Over a million apply to join SAPS

THE South African Police Service (SAPS) has reported a groundbreaking influx of applications for its Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) for the 2025/2026 cycle, with a staggering 1,049,998 individuals applying before the midnight deadline on 18 July 2025.

- IOL REPORTER

This remarkable statistic underscores the growing interest in joining the police force, particularly among young South Africans aspiring to serve their communities.

The gender breakdown of the applications reveals an encouraging trend towards inclusivity, with 595,049 applications submitted by female candidates, compared to 454,949 from male candidates.

This positive shift indicates an increasing recognition of the importance of diverse representation within law enforcement roles.

Geographically, Gauteng emerged as the province yielding the highest number of applications, with 267,031 hopefuls eager to join the ranks of the SAPS.