Online Recruitment Goes Live

The historic new online e-recruitment platform will replace the previous manual application system, with this shift is designed to tighten controls, enhance transparency, and eliminate corruption risks in the hiring process. Applicants are now able to submit their information digitally, reducing the chance of documents being “lost or manipulated.”

Importantly, SAPS reminds the public that applying is entirely free and any demands for payment are indicative of a scam. Two scammers have already been arrested for charging fees to hopeful applicants.

New Intake and Expanded Capacity

The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, announced the upcoming recruitment of 5,500 new police trainees, with applications opening in June 2025, and training beginning in early 2026. This intake follows on the trend of aggressive recruitment, building on the previous 5,500 trainees already undergoing instruction this year, all of whom will be deployed by December.

Over the past three years, SAPS has added over 30,000 officers through Project 10 000, reinforcing both frontline and specialist units such as public order policing, forensic science, and detective services.

Reinforcements for High-Crime Areas

More than 4,000 officers will soon join the detective division, many of whom are being posted to 30 high-contact crime stations in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. Retired detectives and those who left in good standing are also being brought back on a contractual basis. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) will see a boost of over 785 additional investigators.

To support retention, SAPS is introducing a scarce skills allowance for detective investigators, adding to the existing service allowance.

Boosting Specialised and High-Risk Units

Specialised units such as the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Counter Assault Team (CAT), and Special Task Force (STF) are also receiving increased support. Members of these elite teams will benefit from higher scarce skills allowances as an incentive to remain in service.

Additional roles earmarked for similar allowances include hostage negotiators, divers, coastal vessel handlers, and airborne law enforcement officers.

Crime Intelligence, Forensics and Crowd Control

Crime intelligence capacity is set to expand with 300 new operatives currently in training. Simultaneously, 675 forensic analysts and crime scene experts are completing workplace training before joining forensic labs and local criminal record centres.

In the past two years, 5,000 public order police officers have been trained and deployed, significantly improving the state’s ability to manage large-scale protests and unrest.

Call Centres and Local Policing Strengthened

To improve emergency response, 575 new operators have been assigned to 10111 call centres. SAPS has also built 31 new police stations in the last five years, bringing services closer to communities in need.

A total of 150 station commander posts have been filled, particularly in high-crime provinces. These leaders are now required to complete induction and management training to ensure competent station oversight.

Promotion, Career Progression and Infrastructure

From 2018 to 2023, more than 57,000 officers have been promoted. SAPS is considering promoting a further 11,000 Constables, Sergeants, and Warrant Officers in this financial year. Additionally, 3,149 critical supervisory posts, including those under the Public Service Act, will be advertised and filled.

Plans are also in place to transition 80 civilian staff in K9 and Mounted units into sworn roles to better align responsibilities and improve operational integration.

Resources and Logistics

SAPS currently operates a fleet of over 43,000 vehicles. Investment is being directed toward expanding this fleet and improving repair turnaround times by hiring additional artisans and mechanics.

SAPS leadership have emphasised their commitment to operate “without fear or favour.” The new digital recruitment system is intended not only as a technological upgrade, but a signal of wider reform aimed at building a more effective, accountable, and community-focused police service.

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This follows a number of enquiries regarding the finalisation of the 2024/2025 recruitment and selection process.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the South African Police Service said the arrival of trainees at various SAPS academies, commenced last week Monday, with 3 359 trainees currently undergoing training.

A second group of successful candidates will be notified in writing to report for training.

The SAPS also confirmed that the remaining 2 186 trainees will commence training before the end of February 2025.

“Due to the high number of trainees, the SAPS has adopted a staggered approach to accommodate their arrival at SAPS academies nationwide. The SAPS advises all applicants who have undergone the recruitment and selection process to remain patient as they await further communication,” SAPS said.

Earlier this month, SAPS said it has successfully trained and deployed over 20 000 new constables in various units across the country in the past three years, as it aiming to boost policing efforts and enhance public safety.

Providing an update on the SAPS Nationwide Safer Festive Season Operations during a media briefing in Pretoria, on Sunday, National Commissioner for the South African Police Service, General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola, highlighted in mid-December last year, 2 699 newly trained constables joined the ranks.

Masemola said the police officers joined the service during a significantly busy period for the SAPS, and contributed to the crime combatting operations aimed at ensuring the safety and security of communities, holidaymakers, and tourists alike.

“We were able to heighten police visibility and boost our crime combatting efforts at areas identified as hotspots across the country, including malls, beaches and along our country’s key strategic routes,” Masemola said.

During the festive season, the police arrested 244 951 people for various crimes, including among others, murder, rape, assault, illegal possession of firearms, drug dealing, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and entering the country illegally.

The SAPS safer festive season operations commenced on 11 October 2024 and ended on Friday, 31 January 2025.

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Presenting the department’s Budget Vote in the National Assembly on Tuesday 16 July, newly appointed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the department is committed to expanding its workforce, enhancing police visibility, improving community responsiveness, detection rate, crime intelligence capability, and to building public confidence in the police service.

“This strategic expansion is crucial for addressing the growing demands of the communities and ensuring that we can effectively combat crime across the country. During the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 budget periods, additional funding allowed us to enlist 10 000 employees, respectively.

“For the 2024/2025 financial year, this additional funding will enable us to appoint another 10 000 police trainees, covering personnel losses through natural attrition and facilitating workforce growth,” Mchunu said.

The Minister emphasised the importance of enhancing safety protocols and measures to safeguard police officials in the line of duty for ensuring their well-being and operational effectiveness.

By implementing comprehensive training programs, providing advanced protective equipment, and establishing clear operational guidelines, Mchunu said the police service can significantly reduce risks faced by officers during their duties.

He added that increased focus on mental health support and regular safety assessments will contribute to a safer working environment.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), said Mchunu, is headed towards ensuring it is adequately staffed to conduct its mandate.

“The department continues to analyse its organisational structure, which resulted in the extensive review of the current functions; re-prioritising and re-grouping of the functions in respective units to ensure the optimal utilisation of the limited resources. IPID has a number of recruitment processes underway in respect of various positions,” he said.

The SAPS Budget for the 2024/ 25 financial year is R113.597 billion; while the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service has been allocated a budget of R155.964 million and IPID allocated R370.557 million.

Mchunu said the budgets of the departments in the portfolio need to reflect a proper alignment between policing needs and priorities, personnel deployment, upskilling of critical personnel and operations.

“Strengthening specialised crime detection capabilities is essential for effectively addressing cybercrime, organised crime, commercial crime, and corruption. Enhanced training, advanced investigative tools, and dedicated task forces will empower the SAPS to tackle these complex and high-impact criminal activities more efficiently.

“By capacitating specialised units, the SAPS can ensure targeted, expert responses to specific crime types, leading to higher detection rates and successful prosecutions. This approach will not only disrupt criminal networks but also restore public confidence in law enforcement,” the Minister said.

Funds to fight crimes impacting economic activity

To protect the country’s economy from criminal activities, Mchunu said the economic infrastructure task teams, supported by organised crime investigation capabilities, will focus on combating crimes such as illegal mining, infrastructure-related crimes and extortion in all business sectors, particularly the construction sector.

Specialised capabilities, including the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, forensic services, and crime intelligence, will collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to address these issues effectively.

“Efforts to tackle organised crime, money laundering, and terror financing will continue in line with recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force. There is an urgent need for a more strategic and consolidated response to organised crime which imposes a real existential threat to our economy and democracy.

“These initiatives will be implemented through the Detective Services Programme and the Crime Intelligence Programme, with respective budgets of R71.3 billion and R15.1 billion over the medium term,” Mchunu said.

The Minister underscored the importance of increasing efforts to identify and remove gangs and criminal groups involved in drug-related crimes and for restoring safety and order in the affected communities.

He maintained that targeting the criminal networks will disrupt the supply chains and operations that fuel violence and instability.

“Enhanced intelligence gathering, dedicated task forces, and collaborative operations with other law enforcement agencies will strengthen the SAPS’s ability to combat organized crime effectively. By prioritising these efforts, the SAPS can significantly reduce drug-related incidents and protect vulnerable populations,” Mchunu said.

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As per the latest recruitment advertisement, to pursue a career as an entry-level police trainee, applicants must enlist in the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP).

Selected applicants usually participate in the programme for 21 months.

Upon successful completion of the programme trainees will be considered for permanent appointment as members of the SAPS at the rank of Constable. Successful candidates will be trained at any SAPS Academy in South Africa and will be placed at any police station/ unit in South Africa after completion of the Institution Phase.

Applicants must:

• Have permanent residence in the Republic of South Africa of which documentary proof must be furnished.
• Be in possession of a grade 12 school certificate or equivalent qualification of which documentary proof must be furnished.
• A valid driving license for at least a light motor vehicle will serve as an advantage.
• Be proficient in at least English and one other official language.
• Be at least eighteen and under thirty-five years of age of which documentary proof must be furnished.
• Have no previous criminal convictions and shall allow his or her fingerprints to be taken and background enquiries to be made.
• Not have any tattoo marks of which will be visible when wearing any uniform of the service.
• Be prepared to take the oath of office.
• Submit himself or herself to a physical medical examination as determined by the National Commissioner.
• Must be found to be physically and mentally fit for appointment in the post for which he or she applies.
• Undergo and pass a psychological assessment as determined by the National Commissioner and be found to comply with the profile of a police official.
• Be prepared to successfully undergo such training as determined by the National Commissioner
• Be prepared to serve anywhere in the Republic of South Africa.

During the selection process:

• Applicants will be subjected to fitness, psychometric and integrity testing as well as medical evaluation and will be interviewed during the recruitment, selection and enlistment process.
• The SAPS will also verify the qualifications, drivers’ licence, where applicable, citizenship and residential address of each applicant.
• Applicants will be subjected to a vetting process which will include security screening, reference checking, and fingerprint verification to establish whether any illicit activity has been recorded or is pending against candidates.
• Applicants who previously served in a government department and who were dismissed as a result of misconduct will not be considered for appointment in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• In view of the physical demands of the Basic Police Development Learning Programme, applicants with chronic diseases, physical impairments or any other health condition that may lead to interruption of the training programme, may be excluded from participation in the programme. Should applicants fail to disclose any health condition it may result in their withdrawal from the programme on the determination thereof.

For more information visit www.saps.gov.za

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