| 36 years of justice: legal champion Brigadier Barend Jakobus Smit closes final chapter | |
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| Date Published | |
| 2026/02/01 | |
| Details | |
Media Statement POLOKWANE - The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo bid farewell to one of its most respected legal practitioners as Brigadier Barend Jakobus Smit of Legal Services concluded an exceptional 36-year career. The farewell ceremony in Polokwane on Friday, 31 January 2026, honoured a career marked by integrity, resilience, and unwavering dedication to justice. Brigadier Smit joined SAPS in 1990 as a student at Legal Services Head Office, completed basic training in Pretoria, and later the officers’ course in Paarl. In 1992, he was seconded to the Ciskeian Police, where he successfully established a Legal Services Division. Following the 1995 amalgamation, he was transferred to the North West Province and again demonstrated leadership by establishing a Legal Services Office in Rustenburg. He was promoted to Senior Superintendent (Colonel) in 1997 at the age of 31 in Limpopo. In 2001, he was promoted to the rank of Director (Brigadier) and appointed as the Provincial Head: Legal Services, Limpopo. In 2009, he served as District Commander in Lebowakgomo before returning to Provincial Legal Services in 2014 as Section Head: Litigation, where he served until retirement. Brigadier Smit holds B.Juris and LLB degrees from the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE), Potchefstroom. Provincial Head of Legal Services, Brigadier Rosina Mahloromela, speaking on behalf of the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised Brigadier Smit’s contribution:
“Once you have built a strong team, you never wish to part ways. Thank you for your selfless and unmatched service. Your role during the Shanela operations and your understanding of SAPS core business will always be remembered.” In his farewell address, Brigadier Smit expressed gratitude for the journey and encouraged younger members to serve with integrity and remain committed to the SAPS mandate. Brigadier Mahloromela concluded: “You have worked hard to climb this mountain, and now you can enjoy the view.” Brigadier Barend Jokobus Smit retires after 36 years of service, leaving behind a legacy of principled leadership, legal excellence, and institutional strength across multiple provinces. The ceremony was attended by members from Legal Services and other SAPS components, including Visible Policing, Human Resource Management, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). Ends
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