32 000 apply for 90 traffic officer posts

There were expected to be 32,000 people applying for 90 vacant provincial traffic officer posts.

According to The Mercury 15 000 people arrived at Pietermaritzburg's Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday to complete the fitness test - which entailed running four kilometres in 30 minutes.

Another 17 000 people were expected at the stadium on Friday.

According to the report several failed to make the grade, with many having to be treated for dehydration and exhaustion.

One applicant who failed to complete the test complained of a lack of water along the 4km route.

"Bearing in mind it's Christmas, when everybody eats a lot, we had no time to prepare for the fitness test. I thought I would just have to do some exercises today," Nomathemba Cele was quoted as saying.

Those who passed the fitness test will go on to the next step of the selection process.