The new Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers delivering an acceptance speech.
POLOKWANE – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers as the new Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, effective from 1 August 2026.
The official announcement was made by Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane. She expressed strong confidence in the new leader, pointing out that his extensive operational experience, strong leadership, and deep community connections make him the ideal choice to guide law enforcement in the province.
A Dedicated Career Spanning Four Decades
Lieutenant General Scheepers brings nearly 40 years of public service and policing experience to his new leadership role. His long public service career began in the South African National Defence Force before he officially joined SAPS in 1988 after completing basic training at the Tshwane Police Academy.
Over his career, Scheepers served for 28 years in Gauteng, working in crucial operational areas such as visible policing, community policing, and specialized police units. Early in his police career, he worked as a K9 handler trained in patrol duties and explosives detection.
His strong leadership abilities led to steady promotions. He went on to command several busy police stations in Gauteng, including The Barrage, De Deur, Ennerdale, Lenasia South, Evaton, and Orange Farm. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier and served as the Station Commander of Sebokeng Police Station.
Three years later, in 2016, he was promoted to Major General and moved to Limpopo as the District Commissioner of Capricorn District. Shortly after, he was appointed as Limpopo’s Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Policing, a vital post he held for almost ten years.
Following the retirement of Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe at the end of June 2026, Scheepers served as the Acting Provincial Commissioner throughout July, ensuring a smooth transition in leadership.
Strong Qualifications and Crisis Skills
In addition to his practical experience on the ground, Lieutenant General Scheepers holds a National Diploma in Policing and a National Diploma in Theology. He is also a trained hostage and suicide negotiator, bringing valuable crisis management and communication skills to provincial leadership.
Acting National Commissioner Dimpane emphasized that appointing a new commissioner was about finding a leader with proven competence, moral integrity, and operational success.
“Our objective was never simply to fill a vacancy, but our responsibility was to appoint a leader capable of commanding confidence, inspiring our men and women in blue, strengthening partnerships with communities and leading the fight against crime with courage, discipline and operational excellence,” Dimpane stated.
Dimpane also paid tribute to the retired Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, thanking her for leaving behind a distinguished policing legacy that strengthened law enforcement standards across the province.
Tackling Crime and Strengthening Communities
As he officially takes office on 1 August, Lieutenant General Scheepers steps into a role that comes with major responsibilities. Limpopo continues to deal with serious crime challenges, including gender-based violence, femicide, stock theft, drug offenses, organized crime, and cross-border syndicates.
However, police leadership believes Scheepers is uniquely prepared to tackle these issues because of his long standing working relationships with local residents and traditional leaders across Limpopo.
“He understands the crime landscape, he understands the operational environment and most importantly, he understands the people of Limpopo,” Dimpane noted. “He has earned the confidence of communities not through speeches, but through presence.”
Dimpane added that Scheepers is known for engaging directly with residents. When he visits rural villages, he respects local traditional leadership, listens to community concerns, and works directly with families to solve local safety problems.
Driving the SAPS Reset Agenda
The appointment of Scheepers aligns directly with the SAPS Reset Agenda, a strategic initiative focused on restoring internal discipline, improving operational standards, placing ethical leadership at the centre of policing, and rebuilding public trust in law enforcement.
Having moved from Deputy Provincial Commissioner to Acting Commissioner and now Provincial Commissioner, Scheepers provides stability and continuity for the province’s police force. His goal will be to lead officers across every district and cluster with courage, ensuring safer streets and stronger community partnerships across all of Limpopo.
Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba conferring Lieutenant General Scheepers with new rank insignias after his announcement as the new Limpopo Provincial Commissioner.