South African Police
A Woman of Firsts
Honouring Lieutenant General Sharon Jephta’s 38-Year Legacy
Abstract
Lieutenant General Sharon Jephta’s career in the South African Police Service reflects a trajectory of exceptional leadership, resilience, and historic achievement. Rising through some of the organisation’s most demanding roles—including Station Commander, Cluster Commander, Deputy Area Commissioner, Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner for Inspectorate, and ultimately Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing—she broke significant barriers as the only woman to serve as Divisional Commissioner for Inspectorate and the only Coloured female Lieutenant General in SAPS history. Her academic accomplishments include an MBA, a National Diploma in Policing, a Diploma in Community Policing, and professional qualifications in life coaching and family counselling. Retiring in October 2019, she leaves behind a distinguished legacy and a powerful example of courage and possibility for women and communities across South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE
A WOMAN OF FIRSTS
HONOURING LIEUTENANT GENERAL SHARON JEPHTA’S
38-YEAR LEGACY
Lieutenant General Sharon Jeptha
[LG]
INTRODUCTION
“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge
Lieutenant General Sharon Jephta stands as one of South Africa’s most remarkable policing pioneers, a woman whose career not only broke barriers but reshaped the landscape for generations to follow. Born in Tiervlei on the Cape Flats in 1962, Jephta entered the South African Police Force in 1981 as part of the first group of women of colour ever allowed to join. Over the course of 38 years, she served with distinction across both the Apartheid-era South African Police Force (13 years) and the democratic South African Police Service (25 years), rising through the ranks with unwavering determination, integrity, and excellence.
Her leadership journey saw her occupying some of the most demanding and influential positions in the organisation as Station Commander, Cluster Commander, Deputy Area Commissioner, Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner for Inspectorate, and ultimately Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing. She made history as the only woman to serve as the Divisional Commissioner for Inspectorate and as the only Coloured female Lieutenant General in the history of the SAPS.
Across her career,
Jephta was honoured with a series of prestigious medals in order of precedence
- South African Police Service Gold Medal for Service Excellence from the Minister of Police in 2018, one of the highest recognitions in the service;
- The South African Police Service Centenary Medal 1913 to 2013;
- The South African Police Seventy Fifth Anniversary Medal;
- The South African Police Amalgamation Medal;
- The South African Police Service Ten Year Commemoration;
- The South African Police Service Soccer World Cup 2010 Support Medal;
- The South African Police Star for Merit, Thirty Year Loyal Service Medal;
- The South African Police Star for Faithful Service, for 20 years Faithful Service and Exemplary Conduct;
- The South African Police Medal for Faithful Service, for 10 years long service and exemplary conduct;
She has obtained an MBA, a National Diploma in Policing, a Diploma in Community Policing, and qualifications as a Life Coach and Couples and Family Counsellor, she retired in October 2019, leaving behind not only a sterling legacy but also a blueprint of courage for women and communities across South Africa.
Lieutenant General Sharon Jephta’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and historic firsts a true embodiment of #OurMenseBreakingBarriers. [LG]
Young Constable Sharon Jeptha
Young Sergeant Sharon Jeptha communicating over the police two-way radio
Together Against Crime Brigadier Sharon Jeptha with Our Communities for a Safer Tomorrow
Posted on Facebook by Cape Coloured Culture
#OurMenseBreakingBarriers: 
Lieutenant General Sharon Jephta retired in 2019 after a distinguished career spanning 38 years, beginning in 1981. Her service bridged the transition from the South African Police Force (Apartheid era) to the South African Police Service (Democratic era), encompassing 13 and 25 years respectively. She progressed through key roles including Station Commander, Cluster Commander, Deputy Area Commissioner, Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner Inspectorate, and Divisional Commissioner of Visible Policing. An exemplary leader, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Service Excellence by the Minister of Police in 2018. Jephta holds an MBA, a National Diploma in Policing, a Diploma in Community Policing, and is a qualified Life Coach and Couples and Family Councillor.
“Born in Tiervlei on the Cape Flats in 1962, I joined the police in 1981 as the first group of women of colour. The only woman who was DIVCOM for Inspectorate in SAPS, the only coloured female Luit. Gen is history of SAPS” – Lieutenant General S Jephta
“agnoscere et honorare servientibus” –
“to acknowledge and honour those who served”
“Soli Deo Gloria” – “To God Alone Glory”
Logan Govender
