The main reason why police officers have to the SAPS Fitness Test is simply that there is a need for them to run a reasonable distance during their day-to-day duties. You certainly do not need to be an Olympic athlete to pass the test; however, you should be of reasonable fitness and health.
PRETORIA– The South African Police Service (SAPS) has embarked on a nationwide recruitment process to attract youth between the ages of 18 and 30, to join the Service as police trainees for the 2026 Basic Police Learning Development Programme (BLDP) intake.
SAPS Fitness Test
An official advertisement was published in the Sunday Times, City Press and Rapport on Sunday, 22 September 2019. The advertisement, as well as the application form, can be found on the SAPS website www.saps.gov.za under the careers section. Advertisements in a number of newspapers provincially and locally will follow.
Young men and women who are in possession of a Senior Certificate / National Senior Certificate or National Certificate (Vocational), as well as those in possession of post-matric qualifications, who possess no criminal records and no pending criminal cases are encouraged to apply. Those who previously served in a Government Department and were subsequently dismissed due to misconduct are discouraged from applying.
To ensure that we enlist disciplined, upright and passionate candidates, only the right candidates will be enlisted. All applicants will be subjected to fitness, psychometric and integrity testing as well as medical evaluations during the recruitment, selection and enlistment process. Vetting and fingerprint verifications will also be conducted. Successful Police Trainees will be subjected to continuous security and fitness screening which include continuous verification of criminal profile as well as medical and physical fitness (inclusive of drug/substance abuse testing).
Remuneration for the Induction Phase and Basic Training Phase will be a stipend of R4500-00. Successful applicants must take note that they will be trained at any SAPS Academy in South Africa and will be placed at any Police Station / Unit in South Africa after completion of training.
So, do you possess the following minimum requirements?
• Between the ages of 18 and under 30 years
• Be a South African citizen
• In possession of a Senior Certificate / National Senior Certificate or National Certificate (Vocational) or a three (3) year National Diploma / Degree recorded on the National Learner Record Database (NLRD) on at least an NQF 6 or higher level in Law / Policing / Criminology / Law Enforcement / Forensic Investigation
• Proficient in at least two languages of which one must be English
• Prepared to take the oath of office
• Have NO CRIMINAL RECORD / NO PENDING CRIMINAL CASES
• Be prepared to be trained at any SAPS Academy in South Africa and to be placed at any Police Station / Unit in South Africa after completion of the Institution Phase
If you answered yes to all these requirements, then here is an opportunity for you to join the South African Police Service.
To give effect to the professionalization of the SAPS as contained in the National Development Plan, Vision 2030 as well as emanating from the resolutions taken during the National Recruitment Indaba held in July 2019, the National Commissioner has approved the introduction of a Two Stream system for the recruitment of new Police Officers. Recruitment will henceforth take place in the following Streams:
STREAM 1
Applicants in possession of a Senior Certificate / National Senior Certificate / National Certificate (Vocational);
Applicants who successfully completed the Military Skills Cadet Development Programme with the South African National Defence Force
Successful applicants in Stream 1 will undergo a 21 month training programme consisting of three (3) phases:
• Induction Phase
One (1) month at a designated police station;
• Basic Training Phase
Eight (8) months Basic Training at a designated SAPS Academy
• Probation Phase
After successful completion of the Induction and the Basic Training Phase, the police trainee shall be appointed as a member of the Service under probation for a period of 12 months
STREAM 2
Applicants who fully completed a three (3) year National Diploma / Degree recorded on the National Learner Record Database (NLRD) on at least a NQF 6 or higher level in Law / Policing / Criminology / Law Enforcement / Forensic Investigation
Successful applicants in Stream 2 will undergo a shortened Basic Training Programme as determined by the National Commissioner
For more information, members of the public are encouraged to seek application forms at your nearest police station or visit www.saps.gov.za
Applications close on the 15th October 2019 and it must be noted that the Service will no longer receive applications after the closing date.
Successful candidates will be notified telephonically and will undergo a 21-month training programme at any SAPS Academy nationwide. If applicants have not heard or received an official correspondence from the SAPS within 3 months of the closing date, applicants should consider their application as unsuccessful.
“We are looking at recruiting young men and women who are ready to take up the oath of office to serve and protect the people of South Africa. We are therefore encouraging all youths from all walks of life to join the Service and contribute to a safe and secure South Africa. To ensure that we attract the right people into the Service, we have developed a rigorous and thorough recruitment process that includes psychometric, fitness and integrity testing. The recruits will undergo training at any of our Academies nationwide. Successful applicants will add to the existing workforce capacity at stations to ensure that the people of South Africa are and feel safe. We wish the applicants all the best in their endeavours to join the Service. We are looking forward to welcoming upright, disciplined and accountable individuals who are ready to serve the nation”. Deputy National Commissioner Human Resources Management, Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya.
For further clarity and enquiries, below is a contact list per province:
North West:
(018) 299 7320/7732
Applications can be hand delivered at: 2nd floor Wespol Building: Corner Mandela Drive and Peter Mokaba street.
Free State:
(051) 507-6407/6807
Applications can be hand delivered at: No 126 Charlotte Maxeke Street, Metpol Building, 5th floor :Room 518 ,Bloemfontein or posted to: PC: Free State, Personnel Management, Private Bag X20501, Bloemfontein , 9301 Att: The Recruitment Centre
Kwa-Zulu Natal:
(031) 325 4808 / 6404/6194
Applications can be hand delivered to 6TH Floor, Servamus Building ,Room 619/620 15 Bram Fischer Road, Durban or posted to: The Recruitment Office, SA Police Service, P O BOX 1965,Durban,4000
Eastern Cape:
(040) 608-7153 /7156 /7157 /7158 /7245 /7248 /7161
Applications can be hand delivered at:
Recruitment & Staffing, SAPS Provincial Head Office: Eastern Cape, Old Griffiths Mxenge Building, Buffalo Street, Zwelitsha, 5600
Limpopo:
(015) 290 6024 / (015)290 6094
Applications can be hand delivered at: 44 Schoeman Street Landbank Building Polokwane 0700 or posted to the Provincial Head(as given)
Mpumalanga:
(013) 762 4810 or 4898/ 4808/ 4811/ 4809/ 4318
Applications can be hand delivered at: The Provincial Office, Recruitment and Staffing, South African Police Service, Ehmke Street No. 04, Nelspruit next to Mlondolozi house.
Western Cape:
(021) 409 6579 / 6596
Applications can be hand delivered at:
1st Floor, Customs House Building, Lower Heerengracht Street, Cape Town
Northern Cape:
(053) 8393724 / 2516 / 2510 / 2511
Applications can be hand delivered at: Lewende Hawe Building 19 George Street (locked silver container at entrance) Kimberley
Gauteng:
(011) 274 7913 / 7423 / 7424 / 7425
Applications can be hand delivered at:
SAPS Provincial Head Office, Gauteng Province, 16 Empire Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193
Ends
Enquiries:
Colonel Athlenda Mathe
0820408808
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
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To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
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NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
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When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
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Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
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Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
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Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
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Login and Start the Application
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Fill in Your Personal Details
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Track Your Application
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🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
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- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
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For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
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You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
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If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
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📱 NSFAS Contact Information
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📝 Final Tips Before Applying
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By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.