Hey future nation-builders! Are you a South African graduate or student looking to kickstart your career and gain some seriously valuable work experience? Well, get ready because the South African Police Service (SAPS) has an incredible opportunity just for you: the **SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme 2025/2026**! This isn’t just any internship; it’s a chance to contribute to your community, develop essential skills, and get paid while doing it.
What is the SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme?
The SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme is a 12-month program designed to give unemployed South African graduates and students practical, hands-on experience within various departments of the South African Police Service. Think of it as a bridge between your academic journey and your professional career. It’s all about helping you apply what you’ve learned, develop new skills, and get a feel for a professional work environment, all while supporting national development goals.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for this awesome opportunity, here’s what SAPS is looking for:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You need an NSC/Matric or NCV Level 4 qualification.
- No criminal record or pending cases – this is SAPS, after all!
- You must currently be unemployed, have never worked in the field of your chosen post, and have never participated in a relevant internship program before.
- You need to be a resident of the province where the specific internship post is advertised.
Internship Categories:
SAPS caters to two main groups:
- Graduate Interns: If you’ve already completed a tertiary qualification (Diploma/Degree at NQF Level 6 or higher, recorded on the NLRD).
- Student Interns: If your qualification requires in-service or experiential learning to complete. You’ll need a letter from your institution that’s less than two years old.
What Does It Cover?
While the exact stipend varies by province and is determined by the Divisional Commissioner: Human Resource Development, you will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the 12-month program. More importantly, this scheme covers invaluable practical experience across a wide range of fields, offering you the chance to:
- Gain real-world exposure in areas like criminology, legal services, social work, IT, supply chain management, human resources, and more.
- Serve your communities and contribute directly to national safety priorities.
- Build highly marketable skills within a large, multi-disciplinary organisation.
What Positions Are Available?
SAPS offers a diverse range of internship posts across all nine provinces. These opportunities span various fields, from administrative and technical roles to specialized areas like social work, legal services, and mechanics. Some common fields include:
- Administration & Support: Communication, Supply Chain, Human Resource Management/Development, Finance, Organisational Development.
- Specialised Roles: Social Work, Legal (LLB), Psychology, Journalism/Media, Graphic Design, IT, Forensic Commercial Investigation, Operational Crime Analysis.
- Technical & Trades: Motor Mechanic (Petrol/Diesel), Electrical Engineering, Radio Technical, Plumber, Electrician, Brick Layer.
- Operational Support: CIMAC (Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre), Detectives, Vispol Support.
Please note: Specific posts and their reference numbers vary significantly by province. It is crucial to download the provincial adverts to see the exact positions available in your area and their unique requirements.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump into action? Here’s your step-by-step guide to applying for the SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme:
- Get the Form: Download the official SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme application form directly from the SAPS careers page. You’ll also find the detailed provincial adverts there.
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather these essential documents:
- An updated CV.
- Uncertified copies of your South African ID.
- Uncertified copies of your Matric certificate.
- Uncertified copies of all your post-school qualifications, along with their official statement of results.
- Choose Your Posts: You can apply for up to three different posts, but remember: you need to submit a separate application form for each post reference number you apply for.
- Submit Your Application: This is super important – SAPS usually requires you to either post or hand-deliver your application to the relevant provincial address. They generally do not accept faxed or emailed applications. Make sure to clearly mark the post reference number and the province on each application.
Important Closing Dates:
- For Gauteng Province: Applications close on 12 September 2025.
- For All other provinces: Applications close on 18 September 2025.
Find Your Provincial Contact Details & Adverts:
You can find the specific application addresses and contact numbers for each province, along with the detailed adverts and post reference numbers, on the official SAPS Careers page. Navigate to the “Careers” section and look for “Graduate Recruitment Scheme.”
Here are direct links to the provincial adverts for your convenience:
- Eastern Cape Province
- Free State Province
- Gauteng Province
- KwaZulu Natal Province
- Limpopo Province
- Mpumalanga Province
- Northern Cape Province
- North West Province
- Western Cape Province
Important Things to Know
Keep these points in mind during and after your application process:
- If you’re shortlisted, you might go through fingerprint screening, interviews, and vetting.
- SAPS will only contact successful candidates within four (4) months of the closing date. Patience is key!
- Successful applicants will need to sign a 12-month internship contract.
- Remember, participating in this scheme does not guarantee you permanent employment with SAPS, but it’s an incredible stepping stone!
If gaining real-world experience, contributing to national safety, and kicking off your career with a stipend sounds like an amazing opportunity, then the SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme Bursary is definitely for you! Don’t let this chance slip away – apply now before the closing date. And while you’re at it, explore more fantastic bursaries on Bursaries Room to secure your future!
