SAPS portal logs 156,131 registrations in under 24 hours for 5,500 trainee posts

Mass response as SAPS opens applications for 5,500 trainee positions

The South African Police Service recorded 156,131 profile registrations in less than 24 hours after opening its online recruitment portal for 5,500 entry-level police trainee posts earmarked for the 2026 and 2027 financial years. The portal opened at midnight on Wednesday, and applications close on November 13.

How the early response breaks down

SAPS national spokesperson Colonel Amanda van Wyk provided a snapshot of activity on the e-recruitment system: of the 156,131 who registered profiles, 78,473 completed profile verification, 53,716 initiated applications, and 29,013 fully completed and submitted applications through the online portal.

“Applicants are encouraged to ensure that they meet all the requirements and submit their applications before the closing date.”

What applicants must do

The application process, introduced in 2025, requires prospective recruits to create a profile on the SAPS eRecruitment portal and verify their accounts using a code sent to their email addresses. Once verified, applicants follow a step-by-step process to apply for available trainee posts.

Applicants with no criminal record or pending criminal cases are eligible to apply through the official portal: https://erecruitment.saps.gov.za/. A QR code providing direct access to the portal will also be shared on SAPS’s official social media platforms.

Selection, training and remuneration

The selection process will include a series of assessments designed to test candidates’ suitability for policing. These assessments include:

• fitness tests
• psychometric and integrity evaluations
• medical examinations
• interviews

“These assessments are designed to ensure that those selected possess the physical fitness, mental resilience, discipline and integrity required to serve and protect the people of South Africa,”

Colonel van Wyk said.

The structure of training depends on applicants’ qualifications. Successful recruits who hold a relevant NQF Level 6 or higher qualification will complete six months of training at a SAPS training academy. Those without such a qualification will complete the standard nine-month training programme. During training, all police trainees will receive a monthly stipend of R5,000.

Targeted recruitment and specialised placements

SAPS has said it will identify suitably qualified applicants with specific skills for consideration in specialised policing environments. Graduates in the following fields may be considered for placement in specialist units:

• Law
• Policing
• Criminology
• Law Enforcement
• Forensic Investigation
• Information Technology

Those graduates may be considered for roles within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI, the Hawks), Detective and Forensic Services, and Crime Intelligence, according to Colonel van Wyk. The recruitment drive will also seek to identify suitably qualified young people from under-represented racial groups who meet the prescribed requirements.

Warnings about scams and practical advice

SAPS emphasised that applications are free and cautioned applicants against fraud. The service warned that no police trainee position is for sale and urged candidates to be wary of anyone demanding money or promising to influence the recruitment process.

“Applications were free and that no police trainee position was for sale.”

Given the high volume of traffic on the portal, Colonel van Wyk urged prospective applicants to exercise patience when accessing the system and completing their submissions. She repeated the advice that applicants should verify they meet all requirements and submit before the closing date.

Why this matters

The immediate and large-scale response to the SAPS recruitment drive highlights strong interest from young South Africans in public-sector policing careers. High registration numbers can place heavy demand on online systems; applicants should expect temporary slowdowns or access delays and plan accordingly.

For those who proceed through the full selection process, the roles offer not just employment but specialised training pathways and potential placement in investigative and intelligence units for candidates with relevant qualifications.

Next steps for applicants

Prospective recruits should create and verify their profiles on the eRecruitment portal, confirm they meet eligibility criteria, and complete their applications well before the November 13 closing date. Keeping documentation in order and following the portal’s verification steps will help avoid avoidable delays.

Colonel van Wyk framed the intake as an appeal to young South Africans under 35 to consider policing as a career option that brings both responsibility and opportunity.