POLOKWANE, Limpopo — The newly appointed Limpopo Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Jan Scheepers, has officially assumed his permanent role with a steadfast commitment to fight crime across the province. The announcement was made by Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, marking a strategic leadership transition aimed at strengthening provincial law enforcement and restoring public confidence.
Scheepers steps into the permanent position after previously serving as the acting provincial commissioner. This transition follows the retirement of former commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe in June. The appointment comes on the heels of similar unveilings of provincial commissioners in the North West and the Western Cape earlier this week, signaling a broader, coordinated refresh in national police leadership.
During the announcement, Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane commended Scheepers for his unwavering dedication spanning nearly four decades of service. “Today I am confident that we have appointed exactly such a leader,” Dimpane stated, expressing great pleasure in formalizing Scheepers’ role as the provincial commissioner.
General Scheepers brings extensive operational experience to the role, having served in various police units throughout his career. In 2013, he was promoted to Brigadier and appointed as the station commander at Sebokeng Police Station, building a strong foundation of grassroots policing expertise.
Addressing the assembled force, the new commissioner emphasized that collaboration is the cornerstone of a successful police service. “There is no person that can do this alone,” Scheepers noted. “When criminals plan, they do not come alone. They come in a team and they are focused. Let’s work as a team. Let’s turn the ship around.”
A central pillar of Scheepers’ strategy is active community participation. He firmly declared that the era of police planning crime-fighting strategies in isolation is over. “We are going to change this province, but we cannot do it alone,” he urged, calling on residents to trust the police and engage actively in safety initiatives.
Moving forward, the commissioner identified illegal mining and gender-based violence as major crime priorities that will receive focused, targeted attention under his leadership. By fostering teamwork within the ranks and building bridges with the public, the new Limpopo Police Commissioner aims to drive a measurable turnaround in provincial safety and security.
