Graduate from eMbalenhle cannot find a job due to a criminal record

eMBALENHLE – Mr Thulani Makhuza feels he is trapped in life and is paying for a crime he said he did not commit.

This 27-year-old man apparently lost several job opportunities that he qualified for due to a criminal record.

He grew up in an underprivileged family and was raised by a single mother who was working as a domestic worker in the area.

Mr Makhuza said due to the situation at home he was forced to get a job when he was 15 years old and his mother’s employer adopted him.

He became a child in the family and assisted in their shop and in other house chores.

Mr Makhuza said he was returning home from church when he was in matric in 2011 when he saw police at the shop.

He went to the main house to find out what was happening. His foster father told him to close the shop.

“I went to the shop to do as I was instructed.

“Police officers wanted to know where my foster father, the shop owner, was. I told them he was in the main house and that he had instructed me to give them alcohol and to close the shop.

“We looked for him, but he was nowhere to be found. We called him but his cell phone was on the counter.

“The officers then arrested me.”

Mr Makhuza alleged officers said they were taking him to the station as bait so his foster father would hand himself over to the police.

When they arrived at the station however, the officers said Mr Makhuza would be charged with selling alcohol without a license.

“They took my fingerprints and when I asked why they do it, they told me that I should not worry because what they were doing was part of the process that they had to follow.

“They then put me in a holding cell.

“I had to appear in the Evander Magistrate’s Court and I was found guilty of selling alcohol without a licence.

“I had to pay a fine of R1 500 that was paid by my foster father.

“I was only a kid and was concerned only with completing my matric.

“The shop owner told me not to worry because I did not have a criminal record. I believed, trusted and respected him.”

Mr Makhuza passed his matric and applied for jobs in order to study further.

He was invited for an interview and got a job, but was denied access to the premises on the first day because the company discovered that he has a criminal record.

Mr Makhuza said he did some research and realise it will take time to clear his name.

He said the shop owner said he applied for presidential pardon. He studied logistics at Tshwane University of Technology in 2013 and obtained a diploma in 2016. He also got a degree in logistics in 2017.

Despite this, his criminal record is closing the doors to employment.

Mr Makhuza said he has been trying to get help from several law enforcement and justice institutions, but without luck.

“Nobody is willing to help me and I do not know what to do.

“At times I even think of taking my own life because of this situation.

“I was just a kid trying to make a living and somebody took advantage of me.

“I feel like I was framed and betrayed by the police and the shop owner.

“I ask people with knowledge in these matters to help me.”

Ms Naledi Ngcina, his foster mother and the ex-wife of the shop owner, confirmed the information and said it is unfortunate that Mr Makhuza is being punished for a crime that he had never committed.

“My family and the police failed the poor child.

“I was not home during the incident however when he told me what was happening I spoke to the police over the phone.

“I requested them not to arrest the child because they did not find him in the shop and that he was only a child, but they did not listen to me.

“I urge people to help this young man.”

Police said Mr Makhuza should talk with them to see what can be done.