A disgraced senior cop appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate Court outside Durban in KwaZulu Natal on charges of removing an inmate from a correctional service centre. Nokulunga Gumede (59) is facing charges of obstructing the course of justice and unauthorised removal of an inmate from police holding cells.

Gumede was employed by the SAPS as a branch commander holding a rank of captain at the KwaMakhutha police station when the incident took place. KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said that Gumede was arrested after it was discovered that she booked out an inmate, who is her biological son. "It is alleged that on 17 April 2020, the former police captain went to Westville Prison and booked out her biological son without being in possession of proper documents from court. This was allegedly done without the knowledge of the investigating officer. Her son was detained for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm," Mhlongo.

Mhlongo said that Gumede took her son to court and the matter was not placed on roll due to Covid-19 restrictions. "She then took him home and a case of obstructing the course of justice and unauthorised removal of inmate from correctional service centre was reported. The case docket was allocated to the Hawks and a summons was issued," said Mhlongo.

Mhlongo said that on 5 February 2024, Gumede was summoned to appear in court and she was released on warning. The case was postponed to 27 March. 

Gumede has since resigned from SAPS.

In a separate incident, a police constable briefly appeared in the Verulam Magistrate Court yesterday following his arrest by Hawks members on Sunday.  Constable Sherwin Chetty (28) was arrested for dealing in drugs and unlawful possession of ammunition. Chetty was arrested during a road block after information was received that he was transporting drugs. He was remanded in custody and the case was postponed to 20 March 2024 for a formal bail application.