Company: South African Police Service (SAPS)
Location: Across all nine provinces of South Africa
Remuneration: Stipend determined by the Divisional Commissioner for Human Resource Development (varies by province)
Closing Date:

• Gauteng Province: 12 September 2025
• All Other Provinces: 18 September 2025

Introduction
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is inviting unemployed South African graduates and students to apply for the Graduate Recruitment Scheme for 2025/2026. This 12-month internship programme offers valuable workplace experience while contributing to the goals of the National Human Resource Development Strategy and the National Skills Development Strategy.

SAPS Graduate Internships 2025/2026 are among the most prestigious public service opportunities, giving participants a chance to gain skills, serve their communities, and explore diverse careers within one of South Africa’s largest organisations.

What is SAPS Graduate Internships 2025/2026?
The SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme is designed to provide:

• Graduate Internships: For applicants with completed tertiary qualifications (Diploma or Degree, NQF level 6 or higher, registered on the NLRD).
• Student Internships: For students requiring in-service training to complete their qualifications (with a confirmation letter from their institution, not older than two years).

Minimum Requirements
To be eligible for the SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme, applicants must:

• Be South African citizens with a valid ID
• Hold a Matric / NSC or NCV Level 4 certificate
• Have no criminal record or pending cases
• Be unemployed and never previously employed in the relevant field
• Not have participated in any other internship in the same field
• Reside in the province where applying
• Submit a maximum of three applications (each with its own reference number and form)

Role Responsibility
Interns will:

• Assist with daily operations in their respective departments
• Provide administrative and technical support where required
• Gain hands-on experience in fields such as law, criminology, IT, psychology, social work, finance, and supply chain management
• Contribute to SAPS’s service delivery mandate and community safety initiatives

Skills and Attributes
Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• A willingness to learn and adapt in a professional environment
• Teamwork and problem-solving ability
• High levels of integrity and discipline
• Basic computer literacy (depending on the role)
• Commitment to public service values

Internship Opportunities by Province

• Eastern Cape: Communication, HRM, Finance, Social Work, Legal, Psychology, Sports Management, Motor Mechanics
• Free State: Legal, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Social Work, HRM, Mechanical Services
• Gauteng (closes 12 Sept 2025): Legal, Motor Mechanics, HRD, Detectives, Social Crime Prevention, HRM, Library Services
• KwaZulu-Natal: Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, HRD, Sports Management, Technical Trades, Sound Engineering, Motor Mechanics
• Limpopo: Legal, Journalism, Media, Psychology, Social Work, Supply Chain, IT, Graphic Design, Finance, Motor Mechanics
• Mpumalanga: Forensic Investigation, Detectives, Social Work, Finance, HRM, Graphic Design, Librarian, Dietician, Motor Mechanics
• Northern Cape: Legal, Psychometry, Social Work, Crime Analysis, HRM, Technical Services, Motor Mechanics
• North West: Communication, Legal, HRD, Finance, Graphic Design, Detective Services, Motor Mechanics
• Western Cape: Legal, Psychology, Social Work, Detectives, HRD, Food Services, Corporate Communication, Motor Mechanics

How to Apply

• Step 1: Download the application form from the SAPS Careers page → Graduate Recruitment Scheme
• Step 2: Prepare required documents:
  • CV
  • Uncertified copies of ID, Matric certificate, and tertiary qualifications with transcripts
• Step 3: Submit your application via post or hand-delivery to the relevant provincial office (no fax or email accepted)
• Important:
  • Write the reference number and province clearly on each application
  • Submit separate applications for each post if applying for more than one

Selection Process

• Shortlisted candidates may undergo fingerprint screening, interviews, and vetting
• Only successful applicants will be contacted within four months of the closing date
• Selected candidates must sign a 12-month internship contract
• Completion of the programme does not guarantee permanent employment with SAPS

Why Apply for the SAPS Graduate Scheme?

• Gain real workplace exposure in a wide range of professional fields
• Contribute directly to public safety and community service
• Develop practical skills aligned with career growth in public service
• Build a strong foundation for future employment opportunities