Born and raised in Upington, Captain Merrolyn Lindi Nompondwana is giving back to her community in her role as a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
She is currently serving as the sub-section commander of Crime Scene Management at the Upington Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).
In this role, she oversees and optimises crime scene attendance, ensuring the effective collection and preservation of forensic evidence through fingerprint identification and other forensic techniques.
Nompondwana began her career in the SAPS in 2014 as a forensic analyst in the Crime Scene Laboratory. She later transitioned to Crime Scene Investigation, where she gained extensive operational experience before being promoted to her current position in 2023.
Passion for continuous learning
Nompondwana attended the Vela-Langa Primary School before relocating to Bloemfontein, where she completed her secondary education at the Louis Botha THS.
She furthered her academic journey at the University of the Free State (UFS), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, a Bachelor of Science Honours degree, and a Bachelor of Business Administration Honours degree. She also holds a national diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management.
In recognition of her expertise, Nompondwana was awarded criminalistic expert status by an adjudication panel in 2022.
This confirms her competence to independently present expert testimony in court on fingerprint identification and related forensic evidence.
Driven by a passion for continuous learning and professional excellence, she remains committed to enhancing her knowledge and leadership capabilities.
In 2025, she successfully completed the Discipline Management Process Learning Programme, where she was elected class leader by her peers and received the Best Student Award in recognition of her outstanding academic performance, leadership, and commitment throughout the programme.
Nompondwana is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and service excellence. She continues to make a meaningful contribution to the administration of justice and the fight against crime in South Africa.
– SAPS
