforced by tough women who instilled in her the value of learning and determination.

“When my mother was retrenched in my primary school years, she made the brave decision to return to high school and later studied for a teaching degree,” she recalled.

“Watching her do that taught me that setbacks don’t define you – how you recover does.”

Inspired by her mother’s strength and spurred on by her aunt who paid for her first university registration, Dr. Modise balanced model work and study in her early years – building the confidence and self-reliance that would be trademarks of her leadership approach.

From Data Capturer to Frontline Enforcer

Her transition into the EMPD was by default. She worked for Labat Traffic Solutions as a data capturer and was working alongside the best of the metro police officers who noticed her driving and implored her to follow in their footsteps and join the police.

“One of the police officers said they started as a cleaner and worked their way up. That I remember. That made me realise that where you start is not where you finish.”

Dr. Modise arrived at the EMPD with a mission mentality. Her initiation was rough – adjusting to the rigid discipline, arduous working hours, and high expectations – but with the benefit of guidance, she matured into her position and discovered sisterhood in the team dynamics.

Over the years, she has had various positions; from metro police member to Research and Compliance, and now VIP Inspector in the protection services. Each assignment deepened her understanding of service, strategy, and how law enforcement addressed community needs.

The academic ascent

Her commitment to education did not stop there with her achieving a Doctorate in Business Management – the first for her department.

“I wanted to be an example, not just for my children, but for other colleagues and young women who needed to see that it could be done,” she said.

Her research on her PhD involved gender equality in the police force, specifically the underrepresentation of women in senior management roles.

“I developed a model for promoting women to leadership roles in metro police departments. It’s not theory – its change,” she asserted.

It was no simple task to find the time to work on the doctorate between full-time employment and raising a family.

“There were times I wanted to quit. But I’ve always lived by a simple premise: never begin something and don’t leave it undone.”

A new Vision for Public Service

Dr. Modise’s leadership approach shifted. She is one who believes in inclusive, ethical, and participatory governance.

“Being in local government makes you realize how close your decisions are to people’s everyday lives. Leadership has got to be rooted in accountability, empathy, and empowerment.”

With her doctorate in hand, she is poised to offer academic insight into meaningful reforms in the EMPD – from evidence-based decision-making to strategic capacity-building exercises. She envisions a department whose leadership pipelines are diversified and women empowered to lead.

Gender, service, and legacy

Navigating male-dominated areas in the public service and academia has not been easy.

“You prove yourself over and over again. But persistence, performance, and preparation will eventually get doors opened,” she said.

To young women, particularly from humble means, Dr. Modise says an emphatic message:

“Your circumstances don’t define your potential. Education, courage, and consistency will take you places your circumstances never dreamed of.”

Her academic achievement is not just personal. It’s symbolic – a milestone for local government and policing diversity.

“I want people to know that public servants can be thinkers too. That change needs to come from within.”

What’s next?

Far from resting on her achievements, Dr. Modise is already preparing for her next step. She intends to publish her work, mentor young professionals, and give back to leadership development programs in and beyond Ekurhuleni.

“Mentorship is personal to me. It made all the difference in my journey. Now it’s my turn to lift others.”

If given the opportunity to lead a flagship program within the municipality, she said it would be on talent development, inclusive leadership, and internal transformation.

“We have to invest in people, especially the forgotten ones. That’s the way you create a responsive, ethical, and effective public sector.”

Ultimately, Dr. Jemina Modise is a beacon of what comes about when scholarship, service, and courage intersect. From the underworld of Randfontein to metro policing influence and academia, her journey is proof that change doesn’t necessarily travel from the outside -occasionally it marches in, is armed with a doctorate degree, and comes in every day to serve.

At a time when South Africa is grappling with the double tasks of transformation and public confidence, it is challenged by leaders like Dr. Modise to provide a sharp, down-to-earth vision: that local government can be an exemplar of inclusive, responsive, and ethical leadership with appropriate investment in people.

The post From the Beat to the Boardroom: How Dr. Jemina Modise is transforming inclusive leadership in South African Law Enforcement appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

In response to the protest, which was sparked by grievances over drastic overtime pay cuts, salary disparities, and working conditions, the city suspended all officers involved and demanded they surrender city-issued firearms, vehicles, and access cards pending disciplinary hearings. Ekurhuleni officials emphasized that EMPD officers are classified as essential service workers and are prohibited from striking under the Labour Relations Act, calling their participation a “betrayal of public trust” and a serious breach of duty.

Union Prepares Legal Challenge

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), representing the affected officers, has condemned the city’s actions and is preparing to mount a legal challenge. Samwu’s Ekurhuleni regional secretary, Tshephang Langa, confirmed receipt of the pre-dismissal letters and said the union is seeking more time to respond and will exhaust all internal avenues before determining its next steps. The union argues that the city’s response is heavy-handed and threatens to escalate the dispute.

Public Safety Concerns

The mass suspension has sparked concerns among Gauteng government officials and residents about the potential impact on public safety. Bandile Masuku, chair of the Gauteng Community Safety Portfolio Committee, warned that the sudden reduction in law enforcement capacity could leave communities vulnerable and hamper traffic management and by-law enforcement. He urged city leadership to implement urgent contingency measures to mitigate the risks posed by the loss of hundreds of officers.

Officers’ Demands and Public Reaction

The officers’ demands, outlined in a memorandum to EMPD management, included reversing overtime cuts, addressing pay disparities with other metro police departments, and improving working conditions, especially for high-risk units. While some members of the public sympathise with the officers’ grievances, others have condemned the protest as reckless, with civil rights groups calling for the immediate dismissal of those involved.

Tensions Remain High

Attempts to stage further protests have so far failed, but tensions remain high within the EMPD ranks. Many officers are reportedly dissatisfied with the city’s stance, and union leaders are under pressure to defend their members. The situation remains fluid as legal processes and disciplinary hearings unfold.

The post Ekurhuleni faces turmoil as city moves to dismiss nearly 400 metro police officers over illegal strike appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Their grievances, outlined in a formal memorandum to the Head of Department and Chief of Police, include the drastic reduction of overtime pay, unfair promotions, salary disparities, and poor working conditions. However, the memorandum, which is dated “26 February 2025” appears to have gone unanswered.

Their resulting protest on Wednesday 19 March sparked widespread backlash as officers used state-owned EMPD vehicles to blockade major highways, disrupting Johannesburg’s economy and frustrating taxpayers.

One of the officers’ primary concerns is the reduction of overtime hours from 80 to just 16 per month, which they argue severely impacts their financial stability. Officers have demanded an adjustment of “60 hours overtime into basic salary.” Additionally, they demand the removal of the 32-point system, which they claim unfairly determines overtime pay eligibility.

Officers working in high-risk units such as Public Order Policing, First Response Units, and specialised task teams say they face dangerous conditions with inadequate resources while their salaries remain stagnant. Furthermore, they point to significant pay disparities between EMPD officers and their counterparts in other metro police departments, such as the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), who reportedly work fewer days per month for higher wages.

Adding to their frustrations, officers cite long-standing issues with unfair promotions and the inconsistent application of employment equity policies. The removal of the Rapid Advancement Policy, which previously facilitated career progression, has significantly limited officers’ opportunities for promotion. According to the SAPS Act, EMPD officers should be eligible for promotion after five years of service, yet many remain stagnant in their positions while others advance through unclear and questionable processes. This has led to growing discontent, with officers demanding that the policy be reinstated to ensure a fair and transparent promotion system.

Another source of frustration is the city’s failure to address repeated demands. As far back as June 2020, EMPD officers submitted similar grievances through their union, yet five years later, no meaningful action has been taken. Officers claim that former union representatives who once championed their cause have since been promoted and have gone silent on the matter. This perceived betrayal has led EMPD officers to form an independent forum to push for their demands without union interference.

While the EMPD officers argue that their demands are justified, the method of protest has drawn heavy criticism. The demonstration saw officers blocking major roads, disrupting traffic and business operations in one of South Africa’s busiest economic hubs. Critics, including advocacy groups and members of the public, have condemned the government’s inaction, accusing officials of allowing taxpayer-funded resources to be misused in the demonstration.

A statement released by We Are South Africans, a civil rights organisation, expressed outrage over the protest, calling for the immediate dismissal of all participating officers. The organisation has urged citizens to submit photos of EMPD officials and vehicles involved in the protest, promising to expose those responsible. They further issued a warning to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, stating that legal action would be pursued to recover damages caused by the disruption.

“The government overstepped the line when they allowed state-owned and taxpayer-funded vehicles to blockade the highways of Johannesburg. We will NOT let this one slide. We probably would have, had they used their own vehicles,” the statement read.

Public sentiment remains divided, with some supporting the officers’ demands for fair pay and better working conditions, while others believe their actions were reckless and unjustified. The City of Ekurhuleni has yet to issue a formal response, but pressure is mounting for swift action against those responsible for the disruption.

The post EMPD Officers protest over salaries and working conditions, sparking public outrage appeared first on ProtectionWeb.