SAPS Deploys Over 1900 Newly Trained Officers Across South Africa

• The South African Police Service deployed almost 2000 newly trained members to fight crime across the country
• The police force across the nine provinces held passing out parades and deployed new members in various units according to their fields of study
• South Africans joked that the new officers should not fall prey to corruption and some said the new officers would be bribed

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

GAUTENG — The South African Police Service (SAPS) deployed its newly-trained members on 15 August 2025 to fight crime across the country, especially in 30 of the stations dealing with the highest levels of crime.

According to the South African Police Service, 1918 newly trained constables were deployed across the nine provinces to fight crime. The largest parade was held at the SAPS Academy in Bhisho, the Eastern Cape.

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The police officers underwent the Introductory Police Development Learning Programme and are all graduates with qualifications in policing, law, criminology, forensic investigation, and others. A large number of officers will be stationed in police stations to improve investigation and boost police visibility. The acting minister of police, Firoz Cachali,a was present with National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

A look at SAPS' recruitment efforts

The South African Police Service launched its online platform on 30 June 2025, where for the first time SAPS invited potential recruits to submit applications online for 5,500 posts. In less than 48 hours, over 180,000 unemployed people applied for the job openings.

By the second week after the online portal was launched, over 1 million unemployed South Africans had applied and submitted. Most of the applicants were women, and Gauteng had the highest number of applicants. The police said it was getting graduates with qualifications and prioritizing their absorption.

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What did South Africans say?

South Africans commenting on Facebook joked about the police officers receiving bribes.

Darrol Kriel said:

"Fully trained in taking bribes."

Siza Khumalo said:

"Imagine getting hired to say we don't have vans at the moment."

Glen Nfwanya Madikane said:

"They will be busy on TikTok with uniforms, posting foolish content."

Lemo Lemon said:

"Soon they'll be seen on TikTok in uniform dancing to Magumba song."

Tsetsefleezo Mogaki said:

"So cold drinks must go up to accommodate new members. "

Nhlsnhla Dlamini said:

"Every year there are always newly trained police officers, but I hardly see them on our streets patrolling.:

Tumelo Molise said:

"Congratulations to all of them forvmaking it until this far, Let's help them to combat crime. they need us as the community in order to fight crime."

G-Boy Ma G said:

"Great. Now we have 1900 more to bribe."

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Senzo Mchunu pleads with police members to stay in service

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Senzo Mchunu pleaded with SAPS members not to leave the service. He spoke during the funeral of Constable Boipelo Senoge on 8 May 2025, days after her body was found with two other officers.

Mchunu said that it was a difficult period for all SAPS members and called on the police members to continue serving their communities.

Source: Briefly News