Gauteng woman's life on hold due to criminal record error
Nomthandazo Cele, a resident of Ivory Park in Tembisa, finds her life in limbo due to a glaring error in the government database that incorrectly lists her as having a criminal record. "I did not commit any crime," Cele asserts, emphasizing the distress this situation has caused her.
The issue came to light when Cele attempted to renew her Professional Driving Permit (PDP) and was informed that she could not proceed due to a pending criminal case against her. "They told me that they couldn't assist me and advised me to go and inquire in court," she explained. After obtaining a note from the court confirming her status, she was finally able to continue with the renewal process.
Cele expressed her frustration, stating, "I am unable to do many things that normal people do because of this problem." Her troubles began back in 2020 when she was wrongfully arrested during a police raid on her boyfriend's rented room in Enkangala, near Bronkhorstspruit. During the raid, an unlicensed gun was discovered, but Cele insists she was unaware of its presence. "I was not even inside the room when the raid was conducted. I was waiting for a taxi outside," she recalled.
Despite the owner of the gun surrendering to the police, Cele remained incarcerated at Kgosi Mampuru Prison for three months before the charges against her were eventually withdrawn. At the time, she was the sole breadwinner for her family, caring for her siblings and her six-month-old son. "I didn't even know there was a gun in the room," she reiterated, highlighting the injustice of her situation.
After her release, Cele learned that the case had been withdrawn without going to trial. "I was released after one of the detectives spoke to the magistrate, and I was given R5,000 bail," she said, adding that she is currently seeking legal advice to rectify her status.
A department of justice official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Cele is incorrectly recorded as having a pending criminal case. "The error was committed by the SAPS who failed to submit documents to relevant offices so that the case could be cancelled," he noted. He advised Cele to return to the police station where her arrest occurred to resolve the issue.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili directed inquiries to Colonel Noxolo Kweza, who has yet to respond. As Cele navigates this bureaucratic maze, her life remains on hold, awaiting resolution.
The issue came to light when Cele attempted to renew her Professional Driving Permit (PDP) and was informed that she could not proceed due to a pending criminal case against her. "They told me that they couldn't assist me and advised me to go and inquire in court," she explained. After obtaining a note from the court confirming her status, she was finally able to continue with the renewal process.
Cele expressed her frustration, stating, "I am unable to do many things that normal people do because of this problem." Her troubles began back in 2020 when she was wrongfully arrested during a police raid on her boyfriend's rented room in Enkangala, near Bronkhorstspruit. During the raid, an unlicensed gun was discovered, but Cele insists she was unaware of its presence. "I was not even inside the room when the raid was conducted. I was waiting for a taxi outside," she recalled.
Despite the owner of the gun surrendering to the police, Cele remained incarcerated at Kgosi Mampuru Prison for three months before the charges against her were eventually withdrawn. At the time, she was the sole breadwinner for her family, caring for her siblings and her six-month-old son. "I didn't even know there was a gun in the room," she reiterated, highlighting the injustice of her situation.
After her release, Cele learned that the case had been withdrawn without going to trial. "I was released after one of the detectives spoke to the magistrate, and I was given R5,000 bail," she said, adding that she is currently seeking legal advice to rectify her status.
A department of justice official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Cele is incorrectly recorded as having a pending criminal case. "The error was committed by the SAPS who failed to submit documents to relevant offices so that the case could be cancelled," he noted. He advised Cele to return to the police station where her arrest occurred to resolve the issue.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili directed inquiries to Colonel Noxolo Kweza, who has yet to respond. As Cele navigates this bureaucratic maze, her life remains on hold, awaiting resolution.
