The South African Police Service (SAPS) has received nearly 200,000 applications for just 5,500 available positions, highlighting the country’s severe unemployment crisis—especially among young people.
The overwhelming response comes as SAPS seeks new recruits for its Basic Police Learning Development Training Programme. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the high number of applicants, mostly women, shows strong interest in joining the fight against crime.
However, the figures also reveal the desperate job market, with youth unemployment at around 46%.
Provincial Breakdown
Gauteng had the most applicants (over 53,000), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (30,000), Limpopo (20,000), Eastern Cape (19,000), and Mpumalanga (18,000). The Western Cape had 17,000 applicants, while the Free State, North West, and Northern Cape had 14,000, 11,000, and 4,000 respectively.
Women Outnumber Men
Female applicants dominated the process, with over 105,000 submissions compared to 80,000 from men.
Mathe acknowledged the high demand and urged applicants to remain patient, as the SAPS website is experiencing heavy traffic. Those facing delays were advised to refresh the careers page periodically.
While the recruitment drive offers hope for some, the staggering number of applicants underscores the broader struggle many South Africans face in finding work.