The Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, revealed the announcement during a recent National Career Expo held in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, over the weekend. This expo provided an avenue for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to showcase, educate, and familiarize communities with the diverse career opportunities within the organization. As part of the event, the management disclosed an increase in the maximum age for recruiting new trainees, now extending up to 35 years.

Starting from Saturday, interested applicants can access application forms through the Saps website's police trainees section. Additionally, these forms will also be obtainable at all police stations starting today. Presently, there are approximately 9,000 trainees undergoing training across academies nationwide, and another 1,000 will commence training in January 2024.

This will result in a total of 10,000 recruits being trained within the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The subsequent cohort for 2024/2025 is anticipated to initiate their training in April 2024. Deputy Minister Mathale emphasized the goal of bolstering the workforce to ensure the provision of adequate community service and protection. He stated that this initiative aims to increase the personnel on the ground, thereby maximizing efforts to combat crime.

General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the SAPS, underscored that the organization is specifically targeting individuals with a strong dedication to public service. The invitation is extended to those who display discipline, integrity, and a genuine commitment to safeguarding their communities. The augmented workforce is intended to enhance the response to evolving trends in criminal activities.

The fundamental prerequisites for enlistment encompass South African citizenship, possession of a matriculation certificate, and a clean criminal record. To submit an application, you can visit the Saps website.