Cape Town – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has recorded more than 156,000 profile registrations in less than 24 hours after opening applications for 5,500 police trainee posts, highlighting the strong demand for opportunities in law enforcement.
In a statement published on Thursday, 22 October 2026, SAPS said its online recruitment portal recorded 156,131 profile registrations nationwide after opening at midnight on Wednesday, 21 October.
Of those who registered, 78,473 completed the profile verification process, while 53,716 initiated their applications.
A total of 29,013 applicants had completed and submitted their applications through the online portal within the first 24 hours.
The recruitment drive is open to South Africans under the age of 35, irrespective of race or gender, who meet the requirements to pursue a career in policing.
SAPS said the initiative provides eligible candidates with an opportunity to contribute to the fight against crime.
High traffic prompts call for patience
With thousands of prospective applicants accessing the portal, SAPS has urged candidates to be patient when completing the online application process.
“Given the high volume of traffic, prospective applicants are urged to exercise patience when accessing the portal and completing their applications,” the police service said.
Applicants have also been encouraged to check that they meet all the requirements and submit their applications before the closing date.
SAPS said candidates with no criminal record and no pending criminal cases who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
Applications must be submitted through the official SAPS eRecruitment portal.
The closing date for applications is 13 November 2026.
The police service urged eligible South Africans to take advantage of the recruitment drive, stating: “DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. JOIN THE SAPS AND HELP BUILD A SAFER SOUTH AFRICA!”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
