Jan Scheepers Appointed Limpopo Police Commissioner as Border Crime Tops Province's Challenges - Inside Politics
By Thapelo MolefeLieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers has been appointed as the new Limpopo provincial commissioner, taking over at a time when cross-border crime, illegal immigration, stock theft and. . .
, taking over at a time when cross-border crime, illegal immigration, stock theft and violent crime remain among the province’s biggest policing challenges. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane announced Scheepers’ appointment in Polokwane on Friday. He will officially assume office on Saturday, succeeding Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, who has retired. ALSO READ:DA Files Court Bid to Overturn Parliament Secretary Xolile George’s AppointmentDimpane said Limpopo’s position as one of South Africa’s key gateway provinces exposed it to crimes linked to its extensive borders and transport corridors. These include illegal immigration, transnational organised crime, illicit trafficking, vehicle smuggling, cross-border criminal syndicates and other border-related offences. She said the province also continued to grapple with gender-based violence and femicide, stock theft, murder, drug-related crime and other violent offences. “These realities require a provincial commissioner who understands both community policing and sophisticated operational policing,” Dimpane said. “A leader who can integrate intelligence, technology, specialised policing capabilities and community partnerships into a single crime-fighting strategy. ”Scheepers brings nearly four decades of public service to the position. He began his career in the South African National Defence Force before joining the South African Police Service in 1988 after completing his training at the Tshwane Police Academy. He spent 28 years serving in Gauteng, where he gained experience in community policing, visible policing and specialised policing. During that time, he served as a K9 handler responsible for patrol and explosives detection dogs before commanding several police stations, including The Barrage, De Deur, Ennerdale, Lenasia South, Evaton and Orange Farm. In 2013, Scheepers was promoted to brigadier and appointed station commander of Sebokeng Police Station. Three years later, he became district commissioner of Capricorn District before serving for almost a decade as Limpopo’s deputy provincial commissioner for policing. Most recently, he served as the province’s acting provincial commissioner. ALSO READ:Sithole says youth entrepreneurship key to jobs and economic growthDimpane said Scheepers had earned the confidence of communities through his leadership and engagement with traditional leaders and local stakeholders. “He has won the respect of traditional leaders, village communities and local stakeholders because he believes policing begins where people live. When he enters a village, he becomes part of that village,” she said. As provincial commissioner, Scheepers will oversee all 106 police stations in Limpopo. His priorities include strengthening intelligence-led policing, improving detective performance, intensifying operations against violent crime, tackling stock theft, dismantling organised criminal syndicates and reinforcing border security through integrated law enforcement partnerships. Paying tribute to outgoing commissioner Hadebe, Dimpane described her tenure as “a remarkable and distinguished policing legacy”. “She demonstrated that effective policing is driven by disciplined leadership, operational consistency, compassion and accountability,” Dimpane said. Congratulating Scheepers, Dimpane urged him to uphold the constitutional mandate of the police. “The responsibility you assume today is immense. Never lose sight of the constitutional oath you have taken to serve and protect the people of South Africa,” she said. INSIDE POLITICS