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Prior to 1995, South Africa was divided into four provinces: Cape Province (Kaap Provinsie), Natal, Transvaal and Orange Free State (Oranje Vrystaat) and the so-called TBVC States, Self-Governing Territories and Development Regions (old South Africa).
The TBVC States had independent status but were not widely recognized by the international community.
The TBVC States and Self-Governing Territories were also referred to as Homelands or Bantustans.
These so-called Homelands were the following:
1. TBVC States: Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. (TBVC = Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda & Ciskei).
2. Self-Governing Territories: Gazankulu, Kangwane, Kwandebele, Kwazulu, Lebowa and Qwaqwa.
Every Homeland had its own policing agency, bringing the total number of policing agencies in the country to eleven (ten homelands and the old South African Police).
All eleven policing agencies had different uniforms, rank structures and conditions of service and were established under different legislation.
With the adoption of the interim Constitution in 1994, the Homelands and old development regions were abolished and integrated into a united South Africa with nine provinces.
All eleven police agencies were amalgamated to form the new South African Police Services.
Lebowa received self-government in 1972.
Lebowa was created to be a homeland for Northern Sotho peoples such as Bapedi, Batlokwa, Babirwa, Banareng, Bahananwa, Balobedu, Bakone, Baroka, Bakgakga, Bahlaloga, Batau, Bakwena, Baphuthi, Batlou and many others.
The Lebowa Police Department badge comprises a fourteen-pointed facetted star in gold bearing in the centre on a white roundel the Arms of Lebowa in full colour, within a gold annulet bearing in black letters the words "LEBOWA" below and POLISIE, MAPHODISA and POLICE clockwise in a semi-circle above.
