Apply for Government Vacancies | SAPS Mounted Assistant
| Job Title | Apply for Government Vacancies | SAPS Mounted Assistant |
| Company | DPSA |
| Job Reference | VP E29/2026 |
| Category | Government |
| Location | Johannesburg, ZA |
| Employment Type | Full Time |
| Date Posted | 2026-06-28T18:02 |
| Closing Date | 2026-07-10T20:02 |
| Status | Open for Applications |
| Salary | ZAR 268147 - 338106 per year |
SAPS Mounted Assistant - Job Description
Introduction
Not every government job involves a desk, a printer, and a stack of files — and this SAPS vacancy is proof of that. The South African Police Service has advertised a Mounted Assistant post within its Visible Policing Division, based in Potchefstroom, North West. Falling under Veterinary Services and offering a Salary Level 5 package of R237,453 per annum, this role is built around the daily care of the horses that serve in SAPS's Mounted Unit. If you have a genuine affinity for animals and don't mind early starts, stable work, and outdoor duties, this listing from PSV Circular 22 of 2026 deserves your attention before applications close.
About the Company
The SAPS Mounted Unit plays a specialized role in crowd management, rural patrols, and ceremonial duties, and behind every operational horse is a dedicated team responsible for its health and wellbeing. This Mounted Assistant post sits within the Veterinary Services component of the Visible Policing Division and is based in Potchefstroom, home to one of the police service's training and breeding facilities.
The role is hands-on and practical rather than administrative — successful candidates will work closely with mares and foals, supporting both their day-to-day health management and their preparation for future operational duty. It's a niche position within SAPS that combines elements of animal husbandry, basic veterinary support, and early-stage horse training.
Responsibilities
Based on the official advertisement, the Mounted Assistant will be responsible for:
• Ensuring the basic primary health care of mares and foals at the facility
• Conducting pre-training and socialization activities for foals to prepare them for later operational training
• Supporting the breeding programmed for SAPS Mounted Unit horses
While this list is shorter than many of the administrative posts in the same circular, don't mistake brevity for a lack of responsibility — the wellbeing of working police horses depends directly on the consistency and care applied in these day-to-day duties.
Required Qualifications
To apply for this post, candidates must meet the following criteria:
• A Grade 12 / Senior Certificate / NCV Level 4 or an equivalent qualification recognized at NQF Level 4 by SAQA
• Proficiency in English and at least one other official language
• South African citizenship, with documentary proof to be furnished on the day of the interview
• Relevant courses in the field of the post are listed as an added advantage, though not compulsory
In terms of knowledge, skills, and competencies, SAPS is looking for general computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, Office, PowerPoint, and Outlook), the ability to act independently, professionally, accountably, and with credibility, and good verbal and written communication skills. Sound planning, organizing, administrative, and problem-solving abilities are also listed, along with strong interpersonal skills, a customer-focused attitude, and a genuine willingness to work under pressure and put in extended hours — which, for a role involving live animals, can mean irregular hours depending on the needs of the herd.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted on the Z83 form (2021 version), available at www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp, together with a comprehensive CV. Use a separate Z83 form for this post and make sure the reference number VP E29/2026 is correctly captured.
Direct your application to:
• Physical Address: Midcity Building, 540 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, 0007
• Postal Address: PO Box 12, Pretoria, 0001
• Email: MakgetaM@saps.gov.za and NukeriSP@saps.gov.za
For enquiries, contact Colonel MC Makgeta or Lieutenant Colonel SP Nukeri on 082 334 0796 / 071 402 7977.
Closing date: 10 July 2026 at 16:00. Late applications and those sent to an incorrect physical address will not be considered. Short-listed candidates must bring original certified copies of their ID and Senior Certificate to the interview and may be subject to a vetting process.
TIPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR APPLICATION
Because this is a specialized animal-care post within a uniformed organization, your application should bridge two worlds: practical animal-handling experience and the discipline expected of a government employee. If you've worked on a farm, at a stud, in an equestrian centre, at a veterinary practice, or even volunteered with animal welfare organizations, describe this experience in concrete detail rather than assuming it's "not relevant" simply because it wasn't in a government setting — hands-on experience with horses, especially mares and foals, is directly transferable and highly valued for this post.
Mention any first-aid, animal husbandry, or veterinary assistant training you've completed, even informal or short courses, since these will serve as an advantage exactly as stated in the requirements. If you don't have direct equine experience but have worked with other livestock or large animals, it's still worth applying and explaining the overlap in skills, such as understanding animal behaviour, handling routines, and basic care protocols. Be honest about your physical readiness for outdoor, hands-on work, since this role is clearly not office-based. Finally, ensure your application clearly references VP E29/2026 and is sent to the correct contact details listed for the Visible Policing Division rather than a generic SAPS recruitment address, since misdirected applications for niche posts like this one are easy to overlook among hundreds of more generic clerical applications in the same circular.
TIPS ON STRUCTURING A GOOD CV AND PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
For a hands-on, animal-care post like this one, your CV should foreground practical experience just as much as formal qualifications. Start with a short summary highlighting your background — for example, "Grade 12 qualified candidate with [X] years' hands-on experience caring for horses, including foaling, basic health monitoring, and handling, seeking to bring this experience to the SAPS Mounted Unit." List your education briefly, then move quickly into a "Relevant Experience" section that doesn't necessarily need to follow a strict corporate job-title format — describe seasonal work, volunteer placements, family farm involvement, or equestrian centre roles just as clearly as you would a formal job, including dates and the nature of your responsibilities. Use specific, sensory detail where appropriate: mention how many horses you've cared for, what daily routines you followed, and any health issues or foaling situations you've managed, since this kind of detail demonstrates real competence far better than generic phrases like "good with animals." If you hold a driver's licence or have experience with farm equipment, vehicles, or transporting livestock, include this too, as rural and equine-support roles often value this kind of practical versatility.
When it comes to interview preparation, expect the panel to test both your animal-handling knowledge and your understanding of working within a disciplined, uniformed government structure. Be ready to describe, step by step, how you would approach the basic health check of a foal, or what signs would prompt you to escalate a concern to a veterinarian rather than handling it yourself — this shows judgement, not just enthusiasm.
You may also be asked about your physical fitness and your availability for early mornings, weekends, or extended hours, since animal care doesn't follow a strict nine-to-five schedule. Bring certified copies of your ID and Grade 12 certificate, along with any course certificates relevant to animal care, even if informal. Dress neatly but practically; while you don't need to dress as you would for an office interview, scruffy or inappropriate attire can still create a poor first impression. Finally, prepare a few thoughtful questions about the Mounted Unit's current breeding programmed or training schedule — showing genuine curiosity about the horses themselves, rather than only the salary and benefits, tends to leave a strong, memorable impression on interview panels filling specialized posts like this one.