South African Police
In short
The South African Police (SAP) was the national law enforcement agency in South Africa between 1913 and 1994. It was replaced by the South African Police Service (SAPS) following the transition to majority rule.
In plain words
This was the old police force used during the era of apartheid. It operated in South Africa and also controlled policing in Namibia for several decades. It no longer exists in its original form.
A simple example
A police officer working in Johannesburg in 1980 would have been a member of the SAP rather than the modern SAPS.
Why it matters
Understanding the SAP is essential for studying South Africa's political history and the transition to democracy. It represents the legal and enforcement structures of the pre-1994 government.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse the SAP with the current SAPS, which is the modern democratic police service.