SEDIBENG.- The South African Police Service (SAPS) officially announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers as the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo with effect from August 1.

This follows his successful tenure as acting Provincial Commissioner.

Scheepers assumed the highest policing office in Limpopo after an illustrious 38-year policing career.

His public service journey, a statement by SAPS said, began in the South African National Defence Force before joining the South African Police Service in 1988 after completing his police training at the Tshwane Police Academy.

During the next 28 years, he served in Gauteng Province, where he developed extensive operational expertise in community policing, visible policing and specialised policing disciplines.

Scheepers served in some of the country’s most demanding policing environments, including The Barrage, De Deur, Ennerdale, Sedibeng, Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark, Orange Farm and Lenasia South.

He also served in the Dog Patrol and K9 Unit, Crime Prevention and Visible Policing, gaining invaluable operational experience while leading policing initiatives in complex communities.

“For 16 years, he successfully commanded police stations, demonstrating resilience, operational agility and decisive frontline leadership. His dedication and exceptional leadership resulted in his promotion to the rank of Brigadier in 2013, when he was appointed Station Commander of Sebokeng Police Station.”

In 2016, he was promoted to Major General and appointed District Commissioner of Capricorn District in Limpopo.

In 2017, he assumed office as Deputy Provincial Commissioner.

Scheepers holds a National Diploma in Police Administration and has received specialised training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Hostage and Suicide Negotiator, further strengthening his operational and crisis management expertise.

Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, welcomed his appointment describing the position of Provincial Commissioner as “not a soft seat, but a suit of armour in the fight against crime.”

The Premier reminded the newly appointed Provincial Commissioner that he is entrusted with the safety and security of more than 6.5 million Limpopo residents and called on him to provide decisive, ethical leadership to restore public confidence in the South African Service.

Accepting his appointment, Lieutenant General Scheepers described it as a great honour and privilege to serve as the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo. He pledged to work closely with government, municipalities, traditional leaders, Community Policing Forums, law enforcement partners, civil society and the people of Limpopo to restore confidence in the South African Police Service and create safer communities.

The Provincial Commissioner made it clear that under his leadership there will be no room for corruption, poor service delivery, misconduct or any behaviour that undermines the integrity of the South African Police Service. He directed all SAPS members to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, accountability and ethical conduct while delivering quality policing services to every community.