The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened applications for its 2025/2026 internship programme, offering unemployed graduates the opportunity to gain practical experience in policing and support services.
This initiative is part of the National Human Resource Development Strategy and the National Skills Development Strategy, and it runs for 12 months across all nine provinces.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Hold a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or equivalent NCV Level 4 qualification.
- Have no previous criminal convictions or pending cases.
- Be unemployed, never employed in the field of the advertised post, and never have participated in an internship in the relevant field.
- Reside in the province where the post is advertised.
- Apply for a maximum of three (3) posts and complete a separate application form for each reference number.
Internship categories include:
- Graduate Intern: Completed tertiary qualification required.
- Student Intern: Practical experience required to complete a qualification (letter from the institution must be attached).
Stipends will be determined by the SAPS Divisional or National Commissioner, depending on the province.
Internship Opportunities by Province
Gauteng
Internships available in:
- Legal Administration
- Motor Mechanics
- Human Resource Management
- Criminal Information Analysis
Locations include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Benoni, Vereeniging, Soweto and other districtsgp-2025.
Northern Cape
Internships available in:
- Crime Analysis
- Social Work
- Psychometry
- Legal Services
- Human Resources
- Mechanical Services
Locations include Kimberley, De Aar, Kuruman, Springbok and Upingtonnc-2025.
Mpumalanga
Internships available in:
- Forensic Commercial Investigation
- Social Work
- Legal Administration
- Librarianship
- Youth Desk Administration
- Information Technology
- Graphic Design
- Camera Operation
- Financial Services
Locations include Nelspruit, Witbank, Standerton and Middelburgmp-2025.
Limpopo
Internships available in:
- Crime Analysis (CIMAC)
- Legal Services
- Journalism
- Graphic Design
- Marketing and Stakeholder Relations
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Motor Mechanics
Locations include Polokwane, Thohoyandou, Tzaneen, Giyani and Musinalm-2025.
KwaZulu-Natal
Internships available in:
- Supply Chain Management
- Photography and Videography
- Drone Operations
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Loss Management
- Mechanical Services
- Sound Engineering
Locations include Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Umlazi, Phoenix and Empangenikzn-2025.
Free State
Internships available in:
- Social Work
- Legal Services
- Finance
- Supply Chain Management
- Organisational Development
- Criminology
- Human Resources
- Mechanical Services
Locations include Bloemfontein, Welkom, Sasolburg, Bethlehem and Kroonstadfs-2025.
Eastern Cape
Internships available in:
- Communication
- Supply Chain Management
- Organisational Development
- Crime Analysis
- Human Resources
- Finance
- Sports Management
- Social Work
- Legal Services
- Mechanical Services
Locations include East London, Mthatha, Lusikisiki, Graaff-Reinet and Nelson Mandela Bayec-2025.
Western Cape
- Crime Analysis
- Supply Chain Management
- Detective Services
- Human Resource Development
- Motor Mechanics
- Events Management
- Communication and Public Relations
- Food Services (Catering and Hospitality)
- Information Technology
- Legal Services
- Social Work and Psychology
Locations: Cape Town, Khayelitsha, Delft, Mitchells Plain, Atlantis, Paarl, George, Stellenbosch and Oudtshoorn
Application Process
Applicants must:
- Complete the official SAPS Internship Programme application form
- Submit an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Attach uncertified copies of the following:
- Identity Document,
- National Senior Certificate,
- All post-school qualifications with results statements.
- Deliver the application by hand or post to the relevant provincial addresses listed in the official notices.
Important: Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Closing Dates
- Gauteng Province: 12 September 2025.
- Other Provinces: 18 September 2025.
Late applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
- All shortlisted candidates will undergo fingerprint screening.
- Candidates will be invited for personal interviews.
- Shortlisted applicants may also be subjected to vetting.
- Only successful applicants will be contacted.
Note: Completion of the internship programme does not guarantee permanent employment in SAPS.
Why This Programme Matters
The internship programme offers:
- Valuable workplace experience for unemployed graduates.
- Exposure to specialised fields such as crime prevention, forensic investigation, IT and HR.
- An opportunity to contribute directly to community safety while building employable skills.
For more details and access to application forms, visit the official SAPS Careers Page. Contact details for provincial offices are available in the official notices.
Check also: CIPC Graduate Internship Programme (2025)