Wrongfully convicted would-be lawyer can't get a job

Njabulo Ndlovu (36), who spent 14 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and graduated with an LLB degree during that time, is unable to find work because his record still shows he is an ex-convict with a criminal record. A Sunday Tribune report notes in 2005, Ndlovu was convicted of raping a pregnant woman, but last year a full Bench of the KZN High Court (Pietermaritzburg) acquitted him after it was found that the magistrate had made numerous ‘unfortunate interjections’ during the trial and that evidence such as DNA analysis, which absolved him of the crime, had not been taken into account. Says Ndlovu: ‘I recently went for a job interview, and passed, but the law firm where I had been called for the interview informed me that the criminal record has not been cleared and that they were not be able to proceed with my application. Luckily, I was honest and informed them about the case, but I did not know it had not been cleared.’ He has since submitted and application to clear his name, but fears the process will ‘probably take some time’. Criminal law expert Anand Nepaul said in cases of clearing one’s criminal record based on being acquitted, the state prosecutor was expected to update the investigating officer, who would then have to submit a report to the Criminal Record Centre of the SAPS. Ndlovu is also intending to sue the state for millions of rands in damages for his wrongful arrest and conviction. He has served the state with summons. The Department of Justice confirmed the claim.