Cape town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) has initiated its long-awaited e-Recruitment drive, allowing 5,500 aspiring police officers to apply online for entry-level Police Trainee positions. This marks the first time SAPS is utilizing an Electronic Recruitment System, opening the process to youth across the country.
According to South African Government News Agency, the digital platform is designed to reduce paperwork, curb corruption, and prevent application losses. The initiative is expected to enhance fairness, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness while improving the integrity and speed of the recruitment process. The drive, which started on 30 June 2025, will close on 18 July 2025, targeting young men and women aged 18 to 35 for the 2025/26 financial year.
Prospective applicants with no criminal records are encouraged to apply via the SAPS official website. The recruitment process will focus on individuals with skills in Law, Policing, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Forensic Investigation, and Information Technology, for specialized roles in various SAPS units.
Applicants will undergo a selection process involving psychometric, integrity, physical fitness assessments, and medical evaluations. Successful recruits will receive a nine-month training at SAPS academies and a monthly stipend of R4,500.
The SAPS Project 10 000, an initiative by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has successfully recruited and trained over 30,000 young officers in the past three years. Currently, 5,500 recruits are undergoing training, with graduations expected in August and December 2025. The application is free, and no position is for sale, with submissions only accepted through the official SAPS portal.