Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams takes over as the North West’s new police commissioner with a career spanning specialised tactical policing, training and senior command positions, as the province continues to face challenges including illegal mining, organised crime and violent crime.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane announced Adams’ appointment in Mahikeng on Thursday, saying SAPS had sought a leader with operational credibility, strategic foresight and proven leadership to drive the organisation’s Reset Agenda.
“Our responsibility was to identify a leader capable of confronting the increasingly complex policing environment facing the North West Province, while driving the organisational renewal envisaged under the SAPS Reset Agenda,” Dimpane said.
“We sought a leader with operational credibility, strategic foresight, proven leadership and unquestionable integrity.”
Adams will assume office on 1 August 2026, taking over after the position remained vacant following the retirement of Lieutenant General Sello Kwena in December 2024.
Major General Ryno Naidoo had been serving as acting provincial commissioner, with Dimpane saying he provided stable leadership and ensured operational consistency while SAPS leadership changes were being finalised.
Naidoo’s tenure came as North West continued to deal with policing challenges linked to illegal mining, organised criminal networks and violent crime.
Adams brings 34 years of policing experience to the role and is regarded by SAPS as one of its most specialised operational commanders.
He began his policing career in Public Order Policing before moving into specialised operational environments, where he qualified as a Public Order Police member, National Intervention Unit operator and trainer, Advanced VIP Close Protector and served as one of the pioneering members of the elite Counter Assault Team.
The Counter Assault Team is among SAPS’ specialised tactical capabilities designed to respond to medium and high-risk operations.
During his career, Adams served as Commander of the Thabazimbi Tactical Training Academy, where he prepared members of the National Intervention Unit, Counter Assault Team and Special Task Force for demanding operational deployments.
He later commanded the Mankwe Training Academy and held several senior management positions, including Cluster Commander of Potchefstroom, District Commissioner of Bojanala Platinum District, District Commissioner of Mangaung and Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Policing in the Free State.
Dimpane said Adams’ specialised operational background and command experience made him suited to lead policing in North West.
“The North West Province is not merely receiving another Provincial Commissioner. The province is receiving one of the most specialised operational commanders produced by the South African Police Service,” Dimpane said.
“A combat specialist. A trainer of specialised units. A leader forged in operational policing. A commander who understands that leadership is measured not by rank, but by operational results.”
Adams takes charge of a province that SAPS says remains a major focus area in the fight against illegal mining, particularly because of its extensive mining operations and its location bordering Botswana and neighbouring Gauteng.
Dimpane said criminal networks involved in illegal mining, infrastructure-related crime, illicit firearms, money laundering and cross-border criminal activities continued to pose a challenge.
She said Operation Prosper, which involves SAPS and the South African National Defence Force, had helped disrupt illegal mining networks and criminal syndicates operating in the province.
“Operation Prosper, through the deployment of the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force, continues to make significant inroads in disrupting illegal mining networks, dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring the authority of the State,” Dimpane said.
Dimpane said Adams would be responsible for strengthening policing across North West’s five districts and 86 police stations, improving operational readiness and driving intelligence-led policing.
She said he would also be expected to strengthen detective capabilities, enhance visible policing and ensure police stations become centres of service excellence.
“Above all, he must ensure that the people of the North West Province feel safer because of the work of the South African Police Service,” Dimpane said.
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Hope Ntanzi
iol.co.za
