Colonel Lesibana Sylvester Somo has been promoted to Provincial Commander for Taxi Violence in Limpopo, capping a policing career that began nearly four decades ago. Somo, 58, joined the police on 1 July 1988 in the former Lebowa homeland.
He started as a constable at Lebowakgomo police station, working at the Community Service Centre, the frontline of policing where officers attend to complaints and open cases. He was promoted to sergeant in 1994 and appointed as a detective at Mahwelereng police station.
Two years later, he became a warrant officer and served as Detective Commander at Tinmyne police station. In 2000, Somo was promoted to captain and appointed Detective Commander at Mokopane police station.
By 2005, he had risen to lieutenant colonel, serving as Detective Commander at Mahwelereng and later as Provincial Taxi Violence Group Leader. He was also involved in investigating cold cases.
In 2016, he was appointed Commander for Harmful Occult-Related Crimes at the provincial headquarters. In 2023, he became Provincial Commander for Homicide and Missing Persons (HORMP). He has now been promoted to colonel and is heading the provincial taxi violence unit.
According to SAPS Limpopo, Somo has secured multiple life sentence convictions in serious and complex cases. In January 2023, an accused was convicted in connection with a murder in Botlokwa. In March 2023, another accused was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in Thohoyandou.
His responsibilities have included managing taxi violence cases, visiting crime scenes, conducting preliminary investigations and overseeing case dockets.
SAPS says he has led units with limited physical and human resources, while improving investigative standards and performance.
Somo obtained his matric certificate as a private candidate in 1988. He later completed a Diploma in Policing at Technikon RSA in 1996, majoring in Crime Investigation and Police Management III. He has also completed several investigative courses.
In a statement compiled by Personnel Officer Segoale KE, SAPS Limpopo congratulated Somo on his promotion and wished him success in his new role.
Taxi violence has been a persistent problem in parts of Limpopo, with disputes often linked to route conflicts and competition between associations. Somo now takes charge of coordinating investigations into these cases at provincial level.
