Bhisho: Acting Police Minister, Prof Firoz Cachalia, together with Deputy Ministers, Dr Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale, will on Friday welcome 1,918 newly trained constables to the ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, will join Minister Cachalia to officiate at the largest parade, comprising 849 graduates, at SAPS Academy in Bhisho in the Eastern Cape.
According to South African Government News Agency, the newly trained constables, who underwent the Introductory Police Development Learning Programme (IPDLP), are all graduates holding qualifications in criminology, policing, law, forensic investigation, and various other fields of study. 'They will be deployed to bolster crime-fighting efforts, especially at the 30 stations with the highest crime rates,' the SAPS stated in a release.
The passing out parades will take place simultaneously on Friday at 09:00, marking a significant step in SAPS's ongoing efforts to strengthen its workforce. Last month, the SAPS launched its e-Recruitment drive on its official website, seeking 5,500 aspiring police officers to join its ranks.
For the first time, SAPS utilized an Electronic Recruitment System, allowing youth from all backgrounds to submit applications for entry-level Police Trainee posts. By the closing date, SAPS received over a million applications for its 2025/2026 Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP).