Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Acting Police Minister, Prof Firoz Cachalia, together with Deputy Ministers, Dr Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale will on Friday welcome 1 918 newly trained constables to the ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, will join Minister Cachalia who will officiate at the largest parade comprising 849 graduates at SAPS Academy in Bhisho in the Eastern Cape.
According to the SAPS, the newly trained constables, who underwent the Introductory Police Development Learning Programme (IPDLP), are all graduates who hold qualifications in criminology, policing, law, forensic investigation and various other fields of study. “They will be deployed to bolster crime-fighting efforts, especially at the 30 stations with the highest crime rates,” the SAPS said in a statement. The passing out parades will take place simultaneously on Friday at 09:00.
Last month the SAPS launched its e-Recruitment drive on its official website for 5 500 aspiring police officers to join its ranks. For the first time in the history of the existence of the organisation, SAPS utilised an Electronic Recruitment System, through which youth from all walks of life could submit their applications to be considered for entry level Police Trainee posts. At the time of the closing date, the SAPS received more than a million applications for its 2025/2026 Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP).
