The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) invites qualifying South African LLB graduates and final-year LLB students to apply for the Aspirant Prosecutor Training Programme 2027.
Internship Application Closing Date: 01 March 2027
Internship Location: Various NPA offices across South Africa
NPA Aspirant Prosecutor Training Programme 2027
The National Prosecuting Authority is offering a 12-month Aspirant Prosecutor Training Programme for qualifying candidates who want to build practical prosecutorial skills.
Successful candidates will undergo continuous assessment throughout the programme to determine whether they are competent for appointment as Prosecutors.
The programme is anticipated to start on:
1 March 2027
Programme Overview
Organisation: National Prosecuting Authority
Programme: Aspirant Prosecutor Training Programme 2027
Duration: 12 months
Qualification: LLB Degree
Target group: Unemployed qualifying applicants with no legal experience
Programme start date: 1 March 2027
Closing date: 1 March 2027
Location: Various centres across South Africa
Application method: Email
Available Locations and Reference Numbers
| Location | Reference Number |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg | APTJHB27 |
| Randburg | APTRAN27 |
| Protea | APTPRO27 |
| Benoni – Vaal Rand Cluster | APTBEN27 |
| Evander – Witbank Cluster | APTEVA27 |
| Madadeni – Ladysmith Cluster | APTMAD27 |
| Welkom | APTWEL27 |
| Bloemfontein | APTBFN27 |
| Kimberley | APTKIM27 |
| Bellville | APTBELL27 |
| George | APTGEO27 |
| Klerksdorp | APTKLE27 |
| Mahwelereng – Modimolle Cluster | APTMOD27 |
| Polokwane | APTPLK27 |
| Makhado – Thohoyandou Cluster | APTMAK27 |
| Port Elizabeth | APTPLZ27 |
| Mthatha | APTMTH27 |
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have completed an LLB Degree; or
- Be in their final year of LLB studies, provided the degree will be completed before the programme starts.
- Be South African.
- Be currently unemployed.
- Have no legal experience.
- Not have participated in any form of Practical Vocational Training for legal practitioners.
- Demonstrate the ability to act independently, professionally, accountably and with credibility.
Permanent employees of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the NPA who meet the stated requirements may also apply.
Final-Year LLB Students
Final-year LLB students may apply provided that they will complete their LLB qualification before:
1 March 2027
Successful candidates must be available to commence the programme on the official start date.
Programme Duration
Successful applicants will undergo:
12 months of training
A written contract will be entered into between the National Prosecuting Authority and the Aspirant Prosecutor setting out the conditions of service.
Continuous Assessment
Participants will undergo continuous assessment throughout the programme.
These assessments will be used to determine whether candidates have achieved the required level of competence to be appointed as Prosecutors.
Entry Examination
Applicants should note that an entry examination forms part of the selection process.
Only candidates who successfully complete the examination according to the required criteria will proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
An updated entry examination study guide is available on the NPA website.
Conduct and Professional Standards
During the programme, Aspirant Prosecutors will be required to comply with:
- The NPA Code of Conduct.
- Policy Directives issued by the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Professional and ethical standards applicable to prosecutorial work.
Placement After Training
Successful completion of the programme does not guarantee placement at the same centre, cluster or division where the candidate completed training.
The NPA may place successful candidates at any office in South Africa.
Where a permanent placement offer is made against an available vacancy and the candidate declines the offer, the NPA states that this will be regarded as termination of the contract employment.
Required Application Documents
Applications must be submitted with:
- A completed Z83 application form.
- A recently updated CV.
Applicants must clearly indicate:
- Reference number.
- Position.
- Area or centre applied for.
Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of:
- ID document.
- Qualifications.
- Recent academic transcripts or academic records.
How to Apply for NPA Aspirant Prosecutor Training Programme 2027
Applications must be emailed to the relevant address for the centre being applied for.
Applicants should use the correct reference number and email address.
Johannesburg – Ref APTJHB27
Email: APTJHB27@npa.gov.za
Randburg – Ref APTRAN27
Email: APTRAN27@npa.gov.za
Protea – Ref APTPRO27
Email: APTPRO27@npa.gov.za
Benoni – Vaal Rand Cluster – Ref APTBEN27
Email: APTBEN27@npa.gov.za
Evander – Witbank Cluster – Ref APTEVA27
Email: APTEVA27@npa.gov.za
Madadeni – Ladysmith Cluster – Ref APTMAD27
Email: APTMAD27@npa.gov.za
Welkom – Ref APTWEL27
Email: APTWEL27@npa.gov.za
Bloemfontein – Ref APTBFN27
Email: APTBFN27@npa.gov.za
Kimberley – Ref APTKIM27
Email: APTKIM27@npa.gov.za
Bellville – Ref APTBELL27
Email: APTBELL27@npa.gov.za
George – Ref APTGEO27
Email: APTGEO27@npa.gov.za
Klerksdorp – Ref APTKLE27
Email: APTKLE27@npa.gov.za
Mahwelereng – Modimolle Cluster – Ref APTMOD27
Email: APTMOD27@npa.gov.za
Polokwane – Ref APTPLK27
Email: APTPLK27@npa.gov.za
Makhado – Thohoyandou Cluster – Ref APTMAK27
Email: APTMAK27@npa.gov.za
Port Elizabeth – Ref APTPLZ27
Email: APTPLZ27@npa.gov.za
Mthatha – Ref APTMTH27
Email: APTMTH27@npa.gov.za
Important Application Notes
Applicants should note that:
- The programme is expected to start on 1 March 2027.
- Successful candidates must be available to start on the official commencement date.
- Requests to start later will not be accepted.
- An entry examination forms part of the selection process.
- Successful completion of training does not guarantee placement at the training centre.
- Placement may be at any NPA office in South Africa.
- Applicants should use the correct reference number and email address.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, ID and academic records.
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.
Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
1 March 2027