The South African Police Service (SAPS) is calling on unemployed South African graduates and students to apply for its Graduate Recruitment Scheme for 2025/2026. This programme runs for 12 months and offers practical workplace experience that supports both the National Human Resource Development Strategy and the National Skills Development Strategy.
This internship is one of the most sought-after opportunities in public service because it allows participants to gain valuable skills, serve their communities, and explore careers within one of South Africa’s largest organisations.
Internship Closing Dates
- Gauteng Province: 12 September 2025
- All Other Provinces: 18 September 2025
Where Internships Are Available
The programme is open across all nine provinces:
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape
- North West
- Western Cape
Stipend: Determined by the Divisional Commissioner for Human Resource Development (amount varies per province).
Who Can Apply
To qualify for the SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme, applicants must meet the following basic requirements:
- Be a South African citizen with a valid ID
- Hold a Matric / NSC or NCV Level 4
- Have no criminal record and no pending cases
- Be unemployed and never previously employed in the field of the advertised post
- Not have taken part in any other internship in the relevant field
- Live in the province where applying
- Submit a maximum of three applications (a separate form is required for each reference number)
Internship Categories
- Graduate Internships: For applicants with a completed tertiary qualification (Diploma or Degree, NQF level 6 or higher, registered on the NLRD).
- Student Internships: For students who need in-service or experiential training to complete their qualification (a confirmation letter from the institution, not older than two years, is required).
Internship Opportunities by Province
Eastern Cape
- Graduate Interns: Communication, Supply Chain, Organisational Development, CIMAC, Vispol Support, HRM, Sports Management, Social Work, Legal (LLB), Psychology
- Student Interns: HRM, Finance
- Motor Mechanics: Petrol/Diesel
Free State
- Graduate Interns: Social Work, Legal, Electrical Engineering, HRM/HRD, Finance, Supply Chain, Strategic Development, CIMAC
- Student Interns: HRM, Mechanical Services
Gauteng (earlier closing date – 12 September 2025)
- Graduate Interns: Legal, Motor Mechanics, HRD, CIMAC, Detectives, Social Crime Prevention
- Student Interns: HRM, Librarian
KwaZulu-Natal
- Graduate Interns: Supply Chain, Finance, HRD, Legal, Sports Management, Technical roles, Graphic/Video/Drone Operations, Loss Management, Trades (Plumbing, Electrical, Bricklaying)
- Student Interns: Sound Engineering, Library Assistant
- Motor Mechanics: Wentworth, Alexandra Road
Limpopo
- Graduate Interns: CIMAC, Legal, Social Work, Psychology, Journalism, Media, Video/Photography, Graphic Design, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, HRM, IT Specialist, Library Science
- Student Interns: Finance, HRM, Radio Technical
- Motor Mechanics: District garages
Mpumalanga
- Graduate Interns: Forensic Commercial Investigation, Social Work, Legal, Youth Desk, Graphic Design, Camera Operator, Librarian, Finance, HRM, Dietician, Detectives, Vispol, Supply Chain, CIMAC
- Student Interns: Radio Technical
- Motor Mechanics: Nelspruit, Standerton, Middelburg
Northern Cape
- Graduate Interns: Crime Analysis, Social Work, Legal, Psychometry, Administration
- Student Interns: HRM, Technical Management Services
- Motor Mechanics: Kimberley, De Aar, Kuruman, Springbok
North West
- Graduate Interns: Supply Chain, Budget Management, Legal, HRD, Communication, Graphic Design, Policing (Detective & Vispol)
- Student Interns: Service Complaints
- Motor Mechanics: Provincial garages
Western Cape
- Graduate Interns: Crime Analysis, Supply Chain, Detectives, HRD, Corporate Communication, Legal, Social Work, Psychology
- Student Interns: Food Services
- Motor Mechanics: Maitland, Bellville, Stellenbosch
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for SAPS Graduate Internships 2025/2026:
- Download the Application Form
- Available on the official SAPS Careers page under Graduate Recruitment Scheme.
- Prepare Your Documents
- Updated CV
- Uncertified copies of SA ID, Matric certificate, and all tertiary qualifications with transcripts
- Submit Your Application
- Post or hand-deliver to the relevant provincial office listed in the official advert
- Applications sent by fax or email will not be accepted
- Important
- Write the reference number and province clearly on each application
- Submit a separate application for each post if applying to more than one
Download the advert and references
| Post Description | Closing Date |
| Eastern Cape Province | 2025-09-18 |
| Free State Province | 2025-09-18 |
| Gauteng Province | 2025-09-12 |
| KwaZulu Natal Province | 2025-09-18 |
| Limpopo Province | 2025-09-18 |
| Mpumalanga Province | 2025-09-18 |
| Northern Cape Province | 2025-09-18 |
| North West Province | 2025-09-18 |
| Western Cape Province | 2025-09-18 |
Selection Process
- Shortlisted candidates may undergo fingerprint screening, interviews, and vetting
- Only successful applicants will be contacted within four months after the closing date
- Successful candidates must sign a 12-month internship contract
- Completion of the internship does not guarantee permanent employment in SAPS
Why Apply for the SAPS Graduate Scheme?
- Gain real workplace experience in fields like criminology, law, IT, psychology, HR, finance, supply chain, and social work
- Serve communities and contribute to national safety priorities
- Develop in-demand skills in a large, multidisciplinary environment
- Build a strong foundation for future career growth in public service
Download the Official SAPS Internship Advert
Visit the SAPS Careers page → Graduate Recruitment Scheme to download the full provincial adverts and application forms.
