The South African Police Service (SAPS) has strengthened its frontline policing capacity with the deployment of nearly 3,560 newly trained constables across the country ahead of the busy festive season. The large-scale passing out parades were held at SAPS academies nationwide today, marking the official entry of the new recruits into active service.
#sapsWC [WATCH] BISHOP LAVIS PASSING OUT PARADE : If commitment had a soundtrack, it would be the synchronized footsteps from today’s march-pass. Sharp. Confident. United. These new Constables didn’t just walk the line, they set the standard.
RELATED VIDEO | SAPS gears up for 2025 festive season
Acting Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia together with Deputy Police Ministers Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale, led the ceremonies.
“The constables will be deployed to various police stations across the country, to capacitate grassroots-level of policing and bolster crime-fighting efforts lead-up to the busy festive season,” says SAPS Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi.
#sapsWC [BISHOP LAVIS PASSING OUT PARADE] All 315 graduates earned the Occupational Certificate: Non-Commissioned Police Official (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, NQF Level 6). Their training prepared them to face the challenges of modern policing, to uphold the law,… pic.twitter.com/plViEIo8hX
Support independent journalism that matters — become a Vox Member today. Fires in and around Los Angeles continue to rage as gusting Santa Ana winds drive the flames through brush and into neighborhoods. Two major blazes, the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire, have combined burned almost 40,000 acres since last week. Another fire, the Auto […]
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-participant-in-the-2013-edition-of-the-montreal-saint-patrick-s-day-parade.jpg?id=33114449&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C204%2C0%2C204"/><br/><br/><p>Pull out the green pints and fiddles! Montreal is gearing up to celebrate a monumental milestone — the 200th edition of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.</p><p><span style=""></span><span style="">Taking place this Sunday, March 16, 2025, the annual St. Paddy's Day procession is one of the city's most cherished traditions. Given the special milestone, this year's parade promises to be a spectacular event filled with vibrant festivities, rich history, and a deep sense of community.</span> </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4oo2uUrpXR/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4oo2uUrpXR/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Here's your comprehensive guide to joining the festivities and getting into the Irish spirit.<a href="https://www.concordia.ca/news/stories/2025/03/14/montreal-st-patrick-s-day-parade-queen-and-court-are-100-concordian.html" target="_blank"><span></span></a></p><h3>Parade Details</h3><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DG55Uq0JoOb/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DG55Uq0JoOb/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <ul> <li><strong>Date & time:</strong> Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.</li> <li><strong>Starting Point:</strong> Corner of Fort Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard</li> <li><strong>Route:</strong> The procession will travel east along De Maisonneuve Boulevard, concluding at Jeanne-Mance Street </li> </ul> <h3>What to expect</h3><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3nXVWgNlqJ/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3nXVWgNlqJ/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>This year's parade will feature:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Hundreds of Floats & Performers:</strong> Experience a three-hour spectacle with numerous floats, marching bands, and performers celebrating Montreal's Irish heritage.<a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/festivals-and-events/st-patrick-s-parade" target="_blank"></a></li> <li><strong>Royal Court:</strong> Meet the newly crowned Queen Amanda Keating and her court, all of whom are current or former <a href="https://www.concordia.ca/news/stories/2025/03/14/montreal-st-patrick-s-day-parade-queen-and-court-are-100-concordian.html" target="_blank">Concordia University students</a>.</li> <li><strong>Grand Marshal:</strong> <a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/fyi/those-irish-eyes-are-already-smiling-ahead-of-st-patricks-day/article_55f2258e-dc18-11ef-90cf-4fc943a78e4e.html" target="_blank">Daniel Doyle Sr</a>., a lifelong Montrealer with deep roots in the Irish community, will lead the parade.</li> </ul> <h3>Getting there</h3><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_jep6s4Ca/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_jep6s4Ca/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <ul> <li><strong>Public transit:</strong> <span style="">Given the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-traffic-closures-march" target="_blank">road closures</a> and limited parking, it's advisable to use public transportation. The nearest metro stations to the parade route are Atwater, Guy-Concordia, and Peel on the Green Line</span> <a href="https://www.timeout.com/montreal/things-to-do/st-patricks-day-parade-montreal" target="_blank"></a></li> <li><strong>Road closures:</strong> <span style="">Be aware of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-traffic-closures-march" target="_blank">street closures along the parade route</a> from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Streets affected include sections of Clark, Jeanne-Mance, Saint-Alexandre, City-Councillors, Towers, de Maisonneuve, Saint-Urbain, and Sainte-Catherine</span> </li> </ul> <h3>Tips for attendees</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Arrive early:</strong> To secure a good viewing spot, plan to arrive by 11:00 a.m.</li> <li><strong>Dress appropriately:</strong> <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-weather-spring-forecast" target="_blank">March weather in Montreal</a> can be unpredictable. Dress in layers and wear comfortable footwear.</li> <li><strong>Embrace the spirit:</strong> Don't forget to wear green and join in the festive atmosphere!</li></ul><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
<p><br/></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
(@SAPoliceService) November 21, 2025
