"It's Like Playing Lottery": Over 156,000 Register for SAPS Trainee Posts in 1 Day, SA Floored

• SAPS opened its 2026/27 national online recruitment drive on 21 October, offering just 5,500 trainee posts
• More than a 100 000 people registered within the first 24 hours, and the large number caught people's attention
• South Africans complained about the odds of landing a post to work as SAPS officers after seeing the numbers

The South African Police Service received a staggering response after opening its latest recruitment drive. Within a single day of launching, the process drew over 156,000 hopefuls chasing just 5,500 available trainee positions.

SAPS confirmed that it recorded 156,131 registrations in less than 24 hours after the 2026/27 nationwide online recruitment drive opened on 21 October 2026. The application window runs until 13 November 2026. Candidates who make it through will earn a monthly stipend of R5,000 during their training period.

Despite the enormous initial interest, the numbers told a more nuanced story. SAPS noted that only 78,473 of those registered had actually completed the profile verification process, meaning fewer than half of applicants finished the first step.

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The sheer volume of sign-ups for SAPS reflects how desperate the demand for stable employment is across South Africa. With unemployment remaining one of the country's most pressing challenges, any government post attracting a guaranteed income draws enormous crowds. The roughly 28-to-1 ratio of applicants to available spots made the odds feel, to many online, almost impossible. See a post by TimesLive that sparked debate among South Africans:

Mzansi reacts to the SAPS rush

The recruitment drive remains open until 13 November, and if the first 24 hours are anything to go by, the final tally of registrations is likely to climb well beyond what SAPS initially anticipated. South Africans flooded the comments with dark humour, scepticism and a fair amount of resignation:

Wilson Mojaki Mpeke said:

"All the 5500 will be from Limpopo, Venda and Tzaneen."

Thobani Mthiyane wrote:

"The Secretary General has already submitted his list."

Mzwandile Morei captured the mood perfectly:

"At this point it's like playing the lottery."

Jakes Molefe predicted:

"By November 13, it will hit 700,000."

Goitseone Eric Matubako added:

"I foresee reaching 3 million applicants 😭"

Webber B Simani was blunt:

"You need connection or pure luck to get the job."

Craig Shed took a lighter approach:

"Legends like me are so calm and collected, waiting to submit their applications on the 13th 11:50 am 🥱"

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Other Briefly News stories about SAPS

• A double University of Pretoria graduate (@nicole.smooth) went viral on TikTok after posting a comprehensive video highlighting her eight-month journey through the SAPS police academy.
• Port Elizabeth gym enthusiast Athule Cele posted a Facebook video showing an active SAPS officer accepting a heavy deadlift challenge in front of fellow officers.
• A newly qualified SAPS officer was welcomed home by family and friends with a celebration during which she performed an energetic, unofficial drill routine in uniform.

Source: Briefly News