A criminal-record expungement programme will take place on Thursday, 29 June at Windermere High School in Kensington.
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The purpose of the programme is to assist previously convicted criminals in getting employment, says Cheslyn Steenberg, Ward 56 councillor. ‘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.’
The programme is open to residents in Kensington, Factreton and Maitland.
Steenberg told People’s Post that he believes people should be given a second chance in life. ‘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 meet the set criteria.
‘I am calling on residents to attend,’ says Steenberg. ‘This will not be a once-off, but a continuous journey. No one needs to be ashamed of their past.’
The programme will start at 19:00 with a presentation. Those interested will be subject to providing their fingerprints to the police, after which they will receive their record and an application form.
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As per the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the eligibility criteria for a criminal record to be expunged include:
- When a period of 10 years has passed after the date of conviction;
- If a person has not been convicted and sentenced to a period of imprisonment without the option of a fine during those 10 years;
- Whether the sentence was a corporal punishment;
- Whether the sentence was postponed or the accused was cautioned and discharged;
- The sentence was a fine of less than R20 000;
- The sentence included imprisonment with an option to pay a fine instead (no more than R20 000);
- 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 a periodical imprisonment in regards to section 276(1)(c) of the Act; or
- If proof that one’s name was removed from the national sex offender register or the national child protection register.
You do not qualify if:
- A period of 10 years has not lapsed after the date of conviction;
- The sentence was direct imprisonment;
- If a fine of more than R20 000 was imposed;
- If a sentence included direct imprisonment without the option of a fine;
- If his or her name is logged in the national sex offender register or the national child protection register or has not been removed from these registers.
The process takes three months to complete once the application is received.
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