Residents in Kensington, Factreton and Maitland who meet the criminal-record expungement criteria have an opportunity to have their record removed.
Expungement of a criminal record is a procedure resulting in the lawful removal of a criminal record of a convicted offender from the criminal record database of the national criminal register of the South African Police Service (Saps).
This allows someone to carry on with their life without a criminal record being an obstruction to employment and other opportunities.
Cheslyn Steenberg, Ward 56 councillor, says the expungement programme will take place at Windermere High School on Thursday 29 June.
He said the aim is to make people employable by dealing with their criminal history.
“People are unemployed, and they remain unemployed because of stumbling blocks such as a criminal record. Some other reason could also be because they do not have a matric certificate or a degree behind their name.”
He says he “believes in second chances.”
“Where I come from second chances change lives. I invite any and all residents who have a criminal record; I will help you with the expungement application to have your record cleared subject to meeting the set criteria.”
Steenberg said the session will kick off at 19:00.
“I will come with the application form. There will be a presentation and we will take them through the steps. They need to submit their finger prints to the police, the police will give them their record and then your record is attached to the application form.”
- According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s website, one can apply to have criminal record expunged when: a period of 10 years has passed after the date of the conviction for that offence.) one has not been convicted and sentenced to a period of imprisonment without the option of a fine during those 10 years.) the sentence was corporal punishment.) the sentence was postponed or you were cautioned and discharged.) the sentence was a fine not exceeding R20 000.) the sentence was imprisonment with the option to pay a fine (not more than R20 000) instead of serving the period of imprisonment.) the sentence of imprisonment was suspended wholly.) the sentence was correctional supervision in terms of section 276(1)(h) of the Act.) the sentence was imprisonment in terms of section 276(1)(i) of the Act.) the sentence was periodical imprisonment in terms of section 276(1)(c) of the Act.) proof is provided that one’s name has been removed from the National Register of Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register, if relevant.
- You do not qualify: When a period of 10 years has not lapsed after the date of the conviction.) When a person was sentenced to direct imprisonment.) When a fine of more than R20 000 was imposed.) When a person was sentenced to direct imprisonment (the imprisonment was not suspended and there was not the option of a fine) during the relevant 10 year period.) His or her name is included in the National Register of Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register and his or her name has not been removed from the National Register of Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register.
The process takes three months to complete once the complete application is received.
“I am calling on residents to attend,” Steenberg said. “This will not be a once-off, but a continuous journey. No-one needs to be ashamed of their past.”
