The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a stark warning about a viral social media advertisement falsely claiming to offer positions in the SAPS Reservists Training Programme. Of particular concern is the fraudulent ad’s requirement for applicants to have a “Criminal Record.”
SAPS took to X, formerly Twitter, to alert citizens, stating, “BEWARE! There are currently numerous fake advertisements on different social media platforms and websites advertising positions in the SAPS.” The police service emphasized the SAPS is not currently recruiting, and official application forms are never sold.
The fraudulent recruitment ad appears to have originated on TikTok and is now spreading rapidly across X. Users are finding the “Must Have Criminal Record” requirement particularly inflammatory given the high crime rates and growing public mistrust in law enforcement. This misinformation campaign has the potential to cause further damage to the reputation of the SAPS.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, the SAPS urges the public to only consult the official SAPS website (https://www.saps.gov.za/careers/careers.php) for information regarding legitimate recruitment opportunities.
Remember: Never pay to apply for a position within the SAPS.
Tags: SAPS South African Police Service