Department of defence careers

Department of Defence Vacancies: Apply by 12 December 2025

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If you’d like to work in the public service and be part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) through the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) and other Defence units, this is your chance. The Department of Defence Vacancies listed below include entry-level opportunities such as Cleaner, Groundsman and Food Services Aid, as well as posts like Secretary and Handyman, across several provinces. If you meet the requirements, make sure you submit your application on or before 12 December 2025 at 16h00.

Department of Defence Vacancies – Key Details

Employer:Department of Defence – South African Military Health Service & Defence Headquarters
Closing Date:12 December 2025 at 16h00 (Late and faxed applications will not be considered)
Location:Various centres nationwide (Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, North West, Defence HQ – Pretoria)

Note: The Department of Defence aims to promote employment equity (race, gender and disability) in line with its Employment Equity Plan.

Secretary – 8 Medical Battalion Group, Pretoria

Post: Secretary
Reference: SG 04/44/25/24
Salary: R228 321 – R268 950 per annum (Level 05)
Centre: 8 Medical Battalion Group, Tek Base, Lyttelton, Pretoria

Requirements

  • Grade 12 (NQF Level 4) or equivalent.
  • Secretarial/administration experience (an added advantage).
  • Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Good telephone etiquette and sound organisational skills.
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills.
  • High level of reliability, tact and discretion.

Duties

  • Provide full secretarial support to the Director.
  • Manage the Director’s diary, appointments and events.
  • Receive and route telephone calls to relevant role players.
  • Operate office equipment (fax, photocopier, etc.).
  • Make travel arrangements and process subsistence and travel claims.
  • Arrange meetings and events (venues, invitations, refreshments, schedules).
  • Process invoices related to the Director’s activities.
  • Take and record basic minutes.
  • Maintain an effective filing system and handle leave and procurement of standard items (stationery, refreshments, etc.).
  • Manage incoming and outgoing correspondence and ensure compliance with DOD policies and prescripts.

How to Apply – Secretary

Post applications to:
Department of Defence, South African Military Health Services
8 Medical Battalion Group
Private Bag X1019, Lyttelton, Pretoria, 0140

Or hand-deliver to:
8 Medical Battalion Group, Tek Base, Lyttelton, Pretoria

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Maj M.M. Jager – Tel: (012) 671 6403

Handyman – Area Military Health Unit Gauteng

Post: Handyman
Reference: SG 04/44/25/25
Salary: R163 680 – R192 810 per annum (Level 03)
Centre: Area Military Health Unit (AMHU) Gauteng

Requirements

  • ABET Level 4 (or equivalent).
  • 0–6 months relevant experience.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal).
  • Basic knowledge of health and safety.
  • Knowledge of basic maintenance tools and equipment.
  • Good interpersonal skills and punctuality.

Duties

  • Conduct regular unit inspections.
  • Attend to minor electrical, plumbing and carpentry issues.
  • Maintain office equipment and furniture.
  • Repair broken furniture and equipment and report major defects.
  • Safekeep maintenance tools and supplies.
  • Load and unload articles and equipment; remove refuse and maintain neatness of unit areas.

How to Apply – Handyman

Post applications to:
Department of Defence, Area Military Health Unit Gauteng
Private Bag X02, Gezina, 0031

Or hand-deliver to:
185 Rose Street, Rietondale, Pretoria

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: WO2 H.P. Beer – Tel: (012) 314 3145

Cleaner Posts – Various Military Health Units and Hospitals

All Cleaner posts are Level 02: R138 486 – R163 131 per annum. Minimum requirement for all Cleaner posts:

  • Minimum ABET qualification.
  • No experience required.
  • Ability to stand long hours and work independently.
  • Organising, communication and basic writing skills.
  • Basic knowledge of health and safety and willingness to work shifts.

Core Duties (for all Cleaner posts):

  • Clean offices, corridors, elevators and boardrooms.
  • Dust and wax office furniture.
  • Sweep, scrub, wax, vacuum and shampoo floors.
  • Clean walls, windows, doors, dirt bins and remove waste.
  • Clean and maintain kitchens (basins, utensils) and restrooms.
  • Refill soap, toilet paper, hand towels and refreshers.
  • Safekeep and clean cleaning equipment; report broken equipment.
  • Request cleaning materials from stores as needed.

Cleaner – AMHU Gauteng (x5 Posts)

Reference: SG 04/44/25/26
Centre: Area Military Health Unit Gauteng

How to Apply:
Same as Handyman – AMHU Gauteng (see above).

Cleaner – AMHU KwaZulu-Natal

Reference: SG 04/44/25/27
Centre: Area Military Health Unit KwaZulu-Natal

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, Area Military Health Unit KwaZulu-Natal
Private Bag X05, Bluff, 4036

Or hand-deliver to:
1 Lighthouse Road, Bluff HQ Building

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Lt Col B.P. Mnyabu – Tel: (031) 451 1900

Cleaner – AMHU Limpopo

Reference: SG 04/44/25/28
Centre: Area Military Health Unit Limpopo – Polokwane

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, Area Military Health Unit Limpopo
Private Bag X9701, Polokwane, 0700

Or hand-deliver to:
Corner Rissik & Dorp Streets, Polokwane, 0700

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Maj L.W. Rambau – Tel: (015) 299 3110

Cleaners – Military Health Training Formation HQ, Pretoria (x6 Posts)

Reference: SG 04/44/25/29
Centre: Military Health Training Formation Headquarters, Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, South African Military Health Service
Human Resource Department, Military Health Training Formation
Private Bag X1022, Thaba Tshwane, 0143

Or hand-deliver to:
Military Health Training Formation, 09 Voortrekker Road, Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria

Or email: ChiefPersClerk.MHTF@dod1.stmil.za

Enquiries: Maj A.V. Teka / WO2 M.M. Motjopi – Tel: (012) 674 6125/6122

Cleaner – 7 Medical Battalion Group, Pretoria

Reference: SG 04/44/25/30
Centre: 7 Medical Battalion Group, Lyttelton, Pretoria

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, South African Military Health Services
7 Medical Battalion Group
Private Bag X1010, Lyttelton, Pretoria, 0140

Or hand-deliver to:
7 Medical Battalion Group, Corner North & Lionel Slade Street, Lyttelton, Pretoria

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: WO1 M.M. Van Den Berg – Tel: (012) 671 6845

Cleaners – 2 Military Hospital, Cape Town (x12 Posts)

Reference: SG 04/44/25/31
Centre: 2 Military Hospital, Wynberg, Cape Town

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
2 Military Hospital
Private Bag X4, Wynberg, 7824

Or hand-deliver to:
2 Military Hospital Road, Hospital Road, Wynberg Military Base, Cape Town

Or email: 2milhr@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Lt Col S. Helm – Tel: (021) 799 6258 / Maj L.M. Thebe – Tel: (021) 799 6107

Cleaners – 3 Military Hospital, Bloemfontein (x10 Posts)

Reference: SG 04/44/25/32
Centre: 3 Military Hospital, Tempe Military Base, Bloemfontein

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, 3 Military Hospital
Private Bag X40003, Brandhof, 9324

Or hand-deliver to:
3 Military Hospital, Furstenburg Road, Tempe Military Base, Bloemfontein

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Maj L. Tshita – Tel: (051) 402 2273

Cleaners – Department of Defence Headquarters Unit, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria (x8 Posts)

Reference: DOD HQ/29/44/25
Centre: Department of Defence HQ Unit, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, Headquarters Unit
Private Bag X161, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, 0001

Or hand-deliver to:
Armscor Building 370, Corner Nossob & Boeing, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria
(Block 2, Level -1, Office 2-1.213)

Or email: keith.Dunmore@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Maj I.E. Chake – (012) 355 5526 / Lt R.R. Smith – (012) 355 5258 / Mr M.S. Thakathayo – (012) 355 5384

Groundsman Posts – Various Units

All Groundsman posts are Level 02: R138 486 – R163 131 per annum with:

  • Minimum ABET qualification.
  • No experience required.
  • Ability to communicate in English, work in a team, and basic knowledge of gardening, plants, tools and health & safety.

Core Duties:

  • Clean premises and surroundings; empty dirty bins.
  • Prune and trim flowers and trees; mow grass.
  • Remove weeds and garden refuse; apply insecticides.
  • Cultivate soil for trees and flowers.
  • Maintain gardening tools and equipment; report defects and repair minor faults.

Groundsman – AMHU Eastern Cape

Reference: SG 04/44/25/33
Centre: Area Military Health Unit Eastern Cape (Gqeberha)

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, Area Military Health Unit Eastern Cape
Private Bag 6000, Port Elizabeth

Or hand-deliver to:
Army Support Base Eastern Cape, Military Base Gqeberha, Willow Drive, Forest Hill

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Maj D.P. Monyeki – Tel: (041) 505 1060/1062

Groundsman – AMHU Limpopo (x3 Posts)

Reference: SG 04/44/25/34
Centre: Area Military Health Unit Limpopo – Polokwane

How to Apply:
Same address/email as AMHU Limpopo Cleaner (see above).

Groundsman – AMHU North West

Reference: SG 04/44/25/35
Centre: Area Military Health Unit North West – Potchefstroom

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
Department of Defence, Area Military Health Unit North West
Human Resource Office
Private Bag X2011, Noordbrug, Potchefstroom, 2351

Or hand-deliver to:
Gen Koos de la Rey Road, Potchefstroom, 2351

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: Maj S.I. Legoete – Tel: (018) 289 1140

Groundsman – Military Veterinary Institute, Potchefstroom (x2 Posts)

Reference: SG 04/44/25/36
Centre: Military Veterinary Institute, Potchefstroom

How to Apply:
Post applications to:
South African Military Health Service, Military Veterinary Institute
Private Bag X11, Noordbrug, 2522

Or hand-deliver to:
2531 Tigermoth Street, Military Base Veterinary Institute, Potchefstroom

Or email: Monare.Lehong@dod.mil.za

Enquiries: S/Sgt L.G. Kola – 081 289 3098

Groundsman – 8 Medical Battalion Group, Pretoria

Reference: SG 04/44/25/37
Centre: 8 Medical Battalion Group, Tek Base, Lyttelton, Pretoria

How to Apply:
Same as Secretary at 8 Medical Battalion Group (see above).

Groundsman – 2 Military Hospital, Cape Town

Reference: SG 04/44/25/38
Centre: 2 Military Hospital, Wynberg, Cape Town

How to Apply:
Same as Cleaners at 2 Military Hospital (see above).

Food Services Aid Posts – Pretoria & Bloemfontein

All Food Services Aid posts are Level 02: R138 486 – R163 131 per annum, with:

  • Minimum ABET qualification.
  • No experience required.
  • Ability to communicate in English.
  • Basic knowledge of health and safety, food preparation and kitchen equipment.
  • Willingness to work shifts, good interpersonal relations and punctuality.

Core Duties:

  • Operate kitchen appliances.
  • Prepare meals and snacks as per ration scales and daily menu.
  • Dish up meals and assist with food prep during field exercises.
  • Clean trays, lay out bed tables, fetch and distribute food using warming trolleys.
  • Check special diets and portions before leaving kitchen.
  • Serve tea/coffee, collect dishes and return trolleys to kitchen.
  • Wash water bottles, supply fresh water, mop floors and clean cupboards/walls as scheduled.

Food Services Aid (x6 Posts) – Military Health Training Formation HQ, Pretoria

Reference: SG 04/44/25/39
Centre: Military Health Training Formation HQ, Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria

How to Apply:
Same as Cleaners at Military Health Training Formation HQ (see above).

Food Services Aid – 3 Military Hospital, Bloemfontein

Reference: SG 04/44/25/40
Centre: 3 Military Hospital, Tempe Military Base, Bloemfontein

How to Apply:
Same as Cleaners at 3 Military Hospital (see above).

General Application Instructions

  • Use the correct reference number for each post.
  • Applications must be submitted to the correct centre (postal address, hand-delivery or specified email).
  • Include the standard Z83 / application form (where applicable), detailed CV, and certified copies of your ID and qualifications (not older than 6 months).
  • Late applications and faxed copies will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will receive feedback.
  • All posts are subject to personnel suitability checks (criminal record, citizenship, credit, qualification and employment verification) and, where applicable, skills/knowledge tests.

For the full advert, you can also refer to DPSA Circular 44 of 2025 – Department of Defence Vacancies on the DPSA website.