Prescribe Debt

Will Absa please update my profile with the bank. In August 2014 I app**** for a car worth R146,000.00 and was approved and signed the contract for the car. A week later that car's gearbox became faulty and returned it to the dealership for repairs. After one month and having a debit order go off for the car, the dealership cancelled the deal as it was uneconomically to repair. A month later I app**** for a credit card with Absa and was approved for R10,000. I took the credit card. Three weeks ago from today (23 June 2015) a consultant from the bank called me to ask if I want a credit increase. I proceed and was giving an extra R5500. NOW, never during this time was it mention to me of an credit card on my name that is with legal department. So I app**** for a car loan and was declined. Due to a credit card I have not been made aware of in more than four years!!! As far as I am aware debts, such as clothing accounts, cellphones and credit card debt, prescribe after three years - if there has been no payment or acknowledgement of it and no summons in respect of it - and the consumer is then not obliged to pay the debt. Absa has my contact info and haven't asked about the credit card